The Apparition of Saint Margaret Mary
THE APPARITION OF SAINT MARGARET MARY
This is the stained-glass window on the right side of the altar. The window shows Saint Margaret Mary kneeling before Jesus who exposes his Sacred Heart. She received a revelation from our Lord which included 12 promises to her and to those who practice a true devotion to His Sacred Heart, whose crown of thorns represents his sacrifices.
Our Lord told her that his enemy crowned His head with thorns, but His friends crown His Heart with thorns. What a weakness it is to love Jesus Christ only when he blesses us, and to be cold immediately when he afflicts us. This is not true love. Those who love thus, love themselves too much to love God with all their heart.
Daughter of Claude Alacoque and Philiberte Lamyn. Margaret Mary was born July 22, 1647. Died Oct. 17, 1690. She was Canonized in 1920 by Pope Benedict XV. Healed from a crippling disorder by a vision of the Blessed Virgin, prompted her to give her life to God. After receiving a vision of Christ fresh from the scourging, she joined the Order of Visitation at Paray-le-Monial. From the time she was twenty, she experienced visions of Christ. Our Lord informed her that she was His chosen instrument to spread devotion to his Sacred Heart. He instructed her in a devotion that was to become known as the Nine Fridays and the Holy hour and asked that a feast of the Sacred Heart be established.
The twelve promises of Jesus to Saint Margaret Mary for those devoted to his Sacred Heart:
- I will give them all the graces necessary for their state of life.
- I will establish peace in their families.
- I will console them in all their troubles.
- They shall find in My Heart an assured refuged during life and especially at the hour of their death.
- I will pour abundant blessings on all their undertakings.
- Sinners shall find in My Heart the source of an infinite ocean of mercy.
- Tepid souls shall become fervent.
- Fervent souls shall speedily rise to great perfection.
- I will bless the homes where and image of My Heart shall be exposed and honored.
- I will give to priests the power of touching the most hardened hearts.
- Those who propagate this devotion shall have their names written in My Heart, never to be effaced.
- The all-powerful love of My Heart will grant to all those who shall receive Communion on the First Friday of nine consecutive months the grace of final repentance, they shall not die under my displeasure, nor without receiving their sacraments. My Heart shall be their assured refuge at that last hour.
