Saint of October - St Margaret Mary Alacoque

Born in Burgundy in 1647, Saint Margaret Mary showed intense love for the Blessed Sacrament from early childhood. As a child she was confined to bed for four years with rheumatic fever. She was restored to health after making a vow to the Blessed Virgin Mary to consecrate herself to the religious life.

As a young woman she experienced a vision of the scourged Jesus Christ, who showed her the love he had for her in his heart. She determined to fulfil her childhood vow and entered the Visitation Convent at Paray-le-Monial at the age of 23, making her final profession in 1672. At the convent Saint Margaret Mary received a series of visions of the Sacred Heart. These revealed the features of a devotion which included the reception of Holy Communion on the First Friday of every month, a weekly Holy Hour of Eucharistic Adoration and celebration of the Feast of the Sacred Heart. Saint Margaret Mary was beatified in 1864 and canonised by Pope Benedict XV in 1920. Her feast day is celebrated on 16 October.

Written by Paul Cavadino