Roman Catholics celebrate Saturday, October 16, the Memorial of Saint Margaret Mary Alacoque, the Apostle of the Sacred Heart of Jesus.
Holy masses were expected to be held at 6 a.m., 7:30 a.m., 5 p.m. and at 6:30 p.m. at the National Shrine of the Sacred Heart of Jesus in San Antonio Village, Makati City. Novena prayers in her honor were held from October 7 to 15 in all holy masses after the post communion prayer
St. Margaret, together with Sts. John Eudes, and Claude de la Columbiere, popularized the devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus.
According to accounts, she had visions of Jesus Christ starting on Dec. 27, 1673, and for 18 months thereafter, that inspired her to establish the Holy Hour. Calling her the “beloved disciple of the Sacred Heart,” Jesus invited her “to spread devotion to His Divine Heart and to offer sacrifices to repair the offenses inflicted by men.”
Devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus was officially recognized and approved by Pope Clement XIII in 1765.
Born on July 22, 1647 in France, St. Margaret was a nun of the Order of the Visitation. She died in 1690 and was canonized by Pope Benedict XV in 1920.