Today is the memorial of St. Margaret Mary Alacoque. The Chiesa Sacro Cuore del Suffragio, or the Church of the Sacred Heart of the Suffrage, is located in Rome and was built in 1894 by the Missionaries of the Sacred Heart. At that time, they established the Associazione del Sacro Cuore del Suffragio delle Anime del Purgatorio, which translates to “Association of the Sacred Heart of the Suffrage of the Purgatory Souls.” The goal of this association was to promote devotion to the Sacred Heart and to the Virgin Mary. If you have a chance to visit the Church, you will find the second altar on the right side dedicated to St. Margaret Mary Alacoque, who promoted devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus in the modern context. Above the altar is a painting that depicts the Sacred Heart of Jesus appearing to St. Margaret Mary. On the left side, a painting depicts St. Margaret Mary surrounded by the souls in purgatory. Finally, a painting shows St. Margaret Mary Alacoque teaching the Novices in her convent how to devote themselves to the Sacred Heart of Jesus.
St. Margaret Mary Alacoque was a French Visitation nun and mystic. On December 27, 1673, she received a private revelation from the Sacred Heart of Jesus. On that day, Jesus told her He wants humanity to know His love for them, and He chose Margaret Mary to carry out that mission. Margaret Mary later became the Novice Director in her convent and began spreading devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus among her novices. After she died in 1690, the Society of Jesus promoted the devotion of the Sacred Heart of Jesus for generations. While St. Margaret Mary received a private revelation, St. Paul, in his letter to the Ephesians that we hear today, speaks more generally about the gift of revelation. Paul addresses Gentile Christians who have received the gift of revelation. They have received the announcement of God's truthful word, which the good news of their salvation. Receiving the good news means they have been marked by the seal of the Holy Spirit. So, like the promise of redemption in early Christianity, the promise of devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus is a gift God bestowed on Christians, showing that they have a place in God's plan for salvation.