Here we find the story of the devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus. It is here where Jesus appeared to St. Margaret Mary Alacoque. As a child she dedicated herself to the Blessed Virgin. As she grew older, her mother encouraged her to be more social hoping she would meet a husband. After attending a ball in an evening dress, Margaret had a vision of Christ, scourged and bloody. He accused Margaret of forgetting about him. He showed her that His heart was full of love for her because of the promise she made to His Blessed Mother as a child. Jesus chose her to be the instrument to spread the word about God’s love through His Most Sacred Heart. With complete dedication and love of Christ, Margaret Mary entered the Order of the Visitation nuns at the age of 24.

On December 21, 1674, only three years into her vocation, she received the first of her revelations. During the next 13 months, Christ appeared to her at intervals. His human heart was to be the symbol of his divine-human love. He also asked that a feast of reparation be instituted.

Margaret Mary died at the age of 43, while being anointed. She said: “I need nothing but God, and to lose myself in the heart of Jesus.” Her body is not incorrupt but is contained below the statue of her image.

Ars, is a small town where we will learn more about the work of the humble parish priest, St. John Vianney- who is the Patron Saint of Priests. St. John Marie Vianney was born on May 8, 1786 in the French town of Dardilly, France.

St. Vianney’s extraordinary piety made up for his limitations and he was finally ordained a priest on August 12, 1815. It took St. Vianney 10 years to bring spiritual renewal to Ars but his perseverance resulted in greater attendance in his church and the people turning away from their vices. By 1855, about 20,000 people would visit him, seeking his counsel. In the last ten years of his life, he would spend 16 to 18 hours per day in the confessional.

St. John Vianney’s body is incorrupt. As is the tradition with incorrupt saints, a wax mask is made to protect their faces from further damage.

I thought it was odd that my camera changed over to black and white as I photographed the humble dwelling of the saint which realistically, it was more appropriate.

This is the side altar used by the Saint for daily Masses. The view from his confessional for hours on end, was the body of our Lord under the altar.

SCRIPTURE REFLECTION: “I am grateful to him who has strengthened me, Christ Jesus our Lord, because he considered me trustworthy in appointing me to the ministry.” (1 Tim 12)

Through the lives of both these poor saints, Christ Jesus brought so many souls to a deeper understanding of his burning love for each of us. How sad that we are so caviler about loving him in return. Read more on the Sacred Heart here.