Sacred Heart Appearing to St. Margaret Mary

Donor: Cathedral Altar Society

Builder: Louis Koch, Beauvais, France

The principal saint promoting devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus was Saint Margaret Mary Alacoque.

Saint Margaret Mary Alacoque (1647-1690) was a nun of the Order of the Visitation of Mary at Paray-Le-Monial, France.

Jesus appeared to her over an eighteen month period, requesting devotion to His Sacred Heart. In 1682, Sister Margaret Mary was given positions of authority in her community and was able to spread devotion to the Sacred Heart.

The Sacred Heart is a medieval symbol of Christ's sacrifice, particularly within the Roman Catholic Church.

The sacred heart signifies the redeeming love of God as the source of illumination and happiness, hence the flames, and the thorns representing the Crown of Thorns that Christ wore on the Cross.