St. Margaret Mary (1646-1690)

Margaret Mary Alacoque was born in a French village. While still a young student she had spiritual experiences. Not long after joining the Convent of the Visitation at Paray in 1671, Christ began appearing to Margaret Mary. He instructed her to promote the devotion to his Sacred Heart, the symbol of his burning love for everyone. Christ revealed to Margaret Mary his 12 promises to all who honor and have special devotion to his Sacred Heart. Jesus asked her that the first Friday of every month be made a day of special love and he asked her to pray for those who did not love him. People at first did not believe that God would reveal his love so powerfully to someone so simple and plain as Margaret Mary. Gradually she gained people's confidence. Despite living a cloistered life, Margaret Mary managed to create a great deal of interest in these special devotions. Her Jesuit spiritual director, Claude de la Columbiere, was skeptical of her claims, but once convinced of these authenticity he was very helpful in this endeavor. The Jesuits made the devotion to the Sacred Heart a part of their institute and promoted this devotion through the Apostleship of Prayer (Sacred Heart League). In 1765 Pope Clement XIII approved liturgical observance of the Sacred Heart in 1765, seventy-five years after Margaret Mary's death. Although may miracles had been attributed to her intercession Margaret Mary was not beatified until 1864 and she was only canonized in 1920. However, the devotion to Margaret Mary among the people was very strong. Note that the window at Immaculate Conception was dedicated to Saint Margaret Mary some 35 years before she was canonized.  The Feast Day of St. Margaret Mary is October 16th. 

The lower window contains a Chalice and Host encircled by Wheat and Grapes which are symbols of the bread and wine used in the Eucharist.