Apostle of the Sacred Heart and Confessor to Saint Margaret Mary Alacoque
Saint Claude de la Colombière stands as one of the great champions of devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus—the Jesuit priest whose discernment, courage, and holiness authenticated the mystical revelations given to Saint Margaret Mary Alacoque and helped spread this devotion throughout the Catholic world. Born into French nobility in 1641 and dying at the young age of 41 after imprisonment and exile for the faith, Claude's brief but intense life demonstrates how God uses obedient servants to accomplish His purposes. His recognition of the truth in Margaret Mary's visions, his own personal consecration to the Sacred Heart, and his martyrdom for preaching Christ in Protestant England made him the perfect instrument for propagating a devotion that would transform Catholic spirituality.
Canonized by Pope Saint John Paul II on May 31, 1992, Claude reminds us that the Sacred Heart—symbol of Christ's burning love for humanity—calls us to abandon ourselves completely to divine love and to spread this message of mercy in a world that desperately needs it.
Historical Context: France in the Age of Louis XIV
The Grand Siècle
Claude de la Colombière was born on February 2, 1641 (the Feast of the Presentation of the Lord), in Saint-Symphorien-d'Ozon, a small town near Lyon in the Dauphiné region of southeastern France. This was the height of France's Grand Siècle (Great Century):
Political Power: Louis XIV (reigned 1643-1715), the "Sun King," was transforming France into Europe's dominant power, centralizing authority, patronizing the arts, and expanding French territory.
Cultural Brilliance: This was the age of Molière, Racine, and Corneille in literature; of Poussin and Le Brun in painting; of splendor at Versailles.
Religious Tensions: But beneath the brilliance, serious religious problems threatened French Catholicism:
The Jansenist Heresy
Jansenism was a theological movement (named after Cornelius Jansen, Bishop of Ypres, d. 1638) that distorted Catholic teaching on grace and salvation:
Their Errors:
- Overemphasis on human depravity and unworthiness
- Rigorist moral theology making the sacraments nearly inaccessible
- Discourag
ing frequent Communion
- Portraying God as stern judge rather than loving Father
- Creating atmosphere of fear rather than love
The Danger: Jansenism infected many Catholics, especially among the educated elite, seminaries, and even some religious orders. It created a grim, joyless version of Catholicism that repelled rather than attracted souls.
The Divine Response: God's answer to Jansenist rigorism was the devotion to the Sacred Heart—emphasizing God's infinite love, mercy, and desire for intimate relationship with each soul. Claude would become a key figure in this divine plan.
The Jesuits
The Society of Jesus (Jesuits), founded by Saint Ignatius of Loyola in 1540, had become the Church's most effective force against Protestantism and for Catholic renewal. They were:
- Educators (running hundreds of colleges throughout Europe)
- Missionaries (evangelizing in Asia, Africa, and the Americas)
- Theologians (defending orthodox Catholic doctrine)
- Spiritual directors (guiding souls through the Spiritual Exercises)
The Jesuits were staunch opponents of Jansenism, championing orthodox teaching on grace and promoting frequent Communion. This made them targets of Jansenist hatred—a conflict that would affect Claude's life profoundly.
Early Life and Formation (1641-1669)
Noble Family and Childhood
Claude was born to Bertrand de la Colombière and Margaret Coindat, members of the French nobility. He was the third of seven children, four of whom entered religious life—a testament to the family's deep Catholic faith.
Happy Childhood: Claude's early years were marked by:
- Close family bonds
- Active social life
- Appreciation for arts and literature
- Natural talents for friendship and conversation
Education: He began studies in Vienne (where the family had moved), showing intellectual promise and refinement.
The Call to Religious Life
Despite enjoying worldly pleasures and social life, Claude felt drawn to the Jesuits. At age 17 (1658), he entered the Jesuit novitiate at Avignon.
Initial Struggles: In his journal, Claude admitted having "a horrible aversion" to religious life at first. The rigorous Jesuit training, separation from family, and austere discipline were difficult for someone who loved literature, arts, and socializing.
Growth: But this honest young man persevered. The "selfless side of Claude won out," and he embraced his vocation wholeheartedly.
Jesuit Formation (1658-1669)
Claude followed the standard Jesuit curriculum:
Studies (1658-1674):
- Classical languages and literature
- Philosophy (three years)
- Teaching assignment (1666-1669)
- Theology in Paris (1666-1669)
Ordination: April 6, 1669—Claude was ordained a priest in Paris.
Further Work (1669-1674):
- Teaching rhetoric at Trinity College (1670-1673)
- Preaching at Lyon Jesuit church
- Moderator of Marian sodalities
- Tertianship (final year of Jesuit formation)
Special Vow (1674): After 15 years as a Jesuit, Claude made a personal, private vow to observe the Jesuit Rule and Constitutions in their strictest interpretation. This radical commitment brought him:
- Inner freedom and liberation
- Greater ability to serve others
- Deeper union with God
This vow prepared him for his mission at Paray-le-Monial.
Paray-le-Monial: Meeting Saint Margaret Mary (1675-1676)
Appointment as Superior
In February 1675, Claude (now 34) was appointed Superior of the small Jesuit residence at Paray-le-Monial, a town in Burgundy.
Why Paray?: Most who knew Claude's talents wondered why such a gifted preacher and teacher was sent to this obscure place. But divine Providence had arranged this appointment—Claude needed to be there to meet a humble Visitandine nun.
Saint Margaret Mary Alacoque
Margaret Mary (1647-1690) had entered the Visitation Monastery at Paray-le-Monial in 1671. Since December 1673, she had been receiving extraordinary revelations from Jesus Christ about His Sacred Heart.
Her Visions: Christ appeared to her repeatedly, showing her His Heart burning with love for humanity:
- Revealing His desire for a special devotion to His Heart
- Asking for a feast day in honor of the Sacred Heart
- Promising extraordinary graces to those devoted to His Heart
- Requesting reparation for ingratitude and indifference
Her Problem: Margaret Mary's visions were met with skepticism, contempt, and ridicule:
- Her superiors thought her deluded
- Fellow nuns mocked her
- Previous confessors dismissed her experiences
- She suffered terrible anguish and doubt
Christ's Promise: Jesus assured Margaret Mary He was sending her "my faithful servant and perfect friend" who would believe her and help spread the devotion.
The First Meeting
When Claude arrived at Paray-le-Monial in February 1675, he gave a spiritual conference to the Visitation nuns. As Margaret Mary listened, an interior voice told her: "This is he whom I send you."
Reluctant Disclosure: During Lent 1675, Margaret Mary (with great reluctance and embarrassment) opened her soul completely to Father de la Colombière, revealing everything about her visions.
Claude's Discernment: He listened carefully, questioned prudently, and discerned wisely. He recognized:
- The theological orthodoxy of the visions
- Their conformity with Scripture and Tradition
- The genuine humility of the visionary
- The fruits of holiness in Margaret Mary's life
- The divine origin of these revelations
His Conclusion: These visions were authentic. God was indeed revealing His Heart to this humble nun.
The Great Revelation (June 16, 1675)
On the Feast of the Sacred Heart (Friday after Corpus Christi octave), during Mass celebrated by Claude, both he and Margaret Mary received a special grace:
Margaret Mary's Vision: She saw Jesus showing His Heart, saying:
"Behold the Heart which has so loved men, yet receives nothing but ingratitude, contempt, irreverence, sacrilege, and coldness, even in this Sacrament of Love."
Jesus requested:
- A feast in honor of the Sacred Heart
- Frequent Communion, especially First Fridays
- Holy Hours of reparation
- Spreading this devotion throughout the world
Claude's Role: Jesus specifically mentioned Claude, entrusting him with the mission of propagating this devotion.
Mutual Consecration (June 21, 1675)
On June 21, 1675, Claude and Margaret Mary together made a solemn consecration to the Sacred Heart of Jesus. This act:
- Bound them in spiritual friendship
- Committed them to spreading the devotion
- United their hearts with Christ's Heart
- Sealed their mission
Claude's Personal Devotion: From this moment, the Sacred Heart became the center of Claude's spiritual life. He wrote in his journal profound meditations on Christ's love and his own unworthiness.
(Continuing with the biography in Part 2 due to space constraints...)
London Mission and Martyrdom (1676-1679)
Appointment as Royal Preacher
In September 1676, after only 18 months at Paray-le-Monial, Claude was appointed preacher to Mary of Modena, Duchess of York (later Queen of England).
The Mission: England was intensely anti-Catholic. The Duchess needed a courageous, holy, learned Jesuit to serve as her chaplain and preach—secretly—to Catholics at court.
Ministry in England
Secret Preaching: Claude preached throughout London despite laws against Catholic worship, converting many Protestants and reconciling lapsed Catholics.
Sacred Heart Devotion: He promoted devotion to the Sacred Heart wherever possible, praying his famous prayer: "O my God, Thou must give us a new heart, a heart like Thine. Thou must give us Thine own Heart."
The Titus Oates Plot (1678)
False Accusations: Titus Oates fabricated the "Popish Plot"—a fictional conspiracy claiming Jesuits planned to assassinate King Charles II and restore Catholicism by force.
Hysteria: England erupted in anti-Catholic mania. Dozens of innocent Catholics were executed.
Claude's Arrest: In November 1678, Claude was arrested on false charges and thrown into King's Bench Prison.
Ordeal:
- Three weeks in a freezing, filthy dungeon
- No heat, minimal food, constant dampness
- His health shattered irreparably
- Threat of execution
Release: Political pressure secured his release, but he was expelled from England.
Return to France (1679)
Claude, now a physical wreck, slowly made his way back to France. His lungs were damaged, his constitution broken. He would never fully recover.
Final Years: Lyon and Paray (1679-1682)
Lyon (1679-1681)
Claude returned to Lyon as spiritual director to Jesuit novices and students. Despite constant illness, he:
- Taught and formed young Jesuits
- Continued preaching when able
- Wrote spiritual treatises
- Promoted Sacred Heart devotion
Return to Paray-le-Monial (1681)
In 1681, Claude returned to Paray-le-Monial, the scene of his great mission. He was dying, and he knew it.
Reunion with Margaret Mary: The two saints were reunited briefly. She cared for him and received his final spiritual counsel.
Death (February 15, 1682)
On the First Sunday of Lent, February 15, 1682, Claude died of internal bleeding. He was only 41 years old.
Last Words: "My God, I believe in You; my God, I hope in You; my God, I love You with all my heart. I ask pardon for my sins."
Beatification and Canonization
Beatified: June 16, 1929 by Pope Pius XI
Canonized: May 31, 1992 by Pope Saint John Paul II
Feast Day: February 15
For Further Reading
- The Spiritual Direction of Saint Claude de la Colombière
- Retreat of Saint Claude de la Colombière
- Croiset, Jean. The Sacred Heart of Jesus
Feast Day: February 15
Born: February 2, 1641
Died: February 15, 1682 (age 41)
Beatified: 1929
Canonized: 1992
Sacred Heart of Jesus, I place my trust in Thee!
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