February 15th St. Claude de la Colombiere

[Denise]

It’s a special day for people who have a special devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus—a devotion Claude de la Colombière promoted along with his friend and spiritual companion, Saint Margaret Mary Alacoque. The emphasis on God’s love for all was an antidote to the rigorous moralism of the Jansenists, who were popular at the time.

Claude showed remarkable preaching skills long before his ordination in 1675. Two months later, he was made superior of a small Jesuit residence in Burgundy. It was there he first encountered Margaret Mary Alacoque. For many years after he served as her confessor.

He was next sent to England to serve as confessor to the Duchess of York. He preached by both words and by the example of his holy life, converting a number of Protestants. Tensions arose against Catholics and Claude, rumored to be part of a plot against the king, was imprisoned. He was ultimately banished, but by then his health had been ruined.

He died in 1682. Pope John Paul II canonized Claude de la Colombière in 1992.

[MarieT]

an interesting saint, which i must confess i hadnt heard about till now

- "confessor of the Duchess of York"......in this day and age, that would be Prince Andrew's wife - Sarah ...irrelevant i know but putting a contemporary modern day context onto his life in England and conversion of protestants

[Denise]

[MarieT]

lol