St. Claude Colombiere, S.J.

(1641-1682)

Claude de la Colombiere is best known for his association with St. Margaret Mary Alacoque and the devotion of the Sacred Heart, but his life has its own drama.

He was born near Lyons in 1641 and entered the Society of Jesus at Avignon.
After his novitiate, he taught grammar and the humanities.

Even before his ordination to the priesthood, he gained a reputation as a preacher. After completing his studies in Paris, he became tutor to the sons of palace officials.

In 1675, he was appointed superior at Paray-le-Monial,
in which the convent of St. Margaret Mary was located.

Here he became her spiritual director,
encouraged her in the spread of the devotion to the Sacred Heart,
and was described by our Lord as His "faithful and perfect friend."

Because of his remarkable gifts and judgment, he was sent to England,
to be court preacher to the duchess of York, wife of the future James II,
and took up residence in London.

His radiant personality and splendid gifts were noted by everyone.

When the alleged "Popish Plot" to assassinate King Charles II shook the country, Blessed Claude was accused of complicity in the plot and imprisoned.

Through the intervention of Louis XIV of France, he was released,
then banished from the country.
He spent his last years at Paray-le-Monial, his health broken.

He died on February 15, 1682, an apostle of the devotion to the Sacred Heart,

and was beatified in 1929 – canonized in 1992.

1992 - Canonization Mass for Saint Claude La  Colombiere
Pope John Paul II

“For evangelization today the Heart of Christ must be recognized as the heart of the  Church: it is he who calls us to conversion, to reconciliation. It is he who leads pure  hearts and those hungering for justice along the way of the Beatitudes. It is he who  achieves the warm communion of the members of the one Body. It is he who enables us to  adhere to the Good News and to accept the promise of eternal life. It is he who sends us  out on mission. The heart-to-heart with Jesus broadens the human heart on a global scale.

May the canonization of Claude La Colombiere be for the whole Church an appeal to live  the consecration to the Heart of Christ, a consecration which is a self-giving that allows  the charity of Christ to inspire us, pardon us and lead us in his ardent desire to open  the ways of truth and life to all our brothers and sisters!”