The Sacred Heart is one of the most well-known images in the Church, but not everyone knows its connection to St. Margaret Mary Alacoque. St. Margaret Mary Alacoque was a French nun in the 17th century who received visions of Jesus in which He revealed His Sacred Heart. In these visions, Jesus showed her His burning love for humanity and entrusted her with spreading devotion to the Sacred Heart. She spent her life proclaiming that His heart is an inexhaustible source of mercy and burns for love of each person. Five of her relics will be visiting St. Timothy Catholic Church for veneration.

What are relics? What relics of St. Margaret Mary Alacoque are coming?

A relic is an item or remains of a canonized saint that is venerated to remember the saint’s life and ask for their intercession. A first-class relic is a portion of the bodily remains of a saint, a second-class relic is an object or piece of clothing that was worn or used by a saint during their lifetime on earth, and a third-class relic is an object that has been touched to a first- or second-class relic.

Two collarbones, two ribs, and a piece of her brain will be coming to be venerated. These relics are fitting as bones were close to her heart and Christ chose to speak to her mind.

What is the schedule?

Relics will be venerated at St. Timothy Catholic Church, 17512 Lakeshore Rd, Lutz.

October 29:

Opening Mass | 9:00 am | Church

Relic Veneration | 9:30 am – 8:00 pm | Church

Eucharistic Adoration | 9:30 am – 8:00 pm | Holy Family Chapel

Movie Showing- Sacred Heart: His Reign Has No End | 5:30pm | Parish Hall

October 30:

Opening Mass | 9:00 am | Church

Relic Veneration | 9:30 am – 5:30 pm | Church

Eucharistic Adoration | 9:30 am – 5:30 pm | Holy Family Chapel

Mercy Night (Adoration, Relic Veneration, Reconciliation, Music, and Testimonies) | 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm | Church

Click here for more information about the schedule.

What were her visions?

Each vision she received had a different element or request from Jesus:

In her first vision, Jesus allowed her to rest and He revealed His love. He told her to make His Divine Heart known to the world.

In her second vision, Jesus appeared with His flaming Sacred Heart surrounded by a crown of thorns and a cross on top. This is the image of the Sacred Heart we are familiar with today.

In her third vision, Jesus requested a Holy Hour on Thursday nights to share in the agony in the Garden of Gethsemane as well as the First Fridays devotion which consists of receiving Holy Communion on the first Friday of each month for the reparation of sin.

In her fourth vision, Jesus asked for the Feast of the Sacred Heart to be established and celebrated on the Friday after Corpus Christi. This feast is still celebrated each year.

For more information about the visit of these relics, click here.