When we think about the devotion to the Sacred Heart, one name immediately comes to mind: St. Margaret Mary Alacoque.
But there is another saint without whom this beloved devotion might never have spread throughout the Church.
His name was St. Claude de la Colombière.
In 1675, St. Margaret Mary was receiving the now-famous revelations of the Sacred Heart of Jesus. Yet instead of being believed, she was met with skepticism. Even some within her own religious community questioned her experiences, and one learned priest dismissed them as deception.
Imagine carrying such an extraordinary burden and having no one believe you.
Then God sent St. Claude.
A Jesuit priest and gifted preacher, Claude was assigned to Paray-le-Monial, where St. Margaret Mary lived. During a retreat he preached to her community, she heard Our Lord speak to her heart:
"He is the one I sent you."
When she finally confided in Fr. Claude, he carefully listened, discerned her experiences, and became convinced that the revelations were authentic. He encouraged her to write them down, urged her to persevere through misunderstanding and criticism, and pledged himself to spreading devotion to the Sacred Heart.
His support changed everything.
Because St. Claude recognized God's work in St. Margaret Mary, her superior also came to believe her. What had once seemed destined to remain hidden within the walls of a convent began to spread throughout the Church.
Sometimes we forget that God often accomplishes His work through ordinary acts of fidelity.
Even though St. Claude did not receive the visions or become the public face of the devotion, his simple listening allowed him to discern and support the mission that God had entrusted to someone else.
Later, St. Claude suffered greatly for the faith. While serving in England, he was falsely accused during the anti-Catholic hysteria known as the Popish Plot, imprisoned, and his already fragile health was permanently damaged. He eventually returned to Paray-le-Monial, where he spent his final days encouraging St. Margaret Mary and promoting devotion to the Sacred Heart until his death in 1682.
One of his most beautiful prayers reveals the trust that marked his entire life:
"In You, O loving God, have I hoped: let me never be confounded."
Perhaps that is why St. Claude remains such an important saint today.
In a world filled with noise, confusion, and skepticism, he reminds us that God might ask us to do something simple: recognize His work, trust Him completely, and faithfully encourage others to do the same.
Our Sacred Heart Dangle Earrings are a beautiful reminder of the love of Christ poured out for the world. Inspired by the devotion St. Claude helped bring to the Church, they are a simple way to keep the Sacred Heart close throughout the day. Discover them today at The Catholic Company!
