Today is the feast day of St. Margaret Mary Alacoque, whom Mother Cabrini chose as the patron saint of our Institute.
It is said that Mother Cabrini most likely fell in love with the Sacred Heart of Jesus precisely because of this saint.
Here is what we read in the book written by Sister Maria Regina Canale titled: “The Glory of the Heart of Jesus in the Spirituality of St. Frances Cabrini” on page 80 of the print version (page 92 in the digital version):
“The young girl often went to pray in the chapel of the Daughters of the Sacred Heart, and when the Sisters noticed her, they would inform the superior, who ‘would go up to the gallery above the chapel and there, on several occasions, enjoy the sight’ of the young girl in prayer.”
It was probably in the monastery of the Daughters of the Sacred Heart of Jesus that (Francesca) was filled with love and deep devotion to the divine Heart of the Savior.”
Absorbed before the altar, she could contemplate, in the background, a large painting depicting the Sacred Heart in conversation with Blessed Margaret Mary; on the right side was the Gospel scene of Martha and Mary with Jesus, and on the left, the scene of the breaking of bread with the disciples of Emmaus.
For Francesca—who had already been visited in such a special way by the Holy Spirit during the extraordinary event of her Confirmation—these depictions may have served as a constant invitation to meditation. In the depiction inspired by the Gospel of Luke, Mary is the one who allows herself to be absorbed in contemplation of the Lord and in listening to his word; she is a living reminder to delve ever deeper into that knowledge which makes Jesus a living presence within us; Margaret Mary is drawn toward the Heart of Christ—an invitation to live His love in such a way as to recognize Him in His signs and interpret His desires, like the disciples of Emmaus, driven by the Risen Christ to share His eternal life with others.”
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