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The saint for February 15
St. Claude de la Colombiere
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| Optional Memorial |
| Jesuit |
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Born 1641
Died 1682
Canonized 1992
Young member of nobility, joined the Society of Jesus
and began his ministry in Paris. Known for his gifts
as a teacher and speaker.
In his travels, he had occasion to stop at the Visitation
Convent near Paray-le-Monial, and met with St. Margaret
Mary Alaquoque. He learned of her visionary
experiences and her mission to spread the devotion
to the Sacred Heart. Impressed with her truthfulness
and sincerity, he became a spiritual director for her
and encouraged and helped her in her mission.
For himself, he gained a deep devotion for the Sacred Heart
and worked to spread it, seeing in the devotion a
wonderful tool to deepen faith.
St. Claude was sent to England, where he spent time
preaching and seeking out converts, speaking openly
and fearlessly, despite the hostile atmosphere. He won
many souls. Eventually, he was detained and sentenced
to death for his faith. In prison, his health
deteriorated rapidly, and his sentence was commuted.
He was allowed to return to France, where he died
Among his writings is this simple and beautiful prayer:
Lord, I am in this world to show Your mercy to others.
Other people will glorify You by making visible the
power of Your grace by their fidelity and constancy to
You. For my part I will glorify You by making known
how good You are to sinners, that Your mercy is
boundless and that no sinner no matter how great his
offences should have reason to despair of pardon. If I
have grievously offended You, My Redeemer, let me
not offend You even more by thinking that You are not
kind enough to pardon Me. Amen.
"...here is a devotion centered on the humility of Christ, on his presence, on his love of mercy and on forgiveness." ---Pope John Paul II
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| Patronage: Toy Makers. Invoke for: Increased Devotion to the Sacred Heart, Confidence in the Mercy of God |
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 Index of Catholic Saints
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