Loading...
Loading...
Click here if you don’t see subscription options
James Martin, S.J.February 15, 2011

Happy Feast of St. Claude la Colombière (1641-1682) the spiritual director of St. Margaret Mary Alocoque, who had received the visions of the Sacred Heart in the Visitation convent at Paray-le-Monial, in France. When few in her convent trusted her experiences, and she was reaching a point of despair over ever being believed, she heard Jesus say to her in prayer, "I will send you my faithful servant and perfect friend." Claude, a young Jesuit completing his formation, was soon afterwards assigned as spiritual director to the convent.  It was to him that St. Margaret Mary confided her visions, and Claude who later was responsible for spreading the devotion.  In the notiviate, I read a marvelous book that cemented my love for (then Blessed) Claude, called “Perfect Friend.”  Being Jesus's "perfect friend" is a good goal for all of us.  St. Claude, pray for us.

Here is a video from the Apostleship of Prayer on St. Claude:

 

Comments are automatically closed two weeks after an article's initial publication. See our comments policy for more.
Juan Lino
14 years 4 months ago
Being Jesus's "perfect friend" is a good goal for all of us. 

AMEN!
14 years 4 months ago
Yes, it is, Juan...Thank you Father.When I think of all the wounds that the Church has suffered, and continues to suffer, as the result of the abuse of children by priests, I can't think of a message more fitting than that of the Devotion to the Sacred Heart: mercy, love and reparation. Wouldn't it be wonderful if we could offer whatever suffering we have in our lives and offer it to Jesus in reparation?Thank you Fr. Martin. Thank you Fr. Kubicki. If you haven't checked out Offer It Up, I highly reommend that you do.
14 years 4 months ago
Great suggestion, Maria.  I'm with you. 

The latest from america

Many aspects of Pope Francis’ remarkable program of ecclesial renewal weare prefigured in Hans Urs von Balthasar’s vision for the church.
Travis LaCouterJune 27, 2025
Elio, voiced by Yonas Kibreab, and Glordon, voiced by Remy Edgerly, appear in the animated movie “Elio” (OSV News/Disney/Pixar).
Pixar’s best films understand that kids are capable of profound emotional intelligence. As they try to regain their former success, I think that is what they should focus on.
John DoughertyJune 27, 2025
Sister Camille D’Arienzo “didn’t toe the line. She said what she believed. She is a progressive woman who had a very big pulpit, which was over three million listeners a week.”
June 27, 2025
David Foster Wallace gave a reading for Booksmith at All Saints Church in 2006 (Wikimedia commons).
Twenty years ago, David Foster Wallace delivered one of the most widely shared and admired graduation speeches of all time. It still rewards close analysis.
Michael O’ConnellJune 27, 2025