Ready to explore a place of faith? Let’s step inside the Parroquia Santa Margarita María de Alacoque. This church is located on Calle de Jaime Vera. It stands as a testament to devotion. The story of this parish is intertwined with faith and community.
The Parroquia Santa Margarita María de Alacoque got fused with the nearby Santa Cristina in 2019. Santa Cristina is located on paseo de Extremadura. It was founded by Queen María Cristina de Habsburgo. She was the second wife of King Alfonso XII. Its initial purpose was to serve as an asylum for children. Santa Cristina adopted a neomudéjar style during its construction between 1904 and 1906. For a short time, it depended on the parish of la Almudena. It gained its own identity as a parish in the 1950s. This happened after its restoration. The church suffered damage during the Civil War. It was used as a “checa” during that time.
Now, let’s delve into the story of Santa Margarita María de Alacoque herself. She was born into a wealthy family in Burgundy. That is a region in France. Her birth year was 1647. Her parents were Catholic. However, they were not devout enough to allow her to enter a convent. At the young age of five, Margarita consecrated herself to the Lord. She vowed chastity. Overcoming her parents’ resistance, she joined the Order of the Visitation at 24. The order was founded by San Francisco de Sales.
Among the Visitandines, Margarita added María to her name upon taking her vows. She wasn’t happy. She had visions of the Virgin. Yet she never spoke of them. Rumors circulated. Many nuns and superiors did not believe her. They mocked her. Some suggested she was ill or mad. Nevertheless, Margarita remained a Visitandine for over twenty years. She experienced extraordinary graces. Also, she faced enormous penances. She welcomed them with a smile.
Her spiritual father was the Jesuit Claude de la Colombière. He recognized her holiness. He instructed her to recount her mystical experiences. These experiences became her autobiography. Initially, she resisted. Out of obedience, she complied. She was convinced she was writing only for herself. She didn’t realize the value of her words. From 1673, Margarita María began receiving visits from Jesus. He requested a special devotion to His Sacred Heart. It appeared to her “radiant as a sun, with an adorable wound”. It was surrounded by thorns. It was crowned by a cross. It rested on a throne of thorns. Her experiences led to the iconography we know today. They led to the institution of the liturgical feast of the Sacred Heart of Jesus. It is celebrated on the eighth day after Corpus Domini.
Jesus appeared to Margarita María for 17 years. He did so until her death. He called her his “beloved disciple”. He shared the secrets of his heart. He made her a participant in the science of love. Jesus promised that whoever received communion for nine consecutive months. This had to be done on the first Friday of the month. That person would receive the gift of final penitence. They would die receiving the sacraments. They would die without sin. Jesus also asked her to appeal to King Louis XIV of France. He was to consecrate the country to the Sacred Heart. But the saint did not receive a response from the sovereign.
Margarita María died on October 17, 1690. Thanks to her, a sanctuary dedicated to the Sacre Coeur was built in Montmartre. It was built in Paris between 1875 and 1914. It was consecrated in 1919. Pius IX beatified her in 1864. Benedict XV canonized her in 1920.
The Parroquia Santa Margarita María de Alacoque continues to be a place of worship. It offers various sacraments. These include baptism and confirmation. It also offers reconciliation. The Eucharist is at the center of parish life. There are activities for children and adults. These include catechesis and youth groups. There are opportunities for prayer. There is also community service. The parish extends charity to those in need. It fosters a sense of community.
As we stand here, remember Santa Margarita María de Alacoque. Her devotion inspires. The fusion with Santa Cristina enriches its history. The Parroquia Santa Margarita María de Alacoque is more than just a building. It is a living testament to faith.