RELIC OF SAINT MARGARET MARY ALACOQUE

This oval silver reliquary is dedicated to Marguerite-Marie Alacoque, a 17th-century mystic famous for spreading devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus. On the front, the relic is carefully set in the center of a bright pink silk background, adorned with a small frame of gold paper. A handwritten label in black ink bears the abbreviated inscription: “Bse M. M. Alacoque”, clearly identifying the saint.

Good condition with original glass.

Not opened.

PERIOD: 19th century
DIMENSIONS: 2.5 cm x 1.8 cm
SIZE: 1" x 0.4"

Marguerite-Marie Alacoque (1647–1690) was a French Visitandine nun born in Verosvres. She is best known for receiving revelations of the Sacred Heart of Jesus between 1673 and 1675 at the monastery of Paray-le-Monial. These visions deeply influenced Catholic devotion to the Sacred Heart, which she spread despite much opposition. Her humility, piety, and fidelity to divine will marked her religious life. After her death, her influence grew within the Church, and devotion to the Sacred Heart was officially recognized. She was beatified by Pope Pius IX on September 18, 1864. Her canonization followed in 1920.