Mother Anne-Marguerite Clement (1593-1661) was the Foundress of the Visitation Monastery in Melun, France.
In 1636, the venerable Mother Clement, being in prayer, was vouchsafed a privilege like to that with which God honored St. Catharine of Siena. ” It seemed to me,” she wrote, ” that God took my heart out of my breast, and put His own in its place; so that, as it appeared to me, I had no other heart than that of Jesus.”
Ravished thus into ecstasy, she saw her blessed Father St. Francis de Sales making his sojourn in the Sacred Heart of Jesus, and there receiving the inspiration to erect an Order which would have only one end, that of honoring the Divine Heart of Jesus. In another ecstasy she saw the Blessed Virgin Mary drawing from the pierced side of Jesus Christ and pouring over her dear Visitation all the graces of which it had need to fulfil its mission.
Mother Clement’s primary spiritual gifts were the mystical marriage, the impression of Jesus’ Name on her heart, and the union of hearts. The biography of her life was published in 1686 by her Barnabite Director, Father Gallicio.
Source: Bishop Emile Bougaud
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