The relics of Saint Margaret Mary Alacoque were welcomed on the afternoon of Friday, May 23, at the Visitation Monastery on Via Briantea in Como.
A Visitandine nun who lived in the 17th century, Saint Margaret had mystical experiences that she recounted, at the direction of her spiritual father – the Jesuit Claude de Colombiére – in an autobiography. In these visions, which began in 1673, in the French convent of Paray-le-Monial, Jesus asks Margaret Mary to have special devotion to his Sacred Heart. The Lord appears to her “radiant like the sun, with an adorable wound, surrounded by thorns and surmounted by a cross, lying on a throne of thorns.”
These apparitions lasted 17 years, until the day of Margaret Mary’s death (which occurred on October 17, 1690), whom Jesus called “beloved disciple.”
The nun also received a great promise: whoever received communion for nine consecutive months on the first Friday of the month would be given the gift of final penance, that is, to die receiving the sacraments and in the absence of sin. Marguerite Maria Alacoque was beatified by Pope Pius IX in 1864 and canonized by Pope Benedict XV in 1920.
Friday, May 23, 2025 In the evening, at 8:30 p.m., the presentation of the encyclical “Dilexit nos” by Pope Francis will take place. The meeting will be led by Don Ezio Bolis, a priest of the Diocese of Bergamo, professor of spiritual theology at the Theological Faculty of Milan and director of the “Papa Giovanni XXIII” Foundation. Here is the live broadcast on the YouTube channel of our Weekly
23 maggio 2025 – don Ezio Bolis: “Dilexit nos”
Saturday, May 24, 2025 The day will begin early, at 7:30 a.m., with the Eucharistic celebration presided over by the Bishop, Cardinal Oscar Cantoni. In the evening, at 8:30 pm, there will be a moment of adoration with the young people of the city, entitled “With Margherita Maria we adore Jesus”.
Sunday 25 May 2025 At 9:00 am, the Holy Mass will be celebrated, presided over by Don Sandro Vanoli, archpriest of Uggiate Trevano. Finally, at 4:00 pm, there will be a moment of Eucharistic adoration, rosary and vespers, presided over by Don Marco Grega S.d.C., episcopal vicar for Consecrated Life. The sisters and brothers of Consecrated Life will also participate.
Source and photos : Le reliquie di santa Margherita Maria Alacoque al Monastero della Visitazione di Como fino al 25 maggio – Settimanale della Diocesi di Como