The feast day of St. Claude de la Columbiere is celebrated on Feb. 15.
St. Claude de la Columbiere was born near Lyon France in 1641. He was educated in a Jesuit school and later joined the Society of Jesus, also known as the Jesuits. Early in his priesthood he was named preacher of the Avignon School. He was a powerful preacher and his sermons were published. He fought against the Jansenism heresy which believed in predestination. Jansenism also believed that Christ died only for the elect, not for all of mankind.
While serving as Superior for the Parayle Monail School he met St. Margaret Mary Alacoque. She had received visions of the Sacred Heart of Jesus and sought his spiritual direction. He became her spiritual director and confessor. Father Claude advised her to receive the gifts of God with faith and humility. He considered the devotion to the Sacred Heart a remedy for the heresy of Jansenism.
St. Claude was arrested for converting Protestants. He was imprisoned and then banished to England. When he returned to France he was terminally ill with kidney disease. he was sent to Lyon and Paray to recover his health. He died on Feb. 15, 1682.
No one can penetrate the mysteries of the Sacred Heart
without tasting the cup of bitterness
that Jesus drank from so deeply.
Quote of St. Claude de la Columbiere
February is the Month of the Passion of Our Lord
