We must know the love of Christ which surpasses all knowledge

Treasures of Our Faith with Deacon Richard Vehige

Today, October 16, as our Church celebrates the Memorial of Margaret Mary Alacoque, Virgin, we are invited to first reflect on a passage from the first letter of apostle Paul to the Corinthians (7: 25-40), entitled “Christian Chastity”. Our treasure, which follows, is from a letter by Saint Margaret Mary Alacoque, virgin.

Saint Margaret Mary was born in 1647 in the diocese of Autun in France. She joined the Sisters of the Visitation at Paray-le-Monial where she advanced in the life of perfection, and was favored with mystical revelations. She was especially devoted to the Sacred Heart of Jesus and was responsible for spreading that devotion throughout the Church. She lived a pious and devout life and was known for her charity and compassion for the poor of Scotland. Through her influence over her husband and his court, she promoted, in conformity with the Gregorian reform, the interests of the church and of the English population conquered by the Scots in the previous century. She died on October 17, 1690.

In his first letter to the Corinthians Paul warns against divisions within the Church and emphasizes the importance of unity among Church members. He warns members against sexual immorality, teaches that the body is a temple for the Holy Spirit, and encourages self-discipline.