Perhaps the most recognized saint in the Church regarding the Sacred Heart is St. Margaret Mary Alcoque. She was the num of the visitation Order, living in a cloister in Paray-le-Monial, France. In the years between 1673 and 1675, she experienced many visions of the Sacred Heart. She saw His Heart engulfed in flames and surrounded by thorns and heard His gentile voice:
"Behold this Heart, which has loved so much but has received nothin buy coldness, indifference, and ingratitude in return"
St. Margaret Mary understood the infinite love which the Sacred Heart symbolized. She responded to this love with the desire to "make-up_ for the lack of love which was shown to Him. This is the meaning she gave to reparation.
From her cloister, she promoted the Feast Day of the Sacred Heart, First Friday Devotions, and the Holy Hour of Reparation. She is perhaps the best known for the 12 Promises of the Sacred Heart which she received in her visions.
Jesus appeared to St. Margaret Mary between 1673 and 1675. Among the words spoken to her, she heard Jesus make several promises to those who would respond to the pleadings of His Heart and make an effort to return His love. She wrote them down and they have come to be known as the Twelve Promises.