Born in France in 1641, he was the 3rd child of Bertrand and Magaret and was taught by the Jesuits. 

At 17, he entered the Novitiate of The Society of Jesus at Avignon, finishing his studies and spending the next five years teaching grammar while he was in formation. 

In 1666, Claude was sent to Paris to study theology while, at the same time, developing quite a reputation as an outstanding preacher. 

In 1675 he was made Rector of a Jesuit Community in Burgundy where he was also the Spiritual Director of the Visitation Sisters. And it was here, that he met St. Margaret Mary Alacoque. 

Before his arrival, St. Margaret Mary had been given private revelations about Jesus and Devotion to His Sacred Heart. But it was not well received within her community and she suffered greatly. 

After many conversations and confessions, Claude not only became a supporter of St. Margaret Mary, he also became an advocate himself for Devotion to Jesus’ Sacred Heart. 

In 1676 he was sent to England where he continued to guide St. Margaret Mary by letter, but two years later he was arrested after Titas Oates, who became known as Titus the liar, made up a story about a plot by the Pope to assassinate Charles II. 

This led to an anti-Catholic hysteria that took the lives of many Catholics including 20 Jesuit priests. 

He was arrested and forced to return to France, going to Lyon as a Spiritual Director for Novices where he died on this day in 1682. 

St. Claude De La Colombiere, please pray for us.