Curé of Ars Draws Hundreds to Venerate St. Margaret Mary of Alocoque

Hundreds of parishioners of all ages paid their respects at Curé of Ars Saturday as relics of St. Margaret Mary Alacoque were on display at the church.

The relics are on loan from a basilica in France where Alacoque's remains are kept and have been on a mini-tour of Long Island in recent days.

According to the church, St. Margaret Mary was a cloistered nun in France in the 17th century who had a number of unique divine experiences, which in turn inspired her to foster devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus. She was canonized in 1920.

Some of the relics on display included small bone fragments from Alacoque's shoulder and hip, along with a tribute to her life story.

To many of those who came to honor, celebrate and pray, the witness of miracles such as those experienced by St. Margaret Mary are an affirmation of faith, and a reason to renew and restore their spirituality.

"It was awesome," said Hope Alguire, of Bellmore. "Very warming, very calming, just full of blessings. There's a very special quality to it."

Ann Mazza, of North Merrick, felt it was important to bring her children Michelle, 13, and Kristine, 12, as well as their friend Ronia, 13.

"I want to teach them that we all have something to pray for," Mazza said. "Sometimes we lose our spirituality with all of life's running around so this is a reminder of our spirituality."

West Islip resident Jennifer Arcoleo, 25, is moving to Merrick soon and she stopped in town Saturday to check out the display at Curé of Ars.

"It's a saint, it doesn't get any more amazing than that," Arcoleo said. "It was also very beautiful to look at, the gold leaf, the candles... just beautiful."