Saints and Holy Friends in the Heart of Jesus
Many holy people have a special connection to the Sacred Heart of Jesus and the Pope's Worldwide Prayer Network: some inspired our founding, while others embraced our spiritual program as part of their own devotion. We invite you to linger here to pray with Jesus, accompanied by these men and women who are so close to his Heart.
St. Thérèse of Lisieux
On October 15, 1885, at the age of 12, Thérèse became a member of the Apostleship of Prayer, a global community of prayer and mission now called the Pope’s Worldwide Prayer Network. The practice of the Daily Offering planted the seeds for her great spiritual path known as “The Little Way.
She is considered a Co-Patron of the Pope's Worldwide Prayer Network.
Download our free prayer card for St. Thérèse of Lisieux
Bl. Pier Giorgio Frassati
Pier Giorgio Frassati, another member of the Apostleship of Prayer, was born in Turin, Italy on April 6, 1901. At an early age, he joined the Apostleship of Prayer and developed a deep devotion to the Eucharist and the Blessed Mother.
His daily life was marked by prayer, especially in the morning and the evening.
At his beatification on May 20, 1990 by Pope John Paul II, he was named “the man of the eight beatitudes.”
He is the patron of young people.
Bl. Pier Giorgio Frassati
Pier Giorgio Frassati, another member of the Apostleship of Prayer, was born in Turin, Italy on April 6, 1901. At an early age, he joined the Apostleship of Prayer and developed a deep devotion to the Eucharist and the Blessed Mother.
His daily life was marked by prayer, especially in the morning and the evening.
At his beatification on May 20, 1990 by Pope John Paul II, he was named “the man of the eight beatitudes.”
He is the patron of young people.
Servant of God Julia Greeley
Known as the “angel of Denver,” Julia experienced cruel racism and discrimination. She never stopped loving. A convert to Catholicism who was centered in the Heart of Jesus, she was known for her heroic faith, generosity and service to others. The Jesuits at her parish considered her the most enthusiastic promoter of devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus they had ever seen. Every month she walked to every fire station in Denver and delivered literature of the Sacred Heart League to the firemen, Catholics and non-Catholics alike.
St. Margaret Mary Alacoque
Saint Margaret Mary Alacoque, known as Marguerite-Marie in her native France, piously promoted devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus.
The task given her by Christ was to teach and encourage devotion to His Sacred Heart. Her steadfast commitment to spreading this devotion, despite initial skepticism, eventually gained widespread acceptance and recognition. Canonized in 1920, Saint Margaret Mary Alacoque is celebrated for her profound spiritual experiences and unwavering dedication to promoting the love and compassion embodied by the Sacred Heart of Jesus.
Download our free prayer card for St. Margaret Mary Alacoque
St. Margaret Mary Alacoque
Saint Margaret Mary Alacoque, known as Marguerite-Marie in her native France, piously promoted devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus.
The task given her by Christ was to teach and encourage devotion to His Sacred Heart. Her steadfast commitment to spreading this devotion, despite initial skepticism, eventually gained widespread acceptance and recognition. Canonized in 1920, Saint Margaret Mary Alacoque is celebrated for her profound spiritual experiences and unwavering dedication to promoting the love and compassion embodied by the Sacred Heart of Jesus.
Download our free prayer card for St. Margaret Mary Alacoque
Saint Claude de la Colombiere, SJ
Claude de la Colombiere is best known for his association with Saint Margaret Mary Alacoque and the devotion of the Sacred Heart.
In 1675, after his solemn profession as a Jesuit, he was appointed superior at Paray-le-Monial, in which the convent of Saint Margaret Mary was located.
Here he became her spiritual director, encouraged her in the spread of the devotion to the Sacred Heart, and was described by our Lord as His “faithful and perfect friend.”
Saint John Paul II
Saint John Paul II was a true supporter of the Apostleship of Prayer. Throughout his life and his pontificate he encouraged people to adhere totally to Christ, and he felt that the Daily Offering, in union with the Sacrifice of the Mass, was the practice of our love for God and for others.
In 1999, Pope John Paul II performed a significant act of consecration by entrusting the world to the Sacred Heart of Jesus.
Saint Ignatius of Loyola
Saint Ignatius of Loyola, the founder of the Society of Jesus, was born in 1491 in the Basque Country of Northern Spain to a distinguished family. Ignatius was able to recognize that God was leading him to follow a path of service. Out of this experience he wrote his famous “Spiritual Exercises.”
Saint Caterina Volpicelli
Caterina Volpicelli was born into a pious upper middle-class Neapolitan family on January 21, 1839. She enjoyed studying literature, languages, and music at school, but chose to surrender her sophisticated society life to enter the Third Order Franciscans. Caterina's confessor introduced her to the Apostleship of Prayer's monthly leaflet; it became the guiding inspiration for her spiritual life, leading her to a deep love of the Eucharist and a heart for outreach to others.
Saint Louis Guanella
Fr. Guanella (1842-1915) was canonized by Pope Benedict the XVI in 2011. Devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus inspired all he did. A constant promoter of the Apostleship of Prayer, St. Louis Guanella wrote: “The Apostleship of Prayer is like the center of the devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus. The prayer of the agonizing Jesus pierces the Heart of God. This prayer, thus passing through the Sacred Heart, penetrates heaven and earth. In supplicating, the fervent Christian imitates this prayer of the Divine Incarnate Word. Thus the prayer of the good people sustains the world today, that it may not crash under the weight of iniquity.
Servant of God, Auguste "Nonco" Pelafigue, Louisiana
A devout and humble man, “Nonco” (a French nickname meaning “uncle”) was born in France in 1888. From the age of 1 until his death in 1977, he lived in Louisiana. While in school to become a teacher, Nonco joined the Apostleship of Prayer. He tirelessly promoted prayer and devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus, often writing and directing plays and music to engage children. From his two-room cabin, with no utilities, Nonco would set out on foot to visit people in need of prayer and encouragement. He organized the local League of the Sacred Heart, attracting well over 1,000 members and enlisting the help of more than 100 promoters.