The example of St. Claude’s life and his spiritual insight served royalty and saints–and got him into political trouble that cost him his life.

He was born to a family of French nobles in 1641, and, as he grew, felt a call to religious life. He was educated at a Jesuit school in Lyons and joined the order in 1659.

He became well-educated and took on a nun in spiritual direction—her name was Margaret Mary Alocoque. She eventually became known as a saint because of the vision of Christ she received in 1675 that established devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus. (One manifestation of that devotion is the Sacred Heart of Jesus statue that stands in front of the Dome on campus.)

Claude took a vow to uphold the strictest rule of life in pursuit of holiness and perfection. In addition to guiding Margaret Mary, he was also assigned chaplain to Mary of Modena, Duchess of York, who would later become queen. He traveled to Protestant Britain to serve her, and converted many to Catholicism by the example of his holy life.

He was suspected of hatching “papist plots” against the king and was imprisoned. It was only the intercession of French King Louis XIV that saved his life. He was exiled and returned to France, but his health was ruined and he died not long after arriving. Though he suffered every torment except death for his faith, he is still considered a martyr.

As a prominent French saint, Claude’s relics were collected by the early members of Holy Cross and now rest in the reliquary chapel. His image is used here with permission from Catholic.org.

St. Claude de la Colombiere, you sought the perfect life of holiness and you preached to kings and queens, pray for us!