Wise Words For Today
By reading the wise quotes of successful people we capture something of their wisdom and glean great insight to help improve our lives.
Society of the Sacred Heart Australia New Zealand
Discover & Make Known the Love of God
Our Wisdom Women
Learn about key women in the story of the Society of the Sacred Heart.
St Madeleine Sophie Barat
St Madeleine Sophie Barat founded the Society of the Sacred Heart in France in 1800. Following her family’s custom, we call her Sophie. Sophie dreamed of restoring religious values to post revolutionary France. She wanted young people to know the love of the Heart of Jesus and to make reparation for the sacrileges committed during the Revolution. She saw Christian education as a way of renewing the social order. Years later, she recounted her original vision in this way: “My original idea of our little Society of the Sacred Heart was to gather young girls together and establish a little community which night and day would adore the Heart of
St Rose Philippine Duchesne
St Rose Philippine Duchesne established the first house of the Society of the Sacred Heart outside of France, and she is the second saint of the Society. Philippine, as she was known, had joined the Visitation order before the Revolution of 1791. In 1801, she tried to re-establish the convent at St Marie d’en Haut which had been dispersed by the Revolution. When she came into contact with the Society of the Sacred Heart through Fr Joseph Varin, she readily joined the fledgling foundation. From their first meeting, Philippine and St Madeleine Sophie Barat were firm friends. Philippine had a strong desire to go as a missionary to share the love of
Janet Erskine Stuart
Janet Erskine Stuart was the Superior General of the Society of the Sacred Heart from 1911 to 1914. She was the first Superior General to travel extensively, visiting the Society in many parts of the world. She is remembered as an outstanding educator and spiritual guide. Janet Erskine Stuart was born in 1857 at the Cottesmore Anglican Rectory in Rutland, England. Her father was an Anglican minister, and her conversion to Catholicism at the age of 21 was difficult for him. In 1881 she entered the Society and spent almost her whole life as an RSCJ as a member of the Roehampton community. Janet is credited with raising the standard of
Daily Inspiration
Reflection quotes from former leaders of the Society of the Sacred Heart and other wisdom figures.
Wise Words For Today
My name is falling star I twinkle through the night sky. Many children wish on my. Once I fell in a hole darker than the heavens; But I wasn’t afraid because I gave myself light. – Alla, a 9-year-old refugee.
Wise Words For Today
You are not a human being in search of a spiritual experience. You are a spiritual being immersed in a human experience. – Teilhard de Chardin
Eulogy for Sr Margaret Monica McGivern R.I.P
Janet Erskine Stuart, one of our English Congregational Leaders in the Society of the Sacred Heart and a great Educator, wrote an appreciation of her nuns. She called them God’s Middlemen. Without fanfare these sisters carried the burden of the day, full of deep desires while fulfilling simple duties daily done. Monica McGivern was, I feel, just one of those middleman who lived her spiritual life faithfully and served faithfully in whatever task she was asked to do. So let us look at Monica’s life. Monica was born in Grey Lynn, Auckland on 25 May 1917, the third child and only daughter of William James McGivern and Maud Kay She
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Eulogy for Sr Margaret Monica McGivern R.I.P
Janet Erskine Stuart, one of our English Congregational Leaders in the Society of the Sacred Heart and a great Educator, wrote an appreciation of her nuns. She called them God’s Middlemen. Without fanfare these sisters carried the burden of the day, full of deep desires while fulfilling simple duties daily done. Monica McGivern was, I feel, just one of those middleman who lived her spiritual life faithfully and served faithfully in whatever task she was asked to do. So let us look at Monica’s life. Monica was born in Grey Lynn, Auckland on 25 May 1917, the third child and only daughter of William James McGivern and Maud Kay She
What Can This Season Of Lent Teach Us?
Questions to ponder: Is my life ‘all about ME’? Do I often feel powerful/superior over those who are less fortunate? Am I more generous to those who don’t need my generosity? How can I make a difference for one person each day during this season of Lent?
A Lenten Reflection
DO YOU WANT TO FAST THIS LENT? In the words of Pope Francis… Fast from hurting words and say kind words. Fast from sadness and be filled with gratitude. Fast from anger and be filled with patience. Fast from pessimism and be filled with hope. Fast from worries and have trust in God. Fast from complaints and contemplate simplicity. Fast from pressures and be prayerful. Fast from bitterness and fill your hearts with joy. Fast from selfishness and be compassionate to others. Fast from grudges and be reconciled. Fast from words and be silent so you can listen.