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.
Recent Posts
Highlights from our blog.
Society of the Sacred Heart – New Frontiers
Joint newsletter of JPIC International and the UN_NGO A quarterly Newsletter for Global Education and Advocacy http://mailchi.mp/4d2d393d4ba1/new-frontiers?e=dc32080d77 A See, Judge, Act Reflection: The Earth is, the Lord’s, and all that is in it. —Psalm 24:1 THE IMPACTS OF MINING. By the Integrity of Creation Working Group, JPIC Commission, USG-UISG Rome, Italy (2014). Click here for the book.
Sr MonicaMcGivern rscJ, Celebrates 100 Years
Sr Monica McGivern turned 100 years on May 25th 2017. Her family, community and friends gathered to honour Monica’s long and fruitful life. Her life well lived has been documented in pictorial form by her family. This event will be covered more fully in the very near future. Photography: Michael Smith
Society of the Sacred Heart – Province Retreat 2017
PROVINCE RETREAT – 2017 This retreat is now fully booked. Be Still and Know that I am God. A reflective retreat experience you will not want to miss. The Sacred Heart charism is wholly contemplative and wholly apostolic. The Province retreat underlines the importance of regular prayer and reflection in the busyness of life and ministry. The Province Retreat focuses on nurturing each person’s relationship with God in order to support a contemplative and discerning approach to leadership that attends to God’s call. The retreat is open to Directors of Sacred Heart school boards, school staff, alumnae and others who are interested in the spirituality of the Society of the