Discover & Make Known the Love of God
Learn about key women in the story of the Society of the Sacred Heart.
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 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 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
Reflection quotes from former leaders of the Society of the Sacred Heart and other wisdom figures.
We must move from asking God to take care of the things that are breaking our hearts to praying about the things that are breaking God’s heart. – Margaret Gibb
To be alive in this beautiful, self-organizing universe – to participate in the dance of life with senses to perceive it, lungs that breathe it, organs that draw nourishment from it – is a wonder beyond words. JOANNA MACY
We live on the brink of disaster because we do not know how to let life alone. We do not respect the living and fruitful contradictions and paradoxes of which true life is full. THOMAS MERTON
Highlights from our blog.
Special blessings on all as we join with the entire RSCJ family around the world to celebrate the Feast of the Sacred Heart. The following reflection has been offered by Sr Barbara Dawson, Superior General of the Society of the Sacred Heart. https://rscjinternational.org/news/2018-feast-sacred-heart
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
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?