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.
SEASON OF CREATION – 2020
The ANZ Province offers a resource prepared by Sr Esmey Herscovitch RSCJ, to assist our reflection during this 2020 Season of Creation. This season is a time for us to reflect on our collective responsibility for the ongoing sustainability our planet Earth. The following document contains user friendly reflections enabling us to deepen and action our learning for the good of our collective future.We join with friends and companions around the world to pray for the wellbeing of the planet that sustains us and for the courage to nurture the gift of life that is offered for our survival.
Our Unique Belonging
We are not connected from the rest of creatures but joined in a splendid universal communion. As believers we do not look at the world from without but from within, conscious of the bonds with which we are linked to all beings. By developing our individual God-given capacities, an ecological conversion can inspire us to greater creativity and enthusiasm to solve the world’s problems…[LS 220]
Recent Posts
Highlights from our blog.
SEASON OF CREATION – 2020
The ANZ Province offers a resource prepared by Sr Esmey Herscovitch RSCJ, to assist our reflection during this 2020 Season of Creation. This season is a time for us to reflect on our collective responsibility for the ongoing sustainability our planet Earth. The following document contains user friendly reflections enabling us to deepen and action our learning for the good of our collective future.We join with friends and companions around the world to pray for the wellbeing of the planet that sustains us and for the courage to nurture the gift of life that is offered for our survival.
WE ARE US!
New Zealand mourns loved lives lost and celebrates the power of strength, and diversity. https://www.newshub.co.nz/home/politics/2019/03/the-nation-that-discovers-the-cure-jacinda-ardern-s-anti-racism-speech-sparks-standing-ovation.html
Christchurch Earthquake Eight Years Ago Today
We remember all who died so tragically in the Christchurch Earthquake eight years ago, on February 22nd. We all remember exactly where we were and what we doing when this terrible news reached the nation. Blessings of peace and comfort to all who lost loved ones during this natural disaster.