Birthday of the Society of the Sacred Heart

On 21 November 1800 Madeleine Sophie Barat took her first vows together with four companions.  We mark this day as the birthday of the Society of the Sacred Heart.  The painting of the Virgin Mary under which Sophie and her companions took their vows is sometimes known as the Virgin of the Society. It is reproduced in the header. Here is the formula used by women taking their first vows within the Society of the Sacred Heart today: In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit and to the greater glory of the Heart of Jesus in the presence of Mary, Mother of