Sacred Heart, Society of the
SACRED HEART, SOCIETY OF THE
(RSCJ, Official Catholic Directory #4070); an institute of religious women devoted to the work of education. Rev. Léonor de Tournely first planned the society to meet the need for Christian education after the French Revolution. At his death Rev. Joseph varin d'ainville chose Madeleine Sophie barat of Joigny (1779–1865), France, as its foundress. In Paris on Nov. 21, 1800, the first members consecrated themselves to the Sacred Heart; a number of other foundations followed the establishment of the first convent at Amiens. In 1806 Mother Barat was elected superior general. Constitutions based on those of the Society of Jesus and centered on devotion to the Sacred Heart were adopted in 1815. That year the first motherhouse was established in Paris. On Dec. 26, 1826, Leo XII formally approved the society.
During the lifetime of the foundress, 111 houses were opened in Europe, Algeria, Chile, and North America, where the society was brought (1818) by Rose Philippine duchesne. From her pioneer convent in St. Charles, MO, the society spread through the U.S., Canada, and the Antilles, largely through the zeal of Mother Aloysia hardey. In Europe, Mother Barat traveled widely and governed with wisdom and energy until her death in Paris on May 25, 1865.
From Europe and the Americas the society was extended successively to: New Zealand, Australia, Egypt, Japan, China, the Congo, India, Korea, and Taiwan. Native vocations came from all these countries. The society suffered attacks and lost convents during revolutions in Italy and Switzerland, during the Kulturkampf in Germany, and under the Third French Republic (which closed 47 houses). Anticlericalism in Mexico, Communist aggression in Spain, China, Hungary, and Cuba closed other houses. New houses were opened for those lost.
In the U.S., the society is engaged in the ministry of academic education at all levels, catechetics, adult education, healthcare, parish ministries, and social outreach. The U.S. provincialate is in St Louis, MO. The generate is in Rome.
Bibliography: l. callan, The Society of the Sacred Heart in North America (New York 1937).
[m. williams/eds.]