Society of the Sacred Heart

Written By Teresa Rayner

As I sat down with the community on a Thursday night to join in a thirty minute lecture series, a particular quote struck me:

God is a word that we receive from somebody else...we’re connected to community…There is always a community of faith in which God is a living reality and the meaning of the word God can be communicated to others.

‘Kharl Rahner - Theologian of Grace’ by Fr Richard Lennan

From my time with the sisters of the Sacred Heart, I have been given a small glimpse into a religious community who’s core is all about communicating the ‘meaning’ of God. From their beginnings under the guidance of Saint Madeleine Sophie Barat (affectionately called ‘Sophie’), right up until today, and I’m sure for many years to come, the Religious of the Sacred Heart (RSCJ - abbrv. is from French translation) are dedicated to helping others have a personal encounter with the love of God.

Emerging from a post revolution France, the Society saw education as a way to introduce a new generation to the love of Jesus Christ, and this apostolate has continued to this day.

As I write this, I am currently staying with the sisters in their convent on the grounds of Baradene College, Auckland. Although their ministry has adapted and evolved over the years, the Society’s charism lives on in the school - and their community continues to grow around the world. I am told there are about 2000 sisters, present in 41 countries!

Sr Elizabeth Snedden RSCJ and her little dog exploring the grounds of Baradene College

Something that has really stood out to me in my conversation with the RSCJ sisters is their clear love and acceptance for every single person, which I can tell has also permeated through their time as educators and formators. Going through Catholic education myself not so long ago, I can testify to the fact that encouraging a personal encounter with God is not always at the center of the learning experience. In today’s day and age it’s all about getting good grades and moving on to a good career - even in our Catholic colleges. But the Society of the Sacred Heart is different in its approach to education.

Three of the seven RSCJ Sisters currently living at Baradene College.

As their mission is to make known the love of the Heart of Jesus, they not only see a students academic potential, but they choose to see the best in them - whatever that may be. Through their gentle care and encouragement, they offer students not simply an education, but an encounter with unconditional love. Only then can those they educate know and understand a God who loves them. It is as the quote above reminds us; “God is a word we receive through someone else.”

The sisters of the Sacred Heart strive to communicate the love of the Heart of Jesus in all that they do.

I spoke with Sr Elizabeth Snedden RSCJ about her experience of education the Sacred Heart way, and the life of their foundress Saint Madeleine Sophie Barat.

Although the shape of the Society in New Zealand is slowly changing, the Order continues to grow as it forms young women from all over the world in novitiates in countries like the Philippines, America and Italy. There will always be a need for good education, and even more so for helping others know the love of Christ - and so the Religious of the Sacred Heart continue to image the Sacred Heart in all they do.

Here in New Zealand, if you are lucky enough to encounter them, the RSCJ Sisters at Baradene Convent are ready and waiting to give all those they encounter a glimpse of the Heart of God. I particularly recommend stopping by on your birthday - I happened to pick a week to visit when three birthdays were celebrated while I was there. What better way to remind someone just how loved they are than with a party!

Party time! The RSCJ Sisters celebrate the birthday of a friend of the community.


Further Resources:

Teresa Rayner
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