Provincial Barbara Dawson, RSCJ Elected 17th Superior General of the Society of the Sacred Heart

Barbara Dawson, RSCJ   (photo taken on May 25, 2013 in Atherton, CA) 

August 2, 2016 ~ Today in Nemi, Italy the Religious of the Sacred Heart at their 2016 General Chapter meeting announced that Barbara Dawson, RSCJ current provincial of the United States - Canada Province has been elected as the 17th Superior General of the Society of the Sacred Heart.  Sr. Dawson will succeed Kathleen Conan, RSCJ (2008-2016) as she becomes the third American to serve consecutively an eight year term as Superior General.  The first American elected was Clare Pratt (2000-2008) a native of Washington, D.C.  General Chapter 2016 began on July 7th and will conclude on August 10, 2016.  

Sister Dawson who is currently serving a fourth term as Provincial in the United States-Canada province, is an alumna of Lone Mountain College, now University of San Francisco where she also  received her law degree. She earned a masters degree in international comparative education from Stanford University.  For further background info: click here

Please join me in prayer as Sister Dawson selects members of her General Council and begins her term as 17th Superior General of the Society of the Sacred Heart.

To St. Madeleine Sophie

St. Madeleine Sophie, wonderfully chosen by God to make the Divine Heart of Jesus known and loved, and ever faithful to that apostolate, accept this day our confidence and prayers in proof of our allegiance. Guide us in the path of meekness and humility; set our hearts on fire with the zeal with which thine own was devoured; protect us, that we may deserve to see our names written in that most Sacred Heart, and to make in It our home for time and for eternity. 

Amen.

Morning of Reflection to Celebrate the Feast of St. Ignatius of Loyola

"The Pilgrim"
Ignatius of Loyola
1491-1556

July 31 ~  Celebrating the Feast of St. Ignatius of Loyola via a Morning of Reflection organized by the Ignatius Volunteer Corps of Chicago is fast becoming my annual mid-summer treat to myself.  I so enjoyed the first retreat hosted last year at St. Ignatius College Prep that I looked forward to attending this year; the theme was "Pragmatic Mysticism: Ignatius Loyola and the God of Now" led by Fr. Pat McGrath, SJ.  During the break it was a pleasant surprise to run into fellow Sacred Heart alumna, Sr. Mary Bernstein, RSCJ who currently is working at Josephinum Academy.  On a sunny morning in July it was a pleasure to enter the gate of St. Ignatius College Prep and walk past the beautiful flowers into Tully Hall. To learn more about this great venue with its meaningful location and why I like it so much click here.   

Kudos to Christine Curran, Chicago Regional Director of IVC and Jackie Fitzgerald, Program Associate and their many helpers who once again organized a very successful and enjoyable morning followed by a delicious box lunch. 

Feast of the Sacred Heart: Prayer by St. Madeleine Sophie Barat

Sacred Heart of Jesus 
originally in front of Old Main - Barat College Campus
Woodlands Academy of the Sacred Heart - Lake Forest, IL

Prayer to the Sacred Heart

By St. Madeleine Sophie

Sacred Heart of Jesus, I come to Thee because Thou art my only refuge, my only but certain hope.  Thou art the comfort for all my sufferings, the remedy for all my miseries, the reparation for all my losses, the expiation for all my faults, the supplement for all that is wanting to me, the certainty for all my demands, the infallible source, for me and for all, of light, strength, benediction, constancy and peace.  I am sure that Thou wilt not weary of me, that Thou wilt not cease to love me, to aid and protect me, because Thou lovest me with an infinite love.  Have mercy on me, then, according to Thy great mercy, and do with me, and in me, whatsoever Thou wilt.  I abandon myself to Thee, with full confidence that Thou wilt never abandon me.  Amen

Taken from Special Devotions Compiled for the Children of the Sacred Heart