CELEBRATING: Saint Rose Philippine Duchesne ~ 200 Years Crossing Frontiers

photo taken in November 17, 2006

November 18, 1852 ~ "The death of Blessed Philippine Duchesne occurred at noon on this day as the Angelus bell was ringing."

Taken from the book: Through the Year with Philippine Duchesne

Mass ~ Live Stream

200 Years Crossing Frontiers

November 18, 2018 will mark the close of the Bicentennial celebration of the Society of the Sacred Heart in the United States and Canada. In 1818, St. Rose Philippine Duchesne and four companions arrived in St. Charles and within days opened a school in a log cabin, the first free school west of the Mississippi and the beginning of the Society’s mission of education in the Americas. This festive Eucharist will include the premiere celebration of the Mass in honor of St. Rose Philippine Duchesne, RSCJ, composed by Michael Joncas for the occasion.

The Most Reverend Robert J. Carlson, Archbishop of Saint Louis, will be presiding.

Mass Live Stream Link

#OTD in 1835: Mother Duchesne writes to Mother Adeline Boilvin, RSCJ

St. Francis Regis
painted by Sacred Heart alumna and artist
© Beverly Zoellner Groneck

November 6, 1835 ~ Mother Duchesne writes to Mother Adeline Boilvin, RSCJ: "All I desire is retirement, silence, the forgetfulness of creatures, and the grace to remain until death near the shrine of St. Francis Regis (at Florissant)."

Taken from the book: Through the Year with Philippine Duchesne

Editors Note:  In 1834 Philippine was transferred to Florisant again as Superior and lived there until 1842 when she returned to St. Charles, Missouri, to spend the remainder of her life.  To learn more about the special place that Philippine referred to in her letter to Mother Boilvin - click here 

Feast of Saint Rose Philippine Duchense

November 18th Feast of Rose Philippine Duchesne 

Academy of the Sacred Heart - St Charles, MO

"All that is coming to us in the future.  We thank with our eyes shut, for the joys and sorrows - all that is unknown.  We may not have the presence of mind to do it then."

Janet Erskine Stuart RSCJ (1857-1914)

6th Superior General of the Society of the Sacred Heart

The above quote is taken from the perpetual spiral-bound calendar "The Life Lived" which celebrates the Centenary of Janet Erskine Stuart, RSCJ - (click here to order). And to order your very own Janet Erskine Stuart Centenary Memorabilia - click here.

Prayer to the Sacred Heart

Sacred Heart of Jesus in St. Charles, MO greets those that arrive on the campus
founded by St. Rose Philippine Duchesne in 1818 

From the Society of the Sacred Heart - first friday reflection

Prayer to the Sacred Heart

Sacred Heart of Jesus,
you who are always present to us,
we ask for the courage to open our hearts to you.

May we be filled with you,
with your life and love
so that we may in turn reveal you - 
your life, your love, your peace, your kindness, your compassion
and your wisdom -
in all that we do.

We ask this grace for the Sacred Heart family across the world 
now and forever.

Amen

Prayer by Sr. Maureen Glavin, RSCJ

Headmistress of the Academy of the Sacred Heart - St. Charles, MO 

The reflection above is taken from the Society of the Sacred Heart United States - Canada Province website.  Click here for additional First Friday Reflections 

Feast of St. Rose Philippine Duchesne Twenty-Five Years After Her Canonization

Saint Rose Philippine Duchesne ~ Canonization July 3, 1988
Tapestry of Saints created by artist John Nava. Photo circa 2009 as seen in the
Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels

Twenty-Five years ago on July 3rd, many Sacred Heart alums traveled to Rome to attend the canonization of Philippine Duchesne, RSCJ, in St. Peter's Basilica and to witness His Holiness, Pope John Paul II, add our beloved Mother Duchesne to the list of Roman Catholic saints.  

Sacred Heart alums in the Chicago area who were unable to attend this ceremony, celebrated mass on September 21, 1988 at Holy Name Cathedral as Joseph Cardinal Bernardin, archbishop of Chicago (1982-1996) presided at this celebratory mass.   I proudly remember that evening well.  Over 1,500 alums filled the Cathedral.   

Born on August 29, 1769 in Grenoble, France, Philippine made her first vows in the Society of the Sacred Heart in 1805.  In 1818, she sailed for America and founded the first Convent of the Sacred Heart in St. Charles, Mo., on September 7th.  On November 18, 1852, Mother Duchesne, RSCJ died and was buried in the cemetery of the first convent that she opened. On May 12, 1940, Rose Philippine Duchesne was beatified by His Holiness, Pope Pius XII. 

Today over 2,560 Religious of the Sacred Heart of Jesus continue the mission of its foundress St. Madeleine Sophie Barat as they provide education, pastoral work and spiritual guidance in 41 countries: discovering and making known the love of the Heart of Jesus. And, almost 200 years since she first came to America, young girls and boys continue to be educated with the same beliefs and values that were instilled by Mother Duchesne and the many RSCJ that followed in her footsteps. 

Prayer used by Mother Duchesne:  Lord, You alone are the Center in which I find rest.  Give me Your arm to support me, Your shoulders to carry me, Your breast to lean upon, Your Cross to uphold me,  Your Body to nourish me.  In You, Lord, I sleep and rest in peace.

Shrine of St. Rose Philippine Duchesne
photo taken on November 18, 2011

The above prayer is taken from the book: Through the Year with Philippine Duchesne 

Quote from St. Madeleine Sophie Barat

Academy of the Sacred Heart ~ St. Charles, MO

"When you learn to know human nature a little better, you will cease to be astonished at what it can do and say!  Any group of men and women can, however holy, produce evidence of this, in small matters and sometimes in graver ones.  So, we must be patient and peacefully tolerant, doing what we can, praying and putting our trust in God, to carry out the divine plan."

 ~ St. Madeleine Sophie Barat 

The above quote was taken from The Wisdom of Madeleine Sophie Barat - Day by Day Calendar.  To order a copy of the calendar (Cost: $10.00 + postage) - click here. 

Pat Steppe, RSCJ (1928-2013) ..."How many children has she touched on their climb to fulfillment"?

Patricia Anne Steppe, RSCJ taken at Oakwood in front of her room - May, 2011
(1928-2013)

It is with great sadness that I have learned of the passing of Sr. Patricia Ann Steppe, RSCJ this past Wednesday, September 4, 2013.  Joseph and Elsie Steppe and older sister Rosemary welcomed little Patricia into the world on March 27, 1928.  As a young girl she loved to dance but most of all she loved teaching.  She earned her Bachelor of Arts degree from Le Clerc College and a Master's degree in education and elementary school education from St. Louis University.  And then in 1960 she decided to enter the Society of the Sacred Heart. Earlier this year Sr. Steppe celebrated her 50th year anniversary of making her First Vows as a Religious of the Sacred Heart.  

Sr. Steppe retired to the Oakwood Community in Atherton, California in 2007,  about a year or so after I first met her. Prior to her retirement, many children at Sacred Heart schools in St. Charles, Grand Coteau, and Menlo Park were blessed to have know her. However where she made her biggest impact is at the Academy of the Sacred Heart in St. Charles.  And, it was at St. Charles in November of 2006 when I first heard of the legendary Sr. Steppe.  

I remember the weekend as if it were yesterday! I was in town to attend the AASH Southern Regional Business Meeting being hosted November 17 & 18, 2006 at the Academy of the Sacred Heart, St. Charles, Missouri.  I was especially looking forward to "Spend the night at Philippine's House". The overnight accommodations were modestly priced. But for me the real hook was that we were offered a private room and a shared bath on the third floor of the original school building in what was formerly known as the nuns cloister!  Yes, I was truly looking forward to this experience of staying on the campus and walking in the very same halls as St. Rose Philippine Duchesne.  

So at the close of a wonderful evening, I and a few other alums climbed the "Steppe Stairs" up to the 3rd floor to the former cloister.  As I did so, I could not help but notice a picture of an RSCJ named Patricia Steppe and a small plaque below it (see photo) which in part read: "How many children has she touched on their climb to fulfillment"?     

Later that evening I was told of how this remarkable woman had saved the school from closing back in 1972. For some reason it never occurred to me that she was still living and working at the school.  The next morning I awoke and anxiously dressed so that I could take in the experience of being in this awesome building on a day when students, faculty, staff and special guests would gather in the gym for an all-school liturgy to celebrate the Feast of St. Philippine Duchesne. Archbishop Raymond Burke was the presider at this special mass and unveiling of the recently sculpted bronze statue of Philippine Duchesne. The beautiful statue was on its way to the State Capitol in Jefferson City Missouri to be placed in the Hall of Famous Missourians.  

The alums attending the business meeting were gathering prior to mass for continental breakfast and a welcome by the Head of School, Sr. Maureen Glavin, RSCJ.  I eagerly headed down the Steppe Stairs and as I opened the door found the hallway a buzz with young girls and boys heading to their classrooms and a darling nun directing them.  I paused and looked to the left and right and as I was trying to determine which direction to take this darling nun directing traffic offered to help me.  When I explained where I was suppose to be instead of giving me directions she very graciously smiled and told me to follow her.  As we walked each and every young student would pause upon seeing me and look directly at me and greet me with a  "Good morning".  As we hurried down one hallway after another, I introduced myself and then this very kind nun said, "I'm Pat Steppe".  I gasped and was  almost speechless for a few seconds and then I uttered "the Sister Steppe"?!   I was in awe!  I told her as we walked what a pleasure it was to meet the woman who was responsible for keeping the school open.  As I entered the room and saw a few of the alums who had also spent the night, I stated somewhat still in shock and a wee bit verklempt that I had just met Sister Steppe! Subsequent to our first meeting in St. Charles, I have had the good fortune to see Sr. Steppe at the Oakwood Community located in Atherton, California. 

To read more about Sr. Patricia Steppe, RSCJ go to www.rscj.org 

A poem by Anna Mae Marheineke, RSCJ (1917-2013)

Anna Mae Marheineke, RSCJ
(1917-2013)

Anna Mae Marheineke, RSCJ died peacefully on August 14, 2013 at the Society of the Sacred Heart retirement community (Oakwood) in Atherton, California.  She was born in Missouri on December 27, 1917 to Joseph and Genevieve Kaemmerien Marheineke.  Anna Mae was the oldest of her seven siblings: Kathleen, June, Joseph, Genevieve, John, Mary and James.  All the Marheineke girls would attend the Academy of the Sacred Heart in St. Charles.   Anna Mae entered the Novitiate in Kenwood (Albany, N.Y.) and made her first profession of vows in 1944.  To read her obit and further details on Anna Mae's incredible life go to www.rscj.org

Tota Pulchra Es

Like a Rose Plant in Jericho,
  fragrantly fair
and sweet beyond power of telling,
as thy heart, dearest Mother,
where a love song of prayer
in praise of thy wee Son is welling.

Like a Palm Tree in Cades
  brushing the blue,
serene in the silence of morning,
is the peace in thy smile
the long Nazareth days through,
Thy joy their bright hours adorning. 

Like a Cypress on Sion,
  steadfast and still,
Thy courage and calm we would borrow;
for Thy love, Queen of Martyrs,
has been oned with God'd will,
made strong with a strength born of sorrow.

From The Collected Poems of Anna Mae Marheineke, RSCJ

Note:  If you wish to purchase a copy of Sr. Marheineke's collection of poems look under the heading on the right "Books by Sacred Heart Alum Authors" and click on the link to her book.

All Saints Day ... AASH Remembers our beloved Saints

On the Feast of All Saints...

Emil Frei window as seen at the Academy of the Sacred Heart in St. Charles, MO
for further info on these windows click here

As Sacred Heart alumnae/i let us think of both Saint Rose Philippine Duchesne and Saint Madeleine Sophie Barat.

Below taken from the Academy of the Sacred Heart in St. Charles...

The window above depicts what is probably the most cherished Philippine tradition. Kneeling in prayer on the Kansas prairie, her concentration is tested by an unnoticed Potawatomi who drops leaves at her feet. The established house in St. Charles at the top is contrasted with two tepees below. Blood flows from the wounds of Christ into a ciborium; and the Indian thunderbird symbol, upright in the upper portion, is toppled by the missionary's teaching.

Window by Emil Frei was once located at Barat College - this window can now
be seen in the Bolton Sullivan Library at Woodlands Academy 

St. Madeleine Sophie Barat Window

This magnificent stained glass window, depicting St. Madeleine Sophie Barat and a child, was commissioned for the Academy of the Sacred Heart, Lake Forest at the time of the building of the school’s chapel in 1924, twenty years after the building of Old Main. The window itself was one of three welcoming students to the Academy and to Barat College. Emil Frei, Sr., who was born in Bavaria and emigrated to the U.S. in 1889, designed all three windows. He founded The Emil Frei Art Glass Company, which still operates today and specializes in Munich antique glass figured style windows. 

The Madeleine Sophie Barat window is a gift to WoodlandsAcademy from the Barat Education Foundation. It has been installed in the Bolton Sullivan Library at Woodlands and was dedicated to the Religious of the Sacred Heart of Jesus and to Barat College Alumnae/i.

Stars and Stripes... Happy 4th of July!

artwork by students at ASH - St. Charles, MO

Wishing all of our Sacred Heart alumnae and alumni a very safe, relaxing and 

Happy 4th of July holiday!

Lady Gaga (Sacred Heart Alumna) and fashion designer Jean Paul Gaultier

Sacred Heart alumna Stephanie Germanotta speaks to designer Paul Gaultier at his Paris atelier about her life and career.

To read about Lady Gaga's Born This Way Foundation - click here.

Sacred Heart Academy ~ Saint Charles, Mo ... Pilgrims and Indians prepare to celebrate the Thanksgiving Holiday

Last week while at our Sacred Heart school in St. Charles, MO I spotted these young pilgrims (students)  waiting for their respective rides home.  How adorable I thought and quickly snapped a few photos to remind me of this very special place and the youngs students who will one day be fellow alums!

Journal of Mother Duchesne, 1818-1840

St. John Francis Regis
as seen in the Round House, located on the grounds of the
Academy of the Sacred Heart - Saint Charles, MO

September 17 1819 ~ Mother Duchesne writes, " Among so many holy priests I find no one for a spiritual director. I feel as if my soul were quite alone, but I am too numb to be distressed about it. I do not know what the condition of my soul is.  I taste only the sweetness of Jesus, and the strongest conviction I experience is that of God's goodness to me. My soul is, as it were, in mid-air, with no movement except towards Jesus, Mary, and St. Francis Regis.

Taken from the book:  Through the Year with Philippine Duchesne