#OnThisDay in 1852 Mother Duchesne writes to Madeleine Sophie Barat

The above icon was commissioned by Sacred Heart Schools Chicago
and the original hangs in their Chapel.
by Artist and Iconographer Patricia Reid, RSCJ

November 10, 1852 ~ Mother Duchesne writes to Madeleine Sophie Barat: "I come to say farewell to you, though God alone knows the moment when death will come.  There is much I should like to say to you about the suffering I have caused you - if you were less indulgent and I were in a condition to express myself better. But God has humbled my pride by loss of memory and continual forgetfulness.  I humbly beg pardon for all the suffering I have caused you.  I think I shall never do so again. 

Taken from the book: "Through the Year with Philippine Duchesne"

A very warm welcome from the RSCJ and a beautiful liturgy

This afternoon I was invited to attend mass with the RSCJ.  Father Sean Martin was the celebrant.  By far this was one of the most moving Liturgies I have ever attended!  The entrance song was Envia Tu Espirito by Bob Hurd (click below to hear the song) and sung by the RSCJ Choir... simply put their voices were angelic and the songs through out the mass were uplifting and very moving. We then had a delicious dinner and I enjoyed casual conversation with many old and new acquaintances.

Inside the postcard (above) reads:

Dear Alums -  I've arrived in St. Louis and have been warmly greeted by so many familiar faces and of course I'm meeting many new RSCJ's from around the US and abroad.  The best part of the day was the beautiful liturgy of which I prayed for all of you!  

In the heart, Maureen

World Day of Prayer for Vocations... April 29th

For further info click here

Something I did not know until I ventured onto the Society of the Sacred Heart web page is that today marks the 49th annual World Day of Prayer for Vocations.  

Apparently in 1963 Pope Paul VI designated Good Shepherd Sunday as World Day of Prayer for Vocations and ever since, this day is celebrated on the fourth Sunday of Easter.  Sr. Kathleen Hughes, RSCJ and former Provincial for the U.S. Province wrote  the beautiful prayer below. 

Prayer for Vocations 

God whose power is love and whose heart is infinite,

You have called the Religious of the Sacred Heart

to discover and reveal your love

by living as women of the pierced heart of Christ,

attentive both to your presence

and to the anguish and hope of your people.

Keep us faithful to your longings for us:

contemplative by vocation

desirous of communion

generous in forgiveness

and passionate for justice.

By our witness

attract other women to this same spirit and mission.

Join to our number those who

are great-hearted and ready to reveal your face.

Give us companions who, despite the ambiguities of this age,

will lean on the love of their sisters as they root their lives in you.

Invite to the Society of the Sacred Heart

those who are generous and joy-filled like Madeleine Sophie,

those who are courageous and daring like Philippine,

and renew us all in these habits of heart.

We ask this in confidence and hope through Christ,

risen and reigning with you and the Spirit,

now and forever.  Amen

- Kathleen Hughes, RSCJ

To St. Madeleine Sophie Barat

The above icon was commissioned by Sacred Heart Schools Chicago
and the original hangs in their Chapel.
by Artist and Iconographer Patricia Reid, RSCJ

December 1, 1822 ~  Mother Duchesne writes to St. Madeleine Sophie Barat ~ "Kneeling in spirit at your feet, dear Reverend Mother, I offer my wishes for you to the Heart of Jesus.  May He bless the year that is ahead of us; may He take care of you, help you bear the burden you carry, and never let me add to it by any fault of mine."

Taken from the book:  Through the Year with Philippine Duchesne

U.S. Girls' Junior Championship... Final Match

Being hosted at
Olympia Fields C. C. (South Course)
July 18-23, 2011

Nothing can be more rewarding than to see a bunch of young ladies (12 - 17 years old) play golf!  Especially if they play as well as the girls that have been playing this week at Olympia Fields C. C.  And, today after two rounds of stroke play to qualify, and five rounds of match play, two young ladies (Ariya Jutanugarn from Thailand and Dottie Ardina from the Philippines) will play 36 holes of match play golf to determine the winner of the U.S. Girls' Junior Championship.  As some of you know, golf is my favorite sport.  However, I do not play the game as often as I do seem to volunteer for tournaments and matches being played in Chicago and its south suburbs.  I currently serve on the CWDGA board and have had the opportunity to volunteer for various local events, as well as, the 2009 Solheim Cup  and the 2009 U.S. Senior Amateur.  This year when asked if I would volunteer for the U.S. Girls's Jr. Championship, I did not hesitate.  I was fortunate enough to work the first two days of registration handing out packets of info to the 156 participants.  On both Wednesday and Thursday, I was enlisted to be a "walking scorer".  This volunteer job requires you to walk with the USGA official (also a volunteer!) and to record into a hand-held devise each players score so that in real time, live scoring can be posted to the internet for everyone to view. And, yes, despite the record breaking heat, it was a pleasure to be involved and watch so many wonderful young lady golfers play!

I am pleased to say that one of the young players that I walked with on Thursday has made it to the finals, her name is Dottie Ardina from the Philippines.  Dottie will be playing against a very strong player from Thailand, Ariya Jutanugarn. Oh, what a day it will be as both young ladies are awesome golfers!  So today, I will be a spectator and cheerleader as I watch the final match with much anticipation.  

Stay tuned or better yet, sign up for a "follow by email" (upper right hand corner of the blog) update as later I will talk about a favorite golfing RSCJ friend of mine!

To: St. Madeleine Sophie Barat

The above icon was commissioned by Sacred Heart Schools Chicago
and the original hangs in their newly refurbished Chapel.
by Artist and Iconographer Patricia Reid, RSCJ

July 18, 1823 ~  On this day Philippine writes to Madeleine Sophie Barat, "We have had the honor of being severely criticized, and in order to undermine our work still further it is now reported that we are leaving here.  There are people who wish we would do so.  We must devote ourselves more and more to the poor and to our own perfection" 

Take from the book: Through the Year with Philippine Duchesne