Veteran's Day... Remembering Our Sacred Heart Relatives in Roehampton, England

Photos taken by MER during visits to the campus in 2013 and 2014

Today in England at the University of Roehampton a remembrance service was held.  The Society of the Sacred Heart and University officials reached out to the relatives of the deceased whose names are engraved on the long memorial wall that measures approximately 6' high by 37' wide. Students, faculty and staff from Roehampton University were joined by the descendants of the deceased for the short service that included two minutes of silence.  

Dedicated on May 24, 1918 by the Revered W. Roche, SJ, the war memorial is dedicated to 275 men and women who lost their lives during WWI - all relatives of the RSCJ and children who attended the Society of the Sacred Heart Convent.  The school was located on the Digby Stuart College Campus from 1850 till 1945.  While the memorial was originally dedicated in 1918 for those that served in WWI it also commemorates one person from the Boer War,  one person from the Korean War and 11 from WWII.

In collaboration, the University and the Society Archives have taken on the task of trying to trace as many relatives of those honored on the Memorial wall as possible.  They hope to record the stories and create a published account in time to mark the centenary anniversary of the dedication in 2018. 

The Convent of the Sacred Heart was founded in 1842 and originally located in Berrymead, London. In 1850 the Society moved the school to Roehampton.  During the air raids of 1940, part of the buildings on the campus were damaged and towards the end of the war a new location was sought.  The Marden Estate was purchased by the Society of the Sacred Heart on November 27, 1945 and has remained there ever since. 

For further information, please contact Gilly King, History and Heritage Advisor, University of Roehampton. 

Tea at Duchesne House - Roehampton, England

 My visit with RSCJ in England (L-R): Dorothy Bell and Mary Grant; Joan Faber and MER;
Mon Barudi, Anne Attard, Amy Micallef Eynaud, MER and Mimi Goddard;
MER and Eileen Foster

"To be a joy-bearer and a joy-giver says everything; it means that one is faithfully living for God and that nothing else counts, and if one gives joy to others we are doing God's work. With joy without and within, all is well.  I can conceive no higher way.  Joy is the most heavenly atmosphere found on earth - we ought to cultivate it as a duty always."

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.

What a joy it was for me to have the opportunity to be in England earlier this month to celebrate the Eucharist of Thanksgiving for Janet Erskine Stuart on October 11th with fellow Sacred Heart alums and RSCJ.

One of the many highlights of my trip was a visit with the retired RSCJ living at Duchesne House and New House and having afternoon tea and delicious homemade cake. It was so good to see many of the same familiar faces that our Sacred Heart embraces - specifically on Sunday the following RSCJ: Mon Barudi, Frances Lynch, Norah Lester, Lucia Park, Joan Faber, Amy Micallef Eynaud, Mimi Goddard, Mary Grant and Anne Attard.

Many thanks to Sr. Dorothy Bell, rscj who graciously hosted me during my stay in Hammersmith at Bute Gardens and arranged for Sr. Eileen Foster, rscj to meet me and discuss the history of the Society of the Sacred Heart in England.  Before retiring Sr. Foster worked in the Provincial Archives in Roehampton so we enjoyed a nice visit on Sunday afternoon.

God is Always New... quote from Janet Erskine Stuart

"God is always new His presence gives new Life" 

~ Janet Erksine Stuart (1857-1914)

I'll have to check on the name of the artist whose artwork above can be seen inside the St. Thomas Chapel - located on the campus of Roehampton University.   This beautiful piece of art along with quote by Janet Erskine Stuart was photographed prior to us arriving at High Leigh Centre and low and behold it was on the podium for all of the attendees to see for the next four days!  For me it was a great "life giving" experience attending the Centenary Launch of Janet Erskine Stuart (1857-1914) in England this month!  More info on my experience to come!