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Mary Aloysia Hardey (1809-1886) |
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Mary Aloysia Hardey,
a central figure in the expansion of the Society of the Sacred Heart in
North America, was born in Piscataway, Maryland, December 8, 1809. As a
child Mary moved with her family to Opelousas, Louisiana and in 1822
enrolled as a student at the Convent of the Sacred Heart in nearby
Grand Coteau.
Upon completing her studies Mary entered the
novitiate of the Society of the Sacred Heart at Grand Coteau and took
the name Aloysia. A young religious of many talents, she was put in
charge of a school in St. Michael's, LA and soon after making final
vows was named Superior.
In 1840 Aloysia Hardey moved to
New York city and opened the first school and convent of the Society of
the Sacred Heart in the eastern United States. She was named Provincial
Superior (this title was later changed to Superior Vicar) for the
houses in eastern North America in 1844. During her 27 years as
Superior, Aloysia Hardey opened 16 houses of the Sacred Heart from
Canada to Cuba and throughout the eastern United States. To this end
she traveled extensively and made 19 transatlantic voyages for Society
meetings and retreats. To accommodate the expansion of the Society, she
moved the center for the vicariate from Manhattanville in New York city
to Kenwood, in Albany, New York where she established a new novitiate
for vicariate in 1864.
In 1871 Aloysia Hardey was
appointed an Assistant General for the central government of the
Society of the Sacred Heart based in Paris. During her 15 years in this
position she was an advisor for the founding and rebuilding of European
convents. She also helped revise the Sacred Heart curriculum to
incorporate advanced studies and contributed to the discussion of the
Society's role in advancing the higher education for women.
Aloysia Hardey died in Paris June 17, 1886 and is buried at Kenwood in Albany, NY.
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Mission Statement of the Society of the
Sacred Heart of Jesus,
United States Province
The
Society of the Sacred Heart of Jesus is an international community of
women in the Catholic Church, founded in 1800 by St. Madeleine Sophie
Barat. Sharing her vision and mission, we are convinced of the
centrality of prayer and contemplation in our lives. We are committed
to discover, live and announce God’s love through the service of
education for transformation, in diverse ministries, particularly
addressing the needs of children, young people, women and those in
society who are marginalized.
What the Mission Entails
The love of Christ impels us:
- to work for justice and reconciliation, especially in the face of racism, sexism and violence of every kind;
- to join the struggle of the poor for the resources and conditions essential for human well-being;
- to build community;
- to be challenged and broadened by other cultures;
- to live in interdependence with others and with all of creation.
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