The initials stand for Religieuses du Sacré-Coeur de Jesus. The Society of the Sacred Heart was founded in France, and this is our french name.

The Society of the Sacred Heart has as its mission to discover, live, and make known the love of the Heart of Christ. As an international community, we are called, as educators, to respond with a new urgency to the most pressing needs of our world. In our life and work we hope to be women of communion, women of compassion, and women of reconciliation.

Yes. Religious of the Sacred Heart live out their mission to make known the love of the Heart of Christ through the service of education especially in the work of teaching and formation, in activities for human development and the promotion of justice, in pastoral work and faith formation (Constitutions #13). This is done in a variety of ways and settings throughout the world, depending on the needs of the locale where we live.

We work in universities, secondary and elementary schools; with handicapped children and adults; in popular education centers in rural and urban areas; with migrants, indigenous people, and refugees; in parishes, retreat centers; in prisons, in advocacy work, especially with women and children; as teachers administrators, lawyers, nurses, doctors, artists, writers, therapists, pastoral counselors, spiritual directors and social workers.

The Network of Sacred Heart Schools is a membership association of twenty-one independent schools historically interrelated and committed to a common vision molded by the mission of the Society of the Sacred Heart and the Goals and Criteria of Sacred Heart education. Located across the United States, the member schools are dedicated to the values of education articulated two hundred years ago by the foundress of the Society, Saint Madeleine Sophie Barat.

Many RSCJ are involved with groups working against the death penalty. Some work directly with immigrants; others work in jails; many also work in varying actions to protect the rights of others or to protect the earth. Many have been involved in summer urban service programs. Some work in or with NGO groups to put policy discussions on the forefront of legislative or UN agencies.

What will participation in God’s work of transformation demand of us? How will we be challenged and changed by our collaboration with others?

How will the richness of our many cultures and spiritual traditions enlarge our experience of God? How will they impact our life and ministry? How will a deeper commitment to justice and peace and the integrity of creation transform our hearts and change our actions?

How will we explore and dialogue about the different theologies among us?

What new language will be adequate to capture and communicate these new intuitions?

“Devotion to the Sacred Heart” includes, for us, a life centered in prayer and in ministries expressing the love of Christ for all, a commitment to social justice and the building of community. Ultimately, “we are convinced that our lives, given in love, are the strongest expression of our spirituality” (General Chapter 2000)

Here are some sources that you might find interesting:

Callahan, Annice. Karl Rahner's Spirituality of the Pierced Heart: Toward a Reinterpretation of Devotion to the Sacred Heart (Lanham, Md.: University Press of America, 1985. Out of print.)

Callahan, Annice, ed. Spiritualities of the Heart: Approaches to Personal Wholeness in the Christian Tradition. NY: Paulist, 1990. Out of print.

Cuskelly, E.J., ed. With a Human Heart. Kensington, Australia: Chevalier Press, 1981. On loan through Annice Callahan, RSCJ, via acallahan@rscj.org

Haughton, Rosemary, et al. A New Heart for a New World: An Exploration of the Desires of God's Heart. Homebush, New South Whales, Australia: St. Paul Publications, 1986. On loan through Annice Callahan, RSCJ, via acallahan@rscj.org

Haring, Bernard. Heart of Jesus: Symbol of Redeeming Love. Liguori, Missouri: Liguori Pub., 1983. On loan through Annice Callahan, RSCJ, via acallahan@rscj.org

Nouwen, Henri. Heart Speaks to Heart. Notre Dame: Ave Maria Press, 1988.

Wright, Wendy. Sacred Heart: Gateway to God. Maryknoll, New York: Orbis Books, 2001.