The information in this article is taken from I luoghi di Santa Maddalena Sofia a Roma attraverso le carte d’archivio (1832-1851) by Michal Brywczynski, the Archivist of the Province of Italy of the Society of the Sacred Heart. He presented this paper at a conference at the Villa Lante on November 22, 2025 regarding the role of women in the Church in the first half of the 19th century.
In the video below, Federica Palumbo, Archivist Responsible for Manuscripts and Printed Materials at the General Archives of the Society of the Sacred Heart, presents some of the archival documents pertaining to Madeleine Sophie’s canonization.
Madeleine Sophie Barat, the founder of the Society of the Sacred Heart, was officially canonized as a saint by Pope Pius XI on May 24, 1925, in St. Peter’s Basilica. Her journey to sainthood began in 1870 and included several milestones, such as being declared Venerable in 1879 and beatified in 1908. She was canonized alongside Mary Magdalene Postel, another educator, during a “Jubilee of Peace”. This timing highlighted their shared mission of using Christian education to restore society following periods of war and revolution. Mother Barat viewed the education of youth not just as a profession, but as a specific apostolic vocation intended to glorify the Sacred Heart of Jesus and rebuild the foundations of faith in families.
Madeleine Sophie’s mission was to reveal the love of the Sacred Heart through both personal sanctification and service to others. Despite poor health and the challenges of her era, she traveled extensively across Europe to establish 110 houses and maintain unity within her growing Society. Her schools were unique for the time, offering a rigorous curriculum for a “female elite” while simultaneously providing classes for poor children. Her life was defined by a deep sense of hope and total trust in Divine Providence, qualities that mirror the themes of the current “Jubilee of Hope” celebrated by the Church today.
Timeline of St. Madeleine Sophie Barat’s Canonization Process
1870
The cause for her beatification and canonization officially begins following a request from Pope Pius IX.
Pope Leo XIII issues a decree declaring Madeleine Sophie “Venerable”.
July 18, 1879
October 1893
Her tomb in Conflans is opened, and her remains are transferred to a chapel.
The official decree recognizing the “heroicness of her virtues” is issued.
February 12, 1905
December 8, 1907 – February 14, 1908
A session for the Decree of Miracles is opened and subsequently authorized by the Pope.
Mother Barat is beatified in St. Peter’s Basilica by Pope Pius X.
May 24, 1908
December 28, 1924 – February 8, 1925
A final session for the Decree of Miracles is held and approved by Pope Pius XI, paving the way for her final elevation.
Pope Pius XI celebrates the solemn ceremony of her canonization in St. Peter’s Basilica.
May 24, 1925
Federica Palumbo, General Archivist, on the canonization process
To see the subtitles in English, French or Spanish, click on the YouTube icon to go to YouTube, then on the subtitles/closed captions button (CC) located in the lower right corner of the screen, then click on “Settings”, then “Subtitles/CC” and choose the language of your preference.
Photo gallery of Saint Madeleine Sophie Barat’s canonization
Section |History|International News|Society Celebrations: Centennial of the Canonisation of Saint Madeleine Sophie Barat
Province |Italy|Mother House
Tags |Archives|canonization|saint|Saint Madeleine Sophie Barat
