Opening of Probation 2025-2026 - RSCJ International

It is a joyous moment for the
Society of the Sacred Heart
as they welcome seven RSCJ
who are beginning their Probation journey
together in Rome.

On September 3, 2025, the General Council officially welcomed the new probanists: Carmen (RDC-TCH), Chihiro (JPN), Elizabeth (UGK), Hilda (UGK), Jaqueline (Peru), Jeniffer (UGK), and Mukta (IND), who will be staying at the Villa Lante in Rome.

From the time of Madeleine Sophie, Probation has been a gift from God and the Society in which each probanist is given the time and space to hear God in a new way and to deepen her relationship with Jesus Christ, in immediate preparation for making a lifelong commitment as an RSCJ.

In her opening conference, Superior General Claire Castaing spoke about the experience of being in Rome, at the Villa Lante at this special time:

You are here in Italy, in Rome, in a jubilee year that calls us to Hope, and this is an incredible opportunity for you to join the succession of witnesses to the risen Christ and to discover the universality and diversity of the Church.

You are here in the heart of Rome, at the Villa Lante, a beautiful house where Madeleine Sophie received much and prayed. She is waiting for you here.

You are here in 2025, the year in which we celebrate the 100th anniversary of Madeleine Sophie’s canonisation and when the entire Society of the Sacred Heart is committed to implementing the decisions and recommendations of the last General Chapter in 2024 to support and develop our life and mission in the twenty-first century.

For this Probation group, the directors Gerardette Philips and Quena Valdés chose a modern-day icon to accompany our sisters during this journey. The icon they chose is the image of Our Lady of Silence.

Speaking about the icon that has been chosen, Sr. Castaing talked about the role of silence, not only to be able to listen to others, but also to listen to ourselves:

Listening is not just about keeping quiet. Being silent is a bit like resetting the clock. It means reconciling with oneself, catching one’s breath, naming one’s joys and fears, but also one’s anger and enthusiasm… in order to allow oneself to be touched by the ‘voice of perfect silence’ of God.

She also reminded them that, “Every encounter requires us to be open, to open our hearts widely and generously, to leave familiar ground, to lighten our load and set off into the unknown, assured of God’s presence at our side. And every encounter moves us and transforms us…”

Let us pray for our sisters and the Probation Community during this special time.

You can watch a video slideshow of the Opening of Probation, read the full text of the Opening Conference and download the photos below.