Chapter 2016 called for the writing of a contemporary philosophy of Sacred Heart education with an emphasis on RSCJ and mission partners living our service of education as a process of humanization, rooted in the Gospel and in the educational intuitions of Madeleine Sophie. The Commission — José Basaula rscj (RDC), Suzanne Cooke rscj (USC), Eloisa Gómez rscj (ARU), Urszula Głowacka rscj (POL), Mª José Domínguez rscj (ESP), Hilary Thompson (ENW), and Mieko Uno rscj (JPN) — have completed this task and now offers the document, Philosophy of Sacred Heart Education – Sophie’s Gift…Our Call to the Future, to the Sacred Heart Family. Though Hilary is no longer part of the Commission, she contributed greatly to this work.
Coming from Africa, Asia, Europe, Latin America and North America, the commission members found unity in Sophie’s charism and our shared mission as Sacred Heart educators. They believe that the spirit of the philosophy is unifying, and hope that it will inspire all of us as we engage in revitalizing the Society of the Sacred Heart for the sake of mission. Exploring the philosophy of Sacred Heart education while probing the potential of the four apostolic priorities promises to help religious and mission partners to deepen both our understanding of mission and our ability to live it.
To gain a more complete understanding of what the philosophy hopes to achieve, the Commission suggests watching this video. To see subtitles in English, French or Spanish, click on the CC button on the bottom right and choose your language.
Click here for the full text of the Document
Click here to read the General Council’s letter introducing the Document
This philosophy includes insights into another of the Commission’s tasks which was to research current formation to mission programs for Educators of the Sacred Heart. The document will be presented to the General Chapter 2024 for ratification.