The Feast of Madeleine Sophie at the Sacred Heart High School for Girls in Taipei

As we approach the Feast of St. Madeleine Sophie on May 25th, it is also a good time to reflect on the mission that Sacred Heart educators have been working on throughout the academic year, which runs from August 1st to the end of June. At Sacred Heart High School for Girls in Taiwan, we celebrate this feast with joy and reflection. On the day of the feast, a video clip of Sophie’s biography is shown during a school-wide assembly in the morning. This provides a space for all members of the school community to connect with Sophie’s callings and to be reminded that we have been chosen to witness God’s love through Sacred Heart education. At lunch, ice cream snacks are given to all members of the school as a token of love and to celebrate the legacy of Madeleine Sophie. This year, we also set up a Sophie figure stand in our building to allow students and teachers to take pictures with Sophie and to bridge the gap between Sophie’s time in 1800 and the present day.

In addition to the celebration activities on the feast day, our curriculum includes a yearly journey of mission. All seventh graders read a booklet entitled “The Wisdom of St. Madeleine Sophie Barat,” which contains fifty quotes that have been published in bilingual format. Students are encouraged to share the quote that resonates with them the most and to explain why it does so. We also guide our new students to read and reflect on the booklet “Life at the Sacred Heart” by Mother Marie-Therese de Lescure, RSCJ. This provides insight into the Five Goals of a Sacred Heart Education, helping our students to understand that they are a “child of the Sacred Heart,” that they are known by God, and that they can make God’s love known to others.

The Feast of St. Madeleine Sophie is a reminder to all Sacred Heart educators and students of how fortunate we are to experience a transformative education based on Sophie’s vision. In mass, we say, “Lord, I am unworthy to have you come into my heart, but if you speak just one word, my soul will be healed.” The words of St. Madeleine Sophie, “Be humble, be simple, and bring joy to others!” will always be an echo and a beacon in our lives as whole persons.