2025-26 Sacred Heart Spirituality Series
Madeleine Sophie Barat: Visionary, Founder, Educator, Saint
The Sacred Heart Spirituality Series is sponsored by the Mums of Alums at Villa Duchesne for the benefit of the entire Sacred Heart community. This series represents the Mums’ effort to participate in the stewardship of the vision of Saint Madeleine Sophie Barat – a second sowing of the Sacred Heart mission by parents who gave to their children the gift of a Sacred Heart education, and who continue to cherish life at the Sacred Heart. All are most welcome to attend this in-person and virtual series!
About the theme
This year, the Sacred Heart community worldwide celebrates the centenary of the canonization of Saint Madeleine Sophie Barat (May 24, 1925 in Rome). The 2025-2026 Sacred Heart Spirituality Series theme “Saint Madeleine Sophie Barat: Visionary, Founder, Educator, Saint” honors and celebrates her legacy, which continues through the timeless mission of the Society of the Sacred Heart.
2025 is also a most significant year as it marks the 225th Anniversary of the foundation of the Society of the Sacred Heart by Saint Madeleine Sophie, and the 50th Anniversary of the Sacred Heart Goals and Criteria and the foundation of what would become the Network of the Sacred Heart Schools, which are the timely expressions of the Sophie’s mission.
Upcoming Presentation Dates
All are welcome to join virtually by Zoom. Click here to join.
The link will be the same throughout the series and go live 30 minutes prior to the presentation. All times are in Central Time. (For Zoom assistance, please contact Rachel Gehm at rgehm@villa1929.org. )
Recordings of each presentation will be posted on this page within 2 weeks following each presentation.
Friday, November 7, 2025: Living by the Word: Saint Madeleine’s Use of Scripture by Carolyn Osiek, RSCJ
Sister Osiek will present in-person at 10 a.m. Central at the Lenke Center at Villa Duchesne. The presentation will also be available via Zoom. (link above)
One of Saint Madeleine Sophie Barat’s most significant sources of inspiration was Sacred Scripture. This presentation will explore how she drew on it to express her desires and hopes in her correspondence.
Carolyn Osiek, RSCJ, has taught at various Sacred Heart schools: Villa Duchesne School of the Sacred Heart, Academy of the Sacred Heart in Grand Coteau, Newton Academy of the Sacred Heart, and Maryville University. She has served on the board of trustees of Sacred Heart Schools (Sheridan Road), Josephinum Academy of the Sacred Heart, Barat College, Academy of the Sacred Heart in Saint Charles, Duchesne Academy in Houston, Duchesne Academy in Omaha, Maryville University, and the University of San Diego. Sister Osiek is presently a trustee of the Sacred Heart School of Montreal. She is also one of the editors of the complete writings of Saint Philippine Duchesne and author of several biographies of significant Religious of the Sacred Heart.
Friday, February 6, 2026: Saint Madeleine Sophie’s Vision of Education by Frances Gimber, RSCJ
Sister Gimber will present via Zoom 10 a.m. central. There will be an in-person viewing of the Zoom presentation at the Lenke Center at Villa Duchesne. (link above)
In recent years, Sacred Heart education and Saint Madeleine Sophie Barat’s inspiration has been studied with interest. Her inspiration continues to be the foundation of Sacred Heart education, even as it evolves in response to the times. Sister Gimber will examine the conclusions of some of these studies while reflecting on the origins of the Society’s educational legacy in its historic context.
Frances Gimber, RSCJ, has worked on the translation of a history of the Society of the Sacred Heart and on the English version of Saint Rose Philippine Duchesne’s writings, as well as various editorial projects. Prior her time as provincial archivist, she spent seven years in the secretariat of our Motherhouse in Rome. Sister Gimber has served as teacher, surveillante, headmistress, and director of studies in several Sacred Heart schools in the United States — Kenwood in Albany, Sacred Heart Greenwich, Stone Ridge School of the Sacred Heart, Convent of the Sacred Heart (91st Street), and Woodlands Academy of the Sacred Heart — as well as one Sacred Heart School in Japan. Her novitiate training was at Kenwood in Albany, and she was professed in Rome in 1964. In summary, Sister Gimber states, “I have always been vitally interested in our Society’s history and our mothers, and this interest has deepened in the last years as a result of my work both at the Motherhouse and the Archives.” She now resides in Atherton, California
Friday, March 6, 2026: Sophie on Leadership in Times of Polarization by Juliette Mousseau, RSCJ
Sister Mousseau will present via Zoom 10 a.m. central. There will be an in-person viewing of the Zoom presentation at the Lenke Center at Villa Duchesne. (link above)
Madeleine Sophie Barat lived in a time that was no less divided than our own. Yet she navigated the polarization with grace, bringing people to unity in the Heart of Jesus. Sophie’s insightful leadership shows us a way to work towards unity in our families, church, and world.
Juliet Mousseau, RSCJ, completed her doctorate in historical theology at Saint Louis University in 2006. After teaching at Saint Louis University and the University of Dallas School of Ministry, she entered the Society of the Sacred Heart in 2009. Sister Mousseau served as professor of church history at the Aquinas Institute of Theology from 2012 to 2021. She made her final profession as a Religious of the Sacred Heart in January 2020. She was named the Vice President for Academic Affairs at the Franciscan School of Theology in 2021 and continues to serve in this role today.
Past Series
Spirituality Series 2024-25 (Click here)
Spirituality Series 2023-24 (Click here)