Two seniors from Sacred Heart Academy (SHA) in Bryn Mawr, Pennsylvania, recently visited St. Louis and St. Charles to explore Sacred Heart history. The following was written and shared by Sacred Heart Academy, Bryn Mawr:
Founders of the SHArchives Club, Lilly Murphy '25 and Gabriella Vraim '25 returned from a riveting four-day trip to St. Louis, Missouri, primarily to research the history of Sacred Heart education in the Philadelphia area at the Society of the Sacred Heart Archives. The students were accompanied by Ms. Tricia Heeney, World Languages Department Chair. Ms. Heeney also serves as the Upper School French Teacher, Sacred Heart Network Exchange Coordinator, Grade 12 Dean, and SHArchives Club faculty advisor.
“We learned so much during our trip to St Louis! Our visits to the Shrine of St. Philippine Duchesne and Old St. Ferdinand allowed us to walk in the footsteps of Philippine and gain a greater understanding of her significant role in expanding Sacred Heart Education to the United States,” said Ms. Heeney. “While at the Sacred Heart Archives, Lilly and Ella worked under the skilled guidance of archivists Michael Pera and Sister Mary Charlotte Chandler. They focused their research on the history of Sacred Heart education in the Philadelphia area and the different locations that housed our school. We were especially touched to learn how SHA persevered and thrived throughout the years due to the strength and resilience of our school community.”
“What I found to be the most interesting was learning about St. Rose Philippine Duchesne and her work within Sacred Heart education. She is the reason we are here in America. In 1818, she established the first American Sacred Heart School in St. Charles, Missouri. It was fascinating being able to learn her story and we hope to share it widely with our school community,” shared Ella.
“The archives building was incredible!” Lilly noted. “Seeing the dedication to documenting our history in real time was so wonderful! Inside the building, there were original records as well as duplicates that we were lucky enough to be able to take home! It was such a cool and SHAmazing experience!”
While in St. Louis, the cohort also visited two Sacred Heart area schools — the Academy of the Sacred Heart and Villa Duchesne — where they gave presentations about SHAarchives’ mission and the installations they have worked on to promote SHA’s history. Ella and Lilly particularly enjoyed the opportunity to meet Sacred Heart sisters and brothers and connect about the schools’ similarities and differences.
"I am so grateful to have been given the opportunity to explore SHA's roots and to share SHArchives work with other schools,” Lilly added. “Everywhere we went, I truly felt the love and spirit of the Sacred Heart! I can't wait to be able to share this experience with our school community."
SHarchives is a student-led club, founded in the winter of 2024, dedicated to learning and communicating [the] school's rich history, rooted in 1865. Spearheaded by Lilly and Ella, the club showcases photos, artifacts, and other items from [the school's] archives on campus. They have also hosted installations at SHA alumnae events, including the Hall of Honor.
Soon, Lilly and Ella will present to the entire SHA community and the board of trustees, highlighting their historical findings and sharing their experience at two Sacred Heart schools.
Click here for original article and to access a gallery of photos.
