Skip to main content
  • Vocations
  • Associates
  • Shrine
Society of the Sacred Heart, US – Canada Province
  • Home
  • Menu
    • RSCJ.org
    • Associates
    • Vocations
    • Shrine

    • Who We Are
      • Overview
      • Our mission
      • Our guiding calls
      • Our internationality
      • Our provincial leadership
      • Our related organizations
      • Our heritage and traditions
    • Our Mission Lived
      • Overview
      • Education
      • Spirituality
        • Overview
        • Spirituality Centers
        • Children of Mary
      • Justice
        • Overview
        • Stuart Center
        • Ethical investing
        • Healthy Waters
      • Community
        • Overview
        • Welcoming communities
        • RSCJ retirement communities
      • Young Adult Ministry
      • Duchesne Fund
    • Connect
      • Become an Associate
      • Become a Sister
      • Join our mailing list
      • Find an RSCJ
      • Request a prayer
    • Ways to give
    • Resources
      • Our spiritual library
      • Publications
      • Heart magazine
      • Revealing God's Love in the Midst of Uncertainty
      • RSCJ Blogs
      • Quotes from RSCJ
    • Our History
      • Overview
      • History of Enslavement
      • Key figures
      • Archives
      • Miracle at Grand Coteau
      • New Province Foundations
    • News
    • In Memoriam
  • Donate
  • Login

Carrollton School of the Sacred Heart unveils and dedicates new Mater Admirabilis Chapel and Spirituality Center

By Carrolton School of the Sacred Heart

October 30, 2023

Carrollton unveiled its new Mater Admirabilis Chapel and Spirituality Center to the community, fittingly beginning with our celebration of the Feast of Mater.

The original fresco displayed in the Trinità dei Monti in Rome, Italy, and painted in 1846 by French novice of the Society, Pauline Perdrau, is a beautiful depiction of Mary, the Mother of God. Replicas of this fresco are featured in all Sacred Heart schools [in the Network of Sacred Heart Schools] and have captured the hearts of students, alumnae, educators, and Religious of the Sacred Heart for generations. To walk into a Sacred Heart school anywhere in the world and see Mater is to be welcomed home. 

On Friday, October 20th, our Lower and Upper School communities were the first to celebrate Mass in the Mater Admirabilis Chapel. Mary's presence could instantly be felt in the sea of pink as students gathered in the chapel to honor our Mother Most Admirable on her feast day. Following mass, this historic moment was celebrated with the Sacred Heart tradition of goûter as our community enjoyed delicious pink cupcakes lovingly served by many of our alumnae. 

On Saturday, October 21st, our celebrations continued as Sacred Heart alumnae residing in South Florida gathered for their annual Mater Admirabilis Alumnae Mass and Brunch. This year's event was extra special as so many alumnae experienced first-hand a Carrollton dream becoming a reality.

Anne Taylor, RSCJ
Sister Taylor poses next to a replica of Pauline Perdrau's Mater painting in the new Mater Admirabilis Chapel.

Finally, on Wednesday, October 25, the Most Reverend Thomas G. Wenski, Archbishop of Miami, presided over the Rite of Dedication of the chapel and altar. Ceremonial traditions, like the deposition of relics of St. Madeleine Sophie and St. Rose Philippine Duchesne, the anointing of the altar and walls of the chapel, and the illumination of the chapel, were inspiring moments of the ceremony leaving an indelible mark on all who were present. 

These events were made possible by the dreams and visions of many who came before us. Our community stands on the shoulders of giants; women whose life, love, and vision have led us to become the Carrollton we know today, the school of Christ's Heart in Miami.

Sister Ann Taylor, RSCJ is one of those visionary giants. She led our school for 20 years, from 1978 to 1998 - years that saw growth of the student body and the acquisition of the Duchesne campus. Since 1998, she has continued to accompany and support our school and the mission of the Society of the Sacred Heart. In December 2020, she wrote a letter to Carrollton's Board of Trustees, starting with the story recalling Reverend Mother Barry and the quote carved into the coquina of El Jardin that inspired her to pursue the Carrollton property. She then went on to envision how sixty years from today, people will also recall the most recent symbol in Carrollton's history that inspired the acquisition of the Mater Admirabilis Chapel. The story of the Christmas star, the alignment of Jupiter and Saturn, not seen for centuries, was visible at Carrollton, the day the Christian Science Church across Main Highway went up for sale. 

The stars quite literally aligned for Carrollton that day, and that symbol of light and love will forever be represented in the chapel through the Murano glass chandelier, designed to be the Star of Bethlehem. May our star guide all of us at Carrollton - past, present, and future generations - as we continue to seek and share Jesus' love.

This article was reposted with permission from Carrollton. Click here to view the original article.

Share this:
  • facebook
  • twitter
  • linkedin
  • whatsapp
  • email

Other news from the Society

Welcome Pope Leo XIV

May 8, 2025
Photo by Shot by Cerqueira on Unsplash

Resurrection Power

April 29, 2025
Diane Roche, RSCJ, receives the Father John O’Connor Award for Empowerment. (Photo by Catholic Charities )

Diane Roche, RSCJ, honored by Catholic Charities

April 25, 2025

Follow us

Society of the Sacred Heart

4120 Forest Park Avenue | St. Louis, MO 63108
314.652.1500 | 314.534.6800 fax
EIN: 43-1272049

© RSCJ.org | Email | Translate
Sitemap

Who We Are

Overview

Our mission

Our guiding calls

Our internationality

Our provincial leadership

Our related organizations

Our heritage and traditions

Our Mission Lived

Overview

Education

Spirituality

Overview
Spirituality Centers
Children of Mary

Justice

Overview
Stuart Center
Ethical investing
Healthy Waters

Community

Overview
Welcoming communities
RSCJ retirement communities

Young Adult Ministry

Duchesne Fund

Connect

Become an Associate

Become a Sister

Join our mailing list

Find an RSCJ

Request a prayer

Ways to give

Resources

Our spiritual library

Publications

Heart magazine

Revealing God's Love in the Midst of Uncertainty

RSCJ Blogs

Quotes from RSCJ

Our History

Overview

History of Enslavement

Key figures

Archives

Miracle at Grand Coteau

New Province Foundations

News

In Memoriam

Copyright © RSCJ.org | Web design