This Year of Prayer celebrates the missionary journey of Philippine Duchesne and her four companions from France to the New World, thus beginning the internationality of the Society of the Sacred Heart, now in 41 countries.
Sister Barbara Dawson, our Superior General, and her Council have invited the whole family of the Sacred Heart to enter the Year of Prayer, to be and to act as one Body, and to create space and silence to listen to the heartbeat of God. What a wonderful way to celebrate Philippine Duchesne, known affectionately as “the woman who prays always.”
Every Monday from November 20, 2017, to November 19, 2018, the worldwide family of the Sacred Heart will be united together in prayer and reflection. Thanks to regional editors, Françoise Greffe, RSCJ (France), Kim King, RSCJ (Canada), Elizabeth Nakayiza, RSCJ (Uganda), and Park Jeong Mi, RSCJ (Korea), the collection of reflections represents nearly all the countries where we are located. The subjects of these reflections are as varied as the background of the writers: friendship, suffering, loss, courage, boundaries, perseverance, hope. The styles include prose, poetry and prayer, and each reflection is accompanied by an image.
Philippine kept a journal, a spiritual practice which helped her become ever more attentive to the inner stirrings of her heart. A pdf journal is provided here for those who wish – either to download or to complete online. The use of social media is also encouraged throughout the world so that insights might be shared among us across our geographic frontiers.
You are welcome to encourage others to join us in prayer. Please explore the bicentennial website for news of coming events and for numerous resources: a short Philippine biography, images, music, lesson plans, pilgrimage options, etc., to enrich your celebration of the Bicentennial Year.
Thank you for helping to make the Year of Prayer a time of grace for all of us.
Beyond the Limits of our Sight
Philippine dreamed big and listened wide for the voice, the call, of God. Whether working with those in need closer to home in Grenoble, or giving herself to a pull that would take her away from that which was physically familiar and ever deeper into the diverse terrain of the Heart where she made her true home, Philippine responded with disponibilité, creativity, and a broad, inclusive desire to make God's love known.
Living with Philippine’s Heart
I came to know Philippine Duchesne through stories told by one or other RSCJ, and from writings about her. Later I had the grace of visiting some places where she lived in the United States. With Philippine Duchesne, I have seen how my life is a physical, intellectual, human, psychic and spiritual journey with an open heart, like Abraham, moving towards myself, others, nature and God with a deep inner joy.
Learning from Philippine, Woman of Faith
What comes to mind when you hear Philippine’s name? This question surfaced one day for us when younger members of the Indonesian region had gathered. We were delighted to learn that the Indonesian mission began when Philippine was canonized. We are blessed that Philippine, a woman of courage and faithfulness, is patron of our area.
The New Frontier
"Domine, in simplicitate cordis meus laetus obtuli universa..."
After the fall of communism in Russia, Moscow became a special place of mission for RSCJ. In the time of Philippine, numbers of residents of the village of Florissant were baptized each Easter. Every year, numbers of adults, prepared by the RSCJ of Moscow, receive the sacraments of Christian initiation at Easter.
Truest Joy
To those of us who think we are too old to do something, we have only to look to Philippine Duchesne for inspiration. At nearly 50, she left home for Louisiana, and at 72 she trekked to Sugar Creek, Kansas, to live among the Potawatomi.
Grace and Grit: Mysticism and the Cross
Can a painting shout and whisper? This one does. It shouts of grace and grit; it whispers about the cross.
Toward the Unknown
Philippine at a crossroad
Virtues Needed to Cross Frontiers: prayer, missionary zeal and humility
Philippine's Cross
When RSCJ make their perpetual profession of vows, they receive a cross to wear. This is a photo of the cross given to Philippine; it has been stored in our central archives in Rome since 1914.
