Whilst everyone else is celebrating the Feasts of St Bede the Venerable, and Pope St Gregory VII, our household is taken up with honouring Madeleine's very special Patron Saint. Many Catholic families make as much of this as a birthday itself, so it would be great if we can take up this tradition and seek intercession for little Madeleine's spiritual life.
Madeleine Sophie Barat is honoured by the Church as Virgin and Foundress of the Society of the Religious of the Sacred Heart. She was born to humble beginnings in a Jansenist household in December 12 1779 in Joigny. Her elder brother of 11 years, Louis, was appointed godfather. He himself became a priest, but as Deacon was made master in a college in his native city. During this time he educated 10 year old Madeleine, a sprightly intelligent girl, in spiritual matters. He was sure that God destined her for great things, and so it was.
During the first fury of the French Revolution, Louis Barat was imprisoned in Paris for 2 years. On returning to Joigny, he was concerned that young Madeleine, who had become a very popular and charming young girl, would lose her sense of vocation to the religious life. He took her back to Paris with him, and there she became involved in the very important work of re-establishing Christian educational institutions.
Her reputation preceded her, and she was soon charged by the Jesuits to establish a girls educational institute based on devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus (a certain antidote to her Jansenist upbringing). On November 21, 1800, she began her religious life, and was even appointed superior of the second convent in Amiens for poor children - at the age of 23!! Her first act was to kneel and kiss the feet of all her sisters. Six years later she was voted Superior General; a position she retained for life.
In December 1826, in response to a memorandum drawn up by herself and presented in person to Pope Leo XII, the Society of the Sacred Heart received formal approbation. Having lived to the age of 85, she saw her daughters firmly established in twelve countries of two continents. On May 21 1864 she was stricken with paralysis, and four days later, on the Feast of the Ascension, she went to meet her maker. She was beatified by Pope St. Pius X in 1908, and canonized in 1925 by Pope Pius XI.
Madeleine Sophie Barat is honoured by the Church as Virgin and Foundress of the Society of the Religious of the Sacred Heart. She was born to humble beginnings in a Jansenist household in December 12 1779 in Joigny. Her elder brother of 11 years, Louis, was appointed godfather. He himself became a priest, but as Deacon was made master in a college in his native city. During this time he educated 10 year old Madeleine, a sprightly intelligent girl, in spiritual matters. He was sure that God destined her for great things, and so it was.
During the first fury of the French Revolution, Louis Barat was imprisoned in Paris for 2 years. On returning to Joigny, he was concerned that young Madeleine, who had become a very popular and charming young girl, would lose her sense of vocation to the religious life. He took her back to Paris with him, and there she became involved in the very important work of re-establishing Christian educational institutions.
Her reputation preceded her, and she was soon charged by the Jesuits to establish a girls educational institute based on devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus (a certain antidote to her Jansenist upbringing). On November 21, 1800, she began her religious life, and was even appointed superior of the second convent in Amiens for poor children - at the age of 23!! Her first act was to kneel and kiss the feet of all her sisters. Six years later she was voted Superior General; a position she retained for life.In December 1826, in response to a memorandum drawn up by herself and presented in person to Pope Leo XII, the Society of the Sacred Heart received formal approbation. Having lived to the age of 85, she saw her daughters firmly established in twelve countries of two continents. On May 21 1864 she was stricken with paralysis, and four days later, on the Feast of the Ascension, she went to meet her maker. She was beatified by Pope St. Pius X in 1908, and canonized in 1925 by Pope Pius XI.
INTROIT: CANT. 8. 6
Put me as a seal upon thy heart, as a seal upon thy arm;
for love is as strong as death.Ps. 107. 1. My heart is ready, O God, my heart is ready:
I will sing and I will give praise with my glory.
Let us pray
Lord Jesus Christ, who after the model of Thy Sacred Heart
didst wonderfully adorn Saint Madeleine Sophie with humility and love,
and didst will that through her there should flower forth a new family of virgins;
make us ever cling to Thy most Sacred Heart,
and by our imitation of the same find our joy in becoming Thy companions.
Who livest and reignest with God the Father in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
One God, world without end. Amen.
for love is as strong as death.Ps. 107. 1. My heart is ready, O God, my heart is ready:
I will sing and I will give praise with my glory.
Let us pray
Lord Jesus Christ, who after the model of Thy Sacred Heart
didst wonderfully adorn Saint Madeleine Sophie with humility and love,
and didst will that through her there should flower forth a new family of virgins;
make us ever cling to Thy most Sacred Heart,
and by our imitation of the same find our joy in becoming Thy companions.
Who livest and reignest with God the Father in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
One God, world without end. Amen.
St Madeleine Sophie Barat was one of the greatest saints of her time. But, oh dear, many of the Sacred Heart Sisters today, especially in Britain and Ireland, are as remote from her as chalk from cheese. Have you met any recently?
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