Gathered in the house where Madeleine-Sophie was born, joy was the order of the day as we celebrated our centenary.
Noëlle Favet, the superior provincial, addressed a few words to us:
“We celebrated the anniversary of Sophie Barat’s birth in this house: 245 years ago! It was here that little Sophie’s life journey began. A journey filled with the desire to follow the Lord, to listen to His Spirit, to make known the Love of His Heart for all, especially young people, by accompanying their development through education. This path of life and faith led her to holiness, through many ups and downs. Holiness recognized and celebrated by the universal Church 100 years ago, on May 24th.
On December 8th, we celebrated the reopening of Notre-Dame Cathedral in Paris. Madeleine-Sophie was associated with it, since a relic is present in the high altar: a new birth of the cathedral and of Sophie’s link to the Church.
And tonight [December 14th, 2024], why are we here? To celebrate together the centenary of her canonization, which will unfold through various events until December 12, 2025, in Belgium, France, the Netherlands, Italy, Egypt… it’s not a question of looking to the past, but of letting the figure of Sophie Barat continue to invite us to a rebirth, to open our hearts, to join the Heart of Christ, to let ourselves be transformed to serve his Kingdom.
Le 8 décembre, nous célébrions la réouverture de la cathédrale Notre-Dame de Paris. Madeleine-Sophie y était associée puisqu’une relique est présente dans le maître autel : nouvelle naissance de la cathédrale et d’un lien de Sophie à l’Eglise.
Et ce soir, [14 décembre 2024], pourquoi sommes-nous là ? Pour célébrer ensemble, l’entrée dans l’année du centenaire de sa canonisation, qui se déploiera par divers évènements jusqu’au 12 décembre 2025, en Belgique, en France, aux Pays-Bas, en Italie, en Egypte… il s’agit, non pas d’un regard vers le passé, mais bien de laisser la figure de Sophie Barat continuer de nous inviter à une renaissance, à ouvrir nos cœurs, à rejoindre le Cœur du Christ, à nous laisser transformer pour servir son Royaume.
So, together and in communion with all the Sisters of the Sacred Heart, their collaborators and friends, let us enter this Eucharist with joy and gratitude for the path she has opened up; let us enter this centenary year!
