1779 - Birth of Sophie BARAT
Sophie Barat was born in 1779 in Joigny, in the heart of Burgundy, into a family of coopers. Since childhood, a fire burned in her heart: captivated by God, she was drawn to the contemplative religious life. Brought up in a deeply rooted Christian family, she received an exceptionally thorough education for the time, under the guidance of her brother Louis, who was destined to become a priest.
1789 - French Revolution
1789 turned everything upside down. Sophie was deeply affected by the French Revolution. This shock nourished her project to found a new congregation of women dedicated to the education of young girls, to honor the Heart of Christ and to spread God’s love.
1800 - Society of the Sacred Heart
The Society of the Sacred Heart was founded in 1800. Sophie and four other young women dedicated themselves to a new form of religious life, combining a life of prayer and work, one inspiring and stimulating the other. Sophie Barat was named Superior General in 1806.
1865 - End of life
She died in 1865. Sophie Barat was canonized in 1925. Today, she can also be prayed to, in the church of Saint-François-Xavier (Paris VIIe), where her body is buried.
The Barat House was built in the 16th century, after a terrible fire had devastated the town of Joigny. In the second half of the 18th century, it was occupied by Jacques Barat, a cooper by trade, and his wife Madeleine Fouffé. Sophie, their youngest daughter and future founder of the Society of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, was born here on the night of December 12th, 1779.
The Barat family lived a simple life. Their professional and family life was marked by their work in the vineyards, in the light of an authentic faith, even if a little austere, which was soon tested by the rumblings of the Revolution. After the departure of their three children, the Barat parents remained alone in the family home. Jacques Barat died in 1809, but Madame Barat lived there until 1819.Après le départ de leurs trois enfants, les parents Barat restent seuls dans la maison familiale. Jacques Barat y meurt en 1809, mais Mme Barat continuera à l’habiter jusqu’en 1819.
In 1886, the Society of the Sacred Heart of Jesus bought the house. It hoped to attract many pilgrims by promoting the cause of Sophie Barat's beatification. The first community moved in, in 1894.
- 4 places of worship (1 large chapel and 3 oratories);
- 9 double rooms and 12 single rooms (30 beds in total);
- 2 reflection and meeting rooms (10 and 40 seats);
- 3 dining rooms (24, 24 and 6 seats);
- Simple, traditional cuisine;
- 3 connected gardens.
You’ll also benefit from the proximity of the vineyards, the Othe forest and the banks of the Yonne.
Not forgetting the streets of Joigny, a city of art and history that has been named one of the 100 “Most beautiful itineraries in France”.
- 5 rooms with 2 or 3 beds (12 beds);
- 1 dining room;
- 1 kitchen;
- 1 living room;
- 3 bathrooms.
This house can be used as an addition to the Sophie Barat Center or independently.
