Following Jesus in Revolutionary France

Born in 1779 in Joigny, France, Madeleine Sophie Barat heard the call to follow Jesus in religious life at an early age.
‍
At this time in France, convents had been closed due to the French Revolution, so religious practice had to be conducted in secret. Despite this, Madeleine Sophie's older brother Louis was ordained a Catholic priest and became her teacher, giving her a more thorough education than most girls of her ordinary background would receive.

When he went to Paris in 1796 to work in the clandestine church, Madeleine Sophie went with him.

On 21st November 1800, shortly before her 21st birthday, Sophie and a small group of friends made their first vows in Paris, and so the Society of the Sacred Heart was born. In her own heart, she had two deep desires: to lead a life of prayer, and to help the society of her day in the aftermath of war and revolution, especially through the education of the minds and hearts of girls.
‍
Throughout her life, she opened innumerable houses in various countries. Despite frail health, Sophie overcame many difficulties and challenges. Her faith was rooted in Jesus Christ, and she had a deep desire to reveal to others the love of the Heart of Jesus, a love she herself experienced so powerfully.
‍
Sophie's father was a vintner, and she often described this relationship with Jesus with his words in John’s gospel: "l am the Vine, you are the branches".
‍
Madeleine Sophie Barat died on 25th May 1865 at the age of 85, leaving 3539 religious in 99 communities in Europe, N Africa, and N and S America. She was canonised in 1925, and her feast day is the 25th May.
‍
You can read more about Sophie on her own website and on our international website.

‘In this struggle concerning education, the Heart of Jesus asks us not for our blood, but for our minds.’

A spiritual movement for the education of girls

On the 21st November 1800, Madeleine Sophie and her companions made their first vows, and the Society of the Sacred Heart was born.
‍
Madeleine Sophie was driven by two deep desires: to make known the love of Jesus, and to help the society of her day to heal in the aftermath of war and revolution, especially through the education of girls.
‍
After two years, she became the leader of the community. As the Society of the Sacred Heart expanded, and their life was formalised, she was elected Superior General.

Discover our schools & college

Madeleine Sophie’s faith

Throughout her life, Madeleine Sophie opened many houses in various countries. Despite frail health, she overcame many difficulties and challenges: crises within the Society, as well as wars, uprisings, political instability, and pandemics in places where she had established communities.
‍
Her faith was rooted in Jesus Christ, and she had a deep desire to reveal this love of the Heart of Jesus to others. Madeleine Sophie's father was a winemaker and she often described this relationship with Jesus with His words in John’s gospel: ‘"l am the Vine, you are the branches"’.

Our spirituality

‘​​Your example, even more than your words, will be an eloquent lesson to the world.’

Her legacy

Madeleine Sophie died at the age of 85, on the 25th of May 1865.
‍
By the time she died, the Society of the Sacred Heart numbered 3539 religious sisters in 99 communities, having spread across Europe, North Africa, and North & South America.
‍
On 24th May 1925, Pope Pius XI declared her a saint of the Roman Catholic Church at her canonisation Mass. Her feast day is now celebrated every year on the 25th of May. She is the patron saint of schoolgirls.