Novena to St. Madeline Sophie Barat

Novena to St. Madeline Sophie Barat

Dear St. Madeleine Sophie Barat you Consecrated yourself to the Sacred Heart of Jesus and spent your life opening Schools of the Sacred Heart and educating girls.  You were quoted as saying, “For the sake of one child, I would have founded the Society”.  Your approach to children was based in gentleness as you advised, “Soften your reprimands with kind words; encourage and reward them. That is, in short, our way of educating”.  Please pray St. Madeleine Sophie that as parents and teachers we may have a softness and gentleness towards children as you did.  Please pray that the Sacred Heart of Jesus will pour Divine Love and Patience into our hearts. Please take our intentions before the Sacred Heart of Jesus as we know your prayers will be warmly received. Amen.

Short Biography

St. Madeleine Sophie was born in France on December 12, 1779. St. Madeline founded the Society of the Sacred Heart of Jesus with three companions in 1800 and the first convent and school were opened in Amiens in 1802. St Madeline was committed to the education of young women of all financial backgrounds.  She pursued this cause in a time when the education of women were often not prioritized.  At the time of her death she had opened more than 100 schools and convents in 12 countries.  She died on May 25th 1865 on the Feast of the Ascension.  Her body remains incorrupt in Jette, Belgium.  Her Feast Day is May 25th.

Quote 

"With the pupils keep an even tone, both gentle and firm. Show them by the care with which you help them to advance along every line for which you are responsible, that you care for their interests alone, and that you want to help them to acquire a solid and pious education, enhanced by learning, and thus make them happy".

    St. Madeleine Sophie Barat

I was extremely touched by the words of Madeline Sophie as I was one of the young girls who benefited from an education based on these principals.  Spending many years of my childhood at an all girls school of the Sacred Heart we prayed to Madeline Sophie regularly. As an adult my connection to her became more distant.  Through the process of inviting many saints to the children's rosary I rediscovered her.  Reading about her life as an adult I feel blessed to have grown and learned in the environment she created more than 200 years ago.

St. Madeline please join our children's rosary and guide and care for us with your tenderness and love. Amen