Feast of St. Madeleine Sophie Barat

Madeleine Sophie Barat, foundress of the Society of the Sacred Heart, was born in Joigny, France in 1779.  She received a remarkable education at home from her Jesuit-educated brother.  At 16, she and her brother studied together in Paris.  While there, she learned of plans to form a new religious congregation that was to be rooted in prayer, dedicated to education, and, ultimately, committed to glorifying the Heart of Christ.  In 1800, with three others, she consecrated her life "to make known the revelation of God’s love, whose source and symbol is the Heart of Christ."  Elected Superior General in 1806, she held this post until her death on May 25, 1865.  She was canonized a saint in 1925.  Her feast is celebrated on May 25.

Feast of St. Philippine Duchesne

Saint Rose Philippine Duchesne was born in Grenoble, an ancient city in the French Alps, in 1769.  Educated at home and at the Visitation Monastery near her home, Philippine entered the Society of the Sacred Heart in 1804.  Philippine’s greatest desire was to be a missionary to America and serve the Native Americans.  In 1818, Mother Sophie Barat consented to Philippine’s many requests and on May 29 of that year, Philippine and four companions established the first free school for girls west of the Mississippi in St. Charles, Missouri.  Philippine died on November 18, 1852 at the age of 83 in St. Charles.  She was canonized in July 1988.  Her feast is celebrated on November 18.

Goûter

French for "to taste," goûter is a special treat to which Sacred Heart students look forward to on special feast days and celebrations held at school.

Graduation

Graduation is a tradition that ends our school year with the awarding of diplomas to our senior class.  The formal graduation is held on the front lawn of the White House.  The graduates wear long white dresses, lace crowns, and carry roses.  The ceremony is followed by the Trés Bien Dinner Dance, given by the alumnae for the graduates and their families.  

Mater

In 1844, a young novice of the Society of the Sacred Heart painted a fresco of the Virgin Mary on a wall of the convent.  The novice painted Mary as a young woman in a rose-colored dress.  A lily at Mary’s side represented her purity; the distaff and spindle, her love of work; a book, her dedication to study.  When viewing the fresco for the first time, Pope Pius IX proclaimed "Mater Admirabilis!" (Latin for "Mother Most Admirable").  The feast of Mater Admirabilis is October 20.  There is a statue or painting of Mater in each of the Sacred Heart schools today.  This special day is marked with liturgical celebrations and pink goûter.

Prize Day

Prize Day brings a formal end to the school year in some Sacred Heart schools.  Students are recognized for their academic achievements throughout the year and for character formation.  The faculty and students come together in a formal setting to distribute the prizes.  From the youngest to the oldest, students are taught to accept awards graciously and to applaud the skills and talents of others.