In the New World, the mission of the Society expanded. (On the death of the foundress in 1865, the Society numbered 3 359 members, of whom at least 300 were in 16 houses in America). Otherwise during the life-time of Mother Barat the Society had only one house outside Europe, namely the somewhat short-lived foundation "little Mustapha", in Algeria, which lasted from 1843-1909. In Europe itself, from East to West, from North to South, every religious was invited to "leave your country and your father's house, and go to the land which I the Lord will show you." (Genesis 12: 2)

The catalogues of that time, which note the names of all the religious and their activities, witness to this mobility. Effectiveness in the apostolate was a priority. Madeleine-Sophie said of the house in Mans which was being closed :"We are no longer doing good there". When revolution threatened here or there, the religious moved elsewhere.

And this remained the case, even for Mother Barat herself after her death. In 1904 when anticlericalism was rife in France following the Combes Law, her body was prepared for transport to Jette. For fear of the censor, Mother Marie le Baïl, secretary general, when writing to Mother Victorine Damiens, treasurer at Jette , used circuitous terms worthy of a spy-story. On very good ivory-coloured notepaper bordered with art-deco style lace, she wrote in such a way that only those who were in on the secret, could understand. Here are a few examples of her coded communication: "Dear friend, [...] send Madeleine-Sophie to Belgium [...] to stay in the room under the chap. la loger dans l’appartement sous la chap. ([1]) [...] This much-loved traveller [...] My mother ([2]) is going to the town ([3]) Arrangements will be made with my uncle Richard ([4]) so that Sophie can leave next week for dear Belgium".

Mother Mabel Digby had the same way of seeing things. Superior general in 1904, when the body of Madeleine-Sophie arrived in Jette with the religious who were expelled from France, she said : "Whatever number of tabernacles are closed, the same number will be opened." So it was in this difficult period that foundations were begun in Australia/ New-Zealand, in Japan and Egypt.

The Society lived through the different phases of this missionary spirit which is so essential, indeed crucial for the Church. There was the time of "foreign missions" which were entrusted to some and supported by the prayer and gifts of all. Nowadays it is the responsibility of each one to share in the work of evangelisation, wherever they may live. The prayer of former pupils, women and men, is therefore essential so that the Society of the Sacred Heart, and with it all those who long for the coming of the Kingdom may echo this generous "yes, Lord, send me!" (Isaias 6: 8)

[1] The crypt

[2] Mother Betsy Nieuwland, superior vicar

[3] Conflans, place of Mother Barat's tumb

[4] Cardinal Richard, archbishop of Paris !

Last update: 2005-02-27