Do you long for God to be at the centre of your life? Is prayer an important part of your life? Do you have a spirit of generosity that compels you to give everything? Are you a woman who wants to make a difference in our world? Do you feel that you could do this better with the support of others in the community?

Our vows

Poverty, obedience & chastity

After about four years of initial formation, we make vows of poverty, obedience, and chastity, and we also commit ourselves to the service of education. The Church asks all religious to initially make these vows temporarily, so we make ‘first vows’ for six years, before beginning the process of preparation for ‘perpetual’ vows.

In our perpetual vows, we hand over all that we are to God, promising to live simply, open-heartedly and non-possessively, to put our liberty, gifts and potential at the service of the Society's mission.

Our charism

‘Charism’ is the word we use to express the particular gift that defines us as a religious order. It also describes our spirituality, the way we look at the world and interpret events and what motivates our lives.

Our charism is to contemplate the Heart of Jesus and to be drawn into union with His Heart, which compels us to relate to others with His compassionate love.

‘By our charism, we are consecrated to glorifying the heart of Jesus: we answer His call to discover and reveal His love letting ourselves be transformed by His Spirit so as to live united and conformed to Him, and through our love and service to radiate the very love of His Heart.’ Constitutions, 4

Our spirituality

‘By our charism, we are consecrated to glorifying the heart of Jesus: we answer His call to discover and reveal His love letting ourselves be transformed by His Spirit so as to live united and conformed to Him, and through our love and service to radiate the very love of His Heart.’ Constitutions, 4

Our community

This twofold movement of prayer and mission is a journey into the depths of God and the heart of our world - and it is not a journey we make alone! For us, this journey is both a joy and a challenge and so we make it in the company of sisters.

We live and pray in community - in a local community, in our Provincial community, and as an international community. Through praying and reflecting together, both on the Gospel and on our life experience, we discover where God is leading us next.

‘Community is a door we must choose. We have to choose to enter community, to go through the door and enter it fully. Community is a door to growth... the door of knowing ourselves, with our strengths and vulnerabilities.  Community is the door to creating a common home.’ Maria Cimperman RSCJ

‘Community is a door we must choose. We have to choose to enter community, to go through the door and enter it fully. Community is a door to growth... the door of knowing ourselves, with our strengths and vulnerabilities.  Community is the door to creating a common home.’
Maria Cimperman RSCJ
An extract from Religious Life For Our World: Creating Global Communities of Hope (Orbis Books, 2020)

Frequently asked vocation questions

How do I know if I have a vocation to religious life?

If you answered ‘yes’ to any of the questions at the top of the page, then God may be calling you to religious life. Religious life centred on the relationship with God is an act of faith, but also like any other step we take in life we do not know the future. Our religious life is a life of discernment; through prayer and reflection together we discover where God’s call for us lies.

How long does it take to become a Religious of the Sacred Heart?

On average we spend nine years from joining to final profession. Most of this time is spent in temporary vows and it becomes clear whether this is God’s call for us.

Do I have to be a Roman Catholic?

Yes, we are a Roman Catholic Religious order. If you are not a Catholic and are still interested, get in touch and we may be able to help you to find a direction.

Do I have to be single?

Yes, you have to be single, although you may have been married in the past. You would need to have no dependents.

Can I still see my family and friends?

In our way of life, we have to learn to balance community life with time spent with family and friends. Yes, we can meet family and friends and invite them into the community. We can spend time visiting our families.

Make an enquiry

If you think that God could be calling you to our way of life and you want to explore further, just get in touch!

London

Sr Barbara Sweeney

societyofthesacredheart@gmail.com

Sr Silvana Dallanegra

silvanarscj@gmail.com

07949 8334

Newcastle

Sr Lorraine Pratt 

lorrainerscj12@yahoo.co.uk