Saint Madeleine Sophie Barat, Saint of the day for May 29

 

(December 12, 1779 - May 25, 1865)

The story of Santa Madeleine Sophie Barat

The legacy of Madeleine Sophie Barat is found in the over 100 schools managed by her Society of the Sacred Heart, institutions known for the quality of education made available to young people.

Sophie herself received extensive education, thanks to her 11-year-old brother Louis and her godfather at baptism. Same seminarian, Louis decided that his younger sister would also learn Latin, Greek, history, physics and mathematics, always without interruption and with a minimum of company. By the age of 15, he had received complete exposure to the Bible, the teachings of the Church Fathers and theology. Despite Louis' oppressive regime, young Sophie thrived and developed a genuine love of learning.

In the meantime, this was the time of the French Revolution and the suppression of Christian schools. The education of young girls, especially girls, was in a problematic state. Sophie, who had discerned a call to religious life, was persuaded to become a teacher. She founded the Society of the Sacred Heart, which focused on schools for the poor and colleges for young middle-aged women. Today it is also possible to find Sacred Heart schools, together with schools exclusively for children.

In 1826, his Society of the Sacred Heart received formal papal approval. At that point she had served as superior in numerous convents. In 1865, she was struck by paralysis; she died that year during the Ascension Day.

Madeleine Sophie Barat was canonized in 1925.

Reflection

Madeleine Sophie Barat lived in turbulent times. He was only 10 when the reign of terror began. In the wake of the French revolution, both the rich and the poor suffered before some semblance of normalcy returned to France. Born with some degree of privilege, Sophie received a good education. It saddened her that the same opportunity had been denied to the other girls and she dedicated herself to educating them, both poor and wealthy. We who live in a wealthy country can follow his example by helping to assure others of the blessings we have enjoyed.