This is a story of our joint NGO Office and how it effectively helps us to realize our mission and deepen our spirituality, those values and traditions so cherished within each of our congregations.  How is it that our paths converge and lead us to form this mutually beneficial relationship?

For RSCJs, it is by being ever faithful to the founding spirit of Madeleine Sophie Barat, for whom the heart of Christ was an opening to the depths of God and the anguish of humanity.  Deeply aware of the woundedness of the world and the suffering of humanity, Sophie expressed her vision in the motto, “one heart and one mind in the heart of Jesus.”  These words capture Sophie’s understanding of an organic, inward-outward movement.  An awareness of the love of God in our own vulnerable lives moves us to solidarity with a world longing for love, justice, freedom and peace.  RSCJ continue to seek for ways to discover, live and announce God’s love, which is at the heart of our charism.  This impels us to work together and with others in partnership, to foster life and to contribute to the building of an alternative society.  (cf. General Chapter 2000, Society of the Sacred Heart).

Mary Ward’s expression “estate of justice” captures her understanding of what is requisite to be women of the IBVM.  It refers to a personal and interior disposition which would be manifest in “works of justice.”  Integrity voices the sincerity and fidelity she expected and is articulated in the words that her members “be as they appear and appear such as they are.”  Mary Ward further asked that all in the Institute be graced with a three-fold freedom that would allow them to give themselves to God, to do all the good works necessary in this world, to live in the freedom to “refer all to God.”  The path which has led Mary Ward’s Institute to live Integrity, Justice and Freedom throughout the centuries is guiding it to partake in a broader vision through its association with the UN.

The unique journey of the IBVM and RSCJ so ardently carried out mainly in the academic world has evolved into understanding education today as a work of transformation, a life-long process, a response adapted to the world which is also undergoing critical transformation.  Education becomes a tool for transformation and works towards a society which will:

• eradicate extreme poverty and hunger
• achieve universal primary education
• promote gender equality and empower women
• ensure environmental sustainability
  (cf. Millennium Development Goals, UN)

For RSCJ and IBVMs a partnership is a way that allows us to respond to the reality of globalization.  We recognize our call as women to be in relationship with all God’s creation, to be engaged in reconciliation with people of all cultures, all faiths.  We desire intensely to give ourselves to peace, love, solidarity and to live in integrity, justice and freedom.  How better to do this than to have our paths converge at the UN!