Dear Mother Barat,

This way of addressing you is much more homely for me than the modern way “Sophie” – which does not express our relationship built up over many years – I know you understand this.

To look in the many books written about you and the many letters and conferences written by you would be a frustrating exercise since your theology and language simply do not touch my heart.  However, I do want to take this opportunity to thank you for three specific gifts which have greatly enriched my life.

The first gift you gave us is, of course, the Society.  You inspired a group of women to live together with the common goal of walking with Christ.  A sincere seeking of His Face and a willingness to accept the common path of the Society enabled us to accept a demanding way of life in a very diverse group.  You never envisaged the international flowering of the small group of women who joined you in the little house in Paris in 1800, ready to vow themselves to walk together in His Ways.  Having followed this path I find myself in a state of gratitude and contentment for the blessings which have showered my life in the Society. 

Secondly, I want to thank you for your educational vision.  This has given so many of us a framework in which to share values, nurture growth in ourselves and others and gradually uncover the wonderful potential deep down in everyone.  Many people have spoken of the indelible and positive effect of contact with your educational principles.  It takes a long time and a lot of tenderness to form a person in the likeness of Christ and this was part of your idea.

Finally, I want to say thank you for your gift of spirituality in the Society.  A certain openness of mind, a lack of constricting rules and regulation and a recognition of the freeing work of the Spirit helped us to follow the lead of Pope John 23rd in letting into our lives the breath of the Spirit which swept aside so many superfluous trappings and cultural characteristics.  This encouragement always to walk with Christ is your greatest gift as is the knowledge that we stumble constantly as you did and this is part of the glorious human journey that we travel together in the Society.

Thank you for giving us so much LIFE, as I write this I can see you smile and say, “Yes, it’s a great life, Norah, and the future is in the very tender hands of the Father.”

With much gratitude.  Your loving daughter in Christ,

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Mudita Menona Sodder rscj  - comment   |219.65.17.xxx |2006-07-23 09:31:58 I am proud to be an rscj because I now belong to a world wide family. I belong to Jesus and my life is now His.It is my endeavour to live according to the promptings of His spirit. Reply | Quote

Elvira Rabatté   |201.138.231.xxx |2006-06-17 10:58:29 Thank tou, Norah, I agree with you in every single point of your letter to Saint Madeleine Sophie. With love and prayer. E. Rabatté,rscj Reply | Quote

Helen Rosenthal,rscj  - You gave me an inspiration to   |65.9.194.xxx |2006-05-25 11:49:31 Dear Norah, Today on the Feast of St. Madeleine Sophie I read your letter to her. It has made me want to write my own for there is so much to thank her for and I intend to do so. She allowed Philippine to come to us so we have that gift to thank for, too. Love, Helen Reply | Quote

Mari Clemen Benítez rscj  - Thanks   |66.231.170.xxx |2006-05-24 13:09:35 Thanjk-you, Notah for sharing your letter to our common Mother. Love, Mari Clemen rscj (Although I love to call her Sophie...) Happy Feast!... Reply | Quote

Masako Egawa rscj Tokyo, Japa  - Headmistress of the Internatio   |219.160.121.xxx |2006-05-23 07:43:33 Dear Norah, Thank you for sharing with us your letter to Mother Barat. I was happy to find this letter through a Sister in my community as I was preparing for the community evening prayer. I am grateful, too, for the Society, and for the mission to spread the love of Christ through the service of education especially for the young people. We have about 500 students K-12 from 50 different countries. It is great to see everyday that all these students live peacefully in the school. They are grateful for the Sacred Heart school education, which aims at educating them to be women of compassion, of communion, and to be women who can make a difference to the world. Our students have a great responsibility to share what they have received with people who haven`t got the opportunity to have this kind of education. Please remember in your prayers especially the 31 seniors who will be graduating on June 9th. With prayers, Masako Egawa rscj Reply | Quote

Frances Gimber, RSCJ  - Archivist, U.S. Province   |66.138.148.xxx |2006-05-12 10:59:16 Dear Norah, What a lovely idea to write a letter of thanks to Madeleine Sophie! It is a feast day gift for me. I have to give a talk at a meeting of teachers in our U.S. Sacred Heart schools. If you don't mind, I will use your letter. I imagine you don't mind, since you put it on the web for all to see. I agree so thoroughly with your sentiments, except that, unlike you, I do like to read her letters. I think she comes through as a real person, even though her theology is bound by her space and time, as ours is too, I suppose. Thank you and every good wish for her feast. with love, Fran Reply | Quote

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