From 5^th to 11^th April 2010, AMASC (Worldwide Association of Former Students of the Sacred Heart) held their 14^th Congress in Malta.

300 former students from the 5 continents took part, including some who had just left school in Belgium, Austria, Germany: “Young plants that show promise for the future” notes Brigitte, from Grenoble (France).

About ten RSCJ had been invited to attend the meeting, among them the Superior General, Kathleen Conan.

Inaugurated by a magnificent celebration at Valetta Cathedral, the Congress presented three focal themes:

• the meeting of the Administrative Council and of the General Assembly of Amasc, which would include the election of a new president;
• a symposium on the theme of The Fight against Poverty, prepared over the last 4 years by Alumnae of the whole world;
• and a Forum to exchange views on the life of local associations.

Above all, great joy

As Margarita (Spain) said straight away, this was the first thing that struck one on seeing all these Alumnae, sometimes of such diverse age and culture: “Above all it was their joy at meeting one another, or meeting again”, and not only among themselves,: “You could feel the mutual affection between Alumnae and RSCJ”, says Anna-Maria (Italy).

“The education we received has made us the way we are”, says Magdalena, from Mexico. “I didn’t think we would be so alike when we came from such different horizons”, says Marie-Madeleine, from the Democratic Republic of Congo.

The symposium on Poverty, which constituted the focal point of the meeting, opened with a heartfelt contribution from an Indian Sister: “Material poverty is not the only kind, and it can seem to grow as many heads as a hydra,” she said. “But discouragement is the main enemy. We must abandon our certainties, leave our cosy living-rooms to carry (this fight) into the heart of our towns and villages… We must support one another in our vulnerability: where the Society of the Sacred Heart cannot go, you can go.” Next day, this was echoed by Caroline, a young Irish woman who was born blind: “The impossible doesn’t exist! We all have our handicaps. Change has to begin with us. But (to succeed) 5 conditions are needed: passionate commitment, perseverance in spite of failure, true friends, strategy, and a bit of cheek!” “Every poor person has the right to live the same life as we do”, said Hilda, rscj. “The poor want neither charity nor pity, but simply justice.”

As the contributions and testimony continued, it became clear that material poverty is growing in countries of the South, aggravated by climate change, the economic crisis and corruption, the first victims being women and children; psychological and spiritual poverty is growing in the North … A “vicious circle” with a whole cohort of “collateral damage”: famine, sickness, drop-outs from the school system, exodus and migration, corruption, drugs, violence, crime… All these phenomena are interconnected and show the extent of the challenge.

But there are no miraculous remedies, and all are invited to draw from their own resources what they can do or give. The Americans are impressive with their know-how in fundraising or creating partnerships.

All those who spoke were unanimous in stressing the primary importance to be given to education, especially for women. As the foundress of the Sacred Heart foresaw: “If you educate women, you educate the world”. They are indeed the linchpins of their families, and, “when they divide up their resources, they provide first for their children’s health and education”, observers noted. And that is the best guarantee that our aid will not be diverted.

The will to pursue together the path traced by Madeleine Sophie Barat is as firm as ever. Hence the feeling of confidence expressed by Cerena (India) at the end of the Congress: “This is the first time I’ve felt such communion. I know the Spirit was there.”

Mme Marie-Pascale de Drouas
Vice-President of UFASC (French branch of AMASC)
Read more information about the Congress (in French).

Kathleen Conan rscj, Superior General, spoke at the beginning of the Congress. She reminded everyone that in the next years the Society will be marked by its efforts to live the Calls of General Chapter 2008 especially through the five priorities which emerged.

She ended with the following words…"I am sure St. Madeleine Sophie would be thrilled about the potential for change that you here today, educated and committed women and men of the Sacred Heart, can be in our world. Today and in these days, how will you answer her challenge to make God’s love known in response to the needs of our time?”

I was in Malta for my international experience after my final profession as an rscj in Rome last January, so I was fortunate enough to take part in the 14^th AMASC Congress. I am a former student and newly professed in the Society of the Sacred Heart, and so I’m delighted with this wonderful experience. What a joy to see so many former students of both sexes coming from different countries! I’m convinced now that we all have the same spirit, and that the love of the Heart of Jesus is central to our lives.

I greatly appreciated the presence of 10 members of Congo AMASC, and their contribution to the French Forum. They spoke of the good relationship we have with the RSCJ in the Congo Province, and what they have done to fight against poverty. They have a school which aims, through training in dressmaking, hospitality and computer science, to give another chance to girls who have not been able to go to school, or who left their studies on account of pregnancy. At the end of this meeting, the RSCJ were given a sum of money for the upkeep of the school.

All the RSCJ and the former students of both sexes are invited to commit themselves actively to this fight against poverty and to help the underprivileged. We should know that St Madeleine Sophie invites all to “discover the significance of their lives, and devote themselves to others …. [and] take part creatively in the common effort to transform the world”. (RSCJ Constitutions) That is why the Lord says to everyone (RSCJ, past students) today: “Stand up and walk!”

Let’s work for the future of AMASC, finding ways and means to increase the participation of young people, and to maintain the spirit of St Madeleine Sophie Barat in our schools.

Through her intercession, let’s confide all our projects to the Lord, who is the source of all life, all happiness and all success. In Him, nothing is impossible.