90 delegates representing over 40 schools and educational establishments linked with the Society of the Sacred Heart met to reflect on the essence of Sacred Heart education in 21^st Century. Gathered together from Spain, Malta, Ireland, Scotland, England, Austria, France and Belgium the school leaders engaged in discussions about the spirituality of their schools, the place of technology, the need for inter cultural links and care for the environment in this interconnected world.

On Friday 13^th October Dolores Aleixandre rscj set the scene with her inspirational keynote speech entitled: “Habits of the heart. Six educational challenges from the 2008 Chapter”. Following this we had a live link with Hammersmith, London while Ian Donegan and Marian Doyle explained the vast potential of Information and Communication Technology to bring us closer together and enhance learning. Later we heard of first hand experiences of a Papalotzin international project from Kevin Foster (Newcastle) and Mike Farmer (Kilgraston). On Sunday Laurence Brasier (Nantes) described a recent successful environmental project carried out with students aged 9-11 years from Marmoutier (Tours).

Another high point was our visit on Saturday 14^th October to Joigny, a special moment for many of the delegates who had never been before. There was a really warm welcome from the community who shared Madeleine Sophie’s story with us in her home as well as providing us with a wonderful lunch! We were delighted that the Superior General of the Society, Sister Kathleen Conan broke her retreat to give her blessing to the work of the conference and the schools we represented.

The “pilgrimage” was completed with a prayer next to Madeleine Sophie, led by our Belgian colleagues at St Francis Xavier’s Church Paris, after the vigil mass, which we celebrated together with the parish.

Zoom
Many of the delegates in front of St Francis Xavier Church,
where Madeleine Sophie's reliquary is installed.

Hilary Thompson,
Network Co-ordinator of the Sacred Heart Schools and College in England and Wales

See also 143 other pictures of the meeting,
Sister Dolores Aleixandre's keynote speech (.doc translated into English),
and a Belgian webpage (in French).

Prayer to Saint Madeleine Sophie (composed by the Belgian Headteachers)

For this gift to humanity, we thank you!

Since Thursday, our communication with one another
has confirmed us in our status, our role of living witnesses
to your thought and its extension through time.

For the strength you give us to form the hearts
and minds of our students, your students,
we thank you!

Today we were in Joigny, your birthplace.
That pilgrimage, that return to the source, reminded us
of the child that you were,
the woman you became.

This evening we are gathered around you
to celebrate the universal character of your holiness.
Bearers of this universal dimension,
we will each return to our country, bringing salt and light.

On this eve of our departure,
there will soon be a time of silence,
during which we invite you all to sum up in a single word
the “salt” that this meeting has brought you.
Everyone should feel free to express it aloud.

Thank you,
Saint Madeleine Sophie,
For all that we have savoured in our hearts!