There were 26 participants, including four RSCJ, from the five sister schools of the Sacred Heart Corporation in Japan. The tour started with prayers before the chasse of St. Madeleine Sophie at St. Francis Xavier Church in Paris; followed by visiting the memorial sites of Sophie, as well as the Villa Lante, Trinita Dei Monti, and the Mother House in Rome. Afterwards, we went to Grenoble and finally to Joigny where we had time for reflection, prayers and sharing. It was a time when each one felt the passion of Sophie and Philippine; and this deepened the meaning of what it is to be a Sacred Heart educator. The cordial encounter with the sisters in Rome and Joigny was an experience of the warmth and openness of being one in the Sacred Heart family.
Here are some reflections from the participants.
Harumi Soma, Sapporo Sacred Heart
Nobuhisa Dosho, University of the Sacred Heart, Tokyo
Etsuko Okada, Obayashi Sacred Heart