A Shared Life - Associates of the Sacred Heart
Associates of the Society of the Sacred Heart are men and women who desire to deepen their baptismal consecration and are attracted to the charism and spirituality of the Society. It is a response to the needs of the lay people and sisters and offers mutual support for the enrichment of our spirituality and ministry in the world. They are part of the family of the Sacred Heart. (General Chapter 2000)
Becoming an Associate of the international Society of the Sacred Heart is to answer a call to deepen your commitment to discover, live, and make known the Love of God. The Associates of the Sacred Heart is a program marked by a collaborative spirit between Religious and Associates. Moving together, we are exploring what a lay spirituality based on the charism of St. Madeleine Sophie looks like in the twenty-first century.
Aims of Associates
Through personal reading and reflection, regular input on the history and charism of the Society, and gatherings for mutual support and reflection, we explore ways of living the spirituality of the Heart of Jesus according to the spirit of the Society.
Through a deepening of our sense of mission within the professional commitments of life, and a familiarity with the Society's mission and Chapter documents, we share a common mission with the Society of making known the love of God.
Through regular personal prayer, association with a spiritual director, yearly retreats, and faith sharing among Religious and Associates, we continue to search out a faith that gives significance and pattern to life.
Through a commitment to build communion within one's personal and professional relationships and a growing awareness of the poor and marginalized of our society, we stand in solidarity with and service to a suffering world.