Consoling Sisters of the Sacred Heart

Rev. Robert Brucciani

Introduction

The Institute of the Consolers of the Sacred Heart of Jesus is a religious society with simple public vows. Its special goal is to profess and to promote a particular devotion to the Divine Heart; its sisters commit themselves to this end by a vow. The apostolic goal of the Institute is to dedicate itself to Christian formation—particularly of children and female youth, and to help the priestly apostolate in its many diverse forms.

History

The Institute of the Consolers of the Sacred Heart or “Consoling Sisters” was approved by Bishop Massimiliani of Civita Castellana (about one hour north of Rome) in 1961. The community started with five sisters, but grew quickly to 30 sisters in four different houses by 1975. Along with every other religious community it suffered the dreadful effects of the aggiornamento that followed the Second Vatican Council. Its founder, Don Basilio, saw much of his careful work undone by a spirit of independence and innovation within his community and it was with a heavy heart that he eventually retired to the house in Vigne di Narni to keep the flame of devotion burning there through his great love of the Blessed Sacrament.

Providence never abandons a faithful servant and so, before he died on 23 August 1996, in answer to his prayers, Don Basilio found a successor in Father Emmanuel du Chalard of the Society of St. Pius X. To Father du Chalard, Don Basilio entrusted the spiritual welfare of his dear sisters and, although only six remained to submit to their new spiritual guide, it was not long before the new spirit of tradition transformed their community. Out went the Novus Ordo Missae and modern Office; in came the Mass of all ages and the traditional Office together with a traditional rule of life centred around the traditional Roman Liturgy, devotion to the Holy Eucharist and perennial Catholic theology, morals and ascetics. It was not long before new shoots sprang forth.

Apostolate

The Consoling Sisters console the Sacred Heart of Jesus not only in their devotions and the promotion of devotion to the Sacred Heart (through the practice of “the Guard of Honour” and the recitation of the nine “Offices of the Sacred Heart”), they also console Him in their work with the elderly who reside at the convent, they console Him through their invaluable assistance to the priests of the Society of St. Pius X (such wonderful cooking!) on retreats, on summer camps, and above all, in India.

Following an invitation by Father Couture, the District Superior of Asia, in 2006, the Consoling Sisters agreed to welcome a postulant from India who ran her own orphanage and home for the elderly. The postulant is now Sr. Maria Immaculata and her work is now their own.

Members

The Institute is composed of postulants, novices and professed sisters together with secular and regular auxiliaries. The regular auxiliaries live in the community with the sisters; the secular auxiliaries live in their families, but nevertheless strive to live up to the ideal of the Consoling Sisters as they carry out an apostolate in the world (in careers such as teaching or looking after the infirm).

The model for all members in every aspect of the their lives is of course the Blessed Virgin Mary. Of all creatures, she is the greatest consoler of the Sacred Heart of her Son. She shared most fully in His Passion and she knows His Heart so intimately as to be entrusted with all the graces that flow from it.

Daily Schedule

The daily schedule of prayer for the sisters is as follows:

06:45 Prayers, Prime, meditation
07:45 Holy Mass
12:30 Sext (15min)
15:45 Spiritual reading (30min)
16:30 Vespers, meditation & Rosary (1hr 10 min)
21:00 Compline (15min)

On Thursdays and Sundays, a Holy Hour is held at 16:45, and an all night vigil is held on the evening of the first Thursday of each month.

Contact Details

For more information (or to send a donation) please contact:

The Mother Superior Consoling Sisters of the Sacred Heart of Jesus
Via Flaminia Vecchia, 20
05030 Vigne di Narni (TR)
Italy

Tel: +39 0744 796171
Fax: +39 0744 797007
Email: [email protected]

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