Ste Madeleine Sophie Barat : C'est le feu qui m'a mis au monde

Summary

Madeleine Sophie Barat, born in 1779 in Joigny, France, founded the Society of the Sacred Heart during the French Revolution. Despite the turmoil, she pursued a contemplative and active life, focusing on education and the love of Christ. Her dedication led to the establishment of 97 institutions and a legacy of spiritual and educational impact. Canonized in 1925, her teachings and the Society continue to influence, emphasizing the importance of prayer, contemplation, and discernment in action.

Takeaways

• 🌟 Sophie Barat's spirituality was centered on connection and meeting, which she believed was her charism left for others.
• 🏡 Born in Joigny, a town known for its wine and religious history, Sophie's early life was marked by the French Revolution and a family devoted to both secular and spiritual pursuits.
• 🔥 Sophie was born prematurely during a fire that ravaged her neighborhood, an event that she later connected to her own birth and life's purpose.
• 📚 Her brother Louis, a seminarian, played a significant role in her education, instilling in her a love for learning and a deep spiritual foundation.
• 🔗 The family's resistance to Jansenism and their embrace of the Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary were influential in Sophie's spiritual development.
• 🔑 Despite the turmoil of the Revolution, Sophie's family maintained their faith and supported her brother Louis, even when it meant risking their safety.
• 🌱 Sophie's contemplative nature and her active engagement in education and community service were integral to her spiritual journey and the founding of the Society of the Sacred Heart.
• ✝️ The Society of the Sacred Heart, founded by Sophie, was established to provide girls with a Christian education and to help them experience the love of Christ.
• 🌐 Sophie's vision for education extended beyond France, with the society expanding to the United States and other parts of the world, emphasizing the global impact of her work.
• 💌 Sophie's extensive correspondence, including 14,000 preserved letters, demonstrates her commitment to the spiritual and educational mission of the Society and her personal relationships.
• 🌟 Sophie Barat's legacy as an educator and spiritual leader continues to inspire, with her canonization and the ongoing work of the Society of the Sacred Heart.

Q & A

In what town was Sophie Barat born and what significant event was occurring at the time?

Sophie Barat was born in the small town of Joigny, on the banks of the Yonne, ten years before the French Revolution.

What was the profession of Sophie's father and how did it influence her upbringing?

Sophie's father was a winegrower who cultivated vines on the Saint-Jacques hillside. This likely influenced her upbringing as she grew up in the middle of the vineyards and had a deep connection with the countryside.

What was the significant event that occurred during Sophie's birth, and how did it affect her?

Sophie was born prematurely during a huge fire that ravaged the neighborhood. The flames reached the family home, causing her mother to give birth in the next room. Sophie later declared that it was fire that brought her into the world.

How did Sophie's brother Louis influence her education and spiritual development?

Louis, who was a seminarian, took his role as godfather seriously and ensured Sophie received a comprehensive education, including studying every school subject and working as a teacher at the Saint-Jacques school. He also influenced her spiritual development by introducing her to mystical experiences and a God of love.

What was the impact of the French Revolution on the Barat family and Sophie's life?

The French Revolution had a profound impact on the Barat family, as it led to Louis hiding in the attic to escape persecution for refusing to take the Constitutional Oath. This event also influenced Sophie's life, as she witnessed the devastation of the revolution and the absence of ethical benchmarks for young people, which later inspired her to dedicate herself to the education of girls.

What was the significance of the embroidery that Sophie sent to her mother, and what did it symbolize?

The embroidery that Sophie sent to her mother symbolized her mystical enthusiasm and her desire to make the Heart of Christ known and loved. It depicted the Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary, the instruments of the Passion, and other religious symbols, reflecting her deep spiritual connection and commitment to her faith.

How did Father Varin play a role in the formation of the Society of the Sacred Heart of Jesus?

Father Varin, upon meeting Sophie, recognized her education and the needs of the world, suggesting that instead of joining the Carmelites, she should devote herself to the education of girls. This conversation led to the birth of the Society of the Sacred Heart of Jesus.

What was Sophie's approach to education, and how did she implement it within the Society of the Sacred Heart?

Sophie's approach to education was to provide girls with the opportunity to experience the love of Christ and offer them solid foundations of a Christian life. She believed in a well-rounded development of the person, paying particular attention to children and treating each child as a unique being. This pedagogy was implemented within the Society of the Sacred Heart through the establishment of boarding schools and educational institutions.

How did Sophie's correspondence contribute to the growth and direction of the Society of the Sacred Heart?

Sophie maintained an extensive correspondence throughout her life, with over 14,000 preserved handwritten letters. These letters were addressed to the Religious of the Sacred Heart, ecclesiastical dignitaries, benefactor friends, and her family, providing guidance, inspiration, and direction for the growth and spiritual development of the Society.

What was the significance of Sophie's body being found intact after her death, and how was she later recognized by the Church?

The intact state of Sophie's body after her death was considered a sign of her holiness and was a factor leading to her beatification in 1893. She was later canonized by Pope Pius XI in 1925, and today she is venerated in the church of Saint-François-Xavier in Paris.