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.

Outlines

00:00

🏡 Early Life and Spiritual Awakening

The script introduces Sophie Barat, emphasizing her ability to harmoniously blend contemplation and action, which is described as her spiritual legacy. Set in the pre-French Revolution town of Joigny, the narrative paints a picture of Sophie's upbringing in a family of winegrowers. Her brother Louis, a seminarian, plays a significant role in her education, instilling in her a love for learning and a devotion to teaching. A pivotal moment in Sophie's life is her premature birth during a fire, an event she later links to her destiny. The paragraph also touches on the influence of the Jansenist movement in Joigny and the resistance of Sophie's mother to its severe views of God, choosing instead to display images of the loving hearts of Jesus and Mary in their home.

05:04

🔥 Trials and the Birth of a Vocation

This section delves into the challenges faced by the Barat family during the French Revolution, particularly the imprisonment of Louis for refusing to take the Constitutional Oath. It highlights Sophie's resourcefulness and determination, especially in ensuring her mother's well-being during this period. The narrative also explores Sophie's deepening spiritual life, her contemplation of the Sacred Hearts, and her decision to pursue a religious vocation. Despite her initial desire to join the Carmelites, she is steered towards a different path by Father Varin, leading to the founding of the Society of the Sacred Heart of Jesus. The paragraph concludes with the establishment of the society and its mission to educate girls in the love of Christ and provide a strong Christian foundation.

10:10

🌟 Expansion and Educational Legacy

The script continues with the growth of the Society of the Sacred Heart, detailing its expansion across France and eventually to Rome. Sophie's role as Superior General is highlighted, showcasing her leadership and her commitment to spreading the congregation's charism. The narrative also introduces Philippine Duchesne, who plays a key role in bringing the society's mission to America. The paragraph emphasizes Sophie's innovative educational philosophy, which focuses on the holistic development of the individual and treats each child as a unique being. It also touches on her personal life, including her deep prayer life and her extensive correspondence, which serves to guide and inspire the members of the society.

15:10

🕊️ Legacy and Continuing Influence

The final paragraph of the script honors Sophie Barat's legacy, from her death and the miraculous preservation of her body to her beatification and canonization. It describes her as a spiritual guide and educator, whose work and writings continue to inspire. The narrative also invites reflection on the importance of contemplation and discernment in the modern world, encouraging visitors to her former home in Joigny to experience the atmosphere of prayer and silence that characterized her life. The paragraph concludes with a tribute to Sophie as a founding saint, recognized in Saint Peter's Basilica for her contributions to religious life and education.

Keywords

💡Spirituality

Spirituality in the context of the video refers to the personal and often profound connection to a higher power or the divine. It is exemplified by Sophie Barat's contemplative and active life, which is characterized by a deep sense of meeting and connection with the divine. The video suggests that spirituality is not just an abstract concept but a lived experience that guides one's actions and decisions, as seen in Sophie's commitment to education and the establishment of the Society of the Sacred Heart.

💡Charism

Charism, as used in the video, refers to a gift of grace or a special talent given by the Holy Spirit for the benefit of the Church or a religious community. Sophie Barat is said to have left a charism, which implies a legacy of spiritual gifts that continue to inspire and guide the Society of the Sacred Heart. Her charism is seen in her ability to connect with others and her dedication to education, which are central to the mission of the Society.

💡French Revolution

The French Revolution is a historical event that serves as a backdrop to Sophie Barat's life. It was a period of radical social and political change in France that began in 1789 and is marked by its impact on the Church and religious orders, including the expulsion of religious members. The video highlights how Sophie's life and work were influenced by this tumultuous period, yet she chose to build and educate rather than to fight against the changes, showing resilience and a forward-looking approach.

💡Society of the Sacred Heart

The Society of the Sacred Heart is a religious congregation founded by Sophie Barat, as mentioned in the video. It was established with the mission to educate girls and provide them with a Christian upbringing. The Society is depicted as a response to the educational needs of the time, especially in the aftermath of the French Revolution. The video emphasizes the growth and expansion of the Society, reflecting Sophie's vision and the impact of her charism.

💡Education

Education is a central theme in the video, closely tied to Sophie Barat's mission and the work of the Society of the Sacred Heart. It is presented as a means to transform society through the influence of women and to provide girls with the opportunity to experience the love of Christ. Sophie's educational philosophy is described as holistic, aiming for the well-rounded development of the person, which is illustrated by her attention to children's individual needs and her focus on prayer and study.

💡Contemplation

Contemplation, in the video, refers to the act of deep thinking or meditation, often in a spiritual context. It is depicted as a significant part of Sophie Barat's life, where she finds a balance between contemplative and active life. Contemplation is shown to be a source of inspiration and guidance for her actions, including her educational work and the founding of the Society of the Sacred Heart.

💡Mystical Experiences

Mystical experiences are profound spiritual encounters that transcend ordinary consciousness. The video mentions that Sophie had such experiences from a young age, which led her to discover a God of love. These experiences are significant as they shaped her spiritual journey and her understanding of God, influencing her approach to education and her commitment to the spiritual development of others.

💡Jansenism

Jansenism is a theological movement within the Catholic Church that emphasizes predestination and human depravity. The video notes that Joigny was a bastion of Jansenism, and Sophie's family was shaped by this movement. However, Sophie's mystical experiences and her vision of a loving God contrast with the severe image of God associated with Jansenism, highlighting her unique spiritual perspective.

💡Sacred Heart of Jesus

The Sacred Heart of Jesus is a devotional symbol representing Jesus Christ's physical heart as a representation of his divine love for humanity. In the video, Sophie's contemplation of the Sacred Heart is a powerful stimulus for her, influencing her spiritual life and her educational mission. The Sacred Heart is also a central symbol for the Society of the Sacred Heart, as seen in the embroidery Sophie sends to her mother and the motto of the Society.

💡Canonization

Canonization is the process by which the Catholic Church declares a deceased person to be a saint. The video mentions that Sophie Barat was canonized by Pope Pius XI in 1925, which signifies the Church's recognition of her holiness and the value of her spiritual contributions. Canonization is an important aspect of her legacy, as it elevates her status within the Church and solidifies her influence on the Society of the Sacred Heart and beyond.

Highlights

Sophie Barat's ability to harmoniously blend contemplative and active life, embodying a spirituality of connection and meeting.

Sophie's birth in Joigny, a town known for its wine production and tranquility, which later became a significant site during the French Revolution.

The influence of her brother Louis, a seminarian, on Sophie's education and her development of a learned and open mind.

Sophie's mystical experiences that led her to discover a God of love, contrasting with the severe God of Jansenism prevalent in her community.

The impact of the French Revolution on the Barat family, including Louis's imprisonment for refusing the Constitutional Oath.

Sophie's early leadership and determination, demonstrated when she refused to eat until her depressed mother did.

The establishment of the Society of the Sacred Heart of Jesus by Sophie Barat, focusing on the education of girls and the experience of Christ's love.

Sophie's innovative educational philosophy that emphasized the individuality of each child and their holistic development.

The expansion of the Society of the Sacred Heart under Sophie's leadership, with the establishment of schools and communities across France and beyond.

Philippine Duchesne's pivotal role in bringing Sophie's educational vision to America, founding the first community there.

Sophie's election as Superior General at the age of 27, highlighting her young yet significant leadership in the Society.

The spiritual and social impact of the Society's work, aiming to transform society through the influence of women educated in the love of Christ.

Sophie's correspondence, with over 14,000 preserved letters that reflect her spiritual guidance and administrative acumen.

The miraculous preservation of Sophie's body after death, which was found intact on the eve of her beatification in 1893.

Sophie Barat's canonization in 1925 by Pope Pius XI, recognizing her as a saint in the Catholic Church.

The ongoing veneration of St. Madeleine Sophie Barat and the influence of her spirituality in the Church and society today.

The significance of Sophie's house in Joigny as a living testament to her life, spirituality, and the ongoing work of the Society of the Sacred Heart.

Transcripts

I think Sophie was able to bring together her contemplative and active life in the right way.

It is a spirituality of meeting, of connection. I believe this is

the charism that she has left us.

On the banks of the tranquil Yonne,

ten years before the French Revolution, the small town of Joigny enjoys

peaceful days. In Christian history, it is remembered as the place where Saint Vincent de Paul

tutored the children of the Prince of Condi. Sophie lives in this city of winegrowers and

boatmen. On the Saint-Jacques hillside, her father cultivates

his vines. On the ground floor of the house, the cooper gathers the barrels. His wife is

responsible for the education of their two teenage children, Louis and his sister Louise.

The Barat family lives in the heart of Joigny, in the hills. Joigny was a very active city before

the revolution. It is a city of winegrowers and which exports its wine to the king's table in Paris.

A new baby is expected in the Barat family, when a huge

fire ravages the neighborhood. The flames spread through the alley and reach the family home.

They enter the road overlooking the alley. Emotions are

running so high that Madame Barat gives birth prematurely in the next room, to a little

girl on the night of December 12, 1779. In the morning, the baby is baptised in the church of Saint-Thibault under the gaze of her

older brother, Louis, 11 years old, who is her godfather.

At her catechism, little Sophie's thin voice will declare: It was fire that brought me into the world.

When she was seven years old, Louis, then a seminarian, took his role as godfather to heart.

She grew up in the middle of the vineyards, she loved the countryside, but her brother forced her to

work a lot, studying every school subject, being a teacher at the Saint-Jacques school.

She suffered a lot from this but on the other hand, it made her develop

a very open and very learned mind . Through her brother, she will receive a rather new and unusual education

for her time and for her environment. Even the joys of the harvest are denied to the

little Burgundian! In her room, in the attic, she works tirelessly, preparing

for a devoted life, whose outlines the Lord has not yet revealed to her. Having become a deacon,

Louis Barat sends two engravings to his mother from Paris, where he is continuing his studies.

One represents the heart of Mary and the other that of Jesus, expressing his immense

and merciful love. Joigny is a bastion of Jansenism. Yet Madame Barat resists pressure

from her family and places the two images in the family room. She comes from a family

shaped by Jansenism. An image of a rather severe God, a kind of "Big Brother". You

have to earn your little corner of paradise. Sophie, even at a young age, had mystical experiences

that would make her discover a God of love. But the revolution is in full force. Louis hides in

the attic of the family home to save himself, a price he pays after he retracts the

Constitutional Oath. When you leave the house and go down the small street facing it, where

the multimedia library is now, in Sophie's time it was the town hall. Louis has to take an

oath on the Constitution. He refuses. One thing that is very admirable about him, there's a real righteousness. He

therefore opposes the revolutionaries to the end, facing risks and dangers. He knows full well

that he can be imprisoned and risks the death penalty. So he comes running into the house and

finally the only safe place where he can really hide is the attic that we have fixed up today

and which is right next to Sophie's room. He soon flees to Paris but is caught and thrown

in prison. At that time, when Louis is imprisoned, his mother goes into a kind of

depression. One of the ways this manifests is she refuses to eat. The Barat family is at the table and

his mother serves everyone. Sophie looks at her and she herself does not eat. She says to her: "Sophie,

eat!", "No, I will eat when you eat!". Sophie is someone who finds

ways to make things happen, even when she is very small, she is 11-12 years old.

Every evening, we pray in the family room that the eldest will escape the scaffold. This

tenderness of the Heart of Jesus that Sophie contemplates over the fireplace is a discovery and a

powerful stimulus for the adolescent. The storm subsides. Louis, thank God,

is released and ordained a priest in secret. In 1795, he takes his little sister to Paris, despite her mother's opposition

so she can continue her studies. He becomes her spiritual director and confessor

and continues to be her teacher. The young girl deepens her study of the Bible, learns Hebrew,

reads the Fathers of the Church, studies theology and the great mystics.

From the capital, Sophie, who does laundry to earn a living, sends her mother an embroidery with

the Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary that she patiently worked on, which reflects all her

mystical enthusiasm. The flames of the Heart, burning with Jesus's love. The Heart of Jesus pierced by the lance

with the blood poured into the chalice of the Eucharist. And the Heart of Mary, pierced by the sword of pain.

The lily of purity and the rose of charity. The instruments of the Passion: the cross,

the lance, the hyssop and the vinegar. The pelican giving its heart as food to its young.

This pelican is Christ who died to save us. The snake and the apple at the bottom,

symbols of evil conquered by the Cross. This embroidery expresses her desire to make

the Heart of Christ known and loved, to be witnesses to it in our daily tasks.

In the midst of this life, filled with prayer, study, and manual work,

Sophie wants to become a Carmelite. While praying before the Blessed Sacrament, she sees all the devastation

of the French Revolution and the absence of ethical benchmarks for young people. Because of the French

Revolution , all members of religious orders were expelled, including the Jesuits. The Society

of Jesus is returning to France. His brother will join the Society a few

years later and suddenly he is in contact with Father Varin. She was very clear about

entering religious life, but there is no longer a Carmel to enter. Father Varin,

when he meets Sophie, will tell her, "It is not possible with the education

you have and the needs of the world. The Society of Jesus is going to have boarding schools for

boys but we need the same for girls. " An idea emerges: the

Lord calls her to devote herself to the education of girls by giving them the opportunity to experience

the love of Christ and by offering them the solid foundations of a Christian life. Out of this

meeting between Father Varin and Sophie Barat, the Society of the Sacred Heart of Jesus is born.

It is in front of this painting, which is called "the Virgin of the Society", that Sophie and three

young girls consecrate themselves to the Heart of Jesus on November 21, 1800, the date which marks the foundation of

the Society of the Sacred Heart. What is interesting about Sophie Barat is that, at the time of the Revolution,

instead of fighting it, she will build something. She will initiate processes, as Pope Francis would say, that is,

in a way she is saying that time is greater than space, and so

she will take time to build what she wants, that is, education.

The educational work began in October 1801 in Amiens where the first sisters were sent. She

will understand then that education and boarding schools are going to be a way to glorify the Heart

of Jesus. This is why she follows this path, but at no time is she planning

to become a founder, nor is she pursuing apostolic life in this manner.

She lets herself be carried along, guided by the Holy Spirit. Young girls from all over France wish to

join the nascent community, to live there in Union with the Heart of Jesus through prayer and

apostolic work. The sisters who joined Sophie were young girls from good families

or nuns who had been dispersed by the French Revolution and

who were looking for a community. The fire spreads here and there, Grenoble, Poitiers, Niort,

Ghent, Paris, Quimper then Lyon, Bordeaux.

Sophie was elected Superior General in 1806,

when she was only 27 years old. Traveling through France, from community to community, in the discomfort of

stagecoaches, she works tirelessly to share her idea and communicate the charism of the

Congregation. During her travels, the intrepid Sophie handles her affairs astutely,

despite her fragile health. She deals just as easily with the adults of this world

as she does with the children. She knows how to listen and inspire faith in God.

Philippine Duchesne took her vows in 1805, after a year of novitiate in Grenoble. She brings her strong

personality to the development of the community. It is she who will realize the wish of her friend

Sophie: to bring this idea to the world. She embarks with four

companions aboard the Rebecca, to found the first community in America in 1818. On the

border between European settlers and the indigenous peoples of the New World. Sophie

multiplies the Society's locations: Le Mans, Autun, Besançon, Metz, Lille and many other cities.

The community moves to Rome in 1828, to the Convent of the Trinità dei Monti, where a school for young girls

is founded. Through the 20th century, this school was one of the most renowned in Europe

for the excellence of its teaching and its Christian instruction.

Communities will also be established in Holland, Spain and even further abroad.

Their goal is social: to transform society through the influence of women.

Often the places where she prays are private places, places of retreat. At the Trinità dei Monti,

she sits in a gallery that has direct access to the tabernacle. She has the same

at Villa Lante. She really is someone who lives in this spiritual intimacy,

this very loving relationship with Christ. I think Sophie knew how to blend her contemplative and active

life. Her action was contemplation and her contemplation was

action. Sophie was developing a pedagogy that is ultimately very modern. She paid

particular attention to children and wanted each child to be treated as

a unique being. Her educational program is aimed at a well-rounded development of the person.

Sophie tirelessly gives her life to God by offering her prayers and showing

her love for children. Long and constant prayer in the midst of intense activity.

"O Jesus, my very sweet life, let's please make a pact. May I die

so perfectly within myself, that you alone live in me, that I keep such a deep silence,

that you alone speak to my heart, may I rest so fully in you, that you alone work within

my soul according to your will; Amen. "

In the garden of the Mother House, during

the last years of her life, she rejoiced to open the hearts of children to the love of Jesus.

She maintains an incredible correspondence throughout her life.

The 14,000 preserved, handwritten letters are addressed to the Religious of the Sacred Heart,

to ecclesiastical dignitaries, to benefactor friends and to her family. "The Holy Spirit

has been your Master. You only have to live His divine lessons with complete docility and abandon.

Therefore, my daughter, I have nothing to add to the inspirations that have revealed

the secrets of the road to you, and which surely lead to the love of Jesus and his possession, which

began in this life. Your Mother Barat. " More than once there were attempts to paint her portrait

or photograph her, in vain. Contemporaries find her in the portrait produced after her

death by Savinien Petit. The left hand of the saint rests on the Constitutions, with her right hand,

she seems to show her nuns the important motto engraved on their cross of Profession

"Cor Unum et Anima Una en Corde Jesu." On Ascension Thursday, May 25, 1865, Paris, Sophie died.

It is the hour for her to meet with the One whom she loved so much and so loyally served. When she died, she

left 97 flourishing institutions and 3,539 nuns living her spirituality. On the eve

of her beatification in 1893, her coffin was opened in Conflans, near Paris. Great was the surprise,

when her body was found intact! In 1925, Sophie Barat was canonized by Pope Pius XI.

Today, Ste Madeleine-Sophie Barat is venerated in Paris in the church of Saint-François-Xavier.

The pilgrims come there to venerate her relics and address their requests to the Heart of Jesus

through her intercession . "Oh Jesus, through the intercession of St. Madeleine Sophie,

I entrust this intention to your Heart. Look, then do what your Heart tells you. Let your Heart act.

O Jesus, I count on you, I trust in you, I surrender to you, I am certain of you. "

The first time I arrived in Joigny, I went to see the house of Ste Sophie Barat.

I walked through the door and it's a house that can be discovered step by step. I was

very surprised by this atmosphere of prayer, discernment and accompaniment when

we go to the house. The presence of the sisters currently in Joigny reminds us of the importance of

prayer, the importance of contemplation, the importance also of discernment in order to

act in the right way. Today our world needs these moments of silence, of meditation, of reflection

so that we are inspired when it comes to making decisions. This house is not a museum, it is a

living house where people come, have meals, sleep and where they take pleasure in feeling

Sophie's presence. Open this door when you are in front of Sophie's house,

take the stairs to spend some time in silence in her room, there in front of this tabernacle,

which comes from a hub of a grape pickers' carriage, where there is a real presence and which tells us that He

is the center of our lives: Christ. Maybe spend some time there, in silence, with her.

Among the founding saints of orders, present in Saint Peter's Basilica, we can see

a great figure since 1925: "Madeleine Sophie Barat born in 1779, died in 1865, founder in

1800 of the Society of the Sacred Heart, apostle of devotion to the Sacred Heart and great educator. "