One pre-dawn morning during my retreat in Alabama, I was given this gift: as night turned into day, an opening appeared in the black sky, breaking through the darkness and pouring forth light upon the entire sea. It was more than dawn opening into another day. It was the love of the pierced Heart of Christ poured out on the entire world.
St. Madeleine Sophie wrote long ago that Jesus brought forth the Society on Calvary when, from his pierced heart, along with his blood, flowed the ultimate pledge of his love for us. “How fortunate we are to come forth from that divine heart,” she said.
Signs, symbols and sacramentals have the power to draw us into the deepest realities of our faith whether they are a sign in the sky or a pierced heart on RSCJ profession crosses, on Children of Mary medals or class rings. They are always reminders of the love of the Heart of Christ poured out on each of us and on our world and of our call to share that love with all whom we encounter.
Cor unum et anima una in Corde Jesu (one heart and one mind in the heart of Jesus) is the motto of the Society of the Sacred Heart. St. Madeleine Sophie carved that motto into our profession crosses which, as she said, would place these words upon our hearts, between the arms of the cross, keeping them constantly before our eyes.
During the month of September, let us be attentive to the signs and symbols all around us, drawing us in and sending us out to proclaim this Great Love. “Why can we not say to the whole universe, ‘Know His Heart?’” (St. Madeleine Sophie)
~ Photo and reflection by Shirley Miller, RSCJ September, 2013
