NOVENA BEFORE THE ANNIVERSARY OF THE FOUNDING OF THE CONGREGATION – April 15
Begins April 6
For a proper religious spirit and for Vocations, Statutes 131
Day 1
Jesus, our God and Savior, you called us to your service in the family of the Sisters of the Sacred Heart because it so pleased your ineffable goodness. While thanking you for the great gift of our vocation, we humbly ask you to fill our hearts with the love of your Heart, opening them to the needs of our neighbors whom Providence places on the path of our service. Grant that we may do everything for your greater glory and for the salvation of souls, following the example of our holy Father Founder, St. Joseph Sebastian Pelczar, of Blessed Klara Szczesna and of our first Sisters. Inflame our will that we may desire only that which is pleasing to you. Direct our actions that they would give witness that we serve you with our whole soul. By our taking of our religious vows, you inspired us to complete immolation; give us the grace to persevere to the end, that we may hear your words, Good and faithful Servant, enter into the joy of your Lord.
Hail Mary, full of grace,
the Lord is with thee.
Blessed art thou among women
and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus.
Holy Mary, Mother of God,
pray for us sinners,
now and at the hour of death. Amen.
Most Sacred Heart of Jesus,
Have mercy on us.
Mother of Divine Grace,
Pray for us.
St. Joseph,
Pray for us.
Our holy Father, St. Joseph Sebastian,
Pray for us.
Blessed Klara
Pray for us.
Day 2
Jesus, our God and Savior, mindful of your words, Ask the Master of the harvest to send out laborers for his harvest, through the intercession of your Immaculate Mother, our Mother and Queen, of St. Joseph our Patron, and also through the intercession of our holy Father, St. Joseph Sebastian and Blessed Klara, with confidence we beg you to look graciously our religious family and to generously blessed it. May our Congregation flourish in accordance with the spirit of the Constitutions, grow continually in your grace, and be always blessed with new and holy vocations.
With the voice of your vocational grace, Lord, speak to those whom you know will worthily and faithfully fulfill the tasks that are appointed through our Founders, so that your Kingdom will be spread among all people by holy religious.
Hail Mary, full of grace,
the Lord is with thee.
Blessed art thou among women
and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus.
Holy Mary, Mother of God,
pray for us sinners,
now and at the hour of death. Amen.
Most Sacred Heart of Jesus,
Have mercy on us.
Mother of Divine Grace,
Pray for us.
St. Joseph,
Pray for us.
Our holy Father, St. Joseph Sebastian,
Pray for us.
Blessed Klara
Pray for us.
Day 3
O God, from whom every good gift comes, we humbly ask you to grant that our religious family may magnanimously imitate Jesus Christ by an ever deeper penetration into the Mystery of the Divine Heart. May our Patrons’ and Founders’ intercession obtain for us the grace of many, holy vocations.
Pour into the hearts of our candidates the desire for evangelical perfection and the desire to serve both the Church and people who need help and love. Throughout their entire life, may they find their greatest love and lasting support in the Heart of your Son, who never disappoints.
Hail Mary, full of grace,
the Lord is with thee.
Blessed art thou among women
and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus.
Holy Mary, Mother of God,
pray for us sinners,
now and at the hour of death. Amen.
Most Sacred Heart of Jesus,
Have mercy on us.
Mother of Divine Grace,
Pray for us.
St. Joseph,
Pray for us.
Our holy Father, St. Joseph Sebastian,
Pray for us.
Blessed Klara
Pray for us.
Day 4
Jesus, our God and Savior, you called us to your service in the family of the Sisters of the Sacred Heart because it so pleased your ineffable goodness. While thanking you for the great gift of our vocation, we humbly ask you to fill our hearts with the love of your Heart, opening them to the needs of our neighbors whom Providence places on the path of our service. Grant that we may do everything for your greater glory and for the salvation of souls, following the example of our holy Father Founder, St. Joseph Sebastian Pelczar, of Blessed Klara Szczesna and of our first Sisters. Inflame our will that we may desire only that which is pleasing to you. Direct our actions that they would give witness that we serve you with our whole soul. By our taking of our religious vows, you inspired us to complete immolation; give us the grace to persevere to the end, that we may hear your words, Good and faithful Servant, enter into the joy of your Lord.
Hail Mary, full of grace,
the Lord is with thee.
Blessed art thou among women
and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus.
Holy Mary, Mother of God,
pray for us sinners,
now and at the hour of death. Amen.
Most Sacred Heart of Jesus,
Have mercy on us.
Mother of Divine Grace,
Pray for us.
St. Joseph,
Pray for us.
Our holy Father, St. Joseph Sebastian,
Pray for us.
Blessed Klara
Pray for us.
Day 5
Jesus, our God and Savior, mindful of your words, Ask the Master of the harvest to send out laborers for his harvest, through the intercession of your Immaculate Mother, our Mother and Queen, of St. Joseph our Patron, and also through the intercession of our holy Father, St. Joseph Sebastian and Blessed Klara, with confidence we beg you to look graciously our religious family and to generously blessed it. May our Congregation flourish in accordance with the spirit of the Constitutions, grow continually in your grace, and be always blessed with new and holy vocations.
With the voice of your vocational grace, Lord, speak to those whom you know will worthily and faithfully fulfill the tasks that are appointed through our Founders, so that your Kingdom will be spread among all people by holy religious.
Hail Mary, full of grace,
the Lord is with thee.
Blessed art thou among women
and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus.
Holy Mary, Mother of God,
pray for us sinners,
now and at the hour of death. Amen.
Most Sacred Heart of Jesus,
Have mercy on us.
Mother of Divine Grace,
Pray for us.
St. Joseph,
Pray for us.
Our holy Father, St. Joseph Sebastian,
Pray for us.
Blessed Klara
Pray for us.
Day 6
O God, from whom every good gift comes, we humbly ask you to grant that our religious family may magnanimously imitate Jesus Christ by an ever deeper penetration into the Mystery of the Divine Heart. May our Patrons’ and Founders’ intercession obtain for us the grace of many, holy vocations.
Pour into the hearts of our candidates the desire for evangelical perfection and the desire to serve both the Church and people who need help and love. Throughout their entire life, may they find their greatest love and lasting support in the Heart of your Son, who never disappoints.
Hail Mary, full of grace,
the Lord is with thee.
Blessed art thou among women
and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus.
Holy Mary, Mother of God,
pray for us sinners,
now and at the hour of death. Amen.
Most Sacred Heart of Jesus,
Have mercy on us.
Mother of Divine Grace,
Pray for us.
St. Joseph,
Pray for us.
Our holy Father, St. Joseph Sebastian,
Pray for us.
Blessed Klara
Pray for us.
Day 7
Jesus, our God and Savior, you called us to your service in the family of the Sisters of the Sacred Heart because it so pleased your ineffable goodness. While thanking you for the great gift of our vocation, we humbly ask you to fill our hearts with the love of your Heart, opening them to the needs of our neighbors whom Providence places on the path of our service. Grant that we may do everything for your greater glory and for the salvation of souls, following the example of our holy Father Founder, St. Joseph Sebastian Pelczar, of Blessed Klara Szczesna and of our first Sisters. Inflame our will that we may desire only that which is pleasing to you. Direct our actions that they would give witness that we serve you with our whole soul. By our taking of our religious vows, you inspired us to complete immolation; give us the grace to persevere to the end, that we may hear your words, Good and faithful Servant, enter into the joy of your Lord.
Hail Mary, full of grace,
the Lord is with thee.
Blessed art thou among women
and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus.
Holy Mary, Mother of God,
pray for us sinners,
now and at the hour of death. Amen.
Most Sacred Heart of Jesus,
Have mercy on us.
Mother of Divine Grace,
Pray for us.
St. Joseph,
Pray for us.
Our holy Father, St. Joseph Sebastian,
Pray for us.
Blessed Klara
Pray for us.
Day 8
Jesus, our God and Savior, mindful of your words, Ask the Master of the harvest to send out laborers for his harvest, through the intercession of your Immaculate Mother, our Mother and Queen, of St. Joseph our Patron, and also through the intercession of our holy Father, St. Joseph Sebastian and Blessed Klara, with confidence we beg you to look graciously our religious family and to generously blessed it. May our Congregation flourish in accordance with the spirit of the Constitutions, grow continually in your grace, and be always blessed with new and holy vocations.
With the voice of your vocational grace, Lord, speak to those whom you know will worthily and faithfully fulfill the tasks that are appointed through our Founders, so that your Kingdom will be spread among all people by holy religious.
Hail Mary, full of grace,
the Lord is with thee.
Blessed art thou among women
and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus.
Holy Mary, Mother of God,
pray for us sinners,
now and at the hour of death. Amen.
Most Sacred Heart of Jesus,
Have mercy on us.
Mother of Divine Grace,
Pray for us.
St. Joseph,
Pray for us.
Our holy Father, St. Joseph Sebastian,
Pray for us.
Blessed Klara
Pray for us.
Day 9
O God, from whom every good gift comes, we humbly ask you to grant that our religious family may magnanimously imitate Jesus Christ by an ever deeper penetration into the Mystery of the Divine Heart. May our Patrons’ and Founders’ intercession obtain for us the grace of many, holy vocations.
Pour into the hearts of our candidates the desire for evangelical perfection and the desire to serve both the Church and people who need help and love. Throughout their entire life, may they find their greatest love and lasting support in the Heart of your Son, who never disappoints.
Hail Mary, full of grace,
the Lord is with thee.
Blessed art thou among women
and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus.
Holy Mary, Mother of God,
pray for us sinners,
now and at the hour of death. Amen.
Most Sacred Heart of Jesus,
Have mercy on us.
Mother of Divine Grace,
Pray for us.
St. Joseph,
Pray for us.
Our holy Father, St. Joseph Sebastian,
Pray for us.
Blessed Klara
Pray for us.
Read each year on the anniversary of the founding of our Congregation, April 15,
and used for prayerful reflection during our Revision of Life during the month of April
The Homily of Saint Joseph Sebastian Pelczar delivered on the
Occasion of the Founding of the Congregation of the Sister Servants
of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus and the Dedication of Their Chapel
Feast of the Patronage of St. Joseph, 1894
When the Lord Jesus entered the home of Zacheaus, he pronounced these words: “Today, salvation has come to this house” (Lk 19:9). In similar fashion, I consecrated this simple chapel in the name of His Eminence, the Archbishop, and I say with joy: “Today, salvation has come to this house” since to it has come our Divine Savior with all his power and all his love. Although hidden beneath the appearance of the Sacrament, he has come not only as a Priest in order to offer himself on this altar, but also as the Heavenly Guest to remain in this Sacramental dwelling day and night. Oh, how great and how ineffable a grace!
How right it is to give thanks for it from the depths of our hearts and to cry out with the prophet: “Acclaim the Lord for he is good, for his mercy endures forever” (Ps 117:1). How right it is - as much as our spirit allows us - to humble ourselves at the sight of this immeasurable graciousness of our Lord, and, running ahead toward him in the spirit of the centurion in the Gospel, to strike our contrite heart, saying, “Lord, we are not worthy to receive you under our roof.” Finally, it is truly right for us like Zacchaeus to welcome the Lord with longing, while climbing the tree of prayer and virtue.
And why did the Lord come here? He has come in order to show his unending love, and to bring his blessing, and at the same time, his salvation to this house. He has come as a generous king to his subjects, as a tender father to his children, as a good lord to his household -this household gathered here for the first time in his name. Thus, he will be faithful to the promise he has given, “Where two or three are gathered in my name, there am I in their midst” (Matthew 18:20). This household wants to dedicate itself to his Heart; therefore he opens his Heart to it, so as to pour out the effusions of his grace.
First of all I address these words to this household. Servants of the Heart of Jesus, remember, above all, that the Lord Jesus demands love in exchange for His boundless love. And how do we express this love?
Strive, above all, for true sanctification of soul, and eagerly climb the mountain of perfection in order to fulfill the Lord’s command: “Be perfect as your Heavenly Father is perfect” (Mt 5:48). It is not enough for you to be satisfied with a lesser degree of virtue, rather you must climb the divine ladder which St. Francis, the great Servant of the Lord, set up in his rule; do not remain on the first rung, but climb higher and higher. It is not enough to fulfill perfectly the commandments of the Lord. You must also keep faithfully the evangelical counsels and the rules of the Congregation which have already been partially presented to you, and at the same time to be enamored of poverty, chastity and obedience, self-denial, work and sacrifice.
It is not enough for you to care only for your own soul; each Christian must be an apostle. So all the more must be the soul dedicated to God, since it is a characteristic of true love that it not only burns as a fire in one’s own soul, but tries to diffuse itself in order to inflame other souls, even if possible to embrace the entire world.
Servants of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, your particular assignment must be to spread the devotion to the Divine Heart. More than two hundred years ago the Lord Jesus revealed the mystery of this Heart to Blessed Margaret Mary and, through her, to the world. Today this devotion has been spread widely throughout the world, however it is not so ardent and universal as the Savior himself desires, nor as the Church, his Spouse, is working toward. Therefore, let it be your concern, Servants of the Heart of Jesus, to return limitless love for his immeasurable love; to make expiation to the Lord for the insults he receives from so many of the blind and ungrateful; moreover, spread so far as you are able, the honor and love of the Heart of Jesus.
One of the most fervent desires of this Heart is that God’s most Blessed Mother would be honored and loved by all. First, because the Lord himself loves her with an unspeakable love, and secondly, because he made her the Mother of all people, so that she, with her tenderness, would draw to herself even those who run from the cross, and would lead them to the Divine Heart. Servants of this Heart, honor this Mother, love this Mother, listen to and invoke this Mother, furthermore, enkindle honor and love for her in the souls of others. Since this Mother is Queen of our [Polish] nation - crowned solemnly on Jasna Gora - contribute therefore with all your strength to this – namely, that all our people would honor and love her, and her throne will shine brilliantly on our soil.
As if this were not enough, another very fervent desire of the Heart of Jesus is the sanctification of souls. For these souls the Savior came to earth; for them he ascended the cross, and from this cross he cried, “I thirst”; for them, he remained in the Mystery of the Altar. Whoever wants to be pleasing to the Lord Jesus should work with him for the sanctification of souls and thus to fulfill the apostolate – if not in the loud then in the quiet – the apostolate of prayer, the apostolate of penance, the apostolate of good example, the apostolate of sacrifice. Let this apostolate, Servants of the Heart of Jesus, be your sign. First, fulfill it toward servants and working girls; toward these poor souls, for they are endangered most often by moral and sometimes material poverty; toward these souls exposed to so many dangers and who often fall victim to human desire.
Embrace with constant care the shelters for servants and let this care be always performed in the spirit of God. Be for them true mothers; train them in virtues; protect them from evil; teach them different tasks; in a word, bring forth for society exemplary servants; this means those who are truly pious and at the same time diligent, submissive and conscious of their own obligations.
But this is not enough. The Heart of Jesus gives you one more obligation - to attend to the sick. Difficult is the lot of the bedridden due to pain and especially because of long lasting illness. This lot is bad when poverty is joined to sickness, but even worse still when, with the sick body, there is also a sick soul. You, therefore, must bring not only relief for the body - that is, to fulfill all necessary service and works - but you must also take care of their souls, to draw them to God by sweetness, prayer, example and dedication. In this dedication, do not disregard the bed of the poor or withdraw before any illness, even if it be hideous or contagious. You may say that I demand from you too great a sacrifice. Yet I can say: It is not I who demand, but the Lord himself who desires this; this Lord who became mercy for the poor; Bread of life for the hungry; source of graces for the thirsty; physician and medicine for the sick; this Lord who promised already in the Old Covenant: “Neglect not to visit the sick - for these things you will be loved” (Sir 7:35). When among his apostolic work, St. Francis Xavier shed streams of sweat, he used to say to himself, smiling: “Let your sweat flow for the Lord. Someday he will wipe your forehead and give you the promised reward.” Similarly for you, dear Daughters in Christ, he will not refuse the reward if only you will be dedicating yourself to the sick out of holy love for him.
And where to acquire such a love? Behold, in the Heart of Jesus, for It is the school of virtues, the seat of graces, the source of consolations, and the furnace of spiritual light and fire. “If only I could proclaim to the whole world,” says Blessed Margaret Mary, “what a treasure of graces the Lord Jesus included in his Heart in order to give them to the souls who nourish honor and devotion to this Heart. I do not know if there is any devotional practice that would be able in such a short time to raise the soul to the heights of perfection.” For religious this help is the most effective to sanctification, and to those who fulfill the apostolate of souls, it is the best means to bring them to contrition of heart and to gain them for God. Quickly therefore, let us go to the Heart of Jesus.
To you, devoted souls, who in any way contributed to the foundation of this new work of God, may thanks be given from the Congregation and blessing from the Heart of Jesus. You have given your offering to this Heart; may this Heart reward you – and certainly he will - because the Lord promised through the intercession of his faithful servant, Blessed Margaret Mary, “Those who will work for the propagation of the honor and love of the Heart of Jesus will find in this Heart plentiful help and graces for their state of life.” Please continue to support the Congregation of the Servants of the Heart of Jesus in its devoted works and do as much good as is in your ability.
And you, Servants, thank God that he has inspired a separate Congregation that is watching over you and works for you. This Congregation has been called into being by God and to him only belongs the glory for it. But thanksgiving belongs also to these spiritual mothers who have opened their hearts for you and lead you to the Heart of Jesus. Show this gratefulness by love of devotion, perfect obedience, conscientious work, eager participation in given classes, and by exemplary conduct in service.
Concluding, I cast myself at your feet, Lord Jesus, and present to your Heart this small group of your servants. Enliven them with your love, give them the religious spirit, bless them in work and multiply their number. I am giving this group to your heart, Mother of fair love and holy hope. Lead these servants of yours to the Heart of Jesus. Implore for them light, consolation and strength, and cover them with your mantle in difficult moments and times of temptation. I am entrusting this group to your care, St. Joseph, Patron of the Church and our Patron. Teach them to pray, to work and to suffer. At the same time, provide with fatherly care for their spiritual and temporal needs, so that all of them would be pleasing to God and helpful to others. May the motto of their life be for all of them the words: “Glory be to the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus!” Amen.
Letter of the Holy Father John Paul II on the
Occasion of the 100th anniversary of the Congregation
Given at the Vatican, March 25, 1994
On the Solemnity of the Annunciation
With all my heart I unite myself with this religious family of Sisters – the Servants of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus - who this year commemorate the hundredth anniversary of their existence in the Church.
Together with the entire Congregation, I thank God for the grace of religious vocation - for that great, spiritual good with which the People of God have been enriched throughout these hundred years through sacrificial, total love, and dedicated service to God and man.
“Let us not forget the great works of God” (cf. Ps 78:7) and “thank Him for everything in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ” (cf. Eph 5:20).
On this occasion, I return in my thoughts and heart to your Founder, Bishop Joseph Sebastian Pelczar, whom on June 2, 1991, during my fourth pastoral visit to Poland, it was given me to proclaim Blessed. This great man of God, son of the Polish land, called into existence on April 15, 1894, your Congregation of the Servants of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus, entrusting simultaneously to Sister Ludwika Szczesna the task of first Superior. He built your Congregation on a firm foundation - and this is Christ, his Most Sacred Heart. The devotion of the Heart of God was one of the main characteristics of the spirituality of Blessed Joseph Sebastian. He desired, therefore, that it would be for you an inexhaustible source of devotion, efficacy, and apostolic activity.
The Providence of God placed before your Religious Family as its main apostolate care for the moral life of girls and concern for the sick and abandoned. Faithful to your charism, you have fulfilled and are fulfilling this service in the spirit of great devotion and dedication. The first “shelters for servants” in Cracow - founded at the beginnings of the Congregation - as well as the subsequent establishment of houses of care, hospitals and kindergartens, testify to this.
Very well known and valued is your catechetical work and your dedicated service in parishes in Poland and beyond her borders: in France, the United States, and, not long ago, in the Ukraine.
Writing this letter to you, I desire to commemorate, with gratefulness, your special service that you fulfill in the Eternal City and Papal House. By this service, in a special way you are giving witness to your love towards the Church and the successor of St. Peter.
The readiness of offering oneself through love in a full and undivided way, caused that your Congregation wholeheartedly undertook mission activity, establishing your religious houses on the African continent in Libya and Zaire, and on the American continent in Bolivia.
Let this rich past of your Congregation be the encouragement to further efforts in realizing the mission God has entrusted to you. We are standing on the threshold of the third millennium of Christianity, carrying with itself new callings for the Church, and, in her, to each religious community. It is necessary that you, as a living part of the universal Church, would be able continually to read the “signs of the times” (cf. GS, 4). That you would be also able, with open “eyes of faith (cf. Eph 1:18) to perceive the needs of today’s man and share with him his joys, concerns and sadness. The more you are filled with God, the more clearly you will show him to the world and the much more effective will be your part in the difficult work of evangelization.
The preparation for such a great jubilee of your Congregation was preceded by personal and communal effort of renewal of the spiritual life. As the motto for this preparation, you have chosen the words: “You will love…” (Mk 12:30). I would like so much that these words would become your program for the future. In them consists the whole essence of the consecrated life –a life that is a covenant of spousal love, a great and mysterious communion of life and love with God.
I pray that this Jubilee will enkindle in your hearts love for Christ and for man, and will strengthen the consciousness of an exclusive love belonging to God alone. I entrust you to the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus, the Heart full of goodness of love. Look to this Heart for strength towards endless spiritual growth and the perfection of your Sacred Heart Sisters identity. Learn from the Divine Heart to embrace with your heart all people needing spiritual, moral or material help. Today the world needs a great heart, an open heart, a heart according to the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus.
To Mother General and the whole community of the Sisters of the Congregation of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus, I wish that Christ would increase your ranks, continually sustain the desire for faithfulness to your charism of religious vocation, and perfect your love.
To Mary, Mother of Christ - she who is most dedicated and perfectly consecrated to God (RD, 17) - I entrust the future of your Congregation and from my heart bless you in the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Begins April 6
For a proper religious spirit and for Vocations, Statutes 131
Day 1
Jesus, our God and Savior, you called us to your service in the family of the Sisters of the Sacred Heart because it so pleased your ineffable goodness. While thanking you for the great gift of our vocation, we humbly ask you to fill our hearts with the love of your Heart, opening them to the needs of our neighbors whom Providence places on the path of our service. Grant that we may do everything for your greater glory and for the salvation of souls, following the example of our holy Father Founder, St. Joseph Sebastian Pelczar, of Blessed Klara Szczesna and of our first Sisters. Inflame our will that we may desire only that which is pleasing to you. Direct our actions that they would give witness that we serve you with our whole soul. By our taking of our religious vows, you inspired us to complete immolation; give us the grace to persevere to the end, that we may hear your words, Good and faithful Servant, enter into the joy of your Lord.
Hail Mary, full of grace,
the Lord is with thee.
Blessed art thou among women
and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus.
Holy Mary, Mother of God,
pray for us sinners,
now and at the hour of death. Amen.
Most Sacred Heart of Jesus,
Have mercy on us.
Mother of Divine Grace,
Pray for us.
St. Joseph,
Pray for us.
Our holy Father, St. Joseph Sebastian,
Pray for us.
Blessed Klara
Pray for us.
Day 2
Jesus, our God and Savior, mindful of your words, Ask the Master of the harvest to send out laborers for his harvest, through the intercession of your Immaculate Mother, our Mother and Queen, of St. Joseph our Patron, and also through the intercession of our holy Father, St. Joseph Sebastian and Blessed Klara, with confidence we beg you to look graciously our religious family and to generously blessed it. May our Congregation flourish in accordance with the spirit of the Constitutions, grow continually in your grace, and be always blessed with new and holy vocations.
With the voice of your vocational grace, Lord, speak to those whom you know will worthily and faithfully fulfill the tasks that are appointed through our Founders, so that your Kingdom will be spread among all people by holy religious.
Hail Mary, full of grace,
the Lord is with thee.
Blessed art thou among women
and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus.
Holy Mary, Mother of God,
pray for us sinners,
now and at the hour of death. Amen.
Most Sacred Heart of Jesus,
Have mercy on us.
Mother of Divine Grace,
Pray for us.
St. Joseph,
Pray for us.
Our holy Father, St. Joseph Sebastian,
Pray for us.
Blessed Klara
Pray for us.
Day 3
O God, from whom every good gift comes, we humbly ask you to grant that our religious family may magnanimously imitate Jesus Christ by an ever deeper penetration into the Mystery of the Divine Heart. May our Patrons’ and Founders’ intercession obtain for us the grace of many, holy vocations.
Pour into the hearts of our candidates the desire for evangelical perfection and the desire to serve both the Church and people who need help and love. Throughout their entire life, may they find their greatest love and lasting support in the Heart of your Son, who never disappoints.
Hail Mary, full of grace,
the Lord is with thee.
Blessed art thou among women
and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus.
Holy Mary, Mother of God,
pray for us sinners,
now and at the hour of death. Amen.
Most Sacred Heart of Jesus,
Have mercy on us.
Mother of Divine Grace,
Pray for us.
St. Joseph,
Pray for us.
Our holy Father, St. Joseph Sebastian,
Pray for us.
Blessed Klara
Pray for us.
Day 4
Jesus, our God and Savior, you called us to your service in the family of the Sisters of the Sacred Heart because it so pleased your ineffable goodness. While thanking you for the great gift of our vocation, we humbly ask you to fill our hearts with the love of your Heart, opening them to the needs of our neighbors whom Providence places on the path of our service. Grant that we may do everything for your greater glory and for the salvation of souls, following the example of our holy Father Founder, St. Joseph Sebastian Pelczar, of Blessed Klara Szczesna and of our first Sisters. Inflame our will that we may desire only that which is pleasing to you. Direct our actions that they would give witness that we serve you with our whole soul. By our taking of our religious vows, you inspired us to complete immolation; give us the grace to persevere to the end, that we may hear your words, Good and faithful Servant, enter into the joy of your Lord.
Hail Mary, full of grace,
the Lord is with thee.
Blessed art thou among women
and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus.
Holy Mary, Mother of God,
pray for us sinners,
now and at the hour of death. Amen.
Most Sacred Heart of Jesus,
Have mercy on us.
Mother of Divine Grace,
Pray for us.
St. Joseph,
Pray for us.
Our holy Father, St. Joseph Sebastian,
Pray for us.
Blessed Klara
Pray for us.
Day 5
Jesus, our God and Savior, mindful of your words, Ask the Master of the harvest to send out laborers for his harvest, through the intercession of your Immaculate Mother, our Mother and Queen, of St. Joseph our Patron, and also through the intercession of our holy Father, St. Joseph Sebastian and Blessed Klara, with confidence we beg you to look graciously our religious family and to generously blessed it. May our Congregation flourish in accordance with the spirit of the Constitutions, grow continually in your grace, and be always blessed with new and holy vocations.
With the voice of your vocational grace, Lord, speak to those whom you know will worthily and faithfully fulfill the tasks that are appointed through our Founders, so that your Kingdom will be spread among all people by holy religious.
Hail Mary, full of grace,
the Lord is with thee.
Blessed art thou among women
and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus.
Holy Mary, Mother of God,
pray for us sinners,
now and at the hour of death. Amen.
Most Sacred Heart of Jesus,
Have mercy on us.
Mother of Divine Grace,
Pray for us.
St. Joseph,
Pray for us.
Our holy Father, St. Joseph Sebastian,
Pray for us.
Blessed Klara
Pray for us.
Day 6
O God, from whom every good gift comes, we humbly ask you to grant that our religious family may magnanimously imitate Jesus Christ by an ever deeper penetration into the Mystery of the Divine Heart. May our Patrons’ and Founders’ intercession obtain for us the grace of many, holy vocations.
Pour into the hearts of our candidates the desire for evangelical perfection and the desire to serve both the Church and people who need help and love. Throughout their entire life, may they find their greatest love and lasting support in the Heart of your Son, who never disappoints.
Hail Mary, full of grace,
the Lord is with thee.
Blessed art thou among women
and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus.
Holy Mary, Mother of God,
pray for us sinners,
now and at the hour of death. Amen.
Most Sacred Heart of Jesus,
Have mercy on us.
Mother of Divine Grace,
Pray for us.
St. Joseph,
Pray for us.
Our holy Father, St. Joseph Sebastian,
Pray for us.
Blessed Klara
Pray for us.
Day 7
Jesus, our God and Savior, you called us to your service in the family of the Sisters of the Sacred Heart because it so pleased your ineffable goodness. While thanking you for the great gift of our vocation, we humbly ask you to fill our hearts with the love of your Heart, opening them to the needs of our neighbors whom Providence places on the path of our service. Grant that we may do everything for your greater glory and for the salvation of souls, following the example of our holy Father Founder, St. Joseph Sebastian Pelczar, of Blessed Klara Szczesna and of our first Sisters. Inflame our will that we may desire only that which is pleasing to you. Direct our actions that they would give witness that we serve you with our whole soul. By our taking of our religious vows, you inspired us to complete immolation; give us the grace to persevere to the end, that we may hear your words, Good and faithful Servant, enter into the joy of your Lord.
Hail Mary, full of grace,
the Lord is with thee.
Blessed art thou among women
and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus.
Holy Mary, Mother of God,
pray for us sinners,
now and at the hour of death. Amen.
Most Sacred Heart of Jesus,
Have mercy on us.
Mother of Divine Grace,
Pray for us.
St. Joseph,
Pray for us.
Our holy Father, St. Joseph Sebastian,
Pray for us.
Blessed Klara
Pray for us.
Day 8
Jesus, our God and Savior, mindful of your words, Ask the Master of the harvest to send out laborers for his harvest, through the intercession of your Immaculate Mother, our Mother and Queen, of St. Joseph our Patron, and also through the intercession of our holy Father, St. Joseph Sebastian and Blessed Klara, with confidence we beg you to look graciously our religious family and to generously blessed it. May our Congregation flourish in accordance with the spirit of the Constitutions, grow continually in your grace, and be always blessed with new and holy vocations.
With the voice of your vocational grace, Lord, speak to those whom you know will worthily and faithfully fulfill the tasks that are appointed through our Founders, so that your Kingdom will be spread among all people by holy religious.
Hail Mary, full of grace,
the Lord is with thee.
Blessed art thou among women
and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus.
Holy Mary, Mother of God,
pray for us sinners,
now and at the hour of death. Amen.
Most Sacred Heart of Jesus,
Have mercy on us.
Mother of Divine Grace,
Pray for us.
St. Joseph,
Pray for us.
Our holy Father, St. Joseph Sebastian,
Pray for us.
Blessed Klara
Pray for us.
Day 9
O God, from whom every good gift comes, we humbly ask you to grant that our religious family may magnanimously imitate Jesus Christ by an ever deeper penetration into the Mystery of the Divine Heart. May our Patrons’ and Founders’ intercession obtain for us the grace of many, holy vocations.
Pour into the hearts of our candidates the desire for evangelical perfection and the desire to serve both the Church and people who need help and love. Throughout their entire life, may they find their greatest love and lasting support in the Heart of your Son, who never disappoints.
Hail Mary, full of grace,
the Lord is with thee.
Blessed art thou among women
and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus.
Holy Mary, Mother of God,
pray for us sinners,
now and at the hour of death. Amen.
Most Sacred Heart of Jesus,
Have mercy on us.
Mother of Divine Grace,
Pray for us.
St. Joseph,
Pray for us.
Our holy Father, St. Joseph Sebastian,
Pray for us.
Blessed Klara
Pray for us.
Read each year on the anniversary of the founding of our Congregation, April 15,
and used for prayerful reflection during our Revision of Life during the month of April
The Homily of Saint Joseph Sebastian Pelczar delivered on the
Occasion of the Founding of the Congregation of the Sister Servants
of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus and the Dedication of Their Chapel
Feast of the Patronage of St. Joseph, 1894
When the Lord Jesus entered the home of Zacheaus, he pronounced these words: “Today, salvation has come to this house” (Lk 19:9). In similar fashion, I consecrated this simple chapel in the name of His Eminence, the Archbishop, and I say with joy: “Today, salvation has come to this house” since to it has come our Divine Savior with all his power and all his love. Although hidden beneath the appearance of the Sacrament, he has come not only as a Priest in order to offer himself on this altar, but also as the Heavenly Guest to remain in this Sacramental dwelling day and night. Oh, how great and how ineffable a grace!
How right it is to give thanks for it from the depths of our hearts and to cry out with the prophet: “Acclaim the Lord for he is good, for his mercy endures forever” (Ps 117:1). How right it is - as much as our spirit allows us - to humble ourselves at the sight of this immeasurable graciousness of our Lord, and, running ahead toward him in the spirit of the centurion in the Gospel, to strike our contrite heart, saying, “Lord, we are not worthy to receive you under our roof.” Finally, it is truly right for us like Zacchaeus to welcome the Lord with longing, while climbing the tree of prayer and virtue.
And why did the Lord come here? He has come in order to show his unending love, and to bring his blessing, and at the same time, his salvation to this house. He has come as a generous king to his subjects, as a tender father to his children, as a good lord to his household -this household gathered here for the first time in his name. Thus, he will be faithful to the promise he has given, “Where two or three are gathered in my name, there am I in their midst” (Matthew 18:20). This household wants to dedicate itself to his Heart; therefore he opens his Heart to it, so as to pour out the effusions of his grace.
First of all I address these words to this household. Servants of the Heart of Jesus, remember, above all, that the Lord Jesus demands love in exchange for His boundless love. And how do we express this love?
Strive, above all, for true sanctification of soul, and eagerly climb the mountain of perfection in order to fulfill the Lord’s command: “Be perfect as your Heavenly Father is perfect” (Mt 5:48). It is not enough for you to be satisfied with a lesser degree of virtue, rather you must climb the divine ladder which St. Francis, the great Servant of the Lord, set up in his rule; do not remain on the first rung, but climb higher and higher. It is not enough to fulfill perfectly the commandments of the Lord. You must also keep faithfully the evangelical counsels and the rules of the Congregation which have already been partially presented to you, and at the same time to be enamored of poverty, chastity and obedience, self-denial, work and sacrifice.
It is not enough for you to care only for your own soul; each Christian must be an apostle. So all the more must be the soul dedicated to God, since it is a characteristic of true love that it not only burns as a fire in one’s own soul, but tries to diffuse itself in order to inflame other souls, even if possible to embrace the entire world.
Servants of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, your particular assignment must be to spread the devotion to the Divine Heart. More than two hundred years ago the Lord Jesus revealed the mystery of this Heart to Blessed Margaret Mary and, through her, to the world. Today this devotion has been spread widely throughout the world, however it is not so ardent and universal as the Savior himself desires, nor as the Church, his Spouse, is working toward. Therefore, let it be your concern, Servants of the Heart of Jesus, to return limitless love for his immeasurable love; to make expiation to the Lord for the insults he receives from so many of the blind and ungrateful; moreover, spread so far as you are able, the honor and love of the Heart of Jesus.
One of the most fervent desires of this Heart is that God’s most Blessed Mother would be honored and loved by all. First, because the Lord himself loves her with an unspeakable love, and secondly, because he made her the Mother of all people, so that she, with her tenderness, would draw to herself even those who run from the cross, and would lead them to the Divine Heart. Servants of this Heart, honor this Mother, love this Mother, listen to and invoke this Mother, furthermore, enkindle honor and love for her in the souls of others. Since this Mother is Queen of our [Polish] nation - crowned solemnly on Jasna Gora - contribute therefore with all your strength to this – namely, that all our people would honor and love her, and her throne will shine brilliantly on our soil.
As if this were not enough, another very fervent desire of the Heart of Jesus is the sanctification of souls. For these souls the Savior came to earth; for them he ascended the cross, and from this cross he cried, “I thirst”; for them, he remained in the Mystery of the Altar. Whoever wants to be pleasing to the Lord Jesus should work with him for the sanctification of souls and thus to fulfill the apostolate – if not in the loud then in the quiet – the apostolate of prayer, the apostolate of penance, the apostolate of good example, the apostolate of sacrifice. Let this apostolate, Servants of the Heart of Jesus, be your sign. First, fulfill it toward servants and working girls; toward these poor souls, for they are endangered most often by moral and sometimes material poverty; toward these souls exposed to so many dangers and who often fall victim to human desire.
Embrace with constant care the shelters for servants and let this care be always performed in the spirit of God. Be for them true mothers; train them in virtues; protect them from evil; teach them different tasks; in a word, bring forth for society exemplary servants; this means those who are truly pious and at the same time diligent, submissive and conscious of their own obligations.
But this is not enough. The Heart of Jesus gives you one more obligation - to attend to the sick. Difficult is the lot of the bedridden due to pain and especially because of long lasting illness. This lot is bad when poverty is joined to sickness, but even worse still when, with the sick body, there is also a sick soul. You, therefore, must bring not only relief for the body - that is, to fulfill all necessary service and works - but you must also take care of their souls, to draw them to God by sweetness, prayer, example and dedication. In this dedication, do not disregard the bed of the poor or withdraw before any illness, even if it be hideous or contagious. You may say that I demand from you too great a sacrifice. Yet I can say: It is not I who demand, but the Lord himself who desires this; this Lord who became mercy for the poor; Bread of life for the hungry; source of graces for the thirsty; physician and medicine for the sick; this Lord who promised already in the Old Covenant: “Neglect not to visit the sick - for these things you will be loved” (Sir 7:35). When among his apostolic work, St. Francis Xavier shed streams of sweat, he used to say to himself, smiling: “Let your sweat flow for the Lord. Someday he will wipe your forehead and give you the promised reward.” Similarly for you, dear Daughters in Christ, he will not refuse the reward if only you will be dedicating yourself to the sick out of holy love for him.
And where to acquire such a love? Behold, in the Heart of Jesus, for It is the school of virtues, the seat of graces, the source of consolations, and the furnace of spiritual light and fire. “If only I could proclaim to the whole world,” says Blessed Margaret Mary, “what a treasure of graces the Lord Jesus included in his Heart in order to give them to the souls who nourish honor and devotion to this Heart. I do not know if there is any devotional practice that would be able in such a short time to raise the soul to the heights of perfection.” For religious this help is the most effective to sanctification, and to those who fulfill the apostolate of souls, it is the best means to bring them to contrition of heart and to gain them for God. Quickly therefore, let us go to the Heart of Jesus.
To you, devoted souls, who in any way contributed to the foundation of this new work of God, may thanks be given from the Congregation and blessing from the Heart of Jesus. You have given your offering to this Heart; may this Heart reward you – and certainly he will - because the Lord promised through the intercession of his faithful servant, Blessed Margaret Mary, “Those who will work for the propagation of the honor and love of the Heart of Jesus will find in this Heart plentiful help and graces for their state of life.” Please continue to support the Congregation of the Servants of the Heart of Jesus in its devoted works and do as much good as is in your ability.
And you, Servants, thank God that he has inspired a separate Congregation that is watching over you and works for you. This Congregation has been called into being by God and to him only belongs the glory for it. But thanksgiving belongs also to these spiritual mothers who have opened their hearts for you and lead you to the Heart of Jesus. Show this gratefulness by love of devotion, perfect obedience, conscientious work, eager participation in given classes, and by exemplary conduct in service.
Concluding, I cast myself at your feet, Lord Jesus, and present to your Heart this small group of your servants. Enliven them with your love, give them the religious spirit, bless them in work and multiply their number. I am giving this group to your heart, Mother of fair love and holy hope. Lead these servants of yours to the Heart of Jesus. Implore for them light, consolation and strength, and cover them with your mantle in difficult moments and times of temptation. I am entrusting this group to your care, St. Joseph, Patron of the Church and our Patron. Teach them to pray, to work and to suffer. At the same time, provide with fatherly care for their spiritual and temporal needs, so that all of them would be pleasing to God and helpful to others. May the motto of their life be for all of them the words: “Glory be to the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus!” Amen.
Letter of the Holy Father John Paul II on the
Occasion of the 100th anniversary of the Congregation
Given at the Vatican, March 25, 1994
On the Solemnity of the Annunciation
With all my heart I unite myself with this religious family of Sisters – the Servants of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus - who this year commemorate the hundredth anniversary of their existence in the Church.
Together with the entire Congregation, I thank God for the grace of religious vocation - for that great, spiritual good with which the People of God have been enriched throughout these hundred years through sacrificial, total love, and dedicated service to God and man.
“Let us not forget the great works of God” (cf. Ps 78:7) and “thank Him for everything in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ” (cf. Eph 5:20).
On this occasion, I return in my thoughts and heart to your Founder, Bishop Joseph Sebastian Pelczar, whom on June 2, 1991, during my fourth pastoral visit to Poland, it was given me to proclaim Blessed. This great man of God, son of the Polish land, called into existence on April 15, 1894, your Congregation of the Servants of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus, entrusting simultaneously to Sister Ludwika Szczesna the task of first Superior. He built your Congregation on a firm foundation - and this is Christ, his Most Sacred Heart. The devotion of the Heart of God was one of the main characteristics of the spirituality of Blessed Joseph Sebastian. He desired, therefore, that it would be for you an inexhaustible source of devotion, efficacy, and apostolic activity.
The Providence of God placed before your Religious Family as its main apostolate care for the moral life of girls and concern for the sick and abandoned. Faithful to your charism, you have fulfilled and are fulfilling this service in the spirit of great devotion and dedication. The first “shelters for servants” in Cracow - founded at the beginnings of the Congregation - as well as the subsequent establishment of houses of care, hospitals and kindergartens, testify to this.
Very well known and valued is your catechetical work and your dedicated service in parishes in Poland and beyond her borders: in France, the United States, and, not long ago, in the Ukraine.
Writing this letter to you, I desire to commemorate, with gratefulness, your special service that you fulfill in the Eternal City and Papal House. By this service, in a special way you are giving witness to your love towards the Church and the successor of St. Peter.
The readiness of offering oneself through love in a full and undivided way, caused that your Congregation wholeheartedly undertook mission activity, establishing your religious houses on the African continent in Libya and Zaire, and on the American continent in Bolivia.
Let this rich past of your Congregation be the encouragement to further efforts in realizing the mission God has entrusted to you. We are standing on the threshold of the third millennium of Christianity, carrying with itself new callings for the Church, and, in her, to each religious community. It is necessary that you, as a living part of the universal Church, would be able continually to read the “signs of the times” (cf. GS, 4). That you would be also able, with open “eyes of faith (cf. Eph 1:18) to perceive the needs of today’s man and share with him his joys, concerns and sadness. The more you are filled with God, the more clearly you will show him to the world and the much more effective will be your part in the difficult work of evangelization.
The preparation for such a great jubilee of your Congregation was preceded by personal and communal effort of renewal of the spiritual life. As the motto for this preparation, you have chosen the words: “You will love…” (Mk 12:30). I would like so much that these words would become your program for the future. In them consists the whole essence of the consecrated life –a life that is a covenant of spousal love, a great and mysterious communion of life and love with God.
I pray that this Jubilee will enkindle in your hearts love for Christ and for man, and will strengthen the consciousness of an exclusive love belonging to God alone. I entrust you to the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus, the Heart full of goodness of love. Look to this Heart for strength towards endless spiritual growth and the perfection of your Sacred Heart Sisters identity. Learn from the Divine Heart to embrace with your heart all people needing spiritual, moral or material help. Today the world needs a great heart, an open heart, a heart according to the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus.
To Mother General and the whole community of the Sisters of the Congregation of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus, I wish that Christ would increase your ranks, continually sustain the desire for faithfulness to your charism of religious vocation, and perfect your love.
To Mary, Mother of Christ - she who is most dedicated and perfectly consecrated to God (RD, 17) - I entrust the future of your Congregation and from my heart bless you in the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.