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The Religious of the Sacred Heart of Mary (known in the United States as the RSHM and in other parts of the world as RSCM) are a global Roman Catholic community of about 900 apostolic religious women, connected by personal contact, local, provincial and general meetings, telephone, e-mail and many websites to one another with a hope of promoting the integral development and liberation of the whole person. Today the diversity of ministries include educational, pastoral and social services. RSHM work in colleges and universities, secondary and elementary schools. RSHM serve in parishes and prisons, in hospitals and nursing homes, in studios and social centers, in retreat houses and retirement homes. Religious of the Sacred Heart of Mary are administrators, teachers, social workers, artists, lawyers, health care personnel, musicians, librarians, spiritual directors, and others.
Contents
- Mission
- History
- Government
- Provinces
- Europe
- North America
- South America
- Colleges and Tertiary Institutions
- RSHM and justice
- References
The community is not to be confused with the Religious of the Sacred Heart, another name for the Society of the Sacred Heart, who use the abbreviation RSCJ.
Mission
The rule of life of the Religious of the Sacred Heart of Mary, the RSHM Constitutions, was approved on the diocesan level in 1850, the canonical level in 1880 and revised in 1983. In all editions of the Constitutions, the mission of the Religious of the Sacred Heart of Mary is defined: "to know and love God, to make God known and loved, to proclaim that Jesus Christ has come in order that all may have life."
History
The Institute of the Religious of the Sacred Heart of Mary (RSHM) was founded on February 24, 1849 in Béziers, France by Father Jean Gailhac and Appollonie Pelissier- Cure, later renamed Mother Saint Jean. A group of women gathered together to form a community which took over the direction of a shelter for women and an orphanage. The Institute grew rapidly and by the time the original group made their first profession in May 1851 their number had grown to ten. In a short time, the sisters expanded their ministry beyond France, and presently, the community serves in 14 countries.
Government
The major authority of the Religious of the Sacred Heart of Mary is the General Superior, who, with the General Council have residence in Rome, Italy. Smaller units of the institute, known as Provinces, have their own government in relationship to the general government. The smallest unit of government is the local community, who, with a local coordinator, work in relationship with the provincial and general government.
Provinces
Provincial government is divided into Provinces and Regions. The RSHM provinces are as follows:
Europe
North America
South America
Colleges and Tertiary Institutions
RSHM and justice
As a religious institute and a Non-governmental organization (NGO), RSHM place its resources at the service of those who are most in need of justice, enabling the powerless, the deprived, the marginalized, the voiceless to work effectively for their own development and liberation.