An International Congregation
From 1914-1918, after about a century of existence, the Congregations of the Daughters of Charity of the Sacred Heart of Jesus was of diocesan right, that is, it depended on the bishops of the diocese where the Sisters lived.
In 1924, Msgr. Rumeau, Bishop of Anger, insisted that the Superiors, the Canon Emile Girault, (1910-1930) and Mother St-Gaudent (1918-1932), send to Rome a request for pontifical approbation. It contained a brief history of “the good work”, recalling the different stages and the wonderful development since its origin (1823 foundation to 1902)
REQUEST TO ROME
A file was created and the text of the Constitutions was annexed to the file, with the approvals of Mgr Montault, MgrMathieu and Mgr Rumeau. The bishops of the dioceses where the Sisters worked sent glowing testimonial letters. Only the Bishop of Burlington refused to add his testimony
to that of the confreres of Europe and America. This abstention failed to be fatal tothe cause, which dragged on for six long years. Finally, in October 1929, after submitting a new, larger and more detailed dossier, a Capuchin monarch, consultant to the Congregation of Religious, passing through Angers, warned the Canon Girault that the affair was going to be concluded shortly. Cardinal Lépicier, future protector of the Congregation in Rome, had just handed over to the Tribunal all the documents required.
OUR RELIGIOUS FAMILY ON SEVERAL CONTINENTS
Expansion of our family in many continents invites us to become aware of our belonging to an international congregation. Our charism invites us to live in communion despite the distances and our differences.We believe in the strength of the bonds that unite us.
Moments of encounters and sharing among Sisters of different provinces strengthened the bonds we share.Welcoming the diversity of cultures, the sharing of gifts were a source of mutual enrichment, of knowledge and of reciprocal understanding.
The implementation of communities allowed:
Expansion of our witnessing of universal fraternity;
to be enriched by our differences for a better service of the kingdom;
To develop an open attitude towards strangers in our society becoming more and more cosmopolitan;
To correct racist tendencies (way of expressing oneself, preconceived ideas, taking side);
To act in solidarity and sharing.