Madeleine Sophie Barat was born at Joigny, Yonne, France December 12, 1779, at the time her country was just recovering from the ravages of the Revolution. At sixteen she was brought to Paris and was educated under Father Joseph Varin. At the age of twenty-one she established the Society of the Sacred Heart, an idea proposed by Fr. Varin.

Over the next sixty-three years as Superior General of the Society of the Sacred Heart she built 105 houses of the Order in the principal countries of the world. Her unfailing serenity and sweetness cheered and encouraged all who came in contact with her. “To suffer myself and not to make others suffer” was one of her favorite mottos. The Saint died at Paris, May 25, 1865; was beatified May 24, 1908, and was canonized May 24, 1925.

(Adapted from The New Roman Missal by Father Lasance)