Glossary of Terms

Cor Unum is shorthand for Cor unum in Anima Unum in Corde Jesus which translates from the Latin to mean: One Heart and One Soul/Mind in the heart of Jesus. This phrase expresses the deep desire of St. Madeleine Sophie Barat, that the members of the Society of the Sacred Heart be closely united in the Heart of Jesus. Society’s internationality is the fruit of Sophie’s hope, and generations of RSCJ remain faithful to her vision.

The Greek word for the gift of discernment is diakrisis. The word describes being able to distinguish, access, judge, or appraise a person, statement, situation, or environment. In the New Testament, discernment describes the ability to distinguish truth and goodness in the midst of things. Discernment assumes attentiveness to the Spirit dwelling within one's being or core (Sacred Heart Educators: An Orientation to Mission, p. 26).

Espacio quite literally means space. As a practice, espacio entails carving space from our schedule, our use of time and our consciousness in order to develop competency as one who can be silent, as one who desires to be in tune with Mystery. The daily practice of taking time, even as a few as five minutes, in silence allows us to nurture our sensitivity to the Spirit dwelling within (Sacred Heart Educators: An Orientation to Mission, p. 16).

Sharing in the mission of the Society of the Sacred Heart to reveal God's love in the heart of the world, Schools commit to educate to: A personal and active faith in God; A deep respect for intellectual values; A social awareness that impels to action; The building of community as a Christian value; Personal growth in an atmosphere of wise freedom.

Independent schools are non-profit private schools that are independent in philosophy: each is driven by a unique mission. They are also independent in the way they are managed and financed: each is governed by an independent board of trustees and each is primarily supported through tuition payments and charitable contributions. They are accountable to their communities and are accredited by state-approved accrediting bodies.

Ideally, the fruit of Sacred Heart education is becoming an integral person -- one who operates with integrity. Intentional and deliberate about developing one's whole self, the integral person attends to the development of one's intellectual, emotional, spiritual, and physical capacities so that actions reflect beliefs. An integral person is conscious both of one's dignity as a human being and the dignity of others. (Sacred Heart Educators: An Orientation to Mission, p. 26)

Mater Admirabilis is a painting of a teenaged Mary. Painted in 1844 by Pauline Perdrau, a young religious, Mater Admirablisis is still housed at the Trinità dei Monti in Italy. Perdrau was asked to paint a mural of Mary by the Mother Superior of the convent. Today, a replica of the painting or a statue of Mater can be found in every Sacred Heart school around the world. Her feast is celebrated by Sacred Heart communities on October 20. For more history, visit: https://rscj.org/our-heritage-and-traditions

Schools of the Sacred Heart are part of a Global Network of schools that are grounded in a shared mission. The original schools were founded by the RSCJ, and the Society of the Sacred Heart continues to sponsor the schools. There are various Networks of Sacred Heart Schools

Religious of the Sacred Heart (RSCJ) who as leader is the governing authority for one of the geographical areas of the Society of the Sacred Heart.

The Society of the Sacred Heart is structured into provinces, which are geographic regions. The leader of this designated region is the provincial.  She works with a group of sisters named the Provincial Team. A provincial is appointed by the superior general after consultation of the members of the province. The provincial appoints the provincial team is appointed by the provincial and, together with her, offers guidance for the spiritual, apostolic, and professional direction of the members of the province.

Religieuses du Sacré-Coeur de Jésus or Religious of the Sacred Heart, who are members of a congregation of religious women dedicated to making known the love of the Heart of Jesus. As part of the religious congregation that founded the original Sacred Heart schools, RSCJ continue to sponsor the schools.