Mission Statement
As American SCJ's inspired by God's love, revealed in the heart of Christ, seeking fidelity to his gospel through the charism of Leo John Dehon and
nourished by the Eucharist, we are called to live together simply, to pray together and to be, especially among the poor, "prophets of love and servants of reconciliation," offering ourselves with Christ to a world which hungers for Justice and Peace.
Description
The Congregation of the Priests of the Sacred Heart was founded by the Venerable Leo John Dehon, SCJ, in France in 1878. His dream was to establish a religious community of men committed to continuing Christ’s work of rebuilding our world into God’s kingdom of justice and love. He wanted the members of his congregation to instill the spirit of love and reparation into all forms of pastoral and missionary work.
Growth of the congregation was rapid as the Priests of the Sacred Heart first established ministries throughout Europe, then sent missionaries to South America, Africa and eventually to Asia. Today, our ministry has grown to more than thirty-seven countries extending over five continents.
Today, we are engaged in a variety of ministries. We are pastors in urban and rural parishes. We are involved in teaching, counseling, chaplaincies, and social justice concerns. We are engaged in seminary education and religious formation. In all that we do and to whom we serve, we strive to bring the love of the Heart of Jesus.
The SCJ Community has 92 members here in the United States and 2,300 members worldwide with offices in Rome.
Following Christ’s command to "Go, therefore, and make disciples of all the nations," members of the United States Province of the Priests of the Sacred Heart are presently working in Zaire, South Africa, India and Indonesia. In these areas, we staff mission parishes, stations, and schools.
