In this very first circular letter, dated 1842, Fr. Jean-Baptiste Debrabant traces the origins of the Holy Union of the Sacred Hearts, exhorts the Sisters to love one another, and offers paternal advice on how to remain always rooted in God. The excerpt we publish this Sunday is a natural continuation of “Love each other sincerely”, published on March 7th.
“Avoid every work and action which runs counter to the love you should bear to your sisters; fight against every thought which endeavours to lessen this love, always regarding yourselves as the least worthy, not only because of the faults you know you possess, but also because of those of which you know nothing but God knows everything.
This humility, this love for your sisters, should be particularly evident in your regard for your superiors, in order that your obedience may be loving, constant and respectful, animated by the love of God (…).
Ah! if you are not deaf to my suppliant voice which begs you by all that you hold most dear and sacred, you will love each other and you will love the good Lord fervently; you will love and imitate Jesus and Mary; you will edify each other by your good example; you will comfort each other in sorrow; will draw strength from prayer, meditation and the sacraments; you will renew yourselves by spiritual reading; you will know yourselves better through the Chapter of Faults and the account of Conscience; finally you will be happy in the Holy Union of Jesus and Mary who will be your joy and your glory in heaven, after you have been the source of their delight on earth and the consolation of him who exclaims with you: Praised and blessed forever by the Holy Hearts of the holy names of Jesus and Mary. May they live forever in our hearts”.
From the Circular Letter in the form of a historical account of the origin, trials and progress of the Congregation of the Holy Union of the Sacred Hearts — Addressed by the Founder to all the Religious Sisters, on the occasion of the ecclesiastical approval, April 8, 1842.