By Ana Rodriguez Soto - The Archdiocese of Miami
MIAMI | Since November 2014, the worldwide Church has been celebrating the Year of Consecrated Life. To mark the year, the archdiocesan Office for Religious has been hosting monthly Holy Hours in different parishes to give thanks for the gift of consecrated life and to pray for an increase in vocations to the religious life.
At the Florida Catholic, we will mark the year by featuring quick profiles of the various religious communities serving in South Florida. Here are this month’s:Handmaids of the Sacred Heart of Jesus
Photographer: COURTESY PHOTO The three Handmaids of the Sacred Heart of Jesus working in Miami pose in front of their Miami Shores convent with a group of their lay associates. Sister Cecilia Chen is standing at left in front row; Sister María Jesús Sagaseta is standing second from right, and behind her is Sister Donatella De Marco.
Religious initials: ACJ
Beginnings: Founded by St. Raphaela Mary of the Sacred Heart, 1877, in Madrid, Spain.
Mission or charism: Reparation to the Sacred Heart of Jesus.
Number worldwide: Around 1,500, in Africa, Asia, the Americas and Europe.
Number in archdiocese: 3
Year arrived in U.S.: 1926
Year arrived in South Florida: 1975
Presently working: With the homeless at Camillus House; with immigrants at Catholic Legal Services; pastoral work with mostly Spanish-speaking parishioners at St. Martha Church, Miami Shores
Lovers of the Holy Cross of Baria
Photographer: COURTESY PHOTO Sister Anna Kim of the Lovers of the Holy Cross of Baria poses with her students during a Thanksgiving celebration at St. Helen School in Fort Lauderdale.
Religious initials: LHCB
Beginnings: Founded by Bishop Pierre Lambert de la Motte, 1670, Vietnam.
Mission or charism: “Jesus crucified, the one object of our mind and hearts.” Ministry in prayer, education, social work; special service to youth and women, and to protect infants.
Number worldwide: 265, in the United States
Number in archdiocese: 3
Year arrived in U.S.: 2009
Year arrived in South Florida: 2009
Presently working: In education at St. Helen School, Fort Lauderdale; in religious education of adults and youth at Our Lady of La Vang Vietnamese Mission in Hallandale Beach.
