The Archives of the Society of the Sacred Heart, United States-Canada Province

February 9, 2021

The first #HiddenCatholicCollection of the second season is the Archives of the Society of the Sacred Heart, United States-Canada Province. The Order was brought to the U.S. from France in 1818 by St. Rose Philippine Duchesne, whose papers include this list of prayer intentions written in her hand. The St. Louis Archives include documents and visuals about the mission, ministry, governance and life of the Religious of the Sacred Heart in North America, their convents and communities, schools and ministries, and the Network of Sacred Heart Schools from 1818 to the present.

The primary collection consists of publications of the Society of the Sacred Heart from 1826 on, as well as theses, dissertations, and publications of members of the Society and alumnae, and supporting works of theological and historical interest. Of special interest to family researchers are the Annual Letters, containing biographies of most of the deceased Religious of the Sacred Heart throughout the world from 1805 to 1964, and materials for researching those, like Liza Nebbitt, enslaved by the Society. The collection also includes papers and visual materials of alumnae and friends: journalist and writer Katherine Anne Porter, poet Louise Imogen Guiney, members of the Kennedy family, photographer Imogen Cunningham, and artists Nina Barr Wheeler and Hildreth Meiere.

With 1300 linear feet of paper records, 2000 audio recordings, 60,000 photographs, 8000 books, 1000 movies, and hundreds of artifacts, there is much material for #CatholicHistory students, scholars, family historians, and enthusiasts. Learn more at rscj.org/archives,

Contact:

Carolyn Osiek, RSCJ, Archivist
Michael Pera, Assistant Archivist

Society of the Sacred Heart Archives
4537 West Pine Blvd.
St. Louis, MO 63108

Phone: 314-367-1704
E-mail: [email protected]
rscj.org/archives

Facebook: SocietyoftheSacredHeart
Instagram: @_societyofthesacredheart_
Twitter: @RSCJUSC

Archives building in St. Louis, dedicated in 2003, a redesigned former public library (at top with introduction)
Archives building in St. Louis, dedicated in 2003, a redesigned former public library (at top with introduction)
Prayer intentions on blank pages of the office book used by St. Philippine Duchesne (1769-1852)
Prayer intentions on blank pages of the office book used by St. Philippine Duchesne (1769-1852)
Welcoming students, St. Louis, 1967.
Welcoming students, St. Louis, 1967.
Liza Nebbitt (c. 1810-1889), enslaved girl given to St. Philippine Duchesne in Missouri, brought to St. Michael, LA in 1825, where she spent the rest of her life. She was married several times, raised several children, and returned to spend her last years at the convent serving the sick and needy.
Liza Nebbitt (c. 1810-1889), enslaved girl given to St. Philippine Duchesne in Missouri, brought to St. Michael, LA in 1825, where she spent the rest of her life. She was married several times, raised several children, and returned to spend her last years at the convent serving the sick and needy.
Common grave of the seven Religious of the Sacred Heart who died at the St Marys, Kansas, Potawatomi mission between 1838 and 1876. The original mission in 1841 at the Jesuit foundation in Sugar Creek, Kansas, was moved west to St Marys in 1848 and lasted until 1879.
Common grave of the seven Religious of the Sacred Heart who died at the St Marys, Kansas, Potawatomi mission between 1838 and 1876. The original mission in 1841 at the Jesuit foundation in Sugar Creek, Kansas, was moved west to St Marys in 1848 and lasted until 1879.
Administrators of five Sacred Heart colleges in the East and Midwest about 1960: Manhattanville College in New York; Newton College, Newton, MA; Barat College, Lake Forest, IL; Duchesne College, Omaha, NE; and Maryville College, St. Louis, MO. Not represented are San Francisco College for Women and San Diego College for Women.
St. Madeleine Sophie Barat, French Founder of the Order, provided an important reminder of the many reasons #Catholic archives matter past, present, and future.
St. Madeleine Sophie Barat, French Founder of the Order, provided an important reminder of the many reasons #Catholic archives matter past, present, and future.
One of nine commissions in Byzantine-style glass mosaic designed between 1945 and 1961 by Hildreth Meière in the main sanctuary of the Cathedral Basilica of Saint Louis.
One of nine commissions in Byzantine-style glass mosaic designed between 1945 and 1961 by Hildreth Meière in the main sanctuary of the Cathedral Basilica of Saint Louis.