About us - RSCJ Province of Africa

Our Histrory

The Society of the Sacred Heart was founded by Saint Madeleine Sophie Barat in Paris, France.

On November 21, 1800 Madeleine Sophie Barat and three other women consecrated themselves to spread God’s love, focusing on prayer and the education of young women and this marked the beginning of the Society. Sophie and her companions were guided by the motto “One Heart and One Soul in the Heart of Jesus.” In 1806, Sophie was elected superior general and she let the Society for 65 years. During Sophie’s time, the Society expanded to other parts of the world and grew to over 3,500 members. After her death on 25th May 1865 the Society continued to expand and to grow.

The Society formally adopted its Constitutions at the 1815 general council and received approval from Pope Leo XII in 1826. The General Chapter of 1982, following extensive preparation across the entire Society and in response to the Church’s call for renewal, formulated and proposed new Constitutions. These new Constitutions were designed to embrace the directives of Vatican II while remaining faithful to the spirit of the original 1815 Constitutions.

The Society of the Sacred Heart of Jesus is an International and pontifical congregation. Our Mother House is in Rome, with more than 2,500 members from 41 countries around the world responding to the call; to discover and manifest the love of Christ.

Arrival in Uganda

The Society of the Sacred Heart established its presence in Uganda in 1962, shortly before the country gained independence.

The invitation came from Archbishop Kiwanuka of Kampala, recognizing the Society’s commitment to education and religious formation. This marked the beginning of their contribution to Ugandan society through education and spiritual service.

In January 1962, six (6) foundresses: Anna Mackie, Kathleen Kennedy, Freda Killeen, Ita Ward, Pauline Campbell, from Irish/Scottish Vicariate, with Anne de Stacpoole from ANZ arrived in Uganda to take over administration of Nkozi Teacher Training College. With more RSCJ from other Provinces, we moved to Masaka and founded a community at Kalisizo in 1964 and later spread in other parts of the country.

Our presence in Kenya

Our first community in Kenya was at Gatanga in 1973.

In January 1973, Dotty traveled from Kampala to Nairobi but initially struggled to find a place to work. Eventually, she secured a teaching position at a harambee school in Gatanga, located in the Nyeri Diocese. She was later joined by Jackie Kearns and Alberta Dandolo (Dandy), and together they worked at the same school.

As the mission in Kenya grew, more sisters moved to Eldoret, where they served at the Minor Seminary, supporting the education and formation of young men. The sisters later extended their work to the Eldoret Pastoral Institute. Also, some sisters moved to Chekalini, where they began teaching at Bishop Njenga High School, worked with people with disabilities, and supported Uasin Gishu Memorial Hospital.

Sisters in the Democratic Republic of Congo

Who we are

The Society of the Sacred Heart, Province of Africa, belongs to the Religious of the Sacred Heart of Jesus (RSCJ), an international congregation of Catholic women religious called to discover and reveal God’s love in the world. Rooted in the spirituality of the Heart of Jesus and inspired by the vision of our foundress, Saint Madeleine Sophie Barat, we seek to make God’s love known through our lives, relationships, and mission. The Province of Africa brings together our communities in Uganda, Kenya, the Democratic Republic of Congo, and Chad. United by one charism and enriched by our diverse cultures and experiences, we are called to walk together in faith, deepen our communion, and respond courageously to the needs of the Church and the world. Our mission finds expression in diverse ministries, including education, pastoral work, healthcare, spiritual accompaniment, retreat direction, youth ministry, and the promotion of justice, peace, and the integrity of creation. Through these ministries, we accompany individuals, families, and communities, especially those most in need, fostering dignity, hope, transformation, and a more just and compassionate world. At the heart of our life and mission is our commitment to contemplative prayer, community, shared responsibility, and the education of the heart. We seek to recognise God’s presence in every person and situation, allowing ourselves to be transformed by Christ’s love so that we may bring that love to others. As part of the worldwide Society of the Sacred Heart, the Province of Africa is enriched by the gift of internationality. Our communion across cultures and nations calls us to embrace our differences as a source of strength, to learn from one another, and to build bridges of understanding and solidarity. Rooted in the realities of Africa and united with the global Congregation, we continue to discern new ways of responding to the hopes and challenges of our time. Together, as one heart and one soul in the Heart of Jesus, we seek to make God’s love visible, nurture hope, and contribute to the transformation of lives and society.

Provincial Council Team

The Provincial Council, united in faith and shared responsibility, provides spiritual and apostolic leadership, guiding the Province of Africa in discerning God’s call, strengthening communion, and animating our mission in service to the Church and the world.

Sisters in Probation

Our sisters in probation are deepening their relationship with Christ, growing in the spirituality of the Sacred Heart, and preparing their hearts to make their Final Profession with faith, freedom, and a lifelong commitment to the mission of the Society of the Sacred Heart.

Thanksgiving of final profession and profession of temporary vows

With hearts full of gratitude, we celebrate the Final Profession and Temporary Profession of our sisters, giving thanks to God for their generous response to His call and their commitment to discover and reveal His love through the mission of the Society of the Sacred Heart.

Sisters Gloria and Annemarie on the first profession

Sisters Gloria and Annemarie joyfully made their First Profession, generously responding to God’s call and beginning a new chapter of consecrated life, rooted in the spirituality of the Sacred Heart and a desire to discover and reveal God’s love to the world.

Entry into novitiate

The entry into the Novitiate marks a sacred step in the journey of discernment, as our novices begin a deeper formation in prayer, community life, and the spirituality of the Sacred Heart, preparing their hearts to respond generously to God’s call.

A New Beginning: Entering the Postulancy in Mbikko, Uganda

The Postulancy stage marks the beginning of a deeper journey of discernment, grow in self-awareness, deepen relationship with God, and discover more fully the beauty of life in the Society of the Sacred Heart.