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 SOCIETY

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SOCIETY'

Society of the Blessed Sacrament, The, a con- gregation of jiriests foundt'd by Venerable Pierre- Julicn EjTiiard (q. v.) in Paris, 1 June, 1S56. His aim was to create a society whose members should devote themselves exclusively to the worship of the Holy Eucharist. Pius IX approved the society by Briefs of 1S5G and 1S58 and by a Decree of 3 June, 1863, approved the rule ad decennium. On 8 May, 1895, Leo XIII approved it in perpeluum. The first to join the founder was Pere de Cuers, whose example was soon followed by Pere Champion. The com- munity prospered, and in 1862 Pere Ejonard opened a novitiate, which was to consist of priests and lay brothers. The former recite the Divine Office in choir and perform all the other duties of the clergy; the latter share in the principal end of the society — perpetual adoration, and attend to the various house- hold employments peculiar to their state. The Blessed Sacrament is always exposed for adoration, and the sanctuary never without adorers in surplice, and if a priest, the stole. Every hour at the sound of the signal bell, all the religious kneel and recite a prayer in honour of the Blessed Sacrament and of Our Lady. Since 1856, the following houses have been established: France — Paris (1856), Marseilles (1859), Angers, (1861). Saint Maurice (1866), Trevoux (1895), Sarcelles (1S9S); Belgium— Brussels (1866), Or- nieignies (1898), Oostduinkerke (1902), Bassenge (1902), Baron\'ille(1910), Baelen Post Eupen on the Belgian frontier for Germans (1909); Italy — Rome (1882), Turin (1901), Castel-Vecchio (1905); Aus- tria — Botzen (1896); Holland — Baarle-Na.ssau, now Nijmegen (1902); Spain — Tolosa (1907); Argentina — Buenos-AjTes (1903); Chile— Santiago (1908); Can- ada—Montreal (1890), Terrebonne (1902); United States— New York (1900); SufTern, N. Y. (1907). All the houses in France were closed by the Govern- ment in 1900, but Perpetual Adoration is still held in their chapel in Paris, which is in charge of the secular clergy, by the members of "The People's Eucharistic League". The first foundation in the LTnited States took place in 1900, under the leadership of Pere Estevenon, the present superior- general, in New York City, where the Fathers were received in the Canadian parish of Saint-Jean- Baptiste, 185 East 76th Street. A new church is under construction. In September, 1904, the Fathers of the Blessed Sacrament opened a jireparatory sem- inary at Suffern, Rockland Co., N. Y. Here young boys who give evidence of a vocation are trained to the religious life, while pursuing a course of secular study. From the seminary the youths pass to the novitiate, where, after two years, they make the tlu'ee vows of religion, and then enter upon their first theological course preparatory to ordination.

From every house of the Fathers of the Blessed Sacrament emanates a series of Eucharistic works, all instituted by their founder. They are: "The Eucharistic Weeks, or. Lights and Flowers", a society whose members devote themselves to the proper adornment of the altar; "The People's Eucharis- tic League", which numbers over .500,000; "The Priests' Eucharistic League", with a membership of 100,000; "The Priests' Communion League", an association of priests under the title of "Sacerdotal Eucharistic League", established at Rome in the church of San Claudio, July, 1906, and at once raised by Pius X to the dignity of an archeonfraternity. Its object is to spread the practice of frequent and daily Communion, in conformity with the Decree of the Sacred Congregation of the Council, "De quo- tidiana SS. Eucharisti;r sumptionc" (20 December, 1905). The means there Iiighly recommended refer to the following points: (1) To instruct, refute objec- tions, spread writings favouring daily Communion; (2) To encourage assistance at Holy Mass; (3) To promote Eucharistic triduums; (4) To induce children

especially to approach the Holy Table frequently. "The Society of Nocturnal Adoration ", the members of which for an entire night keep watch before the Host, reciting the Office of the Blessed Sacrament, and offering various acts of reparative homage; "The Work of First Communion for Adults". "The apos- tolate of the press is a prominent feature in the labours of these religious. In the United States, they publish "Emmanuel", the organ of "The Priests' Eucharistic League", and "The Sentinel of the Blessed Sacrament".

For bibliography see Etm.^rd, Pierre-Jclien, Ve.nerable.

A. Letellier.

Society of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, The, an institution of religious women, taking perpetual vows and devoted to the work of education, founded 21 Nov., 1800, by Madeleine-Sophie Barat (q, v.). One of the signs of returning vigour in the Church in France after 1792 was the revival of the religious life. Religious orders had been suppressed by the laws of 18 .\ugust, 1792, but within a few years a reaction set in; the restoration of some orders and the foundations of new congregations ushered in "the second spring". One of the first was the Society of Jesus. Under the provisional title of "Fathers of the Sacred Heart" and "Fathers of the Faith", some devoted priests banded themselves together and in due time returned from their exile or emigration to devote themselves to the spiritual welfare of their coimtry. Father L(5onor De Tourndly was among the founders of the Fathers of the Sacred Heart, and the first to whom it occurred that an institute of women bearing the same name and devoting them- selves to the education of girls, would be one of the most efficacious means of restoring the practice of religion in France. Though many difficulties in- tervened, two attempts were made. Princess Louise de Bourbon Conde, before the Revolution a Bene- dictine abbess, and the Archduchess Mary .4nne of Austria both tried to form an institute according to his idea; but neither succeeded, and he died before anything could be accomplished. He had confided his views to Father Varin who succeeded him as superior of the Fathers of the Sacred Heart. A short time afterwards Father Varin found in Made- leine-Sophie Barat, sister of Father Louis Barat, the instrument to execute his plans. The first members of the new society began their community life in Paris, under the guidance of Father Varin. The first convent was opened at Amiens in 1801, under Mademoiselle Loquet. A school which had already existed there was made over to the new institute, and some who had worked in it offered themselves as postulants for the "Dames de la Foi" or "De L'Instruction Chretienne", the name which the new society had assumed, as that of the "Society of the Sacred Heart" might be supposed to indicate a connexion with the royalist party of La Vendee. As Mile. Loquet, who had been acting as superior, lacked the requisite qualities, by the advice of Father Varin and with the as.sent of tlic community Sophie Barat was named superior. By education and tem- perament, the new superior was especially fitted for the work of foundation. In 1804 a second house w-aa opened and a new member, Pliilippine Duchesne, received, who was destined to carry the work of the society beyond the limits of France. Formerly a novice of the Visitation convent at Ste. Marie d'cn Haut, near Grenoble, Mile. Duchesne found it impossible to reconstruct the religious life of (he Visitation in the convent which she purchased after the Revolution. Father Varin made her accjuaintance and reported to Mother Barat that the Iiouse was offeree! to her, and that she could find there some who wished to join her.

The first plan of the institute was drawn up by