As Religious of the Sacred Heart, we root our lives in prayer. With a mission to discover and reveal the love of God, our spirituality is based in love and contemplation. Our contemplative outlook is part of who we are, whether in prayer, in ministry or in our daily lives.
What does it mean to be contemplative?
Lexico defines contemplative as "expressing or involving prolonged thought; involving or given to deep silent prayer or religious meditation."
When the word ‘contemplative’ rests on the page or computer screen, this definition gets at it. In practice, I find it to be like looking through a mirror at something just beyond. I bring my senses to bear on what is within my gaze – a person, a thing, a situation; I bring my feeling, thought, reason, imagination, and spirit. Through this, I draw into my being that which I behold ... and I sit with it – holding it lightly in the presence of God, asking of God that I might see as God sees, sense as God senses … If there is something to say, or an action to take, I’d ask that my words be what God would have me speak and that I might act as God would have me act. In other words, may I approach what I behold with Love, in all of its honesty and complexity.
This doesn’t happen quickly or with a casual glance – and opening to this contemplation, truly desiring to see, to speak, to Be, as God would call me, means that I might be invited to change, to grow…to let some things and ways of being go, in order to be free to see from a new perspective. Not easy—never complete—and by and large, an amazing adventure.
Kim King, RSCJ
Our Spirituality Centers
Religious of the Sacred Heart (RSCJ) in the United States – Canada Province commit themselves to ministering to students and adults seeking retreat and spiritual education and formation opportunities. Keeping with this commitment, the United States – Canada Province offers year-round opportunities at two spiritual ministry centers as well as serves individuals seeking spiritual direction, Network of Sacred Heart schools, educators and province staff through the collaborative efforts of RSCJ and Sophie’s Well.
