A Legacy of Love: The Enduring Mission of St. Teresa Verzeri and the Daughters of the Sacred Heart | Global TV
NV Paulose, Chairman, Global TV +91 98441 82044
The story of St. Teresa Verzeri is one of unwavering faith, enduring vision and passionate compassion transcended immensely and vastly through generations. Born in Bergamo, Italy, on July 31, 1801, she embodied a spirit of service that would inspire a global movement of education, compassion, and devotion.
Her journey is rooted in deep contemplation yet propelled by continuous action and thorough reflection culminated in the founding of the Congregation of the Daughters of the Sacred Heart of Jesus (DSHJ) on February 8, 1831. What began as a small initiative to uplift young girls in Bergamo soon evolved into a worldwide mission, touching lives across Italy, Romania, Brazil and India.
But Teresa Verzeri was not alone in this sacred endeavor. She was deeply influenced by Giuseppe Benaglio, a visionary priest born in Bergamo in 1767. His commitment to education and pastoral care laid the foundation for the movement Teresa would later champion. Benaglio’s tireless work for underprivileged boys and girls shaped the spiritual and intellectual environment in which Teresa flourished. His mentorship and encouragement enabled her to break societal norms and bring care and help to those most in need.
The Daughters of the Sacred Heart: A Mission Without Borders
What began as a mission in Bergamo has since expanded across continents. The Daughters of the Sacred Heart continue Teresa’s work, embracing diversity and adapting to cultural contexts while remaining steadfast in their core values. They believe in the unifying strength of the Heart of Jesus, welcoming all people, regardless of background, into a journey of faith and service.
The Indian Mission: A Commitment to the Marginalized
The mission of the Daughters of the Sacred Heart took root in India in 1980, beginning a transformative journey of service and empowerment. Over the years, their presence has expanded across multiple states, addressing the needs of the most vulnerable, particularly women, children, and the mentally ill.
India (Since 1980)
The sisters have been actively involved in:
- Nursery education, providing a strong foundation for children.
- Teaching in state schools, ensuring quality education for the underprivileged.
- Pastoral activities, including catechism, family visits, and youth animation.
- Mathrewwedi, empowering mothers through faith-based formation.
- Training altar boys, fostering religious vocations.
- Providing shelter and care for women and young girls with mental illness, especially those abandoned by their families.
- Running hostels for female students, offering them a safe and supportive environment to pursue their education.
Kerala (Since 1989)
The Daughters of the Sacred Heart have been actively engaged in village development programs for women, recognizing the critical role women play in the upliftment of society. Their work in Kerala includes:
- Running student hostel for young girls, providing them with educational opportunities.
- Apostolic activities in parishes, strengthening faith communities.
- Operating dispensaries, offering medical care to underserved populations.
- Managing a nursery school, ensuring early childhood development.
Andhra Pradesh (Since 2010)
In Andhra Pradesh, the sisters have extended their mission by:
- Engaging in various pastoral activities, bringing spiritual and social transformation to communities.
- Seeking to teach in diocesan schools, integrating faith and education.
Expanding the Vision: International Communities
The Congregation’s reach extends far beyond India. Three international communities, located in Italy and Romania, continue to serve in diverse ways.
- Rome (1955 – Present): The General Curia, composed of sisters from various nationalities, oversees the global Congregation while also engaging in pastoral work.
- Bergamo Alta (Gromo) (2006 – Present): The international community here runs a hostel for students and workers, combining vocational service with cultural and spiritual programs.
- Drobeta Turnu Severin, Romania (2008 – Present): The Romanian community is devoted to parish activities and early childhood education, operating a nursery school for young children.
The Role of the Laity: A Shared Calling
The mission of Teresa Verzeri was never meant to be carried out by religious sisters alone. She believed that laypeople touched by the Heart of Jesus could also dedicate their lives to service in their own way.
In 2007, a historic gathering took place at the first house of the Institute in Bergamo, bringing together lay representatives from around the world. Out of this meeting emerged a Statute, inspired by Teresa’s original writings from 1847, offering laypeople the opportunity to share in the charism and mission of the Congregation.
Today, in every Province and District, a dedicated team provides spiritual training for those who wish to embrace this mission. Those who consecrate themselves to the Sacred Heart of Jesus do so not as religious sisters, but as silent missionaries, living out the mission appropriate to their chosen spectrum of life, families, workplaces, and communities.
A Legacy That Lives On
The journeys of Giuseppe Benaglio and Teresa Verzeri were marked by profound faith, courage, and an unshakable commitment to education and service. Their work; once confined to Bergamo’s humble streets has blossomed into a worldwide mission that continues to transform lives.
Even today, in orphanages, schools, parishes, and lay communities across India, Italy, Romania, and beyond, the flame of Teresa Verzeri’s vision burns bright. The Daughters of the Sacred Heart carry forward her mission, proving that love, when rooted in faith, knows no boundaries.
The Daughters of the Sacred Heart of Jesus went on a continuous expansion across the world to reach marginalized communities and provide education, healthcare, and pastoral care. The congregation expanded to Brazil in 1930 and Argentina in 1946, focusing on supporting underprivileged children and strengthening Christian values through education. In Africa, the mission grew with the establishment of communities in the Central African Republic in 1971, Cameroon in 1999, Ivory Coast in 2006, and the Republic of Congo in 2009. These regions, often marked by socio-economic challenges, benefited from the congregation’s work in education, healthcare, and spiritual formation.
The Eastern European expansion began with Albania in 1996 and Romania in 2008, contributing to the post-communist revival of faith and education. Bolivia and Paraguay saw the arrival of the congregation in 1996 and 2009, respectively, bringing hope and development to indigenous and rural communities.
Each country where the Daughters of the Sacred Heart of Jesus have established their presence reflects their unwavering commitment to service, love, and the spiritual vision of Saint Teresa Verzeri, ensuring that her mission continues to flourish across continents.
