St. Teresa Couderc – Founder of the Religious of the Sacred Heart

ST. TERSE COUDERC

St. Teresa Couderc was a French religious sister who founded the Congregation of the Religious of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, dedicated to missionary work, education, and spreading the love of Christ.

St. Teresa Couderc was born on March 1, 1805, in the town of Bessières, France, to a family of farmers. Her early life was marked by deep faith and a strong desire to dedicate her life to God. Teresa’s family was devout, and she was raised with a sense of love for the poor, the Church, and a commitment to prayer. Despite the challenges of her humble beginnings, Teresa felt a calling to serve God from a young age. Her parents supported her vocation, and she entered religious life in 1828 when she joined the Congregation of the Sisters of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, which had been established to care for the spiritual and physical needs of the poor.

After joining the Congregation, Teresa quickly became known for her exemplary spiritual life and fervor. Her primary mission was to help spread the love of Christ to those in need, particularly in areas that were suffering spiritually. She was also deeply concerned about the education of young girls and saw the importance of forming them in the Catholic faith.

Her major contribution, however, came in 1838 when she founded a new religious order, the Congregation of the Religious of the Sacred Heart of Jesus. This new community was focused on missionary work and the spiritual formation of young girls. The Sisters of this Congregation sought to emulate the Sacred Heart of Jesus in their lives by committing themselves to education, care for the poor, and spreading the Gospel message. Under her leadership, the Congregation quickly grew, and Teresa became known for her devotion to God’s work and her deep prayer life.

Throughout her years as superior, Teresa was known for her humility, prayerfulness, and commitment to the spiritual well-being of her sisters. She encouraged them to grow in love for God and each other, and to approach their work with the same compassion that Christ showed to others. Her leadership style was gentle, but firm, always rooted in the love of Christ.

As the Congregation expanded, St. Teresa’s efforts had a lasting impact on the Church’s presence in many parts of France and beyond. She spent her later years in Albi, where she died on May 26, 1885, at the age of 80. The Congregation continued to grow in number and influence, carrying on the mission of spreading God’s love and educating the next generation of faithful.

St. Teresa Couderc was beatified by Pope John Paul II in 1989 and was canonized by Pope Francis on October 3, 2015. Her feast day is celebrated on September 26. St. Teresa’s legacy is one of deep spiritual devotion, missionary zeal, and love for the poor and the marginalized. Her life continues to inspire those called to serve others, especially in the areas of education, spiritual formation, and missionary work.

Feast Day

26-9-

Birth Date

1-3-1805

Died Date

26-5-1885

Canonised Date

3-10-2015

the Sacred Heart of Jesus, Albi, France

St. Teresa Couderc, loving servant of the Sacred Heart, help us to live our lives with compassion, humility, and a deep commitment to spreading the love of Christ. Intercede for us so that we may imitate your example of selfless service, especially in caring for the poor and educating the young. May we follow your path of missionary zeal and grow in love for God and others. Amen.
ST. TERSE COUDERC

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ST. TERSE COUDERC

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