“People today urgently need to hear a Word of Mercy!”
The Bishops of Europe – All Saints Day 2006, Brussels.

Strengthened by this message, the sisters responsible for spreading the message given to Sr Josefa are organising a working session in Poitiers in July 2009.

THE WORK OF THE SACRED HEART
Poitiers – Brussels, 16 November 2008

A study session on “Josefa and the Message” will be held at Les Feuillants from 3 pm on July 15th until 6 pm on July 18th 2009.

The aim of the session is to help us _* to deepen together our knowledge of Sister Josefa Menendez and her spirituality _* to go more deeply together into the message of the Lord given to Sister Josefa for the world

The reason for this new session is the emphasis which the Church is giving today to pastoral work centred on Mercy, following the teaching of Pope John Paul II. Several Religious of the Sacred Heart were present in Rome in April 2008 at the World Apostolic Congress on Mercy.
Since then, the French Bishops, who are very aware of this aspect of pastoral work, have organized a Congress of Mercy at the beginning of October in Lyon.

We hope that each participant at this session will bring a contribution towards a better understanding of the Message and its relevance to the world of today.

This session is particularly aimed at Religious of the Sacred Heart.
Active members from different countries are also invited…

This meeting, enriched by the active participation of all, and with the help of specialists, will allow us to provide new clarifications of certain specific points. It will also help us to take new directions in spreading the Message in the coming years.

Before the session, documents will be sent to those who have applied, to allow them to study certain points in more depth and thus to contribute to research. Each one will be asked to share their personal experience in the context of this topic and if possible, to bring a specific contribution on a point worked on beforehand.

To help in our research, we are calling on theologians who will bring the results of their work and experience. Father Dany Dideberg from Belgium, the author of the introduction to the new edition, has already agreed to take part, as well as Father Bernard Peyrous from France, the author of a study on the mystics, and Father Philip Jobert, a monk from Solesmes.

Here are some of the topics already planned:

• Mercy in Josefa and Faustina
• The doctrine of “littleness” taught by Jesus
• How can we describe the “presence of Jesus” and some of his words?
• How can we understand the going down into Hell?
• How to express the heart of the Message for today?
  Etc.

You are invited to communicate to us your personal questions and reflections, even if you cannot take part in the session. You will receive news of it afterwards.
If this proposal interests you, would you be willing to take part in the study of one or other of the suggested topics?

You can send your comments, questions and your desire to take part to the two sisters responsible for the “Work of the Sacred Heart” in Poitiers or Brussels.

Hoping to meet you in the coming year, with warm thanks in advance