English #14

Are some of you wondering who is Father Gailhac?
Father Gailhac is the Founder of my religious Congregation, the RSHM.

Statue of Jean Gailhac, Marymount Palos Verdes College, CA

He was born exactly 200 years ago today. It is cause for celebration and RSHM all around the world are commemorating this milestone with Eucharistic celebrations, pilgrimages, new ministries, new projects associated with long-standing ministries, study of RSHM history and RSHM Spirituality.

Very early in his life, Gailhac learned from his parents to care and be sensitive to the needs of others. He was also greatly inspired by Father Martin, his Parish priest. The young boy witnessed his integrity of life, his vision of the Gospel, his deep faith and tireless zeal full of love for the Church. Gailhac's heart was filled with enthusiasm.

On October 7, 1821, Mr and Mrs Gailhac took their son to the Seminary. John entered the seminary at a decisive moment in his life. At 18, he brought with him an excellent academic and spiritual background and a strong determination to be well prepared for the priesthood. Gailhac made use of every free moment to visit the sick, the prisoners and to help the parish priests of Montpellier.

Among the illnesses Jean Gailhac encountered in the hospital were those caused by prostitution. Gailhac was sensitive to the degrading situation in which these women lived… he saw that they were victims of their social contest and he was move with compassion. He established the "Good Shepherd" in 1834 to give a home to prostitutes.

Soon after, he extended his apostolate to abandoned children after a woman, with a child in her arms, knocked at the door, placed the infant on the ground, and then left. As various signs appeared, Jean Gailhac recognized them and meditated on them until he was able to discern God's time and will. He realized that the Holy Spirit was at work in him, urging him to found a religious congregation.

The way was slowly opening before him. Not only were the social needs evident and the political situation favorable, but also a group of persons possessing the necessary human and spiritual qualities felt drawn to Father Gailhac's ideals. It is through holiness and the gift of their being that the apostles made Jesus known, loved and firmly established in the hearts of those they met. The Holy Spirit gave Gailhac no other means to attain the goal he envisioned in creating our Congregation. We, RSHM, are the continuation of Jesus Christ and in some way, the continuation of the apostles.

Fr. Gailhac had a lifelong friend: Eugène Cure. Eugène and Appolonie Pélissier were married and together they generously supported the many works of Father Gailhac. The couple had no children and had decided that if one was to pass away, the other would devote his/her energy and fortune to the works of Father Gailhac. When Eugène died in 1848, Appolonie offered herself and her considerable wealth towards the founding of the religious community already envisioned by Father Gailhac. Because of his great devotion to the Mother of God and of his personal Motto: "All for Jesus Through Mary", Gailhac dedicated this new endeavor to the Sacred Heart of Mary. Thus started the Religious of the Sacred Heart of Mary in 1849, with the co-foundress Mother St. Jean, as Superior General. The small community, formed of 5 women, directed all its apostolic energies and efforts toward the development of its works of Zeal in Béziers, the craddle of our Institute.

Very soon, a "missionary spirit" inspired Gailhac, and now Mother St. Jean Cure Pélissier, to look beyond the works of the Mother House and to establish similar works in other places. By 1868, the desire for expansion had become urgent. Father Gailhac visited the sisters in their different workplaces in the Mother House. He communicated with the sisters at a distance through his numerous letters to Ireland, Portugal, England and the United States. Each year, he visited a community outside France, except the one in the United States which he would never manage to reach. Mother St Jean worked closely with Gailhac and governed the Institute until her death in March 1869. Father Gailhac died on January 25, 1890 at the age of 88.

The first reading today, St. Paul's letter to Titus, is a call to respect and obey the law and those in authority. It is also a call to all leaders to be honest, courteous, sensitive and kind to everyone. The Gospel displays compassion and kindness as well as thanksgiving and gratefulness for favors received. At the example of Christ, Gailhac was sensitive to others. He was a man of gentleness and strength, a man of compassion. He cared for the sick and the poor. He thrived to help the deprived, and the marginalized. He risked all to help women rejected by society. In doing so, he suffered the pain of unjust accusation. Gailhac was responsive to God's call. He was a priest of integrity and fidelity in the Church, a man of vision and courage. Gailhac worked toward the liberation of all, giving his life that all may have life. A man without boundaries, Gailhac was responsive to the signs of his times. Turned totally and undividedly towards God, he spent his life with the ardent desire to make God known and loved.

Let us ask the Founder of the Religious of the Sacred Heart of Mary to intercede for us. Let us pray the Almighty to grant us the courage and generosity to respond to His call through the demands of his Holy Spirit, and may each one of us make a difference in the world we live. AMEN!





A homily to students based on the Litany in Honour of Venerable Jean Gailhac Are some of you wondering who is Father Gailhac? Father Gailhac is the Founder of my religious Congregation, the RSHM. He was born exactly 200 years ago today. It is cause for celebration and RSHM all around the world are commemorating this milestone with Eucharistic celebrations, pilgrimages, new ministries, new projects associated with long-standing ministries, study of RSHM history and RSHM Spirituality. Very early in his life, Gailhac learned from his parents to care and be sensitive to the needs of others. He was also greatly inspired by Father Martin, his Parish priest. The young boy witnessed his integrity of life, his vision of the Gospel, his deep faith and tireless zeal full of love for the Church. Gailhac's heart was filled with enthusiasm. On October 7, 1821, Mr and Mrs Gailhac took their son to the Seminary. John entered the seminary at a decisive moment in his life. At 18, he brought with him an excellent academic and spiritual background and a strong determination to be well prepared for the priesthood. Gailhac made use of every free moment to visit the sick, the prisoners and to help the parish priests of Montpellier. Among the illnesses Jean Gailhac encountered in the hospital were those caused by prostitution. Gailhac was sensitive to the degrading situation in which these women lived… he saw that they were victims of their social contest and he was move with compassion. He established the "Good Shepherd" in 1834 to give a home to prostitutes. Soon after, he extended his apostolate to abandoned children after a woman, with a child in her arms, knocked at the door, placed the infant on the ground, and then left. As various signs appeared, Jean Gailhac recognized them and meditated on them until he was able to discern God's time and will. He realized that the Holy Spirit was at work in him, urging him to found a religious congregation. The way was slowly opening before him. Not only were the social needs evident and the political situation favorable, but also a group of persons possessing the necessary human and spiritual qualities felt drawn to Father Gailhac's ideals. It is through holiness and the gift of their being that the apostles made Jesus known, loved and firmly established in the hearts of those they met. The Holy Spirit gave Gailhac no other means to attain the goal he envisioned in creating our Congregation. We, RSHM, are the continuation of Jesus Christ and in some way, the continuation of the apostles. Fr. Gailhac had a lifelong friend: Eugène Cure. Eugène and Appolonie Pélissier were married and together they generously supported the many works of Father Gailhac. The couple had no children and had decided that if one was to pass away, the other would devote his/her energy and fortune to the works of Father Gailhac. When Eugène died in 1848, Appolonie offered herself and her considerable wealth towards the founding of the religious community already envisioned by Father Gailhac. Because of his great devotion to the Mother of God and of his personal Motto: "All for Jesus Through Mary", Gailhac dedicated this new endeavor to the Sacred Heart of Mary. Thus started the Religious of the Sacred Heart of Mary in 1849, with the co-foundress Mother St. Jean, as Superior General. The small community, formed of 5 women, directed all its apostolic energies and efforts toward the development of its works of Zeal in Béziers, the craddle of our Institute. Very soon, a "missionary spirit" inspired Gailhac, and now Mother St. Jean Cure Pélissier, to look beyond the works of the Mother House and to establish similar works in other places. By 1868, the desire for expansion had become urgent. Father Gailhac visited the sisters in their different workplaces in the Mother House. He communicated with the sisters at a distance through his numerous letters to Ireland, Portugal, England and the United States. Each year, he visited a community outside France, except the one in the United States which he would never manage to reach. Mother St Jean worked closely with Gailhac and governed the Institute until her death in March 1869. Father Gailhac died on January 25, 1890 at the age of 88. The first reading today, St. Paul's letter to Titus, is a call to respect and obey the law and those in authority. It is also a call to all leaders to be honest, courteous, sensitive and kind to everyone. The Gospel displays compassion and kindness as well as thanksgiving and gratefulness for favors received. At the example of Christ, Gailhac was sensitive to others. He was a man of gentleness and strength, a man of compassion. He cared for the sick and the poor. He thrived to help the deprived, and the marginalized. He risked all to help women rejected by society. In doing so, he suffered the pain of unjust accusation. Gailhac was responsive to God's call. He was a priest of integrity and fidelity in the Church, a man of vision and courage. Gailhac worked toward the liberation of all, giving his life that all may have life. A man without boundaries, Gailhac was responsive to the signs of his times. Turned totally and undividedly towards God, he spent his life with the ardent desire to make God known and loved. Let us ask the Founder of the Religious of the Sacred Heart of Mary to intercede for us. Let us pray the Almighty to grant us the courage and generosity to respond to His call through the demands of his Holy Spirit, and may each one of us make a difference in the world we live. AMEN!
by Antoine Marie Baurier, RSHM, Western American Province