Society of the Helpers of the Holy Souls
Encyclopedia
The Society of Helpers, formerly known as the Society of the Helpers of the Holy Souls, is a Roman Catholic religious congregation of women founded in Paris
, France
in 1856, with the objective of assisting the souls in Purgatory
through their service to the needy of the world. The Sisters use the postnominal initials of "A.P." in Europe, or, alternately, "H.H.S" in English-speaking countries.
, A.P. She was educated at the Convent of the Sacred Heart in Lille
, distinguishing herself by intellectual acquirements and striking traits of devotion to the souls in Purgatory. She went to Paris on January 19, 1856 (the society dates its foundation from this day); three days later, Smet obtained the permission of the local Archbishop
to establish her congregation in Paris. On December 27, 1857, the foundress, with five of her first companions, pronounced her first religious vows
. a Jesuit was appointed chaplain
, and the Rule of St. Ignatius
was adopted.
Choosing never to adopt a traditional religious habit
, the Helpers have worked with the poor and the marginal of their societies since their founding. They work in a variety of ministries, based in Ignatian spirituality
, with the goal of working for peace and justice in a lifestyle based in contemplation
. Today (2010) they number some 600 Sisters worldwide.
, and were heartily welcomed by the local Archbishop. In 1905, some Sisters went to San Francisco, where they settled in a house there. Currently, as of 2010, they have one house in the country, which is located in Chicago
.
Paris
Paris is the capital and largest city in France, situated on the river Seine, in northern France, at the heart of the Île-de-France region...
, France
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
in 1856, with the objective of assisting the souls in Purgatory
Purgatory
Purgatory is the condition or process of purification or temporary punishment in which, it is believed, the souls of those who die in a state of grace are made ready for Heaven...
through their service to the needy of the world. The Sisters use the postnominal initials of "A.P." in Europe, or, alternately, "H.H.S" in English-speaking countries.
History
The Society was founded by Blessed Eugenia SmetEugenia Smet
Blessed Eugenia Smet founded the Society of the Helpers of the Holy Souls in 1856. Her feast day is 7 February.-External links:***...
, A.P. She was educated at the Convent of the Sacred Heart in Lille
Lille
Lille is a city in northern France . It is the principal city of the Lille Métropole, the fourth-largest metropolitan area in the country behind those of Paris, Lyon and Marseille. Lille is situated on the Deûle River, near France's border with Belgium...
, distinguishing herself by intellectual acquirements and striking traits of devotion to the souls in Purgatory. She went to Paris on January 19, 1856 (the society dates its foundation from this day); three days later, Smet obtained the permission of the local Archbishop
Archbishop
An archbishop is a bishop of higher rank, but not of higher sacramental order above that of the three orders of deacon, priest , and bishop...
to establish her congregation in Paris. On December 27, 1857, the foundress, with five of her first companions, pronounced her first religious vows
Religious vows
Religious vows are the public vows made by the members of religious communities pertaining to their conduct, practices and views.In the Buddhist tradition, in particular within the Mahayana and Vajrayana tradition, many different kinds of religious vows are taken by the lay community as well as by...
. a Jesuit was appointed chaplain
Chaplain
Traditionally, a chaplain is a minister in a specialized setting such as a priest, pastor, rabbi, or imam or lay representative of a religion attached to a secular institution such as a hospital, prison, military unit, police department, university, or private chapel...
, and the Rule of St. Ignatius
St. Ignatius
-People:* Ignatius of Antioch, third Patriarch of Antioch, considered a saint by the Roman Catholic and Orthodox Churches*Ignatius of Loyola, founder of the Society of Jesus, considered a saint by the Roman Catholic Church...
was adopted.
Choosing never to adopt a traditional religious habit
Religious habit
A religious habit is a distinctive set of garments worn by members of a religious order. Traditionally some plain garb recognisable as a religious habit has also been worn by those leading the religious eremitic and anachoritic life, although in their case without conformity to a particular uniform...
, the Helpers have worked with the poor and the marginal of their societies since their founding. They work in a variety of ministries, based in Ignatian spirituality
Ignatian spirituality
Ignatian spirituality sometimes called Jesuit spirituality, is a Catholic spirituality which both lay and religious people have traditionally found helpful. Founded on the experiences of a 16th century saint, struggling to live a good life, it is sometimes referred to as the spirituality for...
, with the goal of working for peace and justice in a lifestyle based in contemplation
Contemplation
The word contemplation comes from the Latin word contemplatio. Its root is also that of the Latin word templum, a piece of ground consecrated for the taking of auspices, or a building for worship, derived either from Proto-Indo-European base *tem- "to cut", and so a "place reserved or cut out" or...
. Today (2010) they number some 600 Sisters worldwide.
The Society in America
In May, 1892, seven “Helpers” sailed to New York CityNew York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
, and were heartily welcomed by the local Archbishop. In 1905, some Sisters went to San Francisco, where they settled in a house there. Currently, as of 2010, they have one house in the country, which is located in Chicago
Chicago
Chicago is the largest city in the US state of Illinois. With nearly 2.7 million residents, it is the most populous city in the Midwestern United States and the third most populous in the US, after New York City and Los Angeles...
.
External links
- Society of Helpers http://www.helpers.org/Society_Of_Helpers.html
- Catholic Encyclopedia