The Priests of the Sacred Heart, known as Dehonians or SCJs, are defined not by what we do, but by how we live and what we believe: the love of the Heart of Jesus. Founded by Fr. Leo John Dehon in 1878, our congregation began in Saint-Quentin, France, where our founder witnessed the injustice of industrial-era poverty. His dream was to establish a community committed to building God’s kingdom of justice and love.
We serve in over 40 countries across five continents, bringing reconciliation to a world that hungers for God's love. While our ministries are diverse and multilingual, we maintain a preferential option for the poor, focusing on:
Since 1923, when Fr. Mathias Fohrman celebrated our first Mass at St. Mary’s Church in Lower Brule, SD, our U.S. presence has grown to serve communities across South Dakota, Wisconsin, Mississippi, Texas, and Florida. Key ministries include:
From humble beginnings in France, we’ve grown to serve in places as diverse as Albania and Angola, Moldova and Mozambique, Paraguay and Poland. Our congregation continues to expand, with recent initiatives in:
Through all our works, we remain faithful to Fr. Dehon’s vision: bringing the love of Christ to those society neglects, serving as prophets of love and servants of reconciliation in today’s world.
Dehonian priests and brothers have carried the founder’s dream around the world. Here’s a look at our rich and impactful history. Use the arrows to navigate the timeline.
Bishop Thibaudier issues in writing his authorization for Fr. Leo John Dehon to found a religious congregation. The original name of the community was the “Oblates of the Sacred Heart of Jesus.”
On the feast of the Sacred Heart Fr. Dehon makes his first profession of vows; the congregation begins.
The first house of the congregation, Maison du Sacré-Coeur, is established in St. Quentin, France. It was the seat of the General Curia until 1903.
The congregation is suppressed; three months later, on March 29, 1884, the Holy See grants authorization to reestablish the congregation but under a new name: “Congregation of the Priests of the Sacred Heart of Jesus” (Prêtres du Sacré-Coeur).
Ministry begins in northern Brazil; the first house is established in Camaragibe (Pemambuco).
The General Council accepts the mission of Finland; however, only four years later its missionaries were forced to leave as all foreign-born priests were expelled by the government. In 1921 the Dehonians were able to return to Finland and continue to minister there today.
Four SCJs go to Canada to begin the congregation’s presence in North America. The first house is established in Wainwright, Alberta. This initial effort stalled after a few years but the congregation returned to Canada in 1948, focusing on ministry in Quebec and Ontario.
The Western Province is divided into two: the Dutch and the French-Belgian Provinces. The Eastern Province becomes known as the German Province.
Fr. Fohrman of the German Province goes to the United States to raise funds for the German Province. In 1923 he accepts a mission in Lower Brule, SD, and establishes the first SCJ presence in the United States. The Dehonians continue to minister there today.
In the presence of Fr. Dehon, the foundation stone of the Church of the Sacred Heart of Christ the King is laid in Rome
The apostolic prefecture of Benkoelen on the island of Sumatra is established and entrusted to the Dutch Province. This is the congregation’s first entry into Asia.
Fr. Leo John Dehon dies in Brussels. The size of the congregation at his death is 696 members plus 76 novices.
The former Columbus College in Chamberlain, SD, is purchased by the congregation. It is renovated and becomes St. Joseph’s Indian School, which continues to operate today, with ministries that expand well beyond the school’s campus.
Sacred Heart Monastery is dedicated in Hales Corners, Wis. (suburban Milwaukee), by Msgr. Traudt.
North American Province and the South Brazilian Provinces are established; they were previously under the jurisdiction of the German Province.
St. Joseph’s parish in Holly Springs is entrusted to the Priests of the Sacred Heart; it is the first Dehonian ministry in Mississippi. Now the congregation serves in five northwestern counties of the state through Sacred Heart Southern Missions.
Fr. Vien Nguyen, SCJ, is elected as the 16th provincial superior of the US Province of the Priests of the Sacred Heart.
