News & Events | March 09, 2026
“Truth and charity have been the two great passions of my life, and I have only one desire, that they may be the only two attractions of the Congregation that I leave behind, if this be pleasing to God.”
– Leo John Dehon, Daily Notes, March 29, 1887
Remembering the birth of the founder
On Saturday, March 14, the congregation commemorates the anniversary of the birth of Fr. Leo John Dehon in 1843. To give context to the time in which he was born, this was in France, approximately 50 years after the country’s revolution. France struggled to define itself, moving between the desire for a monarchist government and democracy. This was also the time of the invention of the steam engine and the beginning of the Industrial Revolution. Factory towns, such as Saint-Quentin, the site of Fr. Dehon’s first priestly assignment, were the hub of this new socio-economic revolution. And it is there, seeing the challenges faced by the town’s workers and their families, that Fr. Dehon’s passion for social justice began to take hold.
Click here to view a brief video on the life of the founder.
The jubilee continues
This week in Ecuador the Priests of the Sacred Heart celebrate the second of four yearly events that make up the Dehonian Jubilee, a four-year commemoration of the centenary of the death of Fr. Leo John Dehon (August 12, 2025) and 150th anniversary of the congregation (June 28, 2028).
The jubilee began last year with celebrations in Brussels and Saint-Quentin.
Ecuador was the site of the congregation’s first mission outside of Europe; SCJ missionaries arrived there in 1888, but they were forced to leave in 1896 in the midst of an anti-clerical revolution in the country. One hundred years later, Dehonians returned to Ecuador to renew their mission.
The community’s primary ministries are now located in Quito and Bahía de Caráquez. Besides pastoral work, the district has food distribution programs, ministries to children and youth at the Formacón Domus Cordis center, the Sagrado Corazón senior citizen center, and street ministry through “Callejeros del la Fe.” Following the country’s devastating earthquake in 2016, Dehonians played an important role in helping to rebuild homes for those affected by the quake.
Ecuador has also been a partner with the US Province formation program, hosting several SCJs for Spanish language immersion. Frater Michael Wodarczyk, SCJ, will go there this summer.
Click here to access the district’s Facebook page, where photos and videos of jubilee events will be posted. SCJs representing the US Province in Ecuador: Fr. Joseph Thien Dinh, Br. Andy Gancarczyk and Fr. David Szatkowski.
25th anniversary of beatification
On March 11 the Priests of the Sacred Heart celebrate the 25th anniversary of the beatification of Fr. Juan María de la Cruz, SCJ, beatified by Pope John Paul II on March 11, 2001. Click here to access prayer services for the day in a variety of languages (including English).
Next beatification
Fr. Martino Capelli, SCJ, (1912-1944) will be beatified on September 27, 2026, in Bologna, Italy, along with Frs. Ubaldo Marchioni and Elia Comini, SDB.
WHO WAS FR. CAPELLI? As Nazi forces gripped Italy during WWII, this brilliant biblical scholar left his seminary teaching post in Bologna to comfort the wounded and oppressed. The SS arrested him for these acts of mercy, and he died with 44 others, executed after refusing to abandon those in his care.
Click here to read an interview with Fr. Ramón Domínguez Fraile, SCJ, the Postulator of the Congregation, speaking about Fr. Capelli and the beatification.
Please remember
+ Fr. Paulus de Klerk, a member of the Dutch Region, died on March 6. He was born in 1937, professed in 1956 and ordained in 1962.
+ Fr. Julián Antonio Vega Lara, a member of the Spanish Province, died on March 4. He was born in 1933, professed in 1950 and ordained in 1959.
Lenten reflections
Hour of recollection for SCJs
The Lenten Hour of Recollection for SCJs will take place on Thursday, March 19 at 10:00 a.m. (Central). Fr. Joachim Studwell, OFM (“Fr. Kim”) will lead a reflection on the theme “From the Heart to the World.”
SCJs can participate either in person at the Provincial Offices or via Zoom. A Zoom link will soon be shared.
Fr. Joachim (Fr. Kim), is a Franciscan friar and Catholic priest of the recently established (2023) Province of Our Lady of Guadalupe, and is currently serving as Guardian (local superior) of Francis and Clare Friary in Franklin, WI. He is originally from Pittsburgh, PA. He professed vows as a Franciscan friar in 1986 and was ordained a Catholic priest in 1987. Fr. Kim has served as a retreat director among lay adults, youth, clergy and religious, as a spiritual director, a spiritual assistant to Secular Franciscans, a preacher of parish missions, as vocation director and as a member of the Franciscan novitiate team. He has worked among immigrants from Latin America and Poland and has served as a parish priest in culturally and linguistically diverse communities. Fr. Kim has worked in Hispanic Ministry, African American ministry and with Byzantine Catholic communities.
Questions? Please contact Fr. Joseph Mukuna, SCJ, director of the Dehon Study Center: 414-427-7265, Jmukuna@dehoniansusa.org
Reflection for employees and associates
The Lenten Recollection for employees, associates and other Dehonian collaborators will be on Tuesday, March 24, at 11:00 a.m.
“What is the ‘Sacred Heart’, and does it matter in our broken world?” will be the theme presented by Monica Misey, Director of Dehonian Associates. She will provide an overview of the devotion, Fr. Dehon’s development of it, and how it can impact our ministries today.
“We all work with the Priests of the Sacred Heart, but do we understand what that means?” said Monica.
Rather than the usual hour, this will be 35 minutes. Please have a journal handy since there will be reflection questions interspersed.
The presentation will take place via Zoom. The link:
https://us06web.zoom.us/j/8342363189?omn=82769755997
Meeting ID: 834 236 3189
PLEASE NOTE: although this is intended for employees, associates and others who have an affiliation with the Priests of the Sacred Heart, SCJs are very welcome to attend.
Questions? Contact Monica Misey: 414-427-4267, mmisey@dehoniansusa.org
Final reminder
Colloquium to commemorate the founder
On March 13, in commemoration of Fr. Leo John Dehon’s birth on March 14, 1843, the Dehon Study Center will host a colloquium titled “He Loved Us, I Have Loved You: The Heart of Christ, the Poor, and the Church Today.” It will be held from 10:00-11:30 a.m. at the Provincial Offices (7373 S. Lovers Lane Rd., Franklin, WI 53132). Lunch will follow. This event is open to SCJs, collaborators and the general public. To attend in person, click here ASAP.
The program will also be livestreamed at the following link:
https://us06web.zoom.us/j/8342363189?omn=89644639655
Meeting ID: 834 236 3189
“This colloquium will explore two significant texts: Dilexit Nos and Dilexi Te,” said Fr. Joseph Mukuna, SCJ, DSC director. “Dr. Megan Furman, PhD, Assistant Professor of Philosophy at Sacred Heart Seminary and School of Theology will discuss ‘Who Is the Poor Other?’ Dr. James Stroud, STD, Assistant Professor of Moral Theology at SHSST will discuss ‘Holiness and the Poor.’ A panel discussion will follow, addressing how to move from contemplation (of the Heart of Jesus) to transformation, encouraging active participation and shared commitment to reshaping our relationships with the poor.”
Questions? Click here to contact Fr. Joseph.
Upcoming calendar items
March 12: Provincial Council meeting via Zoom (11:00 a.m.)
March 13: Colloquium commemorating the anniversary of Fr. Dehon’s birthday
March 24: Lenten Hour of Recollection for employees, associates and other Dehonian collaborators.
April 21: Joint meeting of Canadian and US administrations (Hales Corners)
April 22: US Provincial Council meeting (budgets)
June 1-4: Province Retreat
June 4: Province Jubilee Celebrations
June 9-10: US Provincial Council meeting
June 11: Esprit de Coeur reunion
June 12: Feast of the Sacred Heart
Aug. 4-5: US Provincial Council meeting
Sept. 16: Dehon Lecture with Bishop José Ornelas Carvalho
Sept. 19: 50th Anniversary Powwow, St. Joseph’s Indian School
Sept. 22-23: US Provincial Council meeting
Nov. 17-18: US Provincial Council meeting
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