On the evening of Nov. 1, Resurrection Catholic Chapel of Moulton welcomed Bishop Steven J. Raica, Bishop Emeritus Robert J. Baker, and Father Tom Ackerman to celebrate the All Souls’ Vigil Mass in honor of the 150th Jubilee of the founding of the Reparatrix Sisters of the Sacred Heart. The religious institute has two sisters and one apostle serving the chapel.   

One hundred and fifty years ago, in 1875 in Naples, Italy, the first daughters of the Sacred Heart answered a call moved by the Holy Spirit through their Foundress Venerable Mother Isabella de Rosis to make reparation for sin through prayer, service, and love. They believed — as their name says — that every wound in the world could be met and healed by the love flowing from the Heart of Jesus.

That same charism has found a home in North Alabama. Through the sisters’ gentle presence, classrooms and homes have been touched; confessions have been followed by smiles; and hearts that were weary have been rekindled by the warmth of their compassion.

The Reparatrix Sisters remind the faithful that holiness doesn’t shout; rather, it whispers in service, in eucharistic adoration, in patient listening, in the quiet “yes” of a consecrated heart.

The Mass and banquet gave the parishioners an opportunity to give thanks for the radiant witness of Sister Cecilia S. Corpus, R.S.C.; Sister Teresa E. Perol, R.S.C.; and Sister Mary Nell Morris, Apostle. Deacon Rick Chenault, administrator of the chapel, remarked that the sisters have “been a living heartbeat of faith in our chapel and in this community.” “In a world that often rushes past the quiet and the holy,” noted the deacon, “these sisters remind us what it means to live with simplicity, joy, and unwavering trust in the Sacred Heart of Jesus.”

Speaking of the sisters, Deacon Chenault said: “We have been especially blessed by the ministry of Sister Cecilia, whose joyful energy has breathed life into our children’s catechesis and family outreach; Sister Teresa, whose prayerful presence and devotion to Our Lady have inspired so many to rediscover the beauty of the Rosary, eucharistic adoration, and the liturgy; and Sister Mary Nell, whose deep wisdom, quiet humor, and gentle kindness have shepherded so many souls with tenderness and light. Each of them has left fingerprints of grace on this community — in our OCIA classes, in our liturgies, in our pastoral visits, and in the simple laughter shared around the parish hall. Through them, the Sacred Heart has truly found a home among us.

Giving an example, Deacon Chenault shared a story of a young mother who stopped by the chapel, burdened and uncertain. She didn’t have much time, but she felt drawn inside. There she met one of the sisters quietly praying. The sister didn’t offer long advice. She simply smiled, held her hand, and said, “Jesus sees you, and He loves you just as you are.” The mother later remarked, “In that moment, I felt peace return to my soul. It was as if Christ Himself had spoken.”

“That’s what the Reparatrix charism does,” exclaimed the deacon. “It lets the Heart of Jesus speak through simple encounters, bringing healing where it’s needed most.”

As the community closed the evening of celebration, they lifted their hearts in grateful prayer and thanksgiving in asking that the Sacred Heart of Jesus, burning with love for humanity, continue to bless the Reparatrix Sisters with new vocations, renewed strength, and overflowing joy. “Thank you, dear sisters,” said Deacon Chenault, “for your witness, your prayers, and your love. You are a living reflection of the Heart of Jesus among us.”