COMMITTED THROUGH THE NETWORK

 06.29.2026 

The word collaboration was at the heart of the address given by Sister Veronica Brand, General Councillor of the Religious of the Sacred Heart of Mary (RSHM) and representative of the RSHM NGO at the United Nations, during the General Conference of the Global Network of RSHM Schools.

In a globalized world where challenges transcend borders and where commitments to address injustice do too, we need collaboration at every level and across the network. “To respond to these challenges and work for justice, it is necessary not only to act locally with others, but also to join efforts through national, regional, and international networks, because problems and injustices are far too complex to be solved in isolation,” Sister Veronica emphasized.

She also recalled that the choices made by Fr. Jean Gailhac, Mère Saint Jean, and the first RSHM Sisters reveal the Institute’s commitment, since its foundation, to responding to the social needs of their time. From its origins, the Institute has recognized that working for justice and participating in the transformation of the world are not optional, but rather an essential way of proclaiming the Gospel.

According to Sister Veronica, the Global Network of RSHM Schools, rooted in the Institute’s Charism, has the opportunity to continue building the story begun by its founders by fostering an awareness of social justice in today’s world through education.

She illustrated this by highlighting the commitment of many Network Schools to the United Nations 2030 Agenda, which encompasses the Sustainable Development Goals. She recalled that, in 2015, 193 countries committed themselves to this shared agenda with the ambitious vision of transforming the world, paying particular attention to those who are marginalized. She encouraged the Schools to continue reflecting on the challenges of today, collaborating with one another and with the wider world, and becoming seeds of prophetic hope.

The Conference continued with the panel “Committed”, showcasing examples of the seeds being planted and nurtured through projects and initiatives developed by the Religious of the Sacred Heart of Mary Institute in Portugal. The discussion featured Gustavo Silva from Projeto RAIZ – Porto, Sandra Venâncio from Colégio Sagrado Coração de Maria – Fátima, Filipa Sampaio Mineiro from Centro Social e Paroquial Nuno Álvares Pereira – Camarate, Rui Cruz from Obra Social do Sagrado Coração de Maria – Braga, and Constança Avelans Rodrigues from Missão Ut Vitam. The panel was moderated by Luís Pedro de Sousa, a teacher at Colégio de Lisboa.