The Congregation of the Daughters of Our Lady of the Sacred Heart (PBHK) is a religious congregation of women dedicated to serving God and others through various ministries. Rooted in the spirituality of the Sacred Heart of Jesus and Our Lady of the Sacred Heart, the PBHK Congregation has undergone a historical journey filled with struggles and sacrifices. As stated in the Dogmatic Constitution Lumen Gentium, Christian believers, who through Baptism have become members of the Body of Christ, are gathered as the People of God and, in their own way, share in Christ's priestly (sanctifying), prophetic (proclaiming), and kingly (leadership) mission (LG.31).
A Brief History and Getting to Know the Founder, Father Jules Chevalier
The PBHK Congregation was founded on August 30, 1874, by Father Jules Chevalier, a diocesan priest from France who had a deep devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus and the Blessed Virgin Mary. Father Chevalier expressed his desire to enter the seminary and become a priest. However, due to poverty, his parents could not afford the tuition and boarding fees for the minor seminary. For Jules, there was no other option but to learn a trade.
At the age of 17, an unexpected opportunity arose for Jules Chevalier to enter the St. Gaultier minor seminary in the Diocese of Bourges. This was made possible when his father was offered a job as a forest keeper in Vatan, and his employer generously agreed to pay for Jules’ tuition and boarding fees at the seminary. At the age of 22, in October 1846, Jules entered the Major Seminary in Bourges. During his five years in the seminary, he displayed a natural talent for leadership. Jules Chevalier took the initiative to form a group called Chevaliers du Sacré Cœur, or the Knights of the Sacred Heart.
While studying Christology, the richness of devotion to the Sacred Heart deeply touched Jules Chevalier's heart. He saw this devotion as the center and summary of our entire faith. Together with some of his friends, he founded an association called the Knights of the Sacred Heart. On June 14, 1851, Jules Chevalier was ordained a priest in Bourges. In October 1854, he was assigned to Issoudun, where he reunited with his former seminary friend, Father Emile Maugenest. Sebastien Maugenest had already been serving as an assistant priest in Issoudun before him.
It was perhaps a coincidence, yet an extraordinary one, that both he and Father Maugenest served as assistant priests in the same parish. For Jules Chevalier, this unexpected event was a sign of God's will to form a group called the Missionaries of the Sacred Heart. At the end of November, Chevalier shared his vision of establishing a Missionary Congregation of the Sacred Heart in Issoudun with Maugenest. Maugenest immediately supported the idea, and on November 30, they began a novena to seek the blessing of the Blessed Virgin Mary.
On December 8, 1854, the day when the Dogma of the Immaculate Conception was officially proclaimed by Pope Pius IX, their prayer was answered. Father Chevalier declared this date as the Founding Day of the Missionaries of the Sacred Heart (MSC).
On Sunday, August 30, 1874, during the liturgical announcements at Mass, Father Chevalier proclaimed the founding of a new congregation: the Daughters of Our Lady of the Sacred Heart (PBHK). He envisioned a group of women dedicated to giving special honor to Mary, who shared a personal closeness with the Sacred Heart of Jesus. Father Jules Chevalier established the PBHK Congregation to serve the Church through works in education, particularly for women, as well as in healthcare and aid for the poor, following the same spirit as the Missionaries of the Sacred Heart (MSC). A distinctive characteristic of this congregation is the combination of both contemplative and active life, where apostolic work in society must be supported by a deep spirit of prayer.
Father Chevalier is the Founder of the MSC and PBHK Congregations.
Father Chevalier held the esteemed responsibility of being the Superior General of the MSC, where he was highly respected, valued, and loved. He faced numerous challenges and difficulties in his mission but remained steadfast in his trust in God's love, which continuously guided him. With perseverance, obedience, and unwavering faith in God's will, Jules Chevalier dedicated his best efforts to God through his duties and responsibilities within the congregation. Even in his old age and illness, he offered his suffering to God with complete surrender and without complaint. Finally, at the age of 83, he returned to the Father's house.
Getting to Know Marie Louise Hartzer as the Spiritual Mother
In 1881, Marie Louise Hartzer joined the Daughters of Our Lady of the Sacred Heart (PBHK) in Issoudun, where she was welcomed by Mother Felicite and several sisters who had joined earlier, including Sr. Madeleine, Sr. Emilie, and Sr. Claire. On December 8, 1882, she completed her novitiate, and Father Chevalier entrusted her with the role of novice mistress at the age of 45.
After several trials and challenges, I appointed Marie Louise Hartzer as the Superior of the Daughters of Our Lady of the Sacred Heart. She is exceptionally kind, very holy, wise, and capable of making decisions. I believe she is perfectly suited for this role." (Personal notes of Father Chevalier). On December 8, 1882, Marie Louise Hartzer, originally from Alsace, France, officially took on the responsibility as Superior. In 1906, due to a new wave of persecution against the Church that forced the sisters to seek refuge outside France, Sr. Marie Louise made the decision to relocate the PBHK Motherhouse and Novitiate to Thuin, Belgium.
Perjalanan Para Misionaris Putri Bunda Hati Kudus ke Indonesia
On July 14, 1920, the first group of Daughters of Our Lady of the Sacred Heart (PBHK) sisters arrived in Tual and later traveled to Langgur to begin their mission there. The group consisted of Sr. Angelina van Zeyl, FDNSC, Sr. Tharcisius Bogaers, FDNSC, Sr. Clara Bakkenhoven, FDNSC, Sr. Prisca Timmermann, FDNSC, Sr. Paula Paalvast, FDNSC, and Sr. Alphonsa Mattens, FDNSC. These missionary sisters from the Netherlands began their ministry in Indonesia in 1920, specifically in the Diocese of Amboina.
Currently, the Daughters of Our Lady of the Sacred Heart (PBHK) sisters are serving in several dioceses across Indonesia, including: Archdiocese of Merauke (since 1928), Diocese of Purwokerto (since 1928), Archdiocese of Jakarta (since 1948), Archdiocese of Semarang (since 1981), Diocese of Manado (since 2023), Diocese of Bogor (since 1996), Diocese of Bandung (since 2018), Diocese of Banjarmasin (since 2008)
Ministry Services
Since its establishment, the Daughters of Our Lady of the Sacred Heart (PBHK) have been involved in various ministries. Here are some of the main areas of service carried out by the PBHK Congregation:
- Education: The PBHK Congregation provides education at various levels, ranging from early childhood education to senior high school.
- Healthcare: The PBHK Congregation manages hospitals and clinics that provide affordable and quality healthcare services to the community.
- Social Services: The PBHK Congregation is actively involved in various social initiatives, such as orphanages, Justice, Peace, and Integrity of Creation (JPIC) programs, community social assistance, and other charitable activities.
- Pastoral Ministry: The PBHK Congregation is also involved in family pastoral care, parish activities, visiting the sick, and more. We assist Catholic communities in deepening their faith and provide pastoral support to those facing difficulties.
The ministries of the PBHK Congregation in Indonesia are spread across eight dioceses:
- Diocese of Amboina (since 1920): Ambon, Langgur, Elat, Katlarat, Saumlaki, Arui Bab, Waur.
- Archdiocese of Merauke (since 1928): Merauke, Kelapa Lima, Tanah Merah, Bade, Rumb, Kepi, Eci.
- Diocese of Purwokerto (since 1928): Purworejo, Cilacap, Sidareja, Tegal, Slawi, Pemalang, Kapencar, Wonosobo.
- Archdiocese of Jakarta (since 1948): Kramat Community and Grogol Community.
- Archdiocese of Semarang (since 1981): Parakan, Yogyakarta.
- Diocese of Manado (since 1988): Palu, Palolo, Napu.
- Diocese of Bogor (since 1998): Kotawisata.
- Diocese of Banjarmasin (since 2008): Asam-asam, Banjarmasin.
- Diocese of Bandung (since 2019): Tasikmalaya.
Indonesian PBHK sisters also serve abroad in the fields of education, healthcare, and pastoral ministry in the following countries: Rome, Sudan, Africa, the Philippines, and Vietnam.
Values and Charism
The PBHK Congregation upholds noble values as the foundation of their ministry. These values include:
- Love: Love is the core value that underlies everything the PBHK Congregation does. We believe that love is a transformative force that can change lives and bring goodness to the world.
- Service Ministry: The PBHK Congregation strives to humbly and joyfully dedicate themselves to serving others, regardless of ethnicity, religion, or social status. They remain committed to their mission in every task entrusted to them, always bringing the spirit of love and service wherever they are sent.
- Humility: Humility is an essential virtue for the PBHK sisters. We recognize that everything we have and achieve is a blessing from God. Therefore, we always strive to remain humble in our service and daily lives.
- Faithfulness: The PBHK remains devoted to their calling to serve God and others, carrying out the congregation’s mission with dedication and responsibility.
The charism of PBHK is the Sacred Heart of Jesus which is the source of God's love and mercy. The PBHK sisters strive to live this charism in their daily lives and proclaim it to others through works of service.
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