A friend of mine has a daughter who joined an Italian religious order called the Religious of the Sacred Heart of Florence. They were founded by St. Madeleine Sophie Barat in 1800 as contemplative cloistered order consecrated to the Heart of Jesus and dedicated to the education of youth. Today they are educating Italian youth and offer a real hope for the future. Here's a wonderful summary of what's happening there:Saving Souls in Italy: With Help the Italians are Returning to Catholicism
A new appreciation for children is awakening in Italy. For the past several decades the Italian birth rate has been one of the lowest in Europe and well below the replacement rate. But the pendulum may be swinging back.
News comes to us from the Institute of the Sacred Heart of Florence, operated by the Religious of the Sacred Heart of Florence, that their school enrollment is once again on the upswing. In fact the increase has been so dramatic that they are in need of help.
