.She
was a Frenchwoman who was born in 1779 in Joigny, on the eve of the French
Revolution. There was a fire raging in Joigny the night she was born. Fire
followed Sophie all her life, in the form of further political revolutions
and inner revolutions in her own life.
What
did she do in life? She spent her childhood in Joigny and was educated
by her elder brother, Louis. In 1800 she set out on a long journey and
quest, during which she founded the Society of the Sacred Heart and guided
it for the rest of her life.
What
did she look like? When people met Sophie Barat they saw a woman just 150cm
in height, who had a mobile face and lively manner, a brisk walk and impetuous
movements. Indeed many during her lifetime asked themselves:
-
How could
someone so in touch with her world, who handled enormous finances with
facility and skill, who negotiated agreements with church and state, be
a woman of God?
-
Could
she be called loyal to the church when she was often critical of the clergy
and indeed of bishops?
-
How could
someone who was so direct and blunt with her own colleagues and so devastating
in her remarks about others, be truly holy?
-
Many spoke
of Sophie Barat’s natural charm and popularity, but they wondered were
these the grounds of sanctity?
Many recorded
her brusque and impatient manner, her impetuous and curt attitude. Some
criticised her for her chauvinism. Others accused her of gallicanism others
still of ultramontanism. All such remarks about this rich, complex personality
were true in part. But still they only looked in from the outside, they
judged the appearance of the woman rather than Sophie Barat herself.
.
Signature
of the 9 year old Sophie in a prayer book given to her by her mother.
c
..c
Any
enquiries you may have about the book can be forwarded to:
"Madeleine
Sophie Barat",
Cork
University Press, Youngline Industrial Estate, Pouladuff Road, Togher,
Cork. Ireland.
.
Tel:
00353 (0) 21 490 2980 Fax: 00353 (0) 431 5329
E-mail:
Web
site address: www.corkuniversitypress.com
Moytura
Graphic Design 1999 & 2002
