In the Heart of the Crucified Christ

We seek to feel as Jesus feels and to let every action of ours be animated by His Spirit:

“a spirit of charity, gentleness, meekness and humility; a spirit of zeal and fortitude; a most amiable, most generous and most patient spirit.”

Magdalene of Canossa (1774-1835), the Foundress, received from the Spirit the gift of penetrating deeply into the riches of God’s love in its purest and most sublime expression: Jesus Crucified.

The understanding of this “greatest love” formed within her the heart of a mother and the ardor of an apostle.

Magdalene of Canossa began her Works of Charity with a few companions on May 8, 1808 in Verona, Italy. She obtained pontifical approval for the Institute of the Daughters of Charity, which was already established in Venice, Milan, Bergamo and Trent on December 23, 1828. She was beatified in Rome on December 8, 1941 and was proclaimed a Saint on October 2, 1988.

On February 27, 1860 six Canossians from Venice and Padua began their journey to Hong Kong arriving there on April 12, 1860. From this Canossian Mission were born “other missions” in Asia and Pacific, including the foundation in the Philippines.

By mid June of 1954, two Italian Canossian Missionaries in Hong Kong arrived in Sta. Rosa Laguna, Philippines to begin the first foundation. Fifty-two years after, Canossian communities in the Philippines number about 16 and with 2 mission communities in Papua New Guinea. The Sacred Heart Province of Philippines-PNG shares in the life and mission of the Church, sending also Filipina missionary ad gentes to Africa, Australia, East Timor, Egypt, France, Indonesia, Italy, Japan and U.S.A.