RSHM’s founded 1849

Today marks the founding of the Religious of the Sacred Heart of Mary (RSHM), a community founded in 1849 in Montpellier, France. The community was founded by Father Jean Gailhac (1802-1890), a diocesan priest, and Appolllonie Cure (1809-1849), a widow. Their first apostolic work was to run a women’s shelter and an orphanage. Appollonie became the first superior as Mother St. Jean (seen here). The RSHM’s operated schools in France, and by the 1870’s they had moved to other countries. They opened their first American foundation at Sag Harbor, Long Island, in 1877. In 1907 they founded Marymount College in Tarrytown, New York, which has been since merged with Fordham University. In 1923 they founded Marymount School in Los Angeles, which became a college in 1947 and has since merged with Loyola University.