The Call to Heal Hearts
“Devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus, of its very nature, is a worship of the love with which God, through Jesus, loved us, and at the same time, an exercise of our own love by which we are related to God and to other men.”
- Pope Pius XII
Counseling is a way by which our hearts are healed and transformed, making it possible for us to better love others and ourselves, uniting us to the Sacred Heart “Cor Sacrum.”
Why Cor Sacrum?
Our Patron Saints
Saint Teresa Benedicta of the Cross (Edith Stein)
In her discernment of Cor Sacrum’s mission, Maribel Rodriguez Laguna read the biography of St. Teresa Benedicta of the Cross (also known as Edith Stein) upon the suggestion of her spiritual director. She was inspired by the saint’s intelligence, strength, devotion, and understanding of redemptive suffering.
Julius Marcan, a survivor of Auschwitz and fellow prisoner of St. Teresa, stated, “It was Edith Stein’s (St. Teresa’s) complete calm and self-possession that marked her out from the rest of the prisoners, . . Edith Stein went among the women like an angel, comforting, helping, and consoling them.” These words attest to the saint’s inner strength and ability to empathize with others, even in the midst of extreme suffering. Her example is one for counselors to reflect on and emulate when working with clients.
“Women comprehend not merely with the intellect but also with the heart.”
- St. Teresa Benedicta of the Cross
Saint Pope John Paul II
In discernment of the Cor Sacrum name, Maribel Rodriguez Laguna and her husband embarked on a pilgrimage to Poland. On this trip, they visited Auschwitz, St. Teresa Benedicta of the Cross’ place of death, as well as St. Pope John Paul II’s birthplace in Wadowice.
While visiting the birthplace of John Paul, Maribel was struck by an image of the Sacred Heart. This painting hangs above the saint’s bed, indicating his special devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus and his faithfulness to the redevelopment of priestly formation. Maribel was especially inspired by this experience, as she herself feels a special devotion to the Sacred Heart and the healing of clergy and religious. As stated by St. John Vianney, Patron of Priests, “The priesthood is the love of the Heart of Jesus.”
“Open your minds and hearts to the beauty of all that God has made and to His special, personal love for each one of you.”
- St. Pope John Paul II