International Congregation

The Apostles of the Sacred Heart of Jesus is an international congregation with provinces and missions on five continents. We share the love of Christ with all to whom and with whom we minister. The language of love is one in the Heart of God!

The Generalate is located in Rome, Italy, and is home to the Superior General and the General Council. The Superior General, assisted by her council, governs and guides the Congregation in fidelity to the spirit of the Congregation.

Superior General, Mother Miriam Cunha Sobrinha, ASCJ

Mother Miriam Cunha Sobrinha was born in Varzea, Brazil, on August 15, 1965. She entered the congregation in 1989 and completed her initial formation in the Province of Sao Paulo. In 1994, she started her internal Juniorate in Rome, and she professed perpetual vows in Avezzano, Italy, in 1998.

Mother Miriam completed a licenciate in Religious Studies and in Philosophy at the Pontifical University Antonianum in Rome. She continued her studies in Rome at the Pontifical Lateran University where she earned a Diploma in Theology and Certificate in Fundamental Theology.

Mother Miriam has served in educational administration, vocational ministry and religious education. In Switzerland, she worked with children of immigrants in a nursery school. She has served as Provincial Secretary of the Sao Paulo Province, Vice Provincial of the former Central North Vice Province of Brazil and as Provincial Superior of the Sao Paulo Province.

She was elected Superior General of the Congregation of the Apostles of the Sacred Heart of Jesus on July 21, 2016.

General Council

Pictured left to right: Sr. Maria Fernanda Trucco Alemán, General Councilor; Sr. Anne Theresa Walsh, Vicaress and General Councilor; Mother Miriam Cunha Sobrinha, Superior General; Sr. Laura Mazzoleni, General Treasurer; Sr. Maria Cristina Pievani, General Councilor; Sr. Susana de Jesus Fadel, General Councilor and General Secretary.

Past Superior Generals

These devoted women have followed in the footsteps of Blessed Mother Clelia Merloni as leaders of our worldwide congregation.

Mother Marcelline Vigano
1911-1937

Mother Hildegarde Campodonico
1937-1949

Mother Speranzina Morelli
1950-1968

Mother Rosalia Sosso
1968-1986

Mother Maria Auxiliadora de Godoy
1986-2004

Mother M. Clare Millea
2004-2016