Worldwide Presence

The Apostles of the Sacred Heart of Jesus is an international congregation founded by Blessed Clelia Merloni on May 30, 1894, in Viareggio, Italy. Today, we have provinces in Italy, Brazil, and the United States, with an apostolic presence across four continents.

United by the charism of Blessed Clelia, our Sisters share the love of the Heart of Christ through ministries and missions in 15 countries: Albania, Argentina, Benin, Brazil, Chile, Ghana, Haiti, Ireland, Italy, Mozambique, Paraguay, Peru, Portugal, the United States, and Uruguay.

The Generalate, our international headquarters, is located in Rome and is home to the Superior General and her General Council. Assisted by her council, the Superior General provides leadership, guidance, and unity for the entire Congregation, ensuring that our life and mission remain faithful to the charism entrusted to us by Blessed Clelia.

Superior General, Mother Miriam Cunha Sobrinha, ASCJ

Mother Miriam Cunha Sobrinha was born in Várzea, Brazil. She entered the Congregation in 1989 in the São Paulo Province, where she completed her initial formation. In 1994, she began her internal Juniorate in Rome and professed perpetual vows in Avezzano, Italy, in 1998.

Mother Miriam earned a licentiate in Religious Studies and Philosophy from the Pontifical University Antonianum in Rome. She continued her education at the Pontifical Lateran University in Rome, where she earned a diploma in Theology and a certificate in Fundamental Theology.

Throughout her religious life, Mother Miriam has served in educational administration, vocation ministry, and religious education. She also ministered to children of immigrant families at a nursery school in Switzerland. In addition, she has held several Provincial leadership roles, serving as Provincial Secretary of the São Paulo Province, Vice Provincial of the former Central North Vice Province of Brazil, and Provincial Superior of the São Paulo Province for two terms.

She has served as Superior General of the Apostles of the Sacred Heart of Jesus since her election 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.