The Priests of the Sacred Heart (S.C.J.) are a Roman Catholic clerical religious congregation whose charism is centered on devotion to the Heart of Jesus with a mission of justice, reconciliation, mercy, and love. Inspired by their founder Venerable Léon‑Gustave Dehon, their spirituality emphasizes obedience to Christ, self‑offering and reparation of love, accompanied by solidarity with the poor and marginalized. Members are called to incarnate the compassionate love of the Sacred Heart through their ministries — whether in parish work, social justice initiatives, education, pastoral care, or missionary outreach — promoting God’s tender, merciful presence in the world.

The Priests of the Sacred Heart were founded in 1878 in St. Quentin, France, by Fr. Léon‑Gustave Dehon, a priest deeply moved by the needs of his time, especially the injustices of industrial society and the thirst for Christ’s love and mercy. From its beginnings, the congregation has grown into an international community active on five continents in more than 40 countries, including Africa, where Dehonians serve in countries such as South Africa, Cameroon, Mozambique, and Madagascar. Over the decades they have taken on a broad range of pastoral and social ministries — from education and parish leadership to justice and peace initiatives — always aiming to build “God’s kingdom of justice and love.”

South African Province (Region covering parts of Africa) Provincial Office Email: amprovscj@gmail.com Website: https://www.dehoniani.org United States Vocations Contact (if discernment from outside Africa) Email: vocations@dehoniansusa.org (U.S. Province vocation inquiries)