The first branch of the Work of Infinite Love:

Bethany of the Sacred Heart

What is Bethany of the Sacred Heart?

The Bethany Sisters of the Sacred Heart is a papally recognized institute of contemplative nuns. The nuns live the charism taught by their foundress, Sister Louise Marguerite Claret de la Touche: prayer and daily devotion to priests.

History of the Sisterhood of Bethany of the Sacred Heart

Jesus had already hinted to Sister Louise Marguerite Claret de la Touche, during her time as a Visitation Sister in October 1899, about the possibility of a new house, but the precise purpose was unclear to her. At that time, she had a vision of the actual house. This new institute for religious women would support the Priestly Society. It was the Lord's desire that these religious women would dedicate themselves to a life of prayer and self-sacrifice for all priests, bishops, and the Pope himself. They would live in abject poverty, relying on Providence to meet all their needs.

When Sister Louise Marguerite Claret de la Touche went to Rome, two superiors of the monasteries where she lived suggested that she found a new congregation for this purpose. In Rome, two cardinals (Cardinal Casimiro Gennari, Prefect of the Council Congregation, and Cardinal Ottavio Cagiano de Azevedo, Prefect of the Congregation for Religious) declared that it was God's will that she establish this new congregation. She then submitted a request for this new congregation, which was approved. Monsignor Filipello, Bishop of the Diocese of Ivrea in Italy, asked her to establish it in his diocese. Before leaving Rome, she was invited to an audience with Pope Pius X, who gave her his blessing and encouragement. She traveled to Turin, where Monsignor Filipello had arranged for the Sisters of Mercy to care for her until she found a suitable house for the new foundation.

They were offered a house in Vische near Turin. This was the house that Sister Louise Marguerite Claret de la Touche had seen in her vision of 1899.

The new foundation began with three Visitation Sisters and a postulant. The communal religious life began without financial means, but Providence provided what was needed. Thus, the small community emulated the poverty of Bethlehem: The sisters lived in extreme hardship and had barely anything for everyday needs. This house in Vische near Turin is the motherhouse.

Spirituality of the Communities of Bethany of the Sacred Heart

Bethany seeks to be a small seed within the Church where priests can experience a spirit of hospitality and fraternity, like the one Jesus and the Apostles experienced in the home of Mary, Martha, and Lazarus in Bethany. Indeed, Bethany offers hospitality to those who wish to strengthen themselves spiritually and share the joy of prayer and silence.

Information and contact to Bethany of the Sacred Heart

Communities of Bethany of the Sacred Heart currently exist in Italy, Colombia and Argentina (as of 2025).

Bethany of the Sacred Heart

Via Alfonso Lamarmora, 31

10030 Vische (TO)

Italy

Bethany of the Sacred Heart

S. Giorgio Alley, 5 10080 - Traversella (TO)

Italy

Bethany of the Sacred Heart

Via Giulia, 64

00186 Rom

Italy

Sisters of Bethany of the Sacred Heart

Carrera 16A 26-19

The Eyebrow Antioquia

Colombia

Sisters of Bethany of the Sacred Heart

San José de Calasanz 492 – Route 57

Mendiolaza / Córdoba

Argentina

For all communities, contact is made through the Betania del Sacro Cuore convent in Vische (see menu item “Support/Contact”).

The second branch of the Work of Infinite Love:

Priestly Union of the Sacred Heart (short: Priestly Union)

What is the Priestly Covenant of the Sacred Heart?

The Priestly Federation is composed of clergy who draw on the message of Louise Marguerite Claret de la Touche and, at the same time, desire to live the spirit of unity among themselves around their own bishop and with the Pope. In this way, they fulfill Jesus' ardent wish on the eve of his Passion: "May they all be one" (John 17:3). Love unites and hatred divides, so Jesus desires his priests to be united in this Priestly Federation in every diocese of the world. In it, they can support one another in the service of Infinite Love and consecrate themselves even more fully to the Sacred Heart of Jesus, the Tabernacle of Infinite Love.

History of the Priestly Society of the Sacred Heart

The concrete initiative to establish the Priestly Society came from Bishop Matteo Filipello and Father Alfred Charrier SJ, who drew on the spiritual inspiration of Louise Marguerite Claret de la Touche. The Priestly Society of the Sacred Heart was canonically established by Bishop Matteo Filipello in Ivrea on June 16, 1918.

Concrete information on international distribution is difficult to verify, as it is not documented in detail in the available sources. However, the fact that the writings of Louise Marguerite Claret de la Touche were long standard reading for priests and in priestly training in the German-speaking world demonstrates that the ideas of the Priests' Association and the Work of Infinite Love spread beyond France and Italy to other countries, particularly the German-speaking world. Information on the development of the Priests' Association in Germany can be found under the menu item "Development in Germany."

Spirituality of the Priestly Society of the Sacred Heart

During the course of her time in the order, Sister Louise Marguerite Claret de la Touche became, through deep mystical experiences, a special messenger of Infinite Love for the priests.

Priests are called upon to assume a leading role: they are to exert a strong influence on people. They are the ones who are to initiate a new movement of spiritual, intellectual, and moral renewal in the world. A priestly union is to be formed for this purpose.

Sister Louise Marguerite Claret de la Touche wrote:

"Yet, if I'm not mistaken, Jesus desires something universal, something Catholic. What is needed is a union along very broad lines, one that does justice to all places and all sentiments, and that unites all other existing unions with a very simple and very strong bond...

To be one means to have the same thought, the same aspiration, the same movement. For all the priests of the world to form one body, they must unite in the same will and in the same action; they must have a spiritual meeting place where they meet on common ground.

This spiritual meeting place will be the Sacred Heart of Jesus Christ. The act that will unite them with one another and all together with God, Infinite Love, will be an act of devotion, of full and complete devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus, the Tabernacle of Infinite Love."

Information and contact with the Priestly Federation of the Sacred Heart

To become a member of the Priestly Society, it is necessary, above all, to consecrate oneself through the act of adoration and devotion to God, Infinite Love.

The statutes of the Priestly Union were approved by the Bishop of Ivrea, Luigi Bettazzi, on October 1, 1994. They can be found under the menu item "Portfolio."

Contact with the Priests’ Association is made through the Betania del Sacro Cuore convent in Vische (see: menu item “Support/Contact”) or via the following contact form.

The third branch of the Work of Infinite Love:

Friends of Bethany of the Sacred Heart

(short: Friends of Bethany)

What are the Friends of Bethany?

The Friends of Bethany of the Sacred Heart are men, women, young people and religious from other institutes who live devotion to God, Infinite Love, and collaborate with prayer and support so that priests can fully develop their ministry as sowers of love.

Other religious, such as friars and nuns of other orders, as well as lay people, are also called to assist in this great work of Infinite Love. Mother Louise Margaret wrote to Father Charrier in September 1914: "God's will seems to me to be that we unite souls from the world who feel drawn to Infinite Love and pray for priests into our small community. Personally, I think that the book that offers inspiration for the external life is *The Introduction to the Devout Life* by Francis de Sales. The impulse for the internal life should come from the knowledge of Infinite Love and consecration to Infinite Love; and the goal should be prayer for the Church and the priesthood."

History of the Friends of Bethany

For this purpose, named by Sister Louise Marguerite Claret de la Touche, a branch of the work, the "Affiliates," was founded in 1917. It was aimed at married women, single women, and religious of other congregations. They were to share the same spirit and pray for the same purposes as Bethany of the Sacred Heart. This branch marked the birth of the united lay movement of Bethany of the Sacred Heart. Its form was further refined in 1923 when it adopted the name "Faithful Friends of Bethany of the Sacred Heart."

Another branch for lay people worldwide was founded, the "Associates." This group was first mentioned in 1923 in the statutes of the Diocesan Priests' Union of Ivrea. The first group was officially founded in the Diocese of Ivrea on April 22, 1924. In 1984, Monsignor Luigi Bettazzi, Bishop of Ivrea and president of the organization, united the two branches of Affiliates and Associates under the name "Friends of Bethany" by decree of May 24.

Spirituality of the Friends of Bethany

The Friends of Bethany live the spirituality common to all followers of the Work of Infinite Love, but in a special way. Their characteristic is that they are less legalistic than the others and have an organizational structure directly based on two fundamental aspects of the Work's spirituality: faith in Infinite Love and a love that aims to bring priests to all people.

Assistance to priests is the defining characteristic of this branch. Those who live the spirituality of Bethany instinctively see the priest as an instrument of God's love, as a "sower of Christ's love." Admission to the Friends of Bethany community is usually private, through the act of adoration and devotion to Infinite Love, which Sister Louise Marguerite Claret de la Touche received and formulated. The Friends of Bethany pray with joy and make sacrifices for priests. They love the Church and are always available for any form of collaboration and assistance.

Today, the Friends of Bethany branch is the most widespread. The widespread reach of this branch brings the bearers of the Work's spirituality to quite unexpected places, where the fundamental means of spreading their spirituality is the witness of life. The Friends of Bethany can, in a sense, recreate for priests the atmosphere of Bethany, like the house of Martha, Mary, and Lazarus, where Jesus loved to go. They can transmit to them a genuine spiritual friendship of prayer, collaboration, and respect, born of the faith of "being among those whom Jesus loves."

Information and contact with the Friends of Bethany

The statutes of the Friends of Bethany can be found under the menu item “Portfolio”.

In German-speaking countries, you can contact the Friends of Bethany using the methods listed below, by email, post, or the contact form. You can also contact the Betania del Sacro Cuore convent in Vische (see the "Support/Contact" menu item).

Challenge 26/33

The Friends of Bethany in German-speaking countries are delighted to welcome new members. This is Opportunity No. 2 from Challenge 26/33.

As a member of the Friends of Bethany, you become part of a vibrant spiritual community in the service of Infinite Love. You will also receive a welcome gift from the Bethany of the Sacred Heart Monastery in Vische.

More information about Challenge 26/33 and the opportunities to support the beatification process can be found in the subsection "Challenge 26/33" under the menu item "Beatification".

If you would like to join the Friends of Bethany through the personal act of adoration and devotion to Infinite Love, please register

• per Mail an: info@bethanien-live.de

• by mail to: Friends of Bethany, PO Box 11 64, 50301 Brühl, Germany

• via contact form

The fourth branch of the Work of Infinite Love:

Missionaries of Infinite Love

What are the Missionaries of Infinite Love?

The Missionaries of Infinite Love are a pontifical secular institute of consecrated lay people who live the spirituality of the Work while immersing themselves in the life of the world. They seek to live their baptism by immersing themselves in everyday life, in which man lives and works, rejoices and suffers, struggles and hopes, as leaven, salt, and light for the world.

Furthermore, they seek to imitate Jesus by taking vows of chastity, poverty, and obedience. The Missionaries of Infinite Love daily seek the connection between faith and life, action and contemplation, passion for God and passion for the world. They serve the priesthood and the Church through prayer and sacrifice and are committed to their mission in the world.

History of the Missionaries of Infinite Love

Michelina Giachino was an elementary school teacher and president of the girls' youth group of Catholic Action Ivrea. During her frequent visits to parish groups, she learned about the small monastery of Bethany of the Sacred Heart and visited it to support the sisters in their prayers for their youth.

She recalled that the impact of this encounter would shape her life: "During this encounter, I experienced something unexpected: a strange and powerful attraction that led me first to read the writings of Mother Louise Margaret, then to organize retreats for the leaders of the Action at Bethany, and finally, in August of that year, to perform the act of adoration and devotion to Infinite Love. I was totally in love, true love." (Michelina's Story)

Michelina continued to visit Bethany with increasing fervor, wondering what the Lord wanted of her. In prayer, she tried to discern God's plan for her. She sensed that the Lord wanted to embrace her with a bond of exclusive love and called her to belong to him, but not to live in a convent. This demonstrates that the world needs to experience God's love: young people, families, workers, and the social environment must be led to Christ.

Michelina described the development as follows: "My relationship with Bethany became ever closer. I felt an increasing attraction and felt completely at home in its spirituality. I spoke with Mother Margaret Reynaud (note: Superior in Vische, successor to Sister Louise Marguerite Claret de la Touche) about the attraction of the Sacred Heart and asked if, while I was in the world and active in life, I could have a more intimate relationship with Bethany. On December 8 of that year (1932), I was granted ordination, and from that moment on, I became a kind of Oblate of Bethany." (Michelina's Story)

Through the Apostolic Constitution "Provida Mater Ecclesia" (February 2, 1947) and the Motu Proprio "Primo Feliciter" (March 12, 1948), both written by Pope Pius XII, the Church officially recognized that it is possible to dedicate oneself entirely to God by choosing to remain in the world and bring the world to God. Thus, on December 8, 1948, Michelina and seven other companions began the adventure of the Secular Institute of the Missionaries of Infinite Love in Bethany.

The Lord blessed this new addition to the family with many young and enthusiastic vocations.

Michelina gave up her professional activities to devote herself to training, meetings, and visits with various groups. Michelina and the institute's spiritual director, Canon Paul Agrano, led the group with great harmony and determination toward important goals: the opening of Living Caritas' headquarters and retreat house, canonical recognition of the secular institute by the diocese, and the adoption of new statutes.

At the 1978 General Assembly, Michelina and Monsignor Agrano relinquished their leadership of the institute. Annunziata Montegrande was elected as the new General Manager, and Michelina was entrusted with the management of the Soggiorno Caritas (holiday home).

Bishop Bettazzi appointed Cardinal Arrigo Miglio as spiritual advisor in 1979. The institute received papal recognition in 1994.

Michelina died on August 17, 1995 and will always remain a point of reference for the Missionaries of Infinite Love through her life testimony and her writings.

Spirituality of the Missionaries of Infinite Love

A presentation of the spirituality of the Secular Institute of the Missionaries of Infinite Love can be found under the menu item “Portfolio”.

Information and contact with the Missionaries of Infinite Love

Today the Missionaries of Infinite Love are present not only in Italy, but also in Argentina, Madagascar, Poland, Togo and Colombia.

Contact with the Secular Institute of the Missionaries of Infinite Love is made through the Betania del Sacro Cuore convent in Vische (see menu item “Support/Contact”).