Mission, Values, Ministries and History
“Give me, O Lord, a love full of action.”
Cornelia Connelly established the Society of the Holy Child Jesus, a Catholic women’s religious order, in 1846 in England. The Society initially focused its efforts on the education of women and girls, reflecting Cornelia’s commitment to empowering individuals through intellectual, human and spiritual development.
The Society has expanded its ministries to include educational, pastoral, social, legal, and spiritual initiatives. The Sisters, along with lay Associates and partners serve in Europe, the United States, Africa, and Chile. In the Dominican Republic, lay Associates continue the ministries begun by the Sisters.
The Mission of the Society of the Holy Child Jesus
Cornelia’s foundational belief that “God has chosen to need women and men in every age” to reveal Divine love, as Jesus did, shapes the Society’s mission:
For this is our mission: to help others believe that God lives and acts in them and in our world, and to rejoice in Divine presence.
Every endeavor of the Society, along with the manner in which these activities are carried out, has its roots in this guiding mission.
Holy Child Core Values
While not all staff members of the Society of the Holy Child Jesus are religious, each is called to reflect the values that define and express the Society’s mission in their everyday roles. Central to this mission are several foundational values that guide personal conduct and organizational culture.
• Trust and Reverence for Individual Dignity: Staff members are called to honor and respect the inherent worth of every person, promoting an environment where each individual feels valued.
• Compassionate Love for Others and for All Creation: The Society encourages a spirit of empathy and caring, extending kindness not only to people but also to all of creation.
• Actions not Words: Cornelia Connelly’s motto emphasizes translating beliefs into meaningful, concrete actions. Staff members are urged to demonstrate Holy Child values through their deeds, rather than simply speaking about them.
Other values that mark the Holy Child spirit:
• Simplicity: Approaching life and work with clarity and straightforwardness.
• Humility: Maintaining a spirit of modesty and openness to learning from others.
• Joy: Cultivating happiness and a positive outlook in daily endeavors.
• Zeal: Demonstrating passionate commitment to service and the mission.
• Cheerfulness: Fostering an atmosphere of friendliness and optimism.
• Fidelity/Perseverance: Remaining steadfast and dedicated, even in the face of challenges.
• Gentleness: Interacting with others in a kind and considerate manner.
• Patience: Showing understanding and tolerance, especially during difficult times.
Together, these values shape the distinctive spirit of the Society of the Holy Child Jesus, inspiring staff to embody the mission through their attitudes, interactions, and service.
Resources – History
The links below offer a brief history of the Society and more detail about the American Province.
• Brief History of the Society: www.shcj.org/brief-history-of-the-society/
• American Province Website – About Us, Who We Are, What We Do. How We Serve: www.shcj.org/american/
For information about the Society in Europe and Africa, visit the Society and Province websites.
• Society of the Holy Child Jesus: www.shcj.org
• European Province: www.shcj.org/european/
• African Province: https://www.shcj.org/african/
Venerable Cornelia Connelly
In 1809, Venerable Cornelia Connelly, Foundress of the Society of the Holy Child Jesus, was born on Filbert Street in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, where the Declaration of Independence was signed little more than 30 years before. With her trademark resourcefulness and verve for life, Cornelia fully embodied the independent spirit of her birthplace, where she would live until the age of 22.
As a wife, mother of five children, three of whom died at an early age, and convert to the Catholic faith, Cornelia faced unimaginable adversity with courage and determination, transforming her personal heartache into an unwavering faith. Her devotion to God and calling to serve led to the founding of the Society of the Holy Child Jesus in Derby, England, in 1846, a few years after her husband, Pierce Connelly, had decided to enter the Catholic priesthood.
Through education, teacher training, and a commitment to “meet the wants of the age,” Cornelia impacted the lives of thousands of people worldwide. Her work endures today, as the Society continues to flourish 180 years later, with Sisters and lay partners carrying on her legacy in Africa, Europe, North America, and Latin America. The Society’s motto is Actions Not Words.
To learn more about Cornelia, visit Our Story, Timeline, The Life of Cornelia Connelly, and Cornelia Connelly Book.
