The Charisms of Duchesne High School
St. Rose Philippine Duchesne
A Model of Holiness
St. Rose Philippine Duchesne’s words reveal the heart of our heroic patroness. She was devoted to the Sacred Heart of Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament, tireless in her prayer, zealous for the salvation of souls, filled with charity, patient through suffering, and humble of heart. She played a pivotal role in bringing devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus and Catholic education to our region.
“How does one account for such untiring zeal, such constant dedication to the Church’s missionary efforts? Surely, it could only be the result of a heart on fire with love of God, a heart that was always in loving harmony with the Sacred Heart of Jesus the Lord.”
As a Catholic high school and neighbors of her shrine, we have the privilege of continuing work dear to Philippine’s heart: the education of young people. What better can we offer our students than an education animated by the Sacred Heart of Jesus, modeled on the example of our patroness? After much prayer and careful study, four charisms from the life of Philippine stand out as pillars of the formation we seek to offer our community.
The Four Charisms
1. Prayer
Duchesne Pioneers pray without ceasing.Philippine is a testament to the transformative power of prayer. Her heart was constantly aflame with love of God and love of neighbor, which would be impossible without her deep relationship with Jesus through prayer. Her devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus, the Blessed Sacrament, and Mary stand out as key elements of her spirituality. By her example, we learn that prayer is the place where we experience intimacy with God, where we seek grace for all our needs, and where we cooperate with God’s love through intercession for others.
2. Missionary Discipleship
Duchesne Pioneers follow Jesus and bring others to Jesus.As a young girl, Philippine felt the call to become a missionary. She had a deep desire for others to encounter the love of Jesus, and she understood that the best way to bring others to Jesus was to follow Him closely. She stands witness to the many ways we can live out the Gospel and bring others to Jesus: for example, by bearing wrongs patiently, enduring hardship, teaching others about the faith, serving the poor, intercessory prayer, sharing personal testimony, and putting others above self.
3. Community
Duchesne Pioneers love one another as Christ loves us.Jesus established His followers as a special community, the Church. He taught that we are to love one another as He loved us. Philippine shows us how to live as a genuine Christian community. She often sacrificed her own comforts for the good of others, as we see when she slept under the staircase in the Florissant house, or when she would eat the scraps from the school children’s meals so her sisters could have enough food. She also knew how to have fun and literally “let her hair down,” as one of her students would relate. Like Philippine, we seek to create a welcoming environment to learn and grow in holiness. In her we can see Christian community as a place of love, joy, respect, and self-sacrifice for the good of others.
4. Pioneer Spirit
Duchesne Pioneers rely on God to persevere through challenges.As a pioneer in the New World, Philippine displayed incredible trust in God, patience, and perseverance. She endured constant hardships, whether it be sickness, extreme weather, lack of funds, or inadequate food. She also experienced many spiritual hardships in life, whether it be rejection, persecution, and delays to her dreams. Her grace-filled, pioneer spirit teaches us a great deal about reliance on God amidst trials, perseverance through suffering, patience, grit, creativity, and determination.
Foundations of Holiness
These charisms are intended to be the foundation of the culture and education at Duchesne High School. We aim to inspire all members of our community to embrace these charisms in order to become the saints God created them to be.