Introduction

The Congregation of the Priests of the Sacred Heart was founded by the Venerable Leo John Dehon, SCJ, in France in 1878. His dream was to establish a religious community of men committed to continuing Christ's work of rebuilding our world into God's kingdom of justice and love.

SCJ priests and brothers have carried Father Dehon's dream around the world since then. Our ministry has grown to more than thirty countries extending over five continents.

Our ministry in the United States began in the early 1920's in a small parish along the banks of the Missouri River in South Dakota. Today, we are engaged in a variety of ministries.

We are pastors in urban and rural parishes. We are involved in teaching, counseling, chaplaincies, and social justice concerns. We are engaged in seminary education and religious formation. In all that we do and to all whom we serve, we strive to bring the love of the Heart of Jesus.