General Government

Mother Marcelina Viganó

Born in Milan on January 6, 1869. In 1911, when the Holy See exonerated the Foundress from her position, Mother Marcelina was appointed to replace her. The first General Chapter of 1918 elected her Superior General, a role she held until 1937. Under her governance, the Institute was renamed Zelatrices of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, and later (1921) Missionary Zelatrices of the Apostles of the Sacred Heart of Jesus. In 1921, she established the Brazilian Province with headquarters in Curitiba, Paraná, which later moved to Sao Paulo in 1926.

Mother Hildegarde Campodonico

Born October 1, 1879 in Boston, Massachusetts. In 1937, she was elected to the position of 3rd Superior General, a position she held until 1950. Under her leadership, the body of our Foundress—having been identified and found to be incorrupt—was transferred to the Chapel of the Generalate on May 20, 1945.

Mother Speranzina Morelli

Born in Verdello, Bergamo, Italy on July 21, 1901. The General Chapter of 1950 elected Mother Speranzina and entrusted her with the difficult task of leading the Congregation in the post-World War II era. In 1957, she dissolved the Brazilian Province and established two new Provinces: Sao Paulo and Paraná. In 1967, the Congregation returned to its original name: Apostles of the Sacred Heart of Jesus. Mother Speranzina’s term as Superior General concluded at the end of the 1968 General Chapter.

Mother Rosalia Sosso

Born on May 21, 1915 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Mother Rosalia was elected during the General Chapter of 1968, following the Second Vatican Council. In this post-conciliar period, she knew how to guide the Congregation through a healthy and balanced renewal. In order to better attend to the spiritual formation of the Sisters, the “International Center of Spirituality” in Rocca di Papa was established in 1972. The Congregation expanded its apostolate with the opening of missions in the state of Pará in Brazil.

Mother Maria Auxiliadora de Godoy

Born October 1, 1931 in Viradouro, Sao Paula, Brazil. Several important events marked Mother Auxiliadora’s term as Superior General:
1) Opening of the cause for canonization of our Mother Foundress (1989-1990);
2) the sending of Apostles to Antofogasta-Chile (1990);
3) opening of a Mission in Tirana, Albania (1992);
4) creation of the Central-North Vice Province of Brazil (1993);
5) the celebration of Congregation’s Centennial (1993-1994). During the XIII General Chapter, held in 1992, she was re-elected;
6) In 1994, an Apostle mission in Dombe, Mozambique, Africa was opened.

Mother Mary Clare Millea

Born April 21, 1947 in Derby, Connecticut. Mother Clare professed First Vows in Hamden, Connecticut, on August 22, 1967 and made Perpetual Profession on August 22, 1973.

Among the many achievements under her governance, Mother Clare began the process of restructuring the works of the Congregation. In October 2013, a meeting of Provincial Superiors of the Provinces and Vice-Provinces of the Congregation of the Apostles of the Sacred Heart of Jesus was held at the U.S. Provincial House in Hamden, Connecticut. The meeting provided reflection on the path of the Institute and sharing of experiences. The Provincial and Vice-Provincial Superiors presented the modalities of actions and the various initiatives promoted in their Provinces to focus and live the priorities indicated by the XVI General Chapter in July 2010.

On October 21, 2015, while in Brazil, Mother Clare received the title of “Doctor Honoris Causa,” the highest distinction awarded by the then University of the Sacred Heart (USC), in recognition of her apostolic and missionary work as well as academic achievements. Mother Clare holds two undergraduate degrees, two master’s degrees (Psychology and Canon Law) and a Doctorate in Canon Law. At the same time, her work with individuals with special needs at Clelian Heights School, internationally known for its work in social inclusion, stands out. She is also a great supporter of the University's mission, encouraging work and research in favor of the well-being of society and the search for the truth that is Christ himself. There are many personal merits of Mother Clare, who continued the work and mission of Blessed Mother Clelia Merloni, our foundress, by guiding a large contingent of Apostles and lay people who make a difference in the world through evangelization to make the Heart of Jesus better known and loved.