THE EMBLEM ARMS OF THE SISTERS OF CHARITY OF SAINT JEANNE-ANTIDE THOURET
Meaning and Brief History
2 – The principal Religious Orders and the most important Congregations of active life possess an emblem (seal) of arms or a distinctive sign of recognition, often formed gradually through minor or major transformations over the course of years and centuries.
3 – Emblems (seals) of arms, beyond serving as a practical necessity for conducting ordinary relations in both civil and ecclesiastical contexts, are above all intended to encapsulate the history, spirituality, and charism of the Families to which they belong, through an emblem and a distinctive habit or programmatic motto.
4 – The emblem of arms currently in use within the Congregation consists of a shield bearing at its centre a radiant Latin cross, flanked by two capital letters S (S†S). Above or below the shield there appears, with certain graphic variations, a scroll bearing the motto “God Alone”. The cross and the letters are rendered in gold, set against an azure field.
5 – What appears to be one of the earliest attestations of this emblem of arms is located at the centre of the nave of the Church of Regina Coeli in Naples.
6 – It consists of an almost oval slab of white marble, with pink engravings depicting the emblem of the Congregation of the Sisters of Charity, together with rose branches, lilies, and leaves. The slab is bordered in grey marble adorned with garlands of roses and bears the inscription:
ON THE 23RD OF JULY, A.D. 1819, IN WHICH YEAR THE SUPREME PONTIFF APPROVED (RATIFIED) THE INSTITUTION.
7 – This inscription clearly refers to the approval of the Rule of the Institute by Pius VII, which took place precisely on 23 July 1819.
8 – Where do we find the explanation of our emblem of arms?
9 – In a letter sent from Naples on 7 February 1888 by Sr Henriette Biguenet, cousin of Sr Febronia Thouret, to Sr Cornelia Fougier in Carouge (Switzerland), she writes:
“… Dear Sister Cornelia, you ask me what S†S signifies. The SS are the monogram of the Sisters of the Institute; they are placed beneath the cross to signify that we must carry our cross every day in following our good Master; words addressed to us at our first clothing, when we receive the cross and the crown of the Rosary. The rays emanating from the cross further signify the Faith which permeates our works, in order to animate them and render them worthy of Jesus Christ, worthy of reward. Reflections most encouraging for us, are they not?”
10 – Another written testimony, of a later date, is found in the minutes of a Council held in Besançon on 19 January 1899, in preparation for the centenary celebrations of the Institute’s foundation, where it is stated:
“… The following decisions were taken: 1° The initials of the Community †SS, with the motto established by Mother Thouret: ‘God Alone!’ The decorative shield shall bear the initials in gold on a blue base. The legend bearing the motto ‘God Alone’ shall be arranged according to the dictates of good taste.”
“… The following decisions were made: 1° The monogram of the Community †SS will be used as the seal, together with the motto established by Mother Thouret: ‘God Alone!’. The decorative coat of arms will display the monogram in gold on a blue background. The inscription bearing the motto ‘God Alone’ will be arranged according to good taste.”
11 – What is important to emphasise is the presence of the radiant Latin cross, which has remained constant since the time of the Foundress.
12 – Jeanne-Antide used a hot wax seal, found on certain letters and official documents, and engraved on three gravestones (those of Sr Colomba Thouret, Saint Jeanne-Antide, and Sr Geneviève Boucon), in which there appears a radiant Latin cross with two crossed female hands resting at its base; beneath them are placed the letters/abbreviations P.E.V.G. (Patientia Est Viae Gloriae: patience is the way to glory).
13 – Three tomb slabs in the Church of Naples.
14 – Bas-relief on the choir loft in the Church of Naples.
15 – The emblem of arms subsequently evolved so as to unite the sign of the Cross Sola Salus (†SS) with the motto “God Alone”.
16 – The emblem of arms of the Sisters of Charity represents the spiritual identity of the Congregation—what today might be termed its visual identity, its hallmark, its logo. It fosters a sense of belonging and an awareness of being part of one and the same Family, wherever one may be in the world.
17 – Today, 11 April 2026, we celebrate the feast of the foundation of the Institute: more than two centuries (227 years) have passed, yet the emblem of arms has always been used with great pride, being reproduced on every surface and in every possible manner…
18 – … on letterheads, on hot-stamped seals in sealing wax, dry seals or pad stamps…
19 – … on stained-glass windows, on furniture, on doors…
20 – … in the Basilica of Sancey…
21 – … through embroidery, paintings, and engravings…
22 – … in the Chapel of St. Jeanne-Antide in Naples.
23 – May the celebrations of the Bicentenary of the passing into Heaven of St. Jeanne-Antide help us to give greater strength and visibility to our identity as Sisters of Charity, as the Thouret Family throughout the world.
