The General Chapter is an ecclesial event that marks the election of the Leadership Team of the Institute of the Religious of the Sacred Heart of Mary for the next six years. The logo for the 2025 General Chapter was designed by Sister Margaret McKenna of the Western American Area. The following is her explanation of the symbols she chose and her inspiration.
The 2025 General Chapter Logo, by Sister Margaret McKenna
” When planning the design for the logo, I chose three symbols: a circle representing our Earth, silhouettes of women/RSHM walking together, and finally, a multi-coloured wave symbolizing the divine spirit that encounters our reality.
The Earth symbol has none of the familiar shades of green and blue, but rather shows swaths of yellow and brown, reminding us of our struggle with climate change. You will also note that the surface of the Earth is blurred, obscuring national boundaries, symbolizing the global confusion surrounding mass migration, war, climate change, and distrust in traditional leadership.
Next, we see images of women in a variety of sizes, shapes, and ages walking together, not walking away from the turmoil, but facing into the center of it. They are the RSHM committed to a purpose: women of prophetic hope, walking together, risking the new, so that all may have life.
Finally, we look to the colorful wave, the spirit of the divine sweeping across the Earth, whose center rests on the women, where colors return to the blues and greens that announce renewal is at hand.
The logo is accompanied by the Chapter Theme: “Women of prophetic hope, walking together, risking the new, so that all may have life.”