"No one escapes the great law of suffering.
Even one whose life seems happy experiences his share of innermost suffering.
Nevertheless, I have observed how the simple presence of someone can relieve a wounded heart.
Since the beginning of Heart’s Home, I have had the strong conviction that man’s greatest thirst is to have a friend that is a
compassionate presence."
compassionate presence."
-from 'The Urgency of Love'
by Rev. Thierry de Roucy, Founder of Heart's Home
Heart’s Home is an international, non-profit, Catholic organization. Through the commitment of young volunteers all around the world, it spreads a Culture of Compassion as an answer to the universal reality of suffering.
Through friendship, Heart’s Home volunteers bring consolation to the most wounded people in the world. They visit them, as well as welcome them every afternoon in their missionary house, the "Heart's Home".
All around the world, Heart’s Home strives to affirm the intrinsic value of every human being through various initiatives in the corporate, scientific and artistic world.
Wherever they are, whether they work with street children, artists, or students, and whatever they do and organize, Heart's Home Volunteers never forget that the only answer to the drama of suffering is a gratuitous and sincere friendship.
They dedicate their time and love to the friends they live amongst, whether that be in the slums or the city center, through many forms of friendship and service--including by not limited to: operating as safe places for the children of the area to play, do their homework, and find friendship; visiting the elderly, the sick, and the homebound, helping them to gain access to health care and simply giving companionship; bringing assistance to the poorest by helping them get food, medicines, clothes, and decent housing; visiting the most abandoned and lonely, whether that be in the prisons, orphanages, hospitals, or their very own homes.
The first Heart’s Home was founded in Argentina by Rev. Thierry de Roucy in 1990. Now there are thirty-five “Heart’s Homes” and two "Heart's Home Villages" in twenty different countries.
To quote Archbishop Pelvi (Italy) in speaking of the volunteers, "They are enthusiastic souls who lead with conviction a permanent prayer life within a community based on forgiveness and mutual love." Heart’s Home is founded on three pillars: prayer-life, community, and compassion. Each Heart's Home typically holds 3-5 volunteers from around the world who seek to love and serve those whom they befriend in the surrounding community, nourished and strengthened by a rich life of daily prayer, adoration and the sacraments, and the companionship and love found amongst the community of missionaries themselves.
Such a small explanation cannot possibly do justice to the expansive vision of this humble, loving mission. To discover more about Heart's Home and their worldwide Mission of Compassion, please visit their website. Watch the beautiful and touching Heart's Home movie, read some of Rev. Thierry's writings, as well as some of the testimonies of the missionaries themselves.
