In our constitution it is written: “The Founders of the Order of the Sacred and Immaculate Hearts of Jesus and Mary are the Sacred Heart of Jesus and the Immaculate Heart of Mary.” This is our whole-hearted belief. This Order is a gift from Them and it is only because They have wanted it and They have arranged and guided and protected everything that it exists today.

One of the special principles of the Order is that we never seek glory for ourselves but always direct all praise to God. So when anyone asks us, “Who founded the Order?” we always point to our true Founders. Some people are content with that, others say, “Yes, but who are the human founders?” Then we explain the story, which makes it clear that it really is the Two Hearts.

The Order started as a prayer group in Nevada where some women had joined together in prayer and in ministry. They came together daily at one of their homes, responding to the urgent call of Our Lady for prayer in these times. Together they prayed the Rosary, the Liturgy of the Hours, the Litany of the Blessed Mother and seven Our Father’s, Hail Mary’s and Glory Be’s; they each signed up for adoration in their parish; and they ministered as volunteers in various organizations that reach out to the sick and dying, the poor, the needy, and the helpless. They offered all this, and all their prayers, works, joys and sufferings for all of the intentions of the Sacred Heart of Jesus and the Immaculate Heart of Mary, as well as for a specific intention for each day of the week. They were living the very charism of the Order in seed form. And even though they were so few, there was the sense that eventually this group would grow – even to becoming a religious community – but they didn’t have any idea how to make that happen.

It was in Oregon that a Benedictine Monk, Fr. Benedict Suing, became a part of this little work of the Two Hearts, because of one of his parishioner’s description of it. Shortly afterwards he came in contact with a professor of Theology and Mariology at the Franciscan University of Steubenville, Ohio. The professor then came to Oregon to learn about what the Two Hearts were doing there and to see how he also may be called to be a part of this mission. It was clear to all that there was a special plan, and so the discussion of establishing a community of internal and external members began.  Guidance from the Church was sought, the charism and mission was put into writing and a constitution developed.

What was the next step? Where could this new order be established? They were hoping that they could begin right there in Oregon.  Father Benedict was born and raised, professed a religious, ordained and served many years as a priest in Oregon. Starting here would mean being on familiar ground with many established connections that could help this little community flourish.    His own religious community could be a great source of inspiration, guidance and support.  But often our ways are not God’s ways.  Providence opened another door and Father Benedict understood that he was called to leave his home state and all that had become so familiar.  Our Lord and our Lady were asking him to travel halfway across the nation to bring what would become the Order of the Sacred and Immaculate Hearts of Jesus and Mary to Ohio.  Reminiscent of our ancient father in faith, Father Benedict responded courageously and so God used him to start something new.  The move was not an easy one, yet with the generosity of Abraham, the obedience of St. Joseph, the simplicity of a child and the permission of his superiors, he packed up his belongings and traveled across the country to embrace the ever-growing call within him to work for the Two Hearts and to offer all for souls.

Once in Ohio, Fr. Benedict learned of a piece of property that had long been on the market and was reasonably priced. It was located in the outskirts of the small town of Hopedale. Neither Fr. Benedict nor the professor had the funds with which to purchase it. But once again, the Hearts of Jesus and Mary proved that this was Their work and they provided a generous donation through a wonderful couple that had been supporting the professor in an apostolate for Our Lady.

The blessing of the Bishop of Steubenville and his permission to begin were promptly sought. They found the Bishop to be supportive and wise, truly an instrument of Jesus and Mary. He came out to the property on August 19, 1997, and with his blessing, in the presence of a very few, the Order of the Sacred and Immaculate Hearts of Jesus and Mary officially began.

All along the Two Hearts had been guiding, and They continued to do so. During the spring and summer of the following year, They started to bring people who were open to becoming a part of this community that had barely begun. There was a religious sister from a local Franciscan community, a religious brother from a Camaldolese Hermitage in nearby Bloomingdale, a student from the Franciscan University and a priest from Holland. On August 19, 1998, the internal community of the Order was established and the long awaited dream was beginning its fulfillment . . . the Hearts of Jesus and Mary had founded Their Order.