This article aims to show the vocation of the Priests of the Sacred Heart in the ecclesial context. In the light of reflection of Vatican Council II each and individual religious vocation, as well as all the religious life, is firmly inscribed in the life of the Church itself. In this context the vocation and the mission of the Congregation of the Sacred Heart shall be placed as well. At first, the figure of the Founder of the Congregation, of father Leo Dehon, is presented as of a man who in his vocation was fully loyal and committed to the Church. Then the ecclesial nature of the SCJ vocation is discussed on the base of the current Constitutions of the Congregation; and finally, the mission of Polish Priests of the Sacred Heart in the local and universal Church is presented. Outlined issues help us to state that the Congregation of the Sacred Heart, which was established primarily to address the needs of the Church of Fr Dehon’s times, even today, as it is clearly seen on the example of the Polish Province of the Congregation, through its own charism and ministry partakes in the Church’s evangelizing mission of our time. The Priests of the Sacred Heart are present in a wide circle of the Church’s mission, both in distant countries, as the mission ad gentes and in the areas of the new evangelization which embraces the countries of Eastern and Western Europe as well. Wherever the Congregation is present, it carries out its mission in a close cooperation and under the pastoral custody of the Shepherds of the local Churches. Also today, as it was in the time of the Founder, the Congregation enters into those areas of human life, which the most demand support and evangelization. In this way, it is naturally complementing the pastoral ministry of the diocesan churches.
Based on the biblical sources, the writings of the II Vatican Council and the theological literature the article’s aim is to present the elementary factors, which decide about our membership within the Christ’s Church and consequently about the capabilities of being saved. Among others they are: the personal relationship of faith with Christ and resulting from it the attitude of love towards the needy. The last one is vital, because it opens the possibility of salvation for those who, for various reasons, do not believe in Christ or God and are not part of Christ’s Church. Moreover, it emphasises the irreplaceable role of the Church, which becomes reliable support for everyone who within the human community is moving towards salvation. Even though it is possible to find salvation outside the visible structures of the Church, for someone who is an active member of the Church, not only with the flesh but with the heart, the road towards salvation seems to be much easier and more reliable. Therefore, it is significant that every member of the Church pays attention in order to build up his/her bonds with the Church, and equally the Church should continue the missionary activity and try to reach out to those who do not belong to it as yet, to offer them good saving instruments with which it has been equipped.