History
The Missionaries of the Sacred Heart (MSC) are an international community of religious men of the Catholic Church who believe that nothing is more important than the saving power of God's love.
The initials M.S.C. come from the Latin: Missionarii Sacratissimi Cordis. Founded in France by Father Jules Chevalier the history of the MSCs is a unique one.
When Fr Chevalier was assigned as curate in the parish of Issoudun, he looked for ways and means to bring to reality an idea that had already been conceived in his heart as a seminarian. He wanted to found a missionary Society that would have as its purpose to bring God's compassionate and merciful love to human beings as the remedy for the evils that afflicted society.
He shared his idea with a companion of his from seminary days, Fr. Maugenest, also now a curate at Issoudun. The latter received the idea with enthusiasm. But some of the members of the episcopal council expressed their opposition to his plan. In spite of this opposition, a succession of events, which the bishop considered "miraculous", ensured that his idea could be realised.
Fr Chevalier had promised the Blessed Virgin that, if she helped him, he would venerate her in a special way. The two curates began a novena to ask for Our Lady's light and help. The help that they required, the economic means to bring their plan to reality, were put into in their hands on the last day of the novena: a gift from an unknown benefactor.
It was the feast of the Immaculate Conception, 8 December 1854, the day considered to be the foundation day of the Society of the Missionaries of the Sacred Heart. The two curates were the first members of the new society. Fr. Chevalier fulfilled his promise to Mary, honouring her with the title Our Lady of the Sacred Heart.
MSCs at Monivae
Father Mark McGuinness is now the sole representative of the MSCs at Monivae College, following the departure after 25 years of beloved Br Dan Geary who touched the lives of many at Monivae.