Oct 3, 2019
Each year, the arrival of September heralds an exciting time for the Irish Province of the Missionaries of the Sacred Heart, as we embark on our annual pilgrimage to Lourdes.
This year saw another wonderful pilgrimage group embark on the well-trodden path to Lourdes on September 14th, for a five-night trip undertaken by the familiar faces of friends and new acquaintances alike. A total of 86 pilgrims travelled from Cork and Dublin, and the group swelled in numbers even more in Lourdes, as friends both old and new joined our MSC party.
The group’s spiritual leader on this year’s journey was Fr Charles Sweeney MSC, and he was joined by MSCs Fr Des Farren, Fr John Finn, Fr Timothy Gleeson, and Fr Michael O’Connell.
The pilgrimage began on Saturday with prayers at the High Stations of the Cross, led by Fr John Finn. Different pilgrims carried our banner from station to station in a lovely afternoon of peaceful reflection. Evening prayer took place in the Church of Seven Dolours.
Sunday morning dawned with a 7.30am Mass at the Grotto of Our Lady of Lourdes, which was celebrated with English-speaking pilgrims from the USA and India. “This was a very special time to be at the Grotto, as dawn broke and we watched the sun rise,” says Fr Michael. This was followed by breakfast, and a guided tour of special places connected with St Bernadette of Lourdes.
This year’s pilgrimage was a special one, celebrating the 175th anniversary of the birth of St Bernadette of Lourdes, who was both on January 7th 1844. St Bernadette is widely known and loved for her experience of apparitions from Our Lady of Lourdes – “a small young lady” who appeared to Bernadette on 17 occasions in a niche in the rock at Massabielle, while Bernadette, aged 14 at the time, was caring for her family’s flock of sheep. The Lady requested that Bernadette “go to the priests and tell them to build a chapel here”, but it was not until their seventeenth meeting that “the beautiful lady” identified herself to Bernadette. That chapel was to become what is now the Grotto of Our Lady of Lourdes, the site of miracles visited by millions of people every year.
“It was lovely to see the improvements made to the domain area,” notes Fr Michael. “There have been new trees planted near the Grotto, improvements at the baths, new taps to wash your hands and face, and the candles have been moved to the opposite side of the river. There is also a special emphasis on prayerful silence.”
Holy Hour on Sunday night was led by Fr Charles Sweeney at the Chapel of St Maximilian Kolbe. “Everyone lit a candle, and we remembered and prayed for our deceased,” says Fr Michael. “The healing service on Monday evening at the Upper Basilica was also very special.”
Monday also saw Mass at Bartes, where St Bernadette lived twice. Here, our pilgrims had the opportunity to venerate a relic of St Bernadette, and view a sample of her handwriting that has been preserved through the ages.
Tuesday afternoon brought prayers at the Lower Stations of the Cross, followed by a Rosary mediation at the Chapel of St Maximilian Kolbe. Wednesday morning’s Mass at the Bois St Francois at the City of St Pierre, or the City of the Poor, was another particularly lovely moment as Mass was celebrated in the open air beside the beautiful lake. “We thought it was starting to rain at one point,” recalls Fr Michael, “but it was just the wind shaking the rain off the leaves in the trees! The weather was wonderful on the whole, and it only rained at night.”
The return flights were not until the evening on the final day, which gave our pilgrimage group a full day at their leisure to revisit their favourite spots, and spend time in prayer by the river or at the Grotto – a perfect end to the journey.
“We had another fantastic group of pilgrims this year,” says Fr Michael. “We were especially blessed in our guitarist, Jerry, and his wife, Deirdre.”
From candlelight vigils to a beautiful outdoor Mass celebrated at the City of the Poor, this year’s pilgrimage was a prayerful, grace-filled trip that left all involved with full hearts. All of our benefactors and mission friends were remembered in the prayers of our MSCs and pilgrims on this year’s journey, and as always, we would like to thank everyone who participated for making this year’s pilgrimage a resounding success.
If you would like to find out more about the annual MSC pilgrimage to Lourdes, please click here.
Sep 27, 2019
This year’s annual Masses for deceased MSCs and Daughters of the Lady of the Sacred Heart will take place around the country in November, as we remember those who have gone before us in the light of the Lord.
Masses will take place on the following dates:
Sunday, November 3rd at 3.00pm:
- Sacred Heart Church, Western Road, Cork
- Woodview House, Mt. Merrion Avenue, Blackrock, Co. Dublin
- Croí Nua, Rosary Lane, Taylors Hill, Galway
Sunday, November 17th at 2.00pm:
- St Patrick’s Church, Ballybay, Co. Monaghan
We would like to invite you to pray with us during the month of the Holy Souls as we remember the MSCs and Daughters of Our Lady of the Sacred Heart who worked so hard to ensure that the Sacred Heart of Jesus is known and loved everywhere, and by everyone.
Aug 15, 2019
Novena to Our Lady of the Sacred Heart 2019
Our annual Novena to Our Lady of the Sacred Heart is a beautiful time of reflection and thanksgiving, when we bring our prayers and petitions before Our Lady.
Our Novena of Masses runs for nine days and will take place from Saturday, August 31st to Sunday, September 8th.
All are welcome to join in the Novena by watching our daily Masses live from the Sacred Heart Church in Cork. These Novena Masses will take place daily at 10.00am and 8.00pm.
Be part of this year’s Novena to the Sacred Heart
At this special time of year, you can help us to help others by supporting our ongoing mission projects, and in gratitude for your contribution, we will be glad to remember your intentions at our daily Novena Masses. You can then submit your personal prayers and intentions online, and our MSC priests will remember your petitions specially throughout the course of the Novena.
The theme of year’s Novena to Our Lady of the Sacred Heart will be “Mother-Disciple”, and it will be led at the Sacred Heart Church on the Western Road, Cork, by Sr Merle Salazar FDNSC.
Sr Merle was born, raised and educated in the Philippines. Prior to her joining religious life with the Daughters of Our Lady of the Sacred Heart in 1995, she was a certified public accountant. As a young religious sister, she taught accountancy, did treasury work in a parish school, and coordinated a nutrition program in the remote village of Cebu, located in central Philippines.
She also obtained a Masters degree in Religious Studies, majoring in Scripture. Following her final profession, she has ministered in Formation and Leadership. She has also taught Marian Theology and Scripture at three theology schools in Manila.
In 2011, at the General Chapter of her congregation, she was elected onto the General Council, and was re-elected at the 2014 Chapter. She is currently the First Councillor to the General and resides in Rome. We are delighted to welcome Sr Merle to Ireland, and especially to pray with us during our Novena at the Sacred Heart Church in Cork.
OLSH Novena at the Sacred Heart Church, Western Road, Cork
Daily Novena Masses: 10.00am & 8.00pm
Sacrament of Reconciliation: Tuesday, September 3rd
Sacrament of Anointing: Thursday, September 5th at 10.00am & 8.00pm
Special Mass of Healing: Thursday, September 5th at 3.00pm
Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament: Thursday, September 5th at 10.00am – 2.00pm
All are welcome to attend. Tea and coffee will be served in the Sacred Heart Centre following all sessions (except Sunday morning). You are very welcome to come along and relax, meet new friends, and renew old acquaintances.
We welcome each and every one of you to this year’s Novena to Our Lady of the Sacred Heart. We hope and pray that these nine days of prayer will be a grace-filled and blessed time for all of us.
TAKE PART IN OUR 2019 OLSH NOVENA
Jan 10, 2019
A journey that begins with a single purpose often ends with much more…
As January gets into its stride, we look ahead to a year full of promise and new opportunities – and the 2019 MSC pilgrimages are a wonderful way to embrace the spirit of faith, hope, and unity over the coming year. This year, we will be going on pilgrimage to Fatima in May/June, and to Lourdes in September.
Each year, pilgrims join us for different reasons. Some may be struggling with illness, grief, stress, or other personal challenges. Other wish to take part in a traditional pilgrimage journey with like-minded travellers, sharing stories, experiences, and reflections on life. Many wish to simply pray, reflect, and offer thanksgiving for their blessings. The experience of pilgrimage is different for every individual, but one thing remains the same on every journey – a sense of great joy in the awareness of being part of something bigger, of something more.
“A powerful, life-changing experience… The invitation is open to all.”
“Pilgrimage is about freedom,” says Fr Alan Neville MSC. “It’s about walking to the horizon – and when you get there, you keep on going. It’s about taking part in something that is at the same time enjoyable and profound. I’ve yet to meet one person who regretted making the trip. For every one of them it has been a powerful, even life-changing experience. The invitation is open to all, so what’s keeping you?”
With a true sense of friendship, companionship, and community, our pilgrimages offer a warm welcome to all.
“Each pilgrim brings a special wish in their hearts, a prayer.”
– Pope Francis
MSC Pilgrimages 2019
Pilgrimage to Fatima
May 30th – June 3rd (4 nights full board)
Pilgrimage to Lourdes
September 14th – 19th (5 nights full board)
For further information, please contact Joe Walsh Tours on +353 (0) 1 2410803.
Read about our 2018 pilgrimage to Lourdes.
Nov 27, 2018
On Saturday, November 24th, the Sacred Heart Church in Cork was aglow with the light of hundreds of candles, each flame commemorating a beloved soul who is now with the Lord.
Since our first candlelight memorial service in 2014, the annual Light Up a Memory Mass has become a much-loved tradition to close the Month of the Holy Souls, and this year’s Mass was another wonderful occasion for all involved.
From 6.30pm on Saturday evening, the Sacred Heart Church was a beacon of welcoming warmth in the winter darkness, with each candle burning brightly in celebration of lives and the memories of those we will always hold dear. This year, Fr Michael O’Connell MSC, Director of the MSC Missions Office, was the main celebrant of the Mass, with sermon by parish priest Fr Tom Mulcahy MSC. With a beautiful musical accompaniment led by Gerry and Deirdre Tuohy, this was a very special evening of reflection and remembrance to mark the ending of the month of remembrance.
“The church looked stunning,” said one parishioner. “It was so warm, inviting, and very appropriate for the occasion. It was also lovely to see so many MSC priests concelebrating Mass. It brought back nice memories for me.”
A “poignant and meaningful” evening of remembrance
The Light Up a Memory Mass is an opportunity for families to come together in prayer and remembrance each November. Bereavement touches us all and the service is a lovely way for families to remember together. “My son was very impressed with the celebration,” said another Mass-goer on the night. “He was delighted to bring a candle to the altar.”
We were glad to welcome familiar faces of old friends on the night, and we also had many visitors who come specially to celebrate the service with us. “It was a beautiful Mass,” said one. “The altar looked amazing, and the atmosphere was lovely.”
“It was a lovely ceremony – even if I only came upon it by accident on the way home!” said another attendee on the night. “My dad passed away late last year, so this was very poignant and meaningful for us.”
We also welcomed viewers from all over the world on our live stream, as hundreds tuned in to watch the Mass live and take part in this beautiful memorial. “That was lovely,” said one online viewer. “I’m so glad I got it!”
We would like to extend our sincere thanks to all who took part in this year’s Light Up a Memory celebrations, in the Sacred Heart Church and beyond. It was a truly special evening of reflection and remembrance for all involved.
Oct 31, 2018
During the month of November, we take time to remember specially loved ones who have gone before us, and whose memory still burns brightly in our hearts and minds. Every year, the Missionaries of the Sacred Heart mark the end of the month of the Holy Souls with our annual Light Up a Memory Mass, a beautiful candlelight service that celebrates the memories of those we hold dear.
Each November, we invite our mission friends to send the names of their dearly departed for remembrance, and this list is kept on the altar throughout the month as we pray that they are granted peace in their eternal rest. This time-honoured tradition is a source of great comfort and solace, and the annual Light Up a Memory Mass is a wonderful way to mark the end of this month of remembrance.
On this special night, the Sacred Heart Church will be a beacon of welcoming light in the winter darkness, illuminated by the glow of hundreds of candles. With uplifting choral music and prayerful reflections, we come together to pray by the glow of candlelight, with each flame burning brightly in memory of those whom we have lost.
“This is a wonderful opportunity to remember those who are no longer with us,” says Fr Michael O’Connell MSC, Director of the MSC Missions Office. “The light of a candle is a welcome sight on a dark winter night, and each of these flames is a beautiful symbol of remembrance in honour of the loved ones who are always in our thoughts.”
All are welcome to take part in this year’s ceremony on Saturday, November 24th at 6.30pm. Tune into our live stream to watch this year’s Light Up a Memory Mass live, along with all of the Masses for the Holy Souls throughout the month of November.
If you would like more information about our Light Up a Memory Mass, please contact the MSC Missions Office by phone on 021 4545704 or by email at info@mscmissions.ie.
