Pope Francis’ message to MSCs

“You are authentic disciples of Jesus Christ,” said Pope Francis when he was the Archbishop of Buenos Aires.

Speaking about the Missionaries of the Sacred Heart, he spoke of their ministry, saying “only a priest in love with the Lord can renew a parish.  But at the same time he must be a missionary who lives the constant desire of looking for those who are separated and who is not content with just administration.”

Fr. Tom O’Brien MSC at a soup kitchen in Venezuela

In a letter written for the Feast of the Sacred Heart, Fr. Mark McDonald, Superior General of the MSCs, called on MSCs in Ireland, England and around the world to be prophetic and passionate in their vocations. It’s about reminding ourselves about the importance of growing in love for the Lord. At the core of our mission is the need to see the face of God in all we serve, whether in a retreat house in Ireland, the prisons of Venezuela, the parishes in Russia, the HIV / AIDS projects in South Africa or our schools in England.

Within our Church following the election of Pope Francis there is a sense of excitement and renewed energy. By what he has said and more importantly by what he has done Pope Francis is inviting and challenging us to be bearers of good news and messengers of hope in our world today. For him the Church is a love story, not an institution, and we all have our stories to share and our parts to play.