This year, we’re celebrating the 60th anniversary of the MSC Missions Office on the Western Road, Cork, and as part of our anniversary commemorations, we’re looking back on old issues of our newsletter, the MSC Message, on a walk together down Memory Lane.
Fr Jules Chevalier and the Foundation of the MSC
The Winter edition of the MSC Message in 1999 took us to Issoudun, France, giving readers a short history of the founder of the Missionaries of the Sacred Heart, Fr Jules Chevalier, and the establishment of the first society of the MSC in the small town of Issoudun.
While the 1999 article gives a short overview, you can find out more about Fr Chevalier and the foundation of the Missionaries of the Sacred Heart here.
The Russian Mission
In Autumn 1998, the MSC Message featured an update from Irish MSC Fr Con Doherty, writing from the Russian mission. Having returned to the Sacred Heart parish on the Western Road, Cork, in recent years, it is fascinating to read Fr Con’s account of life in the Caucusus region of Russia almost 30 years ago.
The Irish MSCs on the mission at the time had attended the Consecration of Bishop Klemens Pikkel in Marx, were teaching weekly catechetical classes for adults and children, and were looking forward to celebrating the First Holy Communion of six children and one adult in St Joseph’s Parish, Nal’chik, that October.
You can read more about the scope of the Russian mission here.
A prayer for students
Finally, and fittingly for this time of year, Summer of 1998 brought us a lovely prayer to St Joseph of Cupertino, patron saint of students.
“Joseph Desa (b. 1602) had an abiding vocation to serve God, but the various authorities considered him of ‘poor intelligence’. He prayed that on the occasion of his examination, he would be asked questions to which he knew the answers. Joseph went on to study for the priesthood and eventually was ordained. He devoted his life to prayer and good works. He is the patron saint of students.”
Dear Saint Joseph of Cupertino, please intercede for me that I may be successful in my exams, in my future career, in life and in my Faith. Amen.
With every blessing to all students approaching exams this summer, and the families and teachers supporting them along the way. You are very welcome to light a candle or send us a prayer request for a special student, or order an exam Mass card on our website, and our MSCs will be glad to keep your intentions in their prayers.
Read more from our 60th anniversary celebrations…