26 Sep 2023
This is a very exciting time for our MSC’s as the election process takes place to elect our new Superior General and Leadership Team for the worldwide congregation.This General Chapter also happens to coincide with the jubilee year of our founder, Fr Jules Chevalier. The Chapter Assembly takes place from September 17 – October 7, 2023
The theme for the 26th MSC General Chapter is, “Did not our hearts burn within us as we walked along together!” (Luke 24:32). It reminds us that this journey started in 1854 when Fr Chevalier began to feel his heart burning for the mission. It has continued to burn for 168 years. In the last six years, this journey has flowed in synodality and interconnectedness through the General Conferences of 2019 and 2021, the accompaniments carried out, the provincial activities and meetings, as well as the international encounters undertook.
Inspired by the two disciples’ journey on the Road to Emmaus, the Missionaries of the Sacred Heart “want to recognize Jesus approaching and walking with us welcoming our misunderstandings and disappointments as well as our hopes and desire to listen and to see with mercy the world, the reality and the people around us especially those most in need and excluded.”
The Chapter Hall, therefore, has been set-up to consistently invite the MSC’s to be present in the journey.
The Pre-Chapter Opening Mass was celebrated on the 17th September bringing all the Missionaries together as brothers and sisters as members of the Chevalier Family with the homily brought by Fr Abzalón Alvarado, MSC.
A General Chapter is a living process, an open life system with different stages. We come to this moment after a long journey of listening, discernment, and work, especially after the 2019 and 2021 General Conferences. This six-year process has included conversations, discernment, and listening at community and provincial levels.
During the first week, each meeting represented prayers on personal reflection and dialogues for the meaning of the Chapter and the structures of the congregation for the future.
On the fifth day, Friday 22nd September , the entire day was dedicated to Blessed MSC Martyrs of El Quiché.
Work was also done on the Reports from some of the Commissions established by the General Leadership Team according to the recommendations of the 2021 General Conference, including the Safeguarding Commission, and the international aspect of MSC formation.
The election process will begin this week to elect our new Superior General and Leadership Team for the worldwide congregation.
Images courtesy of Amateur MSC on Facebook