The MSC Congregation (Misionarii Sacratissimi Cordis Iesu) is a religious order within the Roman Catholic Church. In English, this congregation is known as the "Missionaries of the Sacred Heart of Jesus," while in Indonesian, it is called "Misionaris Hati Kudus Yesus."
The MSC Congregation was founded by Jules Chevalier (1824–1907) in Issoudun, France, in 1854. He was a priest of the Diocese of Bourges. During his formation in the seminary, he had a spiritual experience of God's love flowing through the Sacred Heart of Jesus. In 1854, he formed a small group of priests who shared the same ideal. He then established the first MSC community under the protection of Mary, who was later given the title "Our Lady of the Sacred Heart."
Father Jules Chevalier, as the founder of this congregation, saw the Sacred Heart of Jesus as the meeting point between God and humanity. It is from the Heart of Jesus that God's love is poured out upon humankind; in the Heart of Jesus, humanity is reconciled with God. Jesus invites us to live the "Spirituality of the Heart" by following His example in humility, obedience, courage, fidelity, and love.
Community of Love
The attention and concern of the small MSC community were global in nature. They began their mission by observing the signs of the times locally, particularly in French society, which was becoming increasingly secular. They believed that God's love was the remedy for the ailments of that era. Therefore, they were determined to rebuild faith in Issoudun, a village about 250 km from Paris that had become increasingly indifferent to religious and faith life.
Despite facing difficult times in an increasingly secular world, including the persecution and arrest of religious figures in France, these challenges became opportunities for the expansion of the MSC mission. More than 150 years after the Congregation was founded in Issoudun, MSC missionaries are now present in 50 countries with over 2,000 members, including priests and brothers. As a congregation not established for a specific ministry, the services of MSC missionaries are highly diverse. All these forms of ministry aim to respond to the challenges of the times by leading people to a deeper experience of God's love and manifesting that love in everyday life.
MSC Province of Indonesia
The MSC Congregation began its mission in Indonesia in 1903 with the arrival of missionaries from the Netherlands in Langgur, Maluku. However, the Indonesian Province was officially established only on October 6, 1971. Today, the MSC Province of Indonesia has more than 300 members. Their ministries and missions are spread across 13 dioceses in Indonesia as well as in various countries outside Indonesia.
The members of the MSC Congregation live in communities, sharing life, prayer, and mission. The diversity of ministries they undertake reflects the various needs for service within society. This diversity also signifies the different gifts present within their communities. The mission of the MSC congregation is to proclaim the love of the Sacred Heart of Jesus to the whole world. This missionary spirit is reflected in their motto: **"May the Sacred Heart of Jesus be loved everywhere!"**
“Ametur Ubique Terrarum Cor Iesu Sacratissimum!”
Link Media Sosial MSC
