This year, the Missionary Sisters of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus (MSC) are celebrating one hundred and twenty-five years since their foundation on March 25, 1900 in Hiltrup, Germany. We were born from the fire burning in the heart of Father Jules Chevalier, MSC – a fire to bring the love of God to the islands of the South Pacific, a mission entrusted to the MSC Fathers and Brothers by Pope Leo XIII in 1881. Their early missions were centered in Papua New Guinea and the Gilbert Islands.
Father Chevalier could see opportunities in obstacles. Under Otto von Bismarck, France lost their colonies in the Pacific islands to Germany. French MSC’s were no longer welcome there, creating a great need for German priests, brothers and sisters. Father Hubert J. Linckens, MSC was entrusted with the foundation of the Mission House for his congregation in Germany as early as 1894, becoming the first provincial of the MSC in Hiltrup, Germany. He was further entrusted by Father Chevalier with the preparation of German Missionary Sisters. One could say that Bismarck had an indirect role in the foundation of the MSC Sisters!
Many women applied to the new congregation. Father Linckens formed them in the spirit of his own MSC congregation with the help of two Sisters of Divine Providence who guided the young women as Missionary Sisters of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus. March 25, 1900 – our Foundation Day, marked the reception of eleven postulants into the MSC Sisters novitiate. By September 10, 1902, five sisters left for the Marshall Islands and seven departed for Papua New Guinea. Within two years, ten more Sisters left for the South Pacific missions.
On August 13, 1904, five MSC sisters, two MSC priests and three brothers were assassinated at Saint Paul in the Baining Mountains of Papua New Guina. Father Linckens was in the South Pacific at the time of their martyrdom and sent word to Mother Franziska, in Germany to “Send replacements immediately!” The response was overwhelming! So many of the sisters volunteered to take the place of the martyred sisters. Likewise, many women joined the community. Because of this, additional ministries could begin in Germany. In 1908, eight Sisters were sent to the Coal Regions of Pennsylvania to work among the immigrants. Indeed, “The blood of martyrs is the seed of Christians!”
Bishop Alfred Schlert
Our MSC Sisters, treasure our early history. It continues to motivate new ministries and foundations around the world. Today we live and work in all five continents, in twenty countries. Our heritage continues to inspire us as we move into a new era. We have much to celebrate! And we did!
In preparation for 2025, and our anniversary, each sister and each country entered into personal and group reflection about the beginning years of each of our eight provinces and twenty countries. We asked “what characterized the pioneer sisters and what of their spirit is still guiding us in our needs today? This year-long reflection process was both energizing and challenging.
Since the Feast of the Annunciation, March 25, is the anniversary day of our foundation, in 2025, each province celebrated this day in their own place and style. Some of our countries held a smaller, more intimate celebration on that
day and held a bigger, more inclusive celebration at another date. This is what we did in the USA. A larger celebration with our bishop, clergy, sisters, Lay MSC, family, friends and benefactors was held on Saturday, August 23, 2025. This
began with the joyous celebration of Mass at the local parish, Holy Guardian Angels in Reading PA. A beautiful lunch followed in a nearby hotel. It was a great experience for everyone!
During the luncheon, Sister Dorothy Fabitze, MSC, our Provincial, shared a descriptive presentation about our 125-year world-wide history, including our newest ministries. Her words echoed those of the MSC Superior General, Father Mario Abzalon Alvarado Tovar, MSC.
Br. Joachim, Fr. Schweitzer, Fr. Miller, Fr. Freeh, Br. Miller, and Fr. Torma
In his letter to us of March 25, 2025 on behalf of the Society of MSC he wrote: “To celebrate 125 years is not only to look back with gratitude but to let that past propel us prophetically toward the future. May this anniversary be for you a new Pentecost. May it be a renewal of missionary passion and a reaffirmation that the Spirituality of the Heart remains a living and bold response to the challenges of today’s world. This is our beautiful mission of making the Heart of Jesus loved everywhere!
MSC Br. Hung, Sr. Molchanow, Fr. Schweikert, Fr. Overkamp, and Sr. Winkler
Sister Lorraine Molchanow, MSC
September 3, 2025
Reading, PA