First commitment of Lay Associates in the US Section

On March 21st twenty-six lay people from the San Antonio and Hill Country areas of Texas, in the MSC Section of the Southern United States (Irish Province), made special promises in a Ceremony of Commitment as MSC Lay Associates.

In a special message to the new Lay Associates the Provincial, Fr Pat Courtney MSC wrote:
"I congratulate each one of you. I realise that you are taking this important step following on a well constructed programme of formation. This has opened up your lives to the history, charism, spirituality and mission of the Missionaries of the Sacred Heart."

First commitment of Lay Associates in the US Section

The day of retreat

In a special message to the new Lay Associates the Provincial, Fr Pat Courtney MSC wrote:
"I congratulate each one of you. I realise that you are taking this important step following on a well constructed programme of formation. This has opened up your lives to the history, charism, spirituality and mission of the Missionaries of the Sacred Heart.
From speaking with some of you I know this has been a very rich experience for your spiritual life. You are now at the stage of journeying in a more intesne way with the Missionaries of the Sacred Heart. You are members of the Chevalier Family, sharing in our charism and mission, believing in the personal love of God in the Heart of Christ for you and witnessing to that love in your relationships and encounters with people in the events and situations of everyday life.
Fr Jules Chevalier, from the outset, was convinced that lay people were indispensible for the realisation of our mission. Be assured that nurtured with our spirituality you will touch the lives of many and bring hope joy and love into their lives. Together we are humbled and privileged to be called in our mission to make the love of God known and loved in the Heart of Christ."

The new Associates stand with their lit candles

In a moving ceremony led by Fr Michael O'Brien MSC and attended by other MSCs and laity, the new Associates made their commitment:
"I believe that I have been called by God to share the spirituality and mission of the Missionaries of the Sacred Heart as an Associate. I believe I am called as an MSC Associate to be on fire with a deepening realization of God’s personal love for me and every person... to be a visible sign of God’s love and compassion to His people everywhere… to be a powerful and authentic Christ-like influence in loving with a human heart…without limits… to care for the Body of Christ by sharing my gifts… and opening myself to the giftedness of others… to accompany the Missionaries of the Sacred Heart in the spirit of Father Jules Chevalier…. and to live this calling with God’s grace and the help of Mary, Our Lady of the sacred Heart and St. Joseph. May the Sacred Heart of Jesus be Loved Everywhere! Now and Forever!"

Fr Michael O'Brien MSC, who led the service, distributes certificates

After the commitment each new Lay Associate was presented with a special candle lit from the Paschal Candle and commissioned to participate in the mission of the MSC Congregation.