Missionaries of the Sacred

First, pray about the idea of being called by God. Secondly, pay attention to your everyday experience. Being a religious means dedicating your life to Christ in a community context. It is more than the job one does. It is also praying, serving others and living according to the gospels.

What does MSC mean?
The initials M.S.C. come from the Latin: Missionarii Sacratissimi Cordis, which means “Missionaries of the Sacred Heart”.

How long does it take to become a priest or brother?
The process of becoming a priest or religious brother is called Formation. This process take several years. Our MSC formation process  is divided into four areas, Aspirancy, Pre-Novitiate, Novitiate and Post Novitiate.

Upon earning a B.A. (or equivelent degree) and after an initial discernment process with our vocation director, the aspirancy program begins with a candidate living in an MSC formation house with peers  and under the guidance of a formation director. During this period he learns about community life, sharing, discernment, prayer and Catholic doctrine. He continues to learn about the vowed life of the Missionaries of the Sacred Heart (MSC) and our charism. Besides daily prayer and Mass, there are retreat days and formation days.

The process continues in the Pre-Novitiate program, which immediately prepares the candidate for Novitiate.

Novitiate – Once the candidate knows the MSC way of life, he is admitted into the novitiate, preparing himself to take the vows of poverty, chastity and obedience.  He is given the opportunity to focus on the human, spiritual, intellectual, pastoral and communal aspects of religious life. The candidate is accompanied by his novice master to live the gospel and MSC values in a ministry setting. The Novitiate ends with the young Religious taking his first (temporary) vows.

Post Novitiate is where the young Religious deepens his committment as an MSC and decides whether or not to make a lifelong commitment to vowed life.  It includes community living, ministry, prayer and further education in Theology  at Catholic Theological Union (www.ctu.edu) and other professional training.

What’s the difference between a Religious priest and a Diocesan priest?
All priests are called by God to serve others and are ordained by a bishop through the sacrament of Holy Orders. So often when we think of a priest, we think of the priest serving in our parish. Although parish priests are usually diocesan priests, there are also many religious priests who serve as pastors and parochial vicars. The difference between the two types of priesthood is found in the taking of vows, location of assignments, who the priest reports to and receives assignments from, and whether they typically live in community or alone.

Diocesan priests further the mission of the Church through the celebration of the Eucharist, the liturgy and the sacraments. Unlike religious priests, diocesan priests make no vows. However, during ordination, they do freely make a promise of celibacy and obedience to their bishop. Diocesan priests are attached to the diocese in which they were ordained and, although they are assigned to different places within that diocese, their assignments will rarely take them outside its borders.

Religious priests are also ordained to serve the Church in specialized ministries and as ministers of the sacraments. Priests responding to this call take the vows of poverty, chastity and obedience. Instead of being under the authority of a bishop, a religious priest reports to the leader (Superior) of his congregation.

Besides the vow of poverty, one of the major differences between diocesan and religious priests is that a religious priest’s ministry may take him  to places far away from where he was ordained. Religious priests are called to serve where they are needed, and since most religious congregations operate in several locations (as opposed to in one state or part of a state like a diocese), a religious priest’s ministry may take him to other parts of the United States and/or other countries. Religious priests also tend to live in community with other members of their congregation, whereas diocesan priests are more likely to live by themselves.

What is an MSC Brother?
We MSC have both priests and brothers in our congregation. A brother is a person who is called by God to serve the Church in a unique way where he uses the talents that God has given him to work in our missions, projects and ministries.  An MSC Brother takes the same three vows as an MSC priest and so priests and brothers are equal members in our congregation.  An MSC Brother can work in all the ministries that our congregation is involved in except for those that require ordination. Some of the projects and ministries that MSC Brothers are currently involved in include: the promotion of peace, justice and integrity of all creation; Native American ministry; hospital ministry and volunteer work with local shelters and social service programs.

What kind of ministry will I be able to do?
Almost any ministry is possible. In reality, the needs of the Church and of our congregation shape the ministries of our members. For example, members of our congregation are teachers, chaplains, pastors, parochial vicars, retreat leaders and foreign missionaries. We promote social justice, peace and integrity of creation and work to involve lay people in the mission of the Church. MSC serve in hospitals, prisons, parishes, and schools and we also respond to the needs of the local Church through ministry to Hispanics and Native Americans. In whatever ministry we do, we strive to be instruments of Christ's love.

Do I get to choose my ministry?
Usually the Provincial Superior suggests assignments based both on your talents and the needs of the Church and ministries are chosen in the spirit of dialogue and discernment.

Where will my MSC ministry take me?
Life and work as an MSC can be in the USA or in other countries. It may be close to home or far away. MSC are missionaries of God’s love and we need to be open to the guidance of the Holy Spirit and willing to go where we are most needed. In this way, we reach out to those who are hurt, poor or marginalized, bringing them God's love and compassion and the assistance and respect that they merit.