The seal of the Missionaries of the Sacred Heart (MSC - Missionarie del Sacro Cuore) is centered on the Heart of Jesus, inflamed with love for all people of the earth. Missionaries are symbolized as boats setting sail, roaming the oceans, seeking to be the "bearers of the love of Christ in the world." Mary, Star of the Sea, is light and guidance to shores where needs exist. Over all is the motto of the Institute: "Ad Majorem Gloriam Sacratissimum Cordis Jesus" ("all for the greater honor and glory of the most Sacred Heart of Christ.")
Who Are the MSCs?
- Bearers of St. Frances Cabrini's legacy, serving those in need through works of healing, teaching, caring and giving - particularly addressing the needs and realities of women, children, immigrants and the elderly.
- An International missionary congregation of women religious present on 6 continents and in 16 countries of the world.
- Women whose missionary identity is expressed in prayer, in community and in ministry. Every vowed member participates fully in this identity. Lay missioners and collaborators (administrators, boards of trustees, employees, volunteers, and benefactors) are also invited and encouraged to share this Cabrinian identity.
- Women of love: "bearers of the love of Christ in the world."
- Women of caring: seeking to reach those most vulnerable, neglected or marginalized. Committed to spreading God's message of unconditional love all over the world.
- Women of service who strive to respond to others with compassion and to serve with excellence in healthcare, education, social services and human promotion ministries.
- Women of the world: living in international / intercultural provinces and working together in a variety of ministries. The United States, Australia, Swaziland, and the Philippines form the MSC Stella Maris Province of vowed religious and lay collaborators.
- Women making a difference
An Evolving Missionary Identity
Cabrini's desire to spread the love of God and neighbor evoked a zealous and passionate missionary style, which was courageous yet strategic in its risk-taking, confident in facing difficulties, swift in its pace, and intense in its focus. At the time of her death in 1917, Frances Cabrini and her sisters had founded 67 institutions in nine countries, on three continents.
Today, MSC missionary endeavors in 16 countries, on six continents strive to keep up with the rigorous demands of change in responding to the cry of the poor and those trapped in new categories of poverty, while maintaining a continuity of spirit that is personal and life-giving in its approach.
Beginning the Mission: "Not to the East, but to the West." (Pope Leo XIII)
In 1889, nine years after the beginnings of her Institute in Italy, Pope Leo XIII requested that Mother Cabrini and her sisters undertake service to immigrants in the United States. They themselves became part of the legacy of those throughout Europe and the world seeking new lives in a new land.
Schools, orphanages, hospitals, and social service institutions sprang up, each functioning as a center for meeting the socio-religious needs of immigrants, particularly Italian immigrants in New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Louisiana, Mississippi, Illinois, Colorado, Washington State and California. Extensive outreach programs began, meeting needs in far-flung urban and rural areas. The sisters ministered in public hospital wards, prisons, mines and plantations, bringing solace to many who struggled to build new lives in a new land.
"Remember who you are." (St. Frances Xavier Cabrini)
Mother Cabrini and her sisters worked tirelessly to promote and preserve the identity and dignity of all those they served. She reminded them to hold onto their heritage, values and beliefs, while becoming part of a new culture. She also recognized the importance of adopting the American culture as her own. She became a citizen of the United States in Seattle in 1909, was canonized in 1946 as the "first American saint," and was officially declared the Universal Patroness of Immigrants by the Vatican in 1950.
"I will not rest until the sun does not set on the Institute." (St. Frances Xavier Cabrini)
While missionary activities in the United States received a great deal of emphasis during Frances Cabrini's lifetime, her MSC Institute also spread throughout Italy and to Nicaragua, Panama, Argentina, France, Spain, England and Brazil. In these countries, private education, schools for poor children and preparation of lay teachers were the focus of MSC efforts.
Nine years after her death in Chicago, the MSCs realized their foundress' life-long ambition with the extension of her Institute to China where they catechized and opened schools, orphanages and medical dispensaries. Expansion of missionary works continued in Tunisia in northern Africa in the 1930s; Australia in the 1940s; Switzerland in the 1950s; Canada, Lebanon and Guatemala in the 1960s; Swaziland, Luxembourg and Mozambique in the 1970s; Scotland in the 1980s; and Taiwan, the Philippines, Siberia and Ethiopia in the 1990s.
Missionaries of the Times
In more than a century of service, the MSCs have lived through the ups and downs of the times and lands they serve, including political unrest, war, economic instability, natural disasters, even expulsion and imprisonment. With the demise of communism in the Soviet Union, we are now serving in Siberia. An international mission has been established in Ethiopia. On an ongoing basis, the MSCs continually evaluate new ministry opportunities and welcome collaborative efforts with other sponsoring organizations.
Connected and Inclusive
The spiritual ties to Frances Cabrini are not limited to the sisters who carry forth her mission, but to all striving to live lives of faith, hope and love. Stories of connection with the Cabrinian identity are particularly meaningful for anyone who traces their roots to immigrant ancestors who traveled to new lands seeking a better life for themselves and future generations.
These are not just stories to remember of the past, but are calls to action in the present and challenges to carry into the future as the journey continues - re-creating the Cabrini charism anew in every age, according to the changing needs of the times. Together, Missionary Sisters of the Sacred Heart of Jesus and their lay collaborators – Cabrini Lay Missionaries, Cabrini Mission Corps missioners, those who work in MSC institutions, boards of trustees and volunteers - keep up with the rigorous demands of change while maintaining a continuity of spirit which is close, personal, life-giving and united as family.
The world that was too small to contain God's love for Frances Cabrini is becoming smaller and smaller each day as information technology connects us to each other faster, and awareness of needs becomes more immediate and more apparent.
Compassion, respect for the dignity of persons and excellence characterize every ministry we offer through our Cabrinian institutions and activities worldwide. We strive to live the gospel values which we learn from the life of Frances Cabrini.
"There is room for everyone, for every inclination..." (St. Frances Xavier Cabrini)
Continuing the Mission
"The flame of the love of God will not die in you, for it is like fire. The more it spreads and increases, the more it requires to be fed." (St. Frances Xavier Cabrini)
The Missionary Sisters of the Sacred Heart of Jesus are in their second century of life and mission. Although young in the eyes of the Church, the MSCs cannot help but feel the passing of the years as new generations assume responsibility and stewardship for the foundress' legacy. This time is wide open not only to continue that which has been started, but also to new possibilities, including:
- A worldwide process of Cabrinian Apostolic Planning that seeks to strengthen present ministries and give rise to new ones within MSC sponsored institutions and in service as part of other institutions based on Cabrinian vision and priorities.
- Creative outreaches from Cabrinian institutions to special interest groups, particularly those focusing on the poor and marginalized, women, children and elderly in need, underserved refugees and immigrants, developing youth and parish ministries.
- Ongoing support for building a flourishing network of national and international lay missioners.
- New methodologies for planning, meeting and communicating among all MSC constituencies: sisters, employees, sponsors, administrators, boards, collaborators and supporters.
- New styles and programs for adult spiritual development, embracing both religious and laity.
- Timely responses to national and international emergencies that affect Cabrinian mission sites and ministries.