There was double joy for Cork as the Missionaries of the Sacred Heart (MSC) opened a new noviciate and welcomed four novices from the European Provinces for a special spiritual year of formation in Cork City. “We are particularly delighted that one of the four novices is from our MSC parish in Stockbridge Village, Liverpool and will be the newest member of the Irish Province,” said a spokesperson.
“We pray for Markus, Andrea, Michael and Matteo during this special year and for Fr Tom Mulcahy MSC who has the responsibility of accompanying and guiding them on this most important of journeys as young Missionaries of the Sacred Heart. After several years without a novitiate in Ireland we are delighted to welcome four novices.”
Markus Mehner (South German/Austrian Province), Andrea Ruiu (Italian Province), Michael O’Rourke (Irish Province) and Matteo Zinna (Italian Province) were formally received into the novitiate in an initiation ceremony and Eucharist celebrated by the Irish Provincial, Father Pat Courtney MSC and concelebrated by the novice master Fr Tom Mulcahy MSC. The ceremony took place in the community chapel of the MSC residence on the Western Road in Cork, which will also be the novitiate house for the coming year.
During the initiation rite, each novice was presented with a copy of the Constitutions and Statutes of the MSC’s by the Provincial.
“It was a moving event, proof that God is still calling young men to MSC life in Europe. At the end of the Novitiate these young men will make their First Profession of temporary vows as Missionaries of the Sacred Heart,” said the spokesperson.
SIC: CIN/IE