MSC General Conference 2025

Walking Together Building Structures That Serve. General Conference 2025. São Paulo (Brazil). 14–26 September 2025.

Day 1: Opening
The MSC General Conference of 2025 took place at the Mosteiro de Itaici in Brazil, bringing Missionaries of the Sacred Heart from around the globe together for 12 days of communal discernment, reflection, presentations, and prototyping for the congregation’s future. The event kicked off on 14 September with a solemn Eucharistic celebration led by the Superior General, Fr Abzalon Alvarado MSC, marking the official start of the conference. The sense of unity was evident from the first evening, as participants engaged in shared reflection and collective wisdom, grounding the gathering in fraternity and mission. Day 1 continued with morning reflection sessions where participants shared insights influenced by their diverse ministerial and cultural backgrounds. The afternoon featured the election of a new General Assistant, with Fr. Carl Tranter MSC from the Irish Province appointed to the role. The day wrapped up with an introduction to shifting from an “egosystem” to an “ecosystem” mindset—an invitation to move from individualistic approaches to a collective vision for the congregation. The final session focused on prototyping processes, assisting participants in imagining concrete actions. A closing Mass was celebrated by Fr. Raul Ruiz Mena MSC of the Central America–Mexico Province.

Day 2: Mission in Europe and Initial Formation
Today started with communal discernment in small groups, using reflection materials provided by the organising committee. A major part of the day focused on understanding the situation of the MSC in Europe, presented by Fr. Carl Tranter. Each group responded to the European reality by identifying hopes, concerns, and opportunities. In the afternoon, participants created prototype models as concrete responses to the challenges faced in Europe.

The next theme of the day was Initial Formation, guided by Humberto Enrique. He provided a refresher on the Emmaus document and shared updates on the state of initial formation across the Congregation. Each group was then asked to develop prototypes centred on shaping formation programs for today. The day concluded with Mass, presided over by Fr. Sylvester Towarakai MSC from Papua New Guinea.

Day 3: Safeguarding Ministry
Entirely focused on Safeguarding, Day 3 was led by Tina Campbell from the Congregational Safeguarding Office. The morning sessions explored safeguarding realities within each entity and included updates from Rome, clarifications of policy terminology, and discussions on audit processes. After lunch, the focus shifted to Artificial Intelligence and online abuse, highlighting risks to children and vulnerable adults. Participants discussed emerging issues and developed prototypes for safeguarding practices suited to their contexts. The Eucharist was celebrated by Fr. Mesias Neyra MSC from the Andean Union (Peru).

Day 4: Justice, Peace, and Integrity of Creation (JPIC)
The theme of JPIC shaped Day 4, starting with a morning reflection in the garden and group sharing. The first presentation, by Richie Gomes MSC, addressed the global plastic issue and provided insights from the Congregation’s JPIC Commission. After a break, participants examined the connection between JPIC and the Congregation’s mission, especially through the lens of the See–Judge–Act methodology used in the Philippines. Groups were asked to develop contextual JPIC prototypes, grounding ecological and social concerns in local realities. The day finished with Eucharist led by Fr. Michael Miller MSC of the USA Province.

Day 5: Pilgrimage to Aparecida
On Day 5, participants set off early in the morning to the National Shrine of Our Lady of Aparecida. They attended a concelebrated Mass at 9:00 AM, presided over by Bishop Manoel Ferreira dos Santos Junior MSC, with several MSC confreres from São Paulo also in attendance. The rest of the day was spent exploring the basilica museum and other pilgrimage sites before heading back to Itaici for the following day’s sessions.

Day 6: Territories, Formation, and Mission in Europe
Day 6 began with group discernment followed by an overview of recommendations from the 2023 General Chapter, particularly concerning the Territorial Bodies (CA MSC, APIA, PEC, UAF). Territorial group discussions then took place. In the afternoon, participants focused on creating prototypes to address the Chapter’s suggestion of establishing an International Formation House. Later, they continued discussions on Mission in Europe, aiming to develop a forward-looking vision for MSC presence there. The day’s Eucharist honoured the Korean martyrs and was presided over by Fr. Damaso Shin MSC and Richard Kim MSC. Evening festivities included celebrations for the birthdays of the Superior General and Fr. Carl Tranter’s religious life anniversary.

Day 7: Rest Day
Participants rested and visited Campinas Parish before returning renewed for the final days.

Day 8: Finance
After the break, Day 8 focused on financial stewardship. Fr. Raul Ruiz Mena opened the session with practical announcements. Participants revisited General Chapter recommendations on finances and received information on the Heart of Life programme from Fr. Chris Chaplin MSC. Darwin Thatheus MSC presented online about the Global Development Office (GDO). The afternoon Eucharist, presided over by Fr. Paco Blanco MSC, was offered for deceased MSC confreres. The day concluded with financial reporting and budgeting presentations by Fr Benny Laisina MSC and Fr Michael Huber MSC.

Day 9: General Administration
The day began with a candle-lit ritual led by Damaso Shin MSC. The first session covered Ongoing Formation (OGF), followed by group discussions. Later, Bram Tulusan MSC provided updates on Communication. The afternoon centred on general administration topics: reports from the Secretariat (Richard Suresh MSC), Archives (Gene Pejo MSC), and Postulation (Fr. General). Chris Chaplin facilitated a reflection on all prototypes created so far. Jean Manga MSC of the UAF celebrated Mass.

Day 10: Integration
Day 10 started with communal adoration. Chris Chaplin explained the process of redacting prototypes, after which groups worked on assigned topics: International Formation House (Europe), Initial Formation, Safeguarding, JPIC, Territories, Communication, Tertianship, and Future Mission in Europe. In the afternoon, groups presented their prototypes. Mass was celebrated by Samuel Maranresy MSC of the Indonesian Province.

Day 11: Refinement of Prototypes
Today’s activity continued from yesterday, with a focus on integration and prototyping. After each group completed their communal wisdom session, all participants returned to the main conference room. The candle-lighting ritual today was led by Sylvester Towarakai MSC (Papua New Guinea Province). This was followed by an introduction from Chris Chaplin MSC, and then each group continued working on the themes assigned yesterday (International Formation House for Europe, Initial Formation, Safeguarding, JPIC, Territories, International Formation House, Future Mission in Europe, Communication, Tertianship). Each group was invited to revisit their prototypes and further develop them into more concrete ideas. After the lunch break, everyone returned to present their prototypes. The day finished with Holy Mass celebrated by Cristian Guzman MSC (The Dominican Republic Province).

Day 12: Closing Day
The final day began with group discernment. After reviewing the conference process, participants gathered for a group photo. Fr. General expressed heartfelt gratitude for the dedication and collaboration that shaped the conference. The event officially concluded with a closing liturgy at 15:30, led by Chris Chaplin MSC, followed by a social night in the evening.