Everywhere: A story from the Heart

At a time when the neighbourhoods of Bogotá were flourishing like ears of corn in the wind, and houses were being built on ancient savannahs with the same fervour as that with which prayers are raised to heaven, the Missionaries of the Sacred Heart of Jesus arrived. They brought with them neither riches nor power, but something more revolutionary: a living faith and an overflowing love for the people. That is why we can say that the history of the Missionaries of the Sacred Heart of Jesus (M.S.C) in Colombia is a story of faith, commitment, and service. Since their arrival in the country, these missionaries have sown hope in needy communities, accompanying the faithful spiritually and working tirelessly to build parishes that are now models of community life.

In 1967, in response to the demographic expansion of the Kennedy neighbourhood in Bogotá, then Cardinal Luis Concha Córdoba (1891-1975) called on several religious congregations to support the establishment of new parishes. Among them, the Missionaries of the Sacred Heart of the United States responded decisively, accepting the challenge of forming a new community in an area that was rapidly growing from 77,000 inhabitants to over a million.

The Missionaries settled in the parish of Santa Margarita María de Alacoque, in Kennedy. In August 1967, they were legally granted the land and the deed to commence the project, although they had to submit a 10-year development plan, which included constructing a church before the end of that same year. Thanks to the efforts of Father Thomas Hayden, M.S.C., and the support of the community, work commenced on a building that served as both a chapel and accommodation. In 1968, a library was added, and in 1969, the building that now serves as the parish social centre was constructed. Around 1971, a third building with classrooms, a kitchen, and bathrooms was inaugurated, providing greater capacity for pastoral activities.

During those early years, the spaces were used intensively for catechesis, marriage preparation courses, scout groups, family services, retreats, and cooking and sewing classes. Rooms were even lent to families affected by floods, demonstrating that the mission was both spiritual and social. At the same time, the population grew steadily, increasing the need for a larger church. The original chapel could only seat 150 people, which contrasted sharply with the massive attendance at liturgical celebrations. Therefore, the construction of a new church with a capacity for more than 800 people was proposed as a symbol of living faith and commitment to future generations. Despite limited resources, work commenced with funds raised through bazaars, raffles, and donations, with hopes of completing it in three years. However, it took thirty years and was inaugurated in October 2006. The project was seen as an opportunity to unite the community around a common goal.

Over the years, the Missionaries of the Sacred Heart expanded their presence to other regions of the country. In 1968, they took over the parish of Our Lady of Guadalupe in Cali, bringing their missionary charism to southwestern Colombia. Later, they became involved in Cumaca, in the parish of La Milagrosa, and in Tibacuy, in the parish of Santa Lucía, courageously responding to pastoral challenges across diverse cultural contexts. Back in Bogotá, they also supported the communities of the parish of Juan Rey, establishing a close and committed presence in the capital’s popular neighbourhoods. In the Cauca Valley, they took over the parish of Nuestra Señora del Sagrado Corazón in Jamundí, strengthening their evangelising efforts in a region rich in human resources but also facing many needs.

Today, the Missionaries of the Sacred Heart community remains active in Bogotá, particularly in the parish of Santa Margarita María de Alacoque, located in Kennedy. There, Father Hugo León MSC serves as the parish priest, with Father Ricardo Perdomo MSC as vicar, and both Father Germán Barona MSC and Juan Pablo Romero MSC as residents, continuing the pastoral work with the same spirit of the founding mission. Additionally, the Julio Chevalier Seminary, which trains new generations of Missionaries, is situated in Chapinero, Bogotá. Under the guidance of Father Miguel Piamba MSC, four seminarians are diligently preparing to follow in the footsteps of the founder, Father Julio Chevalier.

The missionary presence also extends to Soacha, where Father Tito Medina MSC and Deacon Antonio Posadas MSC serve in the Divino Niño parish, sharing the message of the Gospel with a community facing significant social challenges. In Fusagasugá, Fathers Darío Moreno MSC and Raúl Pérez Valdéz MSC foster pastoral life at the Sacred Heart of Jesus parish, nurturing fraternity and promoting the spirituality of Christ’s open heart.

On the other hand, Fathers Luis Alfonso Segura MSC and Favio Castro Andino MSC are currently on a mission in the United States, representing the Colombian community of Missionaries in international contexts and strengthening ties with the global Church.

In summary, the history of the Missionaries of the Sacred Heart in Colombia is a tale of a community that has consistently remained devoted to the work of the Kingdom of God, characterised by patient faith, generous commitment, and a profound trust in the love of the Heart of Jesus.

Ricardo Pérdomo Arambulo, MSC (Colombia)

[1] He was a Colombian Cardinal of the Catholic Church, Archbishop of Bogotá and Primate of Colombia.. [2] Bogotá currently has a population of approximately 7,968,095 inhabitants. The town of Kennedy, in particular, has a population of 1,035,224 inhabitants, representing 12.99% of the total population of Bogotá.