History

From the founding of the three Chevalier Family congregations to the commissioning of the Australian Council of the Laity of the Chevalier Family (ACLCF) and beyond, the history of the Laity of the Chevalier Family in Australia is still being made.

Brief Timeline

1854

MSC Founded

The Missionaries of the Sacred Heart (MSC) were founded by Father Jules Chevalier in Issoudun, France.

MSC Leader

Father Jules Chevalier became the leader of the Missionaries of the Sacred Heart (MSC).

Father Jules Chevalier
(Used with permission, MSC General Administration)

1874

FDNSC/OLSH Sisters Founded

The Daughters of Our Lady of the Sacred Heart (FDNSC/OLSH Sisters) were founded by Father Jules Chevalier in Issoudun, France.

1882

FDNSC/OLSH Sisters Leader Appointed

Mother Marie Louise Hartzer was appointed leader of the Daughters of Our Lady of the Sacred Heart (FDNSC/OLSH Sisters) by Jules Chevalier.

Mother Marie Louise Hartzer
(Used with permission, FDNSC General Administration)

1885

MSC and FDNSC/OLSH Sisters Arrive In Australia

The Missionaries of the Sacred Heart (MSC) and the Daughters of Our Lady of the Sacred Heart (FDNSC/OLSH Sisters) arrive in Australia.

1899

MSC Sisters Founded

The Missionary Sisters of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus (MSC Sisters) were founded by Father Hubert Linckens MSC, in Hiltrup, Germany.

1928

MSC Sisters Arrive In Australia

The Missionary Sisters of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus (MSC Sisters) arrive in Australia.

MSC Sisters Australian Leader Appointed

Mother Liboria Loper was appointed the leader of the Missionary Sisters of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus (MSC Sisters) in Australia.

Mother Liboria Loper
(Used with permission, MSC Sisters Australia)

1960s to 1970s

Australian Lay Movements

In Australia, there is a long, proud history of lay Chevalier Family members living Spirituality of the Heart and collaborating with the missions and ministries of Chevalier Family congregations.

The Second Vatican Council inspired the three groups of professed (MSC, FDNSC/OLSH Sisters, and MSC Sisters) to revisit Father Jules Chevalier’s vision for the laity to sit alongside the professed, and the first formal involvement of the laity emerged in the 1970s.

1970

Australian Lay MSC (MSC Associate) Movement

The MSC Provincial begins inaugurating the Lay MSC (MSC Associates) movement.

Father Jim Littleton MSC's book, A Vision Restored: Lay MSC in Australia, details the history of the Lay MSC movement in Australia. View the Lay MSC Story timeline.

1977

Australian OLSH Associates Inauguration

On the feast of Our Lady of the Sacred Heart, in May 1977, Sr Mary Florine, the leader of the Australian Daughters of Our Lady of the Sacred Heart (FDNSC/OLSH Sisters), inaugurated the OLSH Associate movement in Australia. The first OLSH Associates made their commitment in the Kensington Chapel on 20 November 1977.

Read more about the OLSH Associates Story.

1995

International Gathering of the Laity of the Chevalier Family

The first international gathering of the Laity of the Chevalier Family occurred in Issoudun, France.

2008

International Gathering of the Laity of the Chevalier Family

The second international gathering of the Laity of the Chevalier Family occurred in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic.

2017

International Gathering of the Laity of the Chevalier Family

The third international gathering of the Laity of the Chevalier Family occurred in Sao Paulo, Brazil.

At this gathering, the central place of the laity as a distinctive member of the Chevalier Family was formally recognised. It was Father Jules Chevalier’s vision that the laity should form an autonomous but interdependent group within the Chevalier Family.

International Council of the Laity of the Chevalier Family Founded

The inauguration of the first International Council of the Laity of the Chevalier Family as the governing body of the laity reflects this deepening understanding of Father Jules Chevalier’s vision.

2017-2019

Australian Council of the Laity of the Chevalier Family (ACLCF) Proposed

The proposal for the Australian Council of the Laity of the Chevalier Family (ACLCF) was developed by a steering committee of Australian people associated with the three Chevalier Family congregations.

2019

Australian Council of the Laity of the Chevalier Family (ACLCF) Founded

The Australian Council of the Laity of the Chevalier Family (ACLCF) was founded, and the inaugural members were commissioned.

Gathering of the Laity of the Chevalier Family Australia

Continuing the long tradition of lay gatherings at St Mary's Towers, Douglas Park, a gathering of the Laity of the Chevalier Family Australia occurred.

The gathering theme, 'Bringing the Family Together', symbolised the vision of drawing together the laity involved with the three Chevalier Family congregations into a common identity known as the 'Laity of the Chevalier Family Australia’, whilst recognising that the laity also might have congregational affiliations (e.g., OLSH Associate or Lay MSC).

2022

Australian Council of the Laity of the Chevalier Family (ACLCF) Commissioned

The second Australian Council of the Laity of the Chevalier Family (ACLCF) was commissioned.

Gathering of the Laity of the Chevalier Family Australia

Another gathering of the Laity of the Chevalier Family Australia occurred in St Mary's Towers, Douglas Park.

2023

Gathering of the Laity of the Chevalier Family Australia

Another gathering of the Laity of the Chevalier Family Australia occurred in St Mary's Towers, Douglas Park.

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