29th September 2022 140th anniversary of MSC at Matupit Island, New Britain.
Today marks 140 years when the first Missionaries of the Sacred Heart (MSC) landed on Matupit Island. Prayers for the Archdiocese of Rabaul.
On 29th September 1882 the first MSCs (Frs. Andrea Navarre, Theophil Cramaille and Br. Mesmin Fromm) arrived at Matupit Island after 13 months travel from Europe.
On arrival they learnt that Father Reńe Marie Lanuzel, a French diocesan priest had been there a year earlier. He came with the settlers on the Marquis de Rey expedition who settled at the south coast of New Ireland. When the scheme failed Fr.Lanuzel came and settled at Nodup under the care of ToLitur the local chief. He already began pastoral work in Nodup, Baai and Malagunan and baptized many children. When the MSCs arrived in Matupit, Fr.Lanuzel was away in Sydney to collect supplies for the mission.
The missionaries first settled in Nodup but due to geographical isolation they moved to Kokopo. Not long after they had to move again because their house was caught on a fire. They moved to Volavolo and there built the first church building.
