MSC acknowledging International Women’s Day, March 8th, 2026

Providentially, today’s Gospel is an affirming story, Jesus’ encounter with the woman at the well. His disciples are amazed that he would be engaged in conversation with a foreigner, Samaritan, a woman with something of an unsavoury reputation. It is one of the longest chapters in John’s Gospel. And Jesus promises this woman Living Water, saving life.

In Jules Chevalier’s extending vision, he founded the Missionaries of the Sacred Heart but saw the brothers and sisters work together in mission. With Marie Louise Hartzer, the Daughters of Our Lady of the Sacred Heart. With Hubert Linckens MSC, the Missionary Sisters of the Sacred Heart. In that tradition, we remember such congregations as The Handmaids of the Lord, collaboration between Marie-Therese Noblet and Bishop Alain de Boismenu, and, and Our Lady’s Nurses for the Poor with Father Ted McGrath MSC.

But Jules Chevalier also had a Heart mission for the church’s laity, women and men, with the development of various Lay MSC, Lay OLSH movements, leading to an international union of all these women and men, The Chevalier Family.

On International Women’s Day, we also acknowledge the laywomen who share in our mission, our parishes, our schools, our spirituality centres, in province administration.

There should be no underestimating women in equality in mission – and that this grow in every way.