125 Years of Grace and Service: MSC Sisters Celebrate Their Legacy in Papua New Guinea and the world.

Vunapope, East New Britain – June 20–29, 2025

Under the radiant tropical sun and amidst the tranquil beauty of East New Britain, the Missionary Sisters of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus (MSC) joyfully celebrated 125 years of missionary presence in Papua New Guinea and the world. The vibrant and deeply spiritual week-long celebration, held at the historic mission station of Vunapope from June 20 to 29, 2025, was a moving testament to the enduring legacy of faith, compassion, and service carried out by generations of MSC Sisters.

The celebration opened on a sacred note with a week-long spiritual retreat centered on the Spirituality of the Heart, a cornerstone of MSC life. Led by canon lawyer and diocesan priest Father Richard Koisilia, the retreat invited the sisters into deeper contemplation of their spiritual journey and the charism handed down by their historical founder, Father Hubert Linckens MSC, and Spiritual founder, Father Jules Chevalier MSC.

A Living Legacy Since 1900

The roots of the MSC Sisters in Papua New Guinea date back to the year 1900, when the first group of German sisters responded courageously to the call for missionaries in the Pacific. Braving long sea voyages, unfamiliar cultures, tropical diseases, and the uncertainties of colonial Melanesia, these pioneering women arrived in what was then known as German New Guinea with nothing but their deep faith and unwavering desire to bring the compassionate love of the Sacred Heart to the people.

They settled in Vunapope, Rabaul—then a major hub of Catholic missionary activity—establishing the first mission stations and schools, and quickly became vital to the region's development. Over the decades, the sisters expanded their reach, setting up health centers, orphanages, girls’ schools, pastoral programs, and formation houses across the country, including in remote and rugged areas where very few dared to go. The Sisters became known for their quiet heroism and tireless service among the sick, the poor, and the marginalized.

Through wars, volcanic eruptions, social upheaval, and political independence, the MSC Sisters have remained a steadfast presence. Today, their mission is carried forward by local sisters who have embraced the legacy, becoming beacons of hope and faith in every corner of the country.

Celebrating with Joy and Gratitude

The climax of the jubilee celebration took place on Sunday, June 29, with a solemn Eucharistic Celebration presided over by His Grace, Archbishop Rochus Tatamai MSC, Archbishop of Rabaul. The Mass was livestreamed on the Radio Peter Torot Facebook page, allowing thousands more to take part virtually. Dressed in vibrant traditional attire and singing in jubilant harmonies, the faithful filled the grounds of Vunapope to honor this historic moment.

In her heartfelt remarks, the Provincial Superior, Sr. Dorothy Patiu, called the 125-year milestone “a living witness of God’s enduring faithfulness and love poured into the hearts of the sisters and the people they serve.” She acknowledged the many sisters, past and present, whose sacrifices and prayers have sustained the mission, and she thanked the wider MSC family and laity who continue to walk alongside them.

Dame Sandra Lau, CEO of Tropicana Limited and a great benefactor to the Sisters and   Mayor of Kokopo City, Hon. Philip Tale were among the dignitaries present, alongside priests, religious men and women, MSC Lay Associates from Kimbe and Kavieng Dioceses, and hundreds of lay faithful from the Archdiocese of Rabaul and beyond.

A particularly special moment came on Thursday, June 26, when the sisters and guests celebrated the Silver Jubilee of Sr. Gabriella Yenit, who marked 25 years of religious profession. Her life, marked by deep commitment to education and pastoral ministry, stood as a shining example of the MSC Sisters’ vocation in action.

On Friday, June 27—the Feast of the Sacred Heart—the community gathered once again for a deeply moving liturgy led by the MSC Lay Associates, which included the blessing of a newly erected monument and sculpture of Father Hubert Linckens. Standing tall in the heart of Vunapope, the monument now serves as a powerful symbol of the congregation’s roots in PNG and enduring mission.

A Festive and Faithful Celebration

Saturday, June 28, brought a change of pace with a lively fete hosted by the sisters. The grounds of Vunapope were transformed into a colorful village market, where locals and visitors browsed stalls offering handmade crafts, traditional baskets, sewn garments, food, and refreshments. The event not only supported the sisters’ local projects but also celebrated the creativity and unity of the communities they serve.

As the week drew to a close on Sunday, June 29, the grand Eucharistic celebration brought together all the graces of the week into one heartfelt act of thanksgiving. With hymns echoing through the historic mission station and cultural dances expressing the soul of the land, the celebration was both a tribute to the past and a hopeful look toward the future.

Looking Ahead

With hearts filled with gratitude, the MSC Sisters of Papua New Guinea now look to the next chapter of their mission. As Sr. Dorothy Patiu reminded those gathered, "We are not just celebrating history; we are renewing our call to be the Heart of Jesus in the world—right here, right now."

From the humble beginnings of a handful of German missionary women to a thriving local congregation deeply embedded in the life of the Church in Papua New Guinea, the MSC Sisters’ 125-year journey stands as a beautiful reminder of what God can do through hearts that are open, courageous, and compassionate.

The celebrations may have concluded, but the mission of the MSC Sisters continues—alive, evolving, and ever rooted in the love of the Sacred Heart.