TWO CELEBRATIONS, TWO DATES, TWO VENUES FOR A UNIQUE EVENT


The Congregation of the Priests of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, or Dehonians, experienced an important and exceptional moment in its history with the celebration of the centenary of the death of Father Léon Jean Dehon (1925-2025). The celebration of Father Dehon's birth into heaven brought together Dehonian confreres, or at least their major superiors, from all parts of the world where the Dehonians are present, in Saint Quentin, the place where the congregation was founded in 1878, and in Brussels, the place where the founder died in 1925.
 
The first historic site to celebrate this centenary was Saint Quentin (northern France) in the parish of Saint Martin, where Father Dehon and Father André Prévot are buried. It was there that on Sunday, 10 August 2025, the Eucharistic celebration was presided over by the Bishop of the Diocese of Soissons-Laon. – Saint-Quentin, Mgr Renauld de Dinechin, in the presence of the Superior General, Father Carlos Louis Suares C., his Council, the major superiors of the SCJ Congregation and other SCJ confreres who had come from all over the world for the occasion. After a warm welcome by the team organised under the supervision of Father Stanislas Wawro, parish priest, the procession began promptly at 11 a.m. and made its way to Saint Martin's Church. According to the local bishop, this building is often likened to a basilica because of its architectural grandeur. It was a beautiful celebration, enlivened by a choir that welcomed us with the well-known hymn "Ecce venio" and the hymn of the Dehonian jubilee 2024-2028.
 
Just before the start of the Eucharistic celebration, the Provincial Superior of French-speaking Europe, Father Joseph Famerée, welcomed everyone and thanked the bishop for agreeing to preside over the Eucharistic celebration and also thanked Father General for his presence. The homily was given by the Superior General. After the ceremony, a group photo was taken in front of the altar and outside Saint Martin's Church. The guests then moved to the College of Saint John of the Cross, where they shared a meal and exchanged greetings. It was an opportunity for Dehonian confreres to meet again, but also for the lay people present for the occasion and the family of Father Dehon, who were warmly applauded for their presence.
 
The second historic site to host the Eucharistic celebration of Father Dehon's centenary was Brussels, on 12 August, the anniversary of his death. Before the Eucharistic celebration, the members of the congregation visited Father Dehon's room and prayed there after a brief introduction. This place is well preserved and has been renovated. It is possible to see objects that belonged to Father Dehon, including the crucifix and rosary that were in his hands during the last moments of his life. These objects were carried in procession to the church where he officiated until his death in 1925. The Mass was presided over by Archbishop Luc Terlinden of Mechelen-Brussels, who has ties to the SCJ community of Eugene Cattoir, located in the parish of Holy Cross, where he served as parish priest and collaborated with members of this community.
 
The choir provided the musical accompaniment for the celebration, while members of the Eugene Cattoir community actively participated in the organisation. The same protocol as for the first celebration took place in Brussels: welcome by Father Joseph Famerée, Provincial Superior of French-speaking Europe, homily given by Father General, except for the presentation of the General Council, the major superiors of the Congregation's con and certain members of the General Curia. At the end of the Eucharistic celebration, a group photo was taken in front of the altar, followed by a procession to the sacristy. The ceremony concluded with attendees sharing a meal and engaging in cordial conversations, fostering a welcoming atmosphere among the guests. Fr Hugh Hanley SCJ and Fr Michel Simo Temgo, SCJ represented the British Irish province of the Priests of the Sacred.
 
May the Heart of Jesus live forever through Mary, our mother. Vivat Cor Iesu per Cor Mariae!
 
Michel Simo Temgo, SCJ

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      CONGRATULATIONS

                       to 

      FR BLAISE NSANGOU

                     on his 

   Silver Jubilee of Ordination


            22 January 2025

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PROVINCIAL CHAPTER OF THE GBI DEHONIANS  (9 - 12 October 2023)

by Fr Michel Simo Temgo, SCJ (Dublin)



From Monday October 9 to Thursday October 12, the Provincial Chapter of the Priests of the Sacred Heart of Jesus of Great Britain and Ireland was held in Dublin. In addition to members of the GBI province, there were two observers: Father Stephen Huffstetter, General Councillor, and Brother Daniel Yemtsa of the SCJ province of Cameroon.

At the beginning, Fr Hugh Hanley (Provincial Superior) remarked that our meeting was the very first since Covid 19, and it was an exceptional moment of reunion and celebration between the confreres. It was also a moment of listening and testimony for the province's older confreres. The Provincial Chapter was held at the same time as the synod on synodality in Rome, which is marked by a spirit of listening.

The Provincial Chapter was an opportunity to diagnose the present and future of the GBI province, but also to look to the future with hope, thanks to a message of encouragement from the Superior General, Fr Carlos, played at the start of the meeting. The Provincial Chapter is an important moment in the life of the province and of the Congregation," said Fr Carlos. He wished the meeting every success, as the SCJs of the GBI province gather to reflect on the present and future of the entity.

This gathering is a Kairos at a time when we need to renew our commitment to the Church, especially in Europe where mission is a real challenge. We need to reflect together on how we can offer ourselves to the Church and to society. Like a small seed, we need to find our place and grow where we are. The Congregation is ready to collaborate, but we need to dream and dream together," continued Father Carlos. 

The Provincial Chapter guidelines of the Provincial Directory served as the compass for this important meeting. Fr. Stephen Huffstetter's address encouraged the members of the province and gave the state of the congregation in terms of membership and its development from north to south. In keeping with the synodal spirit, at the end of the chapter each confrere was given the opportunity to mention in one word what he would like to retain from this meeting.

The most important thing is that we've met as brothers, that we've listened to each other, that we've exchanged opinions, that we've had the spirit of building the province. We're still active, and that's the most important thing. We are an international province. The passion for our vision and our identity is the kind of debate about our identity that needs to happen more often.  We're encouraged to get together more often. We've had some happy times getting together as a province, sharing good news, experiences, and listening to other people's points of view. It was an opportunity to express ourselves, a very convivial moment. It's great to meet up with everyone after a very long break, the place was great, but it was realistic. Our hope is that this is the beginning of a vision, of a momentum to try to take courageous steps for the future. Thank you all for the joy and best wishes for the future. There was an energy, a kind of unity.

The closing mass dedicated to the Sacred Heart of Jesus was presided over by Father Stephen Huffstetter in the chapel at 66 Inchicore Road. During this mass, we prayed for our jubilarians, Father John Kelly, who celebrated 25 years of priesthood, and Father Bobby Mann, who celebrated 40 years of priesthood. God's love grows in the community when we are aware that our Lord Jesus Christ is hidden in the community through every brother," said Father Stephen. We now look forward to next year's General Chapter in Rome, where our elected delegate, Father Marian Szalwa, and Provincial Father Hugh Hanley will represent us.