A ten Module, process-oriented program, offered in conjunction with ad limina visits to the Generalate for newly appointed or elected leaders.

The program as it is offered here comes form the 2025 program facilitated by the MSC General Leadership Team and presented by members of the General Administration together with people who come with experience and competence in topics being covered.

Overview

ad limina, meaning, aims, process

The term “Ad limina” is short for the Latin phrase “Ad limina Apostolorum,” which means “to the thresholds of the Apostles.” It refers to the pilgrimage that bishops make to Rome every five years to pray at the tombs of Saints Peter and Paul and to meet with the Pope.

This tradition highlights the unity of the universal Church under the leadership of the Pope and serves as a time for bishops to:

1. Renew their faith and commitment to their apostolic ministry.
2. Report on the state of their dioceses through the submission of a detailed report (Relatio ad limina), outlining the spiritual and administrative condition of their diocese.

• Discuss challenges and concerns with the Pope and the Vatican offices.

It is both a spiritual and administrative event, emphasizing the bishops’ pastoral responsibilities and their communion with the See of Peter.

In the context of the Missionaries of the Sacred Heart (MSC), the annual pilgrimage of new leaders to Rome can be understood as an “Ad Limina” experience, rooted in the same spirit as the traditional episcopal visits. Here, “Ad Limina” signifies a journey to the spiritual and historical heart of the Church, where leaders are strengthened in their mission and united in their shared identity as MSCs.  This pilgrimage serves several key purposes:

1. A Renewal of Mission and Communion: By connecting with the spiritual foundations of the Church, new leaders deepen their sense of belonging to the universal mission of Christ, particularly as expressed through the charism of the MSC. Like bishops visiting the thresholds of the Apostles, they are reminded of their shared roots and their role in continuing this mission.
2. Formation in Leadership: The pilgrimage provides an opportunity for new leaders to receive training and guidance in leadership, equipping them to serve their communities with wisdom, compassion, and fidelity to MSC spirituality of the heart.
3. A Time for Reflection and Prayer: Just as bishops pray at the tombs of Saints Peter and Paul, MSC leaders have the chance to draw strength from prayer and reflection, grounding their leadership in a deep relationship with Christ.
4. Building a Global Sense of Unity: By gathering in Rome, leaders from across the MSC congregation experience a tangible sense of unity in their shared mission, fostering collaboration and mutual support.

Thus, the leader’s pilgrimage to Rome embodies an “Ad Limina” moment—a journey to the heart of the Church, where spiritual renewal, leadership formation, and communal identity converge to empower leaders for their sacred mission.

Relatio ad limina MSC

As you come now to this ad limina you are asked to bring to these days together your local experience as a leader, your questions and concerns, your triumphs and your losses.  At a practical level we will reflect of and discuss:

• specific experiences of leadership in the MSC context (Module 2),
• your questions connected to working with the General Administration, team dynamics, and building effective communication pathways (Module 3),
• specific financial case studies including knowledge of taxation law in your local context and details of existing development projects (Module 4),
• knowledge of your entities current Safeguarding Practices and Policies and present cases (Module 5). 

We will also collaborate on strengthening the foundations of our leadership approach rooted the Spirituality of the Heart in the light of contemporary organizational theory and practice.  We serve those in our care, and our self-care supports our ability to do care for them.  Therefore, we will also be exploring together something of what is necessary to manage our health and that of our members.  (Module 7)

A significant part of our relatio ad limina as MSC is being together.  We come to build the connections between entity leadership and general leadership.  Thus, we will pray together and seek to synodally renew our sense of mission and communion. 

There will be times when we may learn more about how to lead in a way that reflects the core values of the Heart.   May this time also be one of mutual growth and encouragement, good humour and playfulness, a deep listening heart, and space for reflecting deeply through all that goes into being leaders within our congregation. 

As brother MSC may we especially strengthen our sense of congregationality and the unity which is ours in the Heart of Christ.