This contains some useful information about Our International Spirituality Centre, COR NOVUM at Issoudun:
Ten years ago, on September 4, 1995, Fr. Michael Curran MSC officially opened the International Centre “Cor Novum” in Issoudun. That day he acted not only on behalf of the Missionaries of the Sacred Heart but also of the Daughters of Our Lady of the Sacred Heart and the Missionary Sisters of the Sacred Heart. In his opening address, Fr. Curran described the origin of the idea to start this Intercongregational and International Centre. After Vatican II, the three religious societies that stem from Fr. Chevalier, began to take a fresh look at their Founder’s charism. Fr. Jim Cuskelly as Superior General spearheaded this work. All over the world, individual members and communities of the Chevalier Family keenly followed the rediscovery of our charism. They began to understand more fully the breadth of the founder’s vision and to search for a deeper understanding of our common spirituality and mission in today’s world.
The name “Cor Novum” (New Heart) summarizes very well the purpose of the Centre; that is, to study and to promote the charism of Fr. Chevalier and the Spirituality of the Heart in today’s world. Members of the Cor Novum team are engaged in research and writing in relation to our Charism and Mission and offer programs designed for the spiritual and ministerial formation of all members of the Chevalier Family. These programs have been presented both in Issoudun and, on invitation, in different areas throughout the world.
Since its erection in September 1995, 635 FDNSC and MSC men and women have come to Issoudun to attend programs offered by Cor Novum. A great number of sisters, brothers and fathers have also participated in programs abroad, given by members of the Cor Novum team. Over the 10 Years the program called “Spirituality of the Heart: Yesterday, Today and towards the Future” has been given 13 times in Issoudun. Various other programs have been presented in response to different needs. For example programs for “Formation for Formators”, “Peace and Justice”, Leadership skills” and “Dialogue”. Occasionally, there have been specific programs for Bishops, for the Tri-Generalate Administration, for those preparing to live in international missionary communities or for final vows. All these programs have been rooted in the Founder’s charism and Spirituality of the heart. Worthy of mentioning is also the “Symposium in Memory of E.J. Cuskelly MSC” (September 2003), attended by not less than 80 participants including 190 lay participants. More than 30 members have also followed personalized programs including individually designed Sabbaticals and 30-day retreats.
A common characteristic of all the programs in Issoudun and abroad has been a “holistic approach”. We have been looking at the past, discovering more and more the wide scope of Fr. Chevalier’s vision and the inspiring message of his life experience. We contemplated the depth and breadth pf God’s love revealed in the Heart of Jesus. We followed the journey into our own hearts discovering our deeper desires and fixation; and we reflected upon the future of the world where our international mission leads us. However, what programs abroad were unable to offer was, what is called, “the Issoudun experience”: following the footsteps of Fr. Chevalier in Issoudun, where he lived for 53 years, in Richelieu where he was born and grew up and in Bourges where he prepared himself for the priesthood. Participants of the programs in Issoudun have witnessed how they could feel and touch his presence in the Basilica, Our Lady’s Chapel, the Crypt and the impressive monastery with the beautiful park that he left behind.
In Issoudun, the founders, directors and team members, the staff of the secretariat, the translators of the sessions, staff and personnel of the Jules Chevalier Centre where Cor Novum finds accommodation, and the MSC and OLSH communities of Issoudun, - all have contributed to the growth of Cor Novum and its ministry during these 10 years. But above all we should mention the many sisters, brothers and fathers form all over the world who have followed the programs of Cor Novum in Issoudun or abroad and who have been renewed in their practical way of living a Spirituality of the Heart. They are really a beautiful present for us who celebrate this jubilee.
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The Daughters of Our Lady of the Sacred Heart celebrate the centenary of the death of Mother Mary Louise Hartzer. Marie Louise was born in Wissembourg on 27th August, 1837. Wissembourg is in Alsace, then a French Province near the border of Germany. Her father was Antoine Mestmann, a Dutch medical doctor from Amsterdam. Her mother was Elizabeth Derendinger, from Alsace. Her mother’s family were prosperous brewers and property owners in Wissembourg and Hageuenau. The family were in comfortable circumstances, and she received a liberal education at a private school for girls. She had two younger sisters. 
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