Founder of the Missionary Sisters of the Sacred Heart of Jesus (Hiltrup):
Father Hubert Linckens, MSC (1861-1922) founded the Congregation of the Missionary Sisters of the Sacred Heart of Jesus in 1900. He gave them the spirit of his own congregation, the Missionaries of the Sacred Heart of Jesus. Hubert Linckens grew up in the Dutch province of Limburg. At an early age he desired to be a priest and missionary. In 1875 he joined the Missionaries of the Sacred Heart in Issoudun (France). It was never his aim to found a new congregation. In answer to political pressure he became the founder of the "Missionary Sisters of the Sacred Heart of Jesus (Hiltrup)." He was admired for his supernatural attitude, his dedication to the Congregation and his unselfishness. It was obvious to all that his life was in harmony with the Gospel. He often quoted the Scriptures. He was a true and zealous MSC and loved his congregation. Father Linckens had special organizational abilities. Always careful to fulfil God's will, he handled concrete situations with consistency, far-sightedness and loyalty.
• 1861 Born in Wylre (Netherlands)
• 1886 Priestly Ordination in 's-Hertogenbosch
• 1897 Foundation of the German Province of the Missionaries of the Sacred Heart in Hiltrup
• 1900 Foundation of the Congregation of the Missionary Sisters of the Sacred Heart of Jesus (Hiltrup)
• 1922 Died in Hiltrup (Germany)
Father Jules Chevalier, MSC (1824-1907) founded the Society of the Missionaries of the Sacred Heart of Jesus in Issoudun (France) in 1854. He gave it a missionary orientation. Jules Chevalier came from a family of craftsmen. His father was a baker. He himself trained as a shoemaker. From his youth he felt the desire to bring God's merciful love to the world. He was convinced of his mission: the founding of a congregation of missionary priests, based on the Sacred Heart devotion. Jules Chevalier was a man of action, but, we have to recognize the spiritual strength, from which his works grew. Above all he had a serene and composed faith and a calm security. He was convinced, that God was with him in all happenings and he was sure of his call, to accomplish a very special work. This was the foundation of his spiritual life. His personality was marked not only by loyalty, generosity straightforwardness, but also by modesty a deep piety' and the readiness to devote himself wholeheartedly to whatever his call to the priesthood entailed.
• 1824 Born in Richelieu (France)
• 1851 Priestly ordination in Bourges
• 1854 Chaplain in Issoudun
• 1854 Foundation of the Congregation of the Sacred Heart Missionaries
• 1874 Foundation of the Congregation of the Daughters of Our Lady of the Sacred Heart of Jesus
• 1907 Died in lssoudun (France)