History

Heart of Life began on 14 February 1983 as an initiative of the Missionaries of the Sacred Heart (MSC) in Australia. The MSC founder, Jules Chevalier (1824–1907), saw the formation and education of people in spirituality of the heart as the most important task of the Congregation.  He saw this education and formation as a means to reform society and ‘to address the ills of the day’. 

Heart of Life’s founder, Brian Gallagher msc (pictured), put this into practice with the help of Peter Malone msc and Sue Richardson pvbm, in a tangible and wonderful way and so our ministry in Australia began.   

Our inspiration to follow the way of the heart stems from our belief in God’s inclusive love for all people, poured into our hearts by the Holy Spirit.  This mysterious love moves in our lives and our world, inviting us to an authentic, grounded and deeply human way of being.

The way of the heart rests on a contemplative attitude and an authentic discernment that underpins all that we do at Heart of Life – in our ministry formation programs, our seminars and reflection events, and our professional commitment to spiritual direction and supervision.  All of these activities are located in the place where the heart finds space to speak and to be heard.  

We invite you to join us, as our hearts speak our truth, our longings, and our search for all that is real, true and good.