Mission and Charism
We, the Missionaries of the Holy Apostles of the United States Province, are a community of Priests and Brothers founded by Rev. Eusebe Menard in 1962.
Our Charism is to promote and form men to the priesthood and lay leaders for service in the Universal Church.
Our primary ministry in the United States is to provide priests and lay leaders that can serve the Church as spiritual directors, teachers, and professional staff members to Holy Apostles Seminary and College in Cromwell, CT.
Vocation
Become Christ’s instrument in the work of preaching the Divine Word and administering the Sacraments.
Lay Associates
MSA Lay Associates (also known as Menardian Disciples) are involved in their own active apostolates.
Support
Please help us with your one-time or ongoing contribution to our MSA Tuition Fund.
Founder and Cofounder
The Society of the Missionaries of the Holy Apostles (MSA) was founded by Rev. Eusebe Menard, a Quebec-born Franciscan priest dedicated to promoting adult priestly vocations and missionary work.
Partnering with Montreal businessman Hector Durand in 1945, they established Holy Apostles, expanding its mission to the United States, Latin America, and Africa. Fr. Menard’s visionary leadership and dedication left a global legacy until his passing in 1987.
Hector Durand, co-founder of MSA, used his entrepreneurial success to support the Church and priestly vocations. Deeply inspired by Fr. Menard’s preaching, he devoted his fortune and life to advancing the Society’s mission. His faith and generosity, driven by his desire to serve Christ, continue to impact communities worldwide. He passed away in 1972.
Our History
1941 – Fr. Menard Ordained
Fr. Menard was ordained to the Holy Priesthood as a Franciscan (O.F.M.).
1943-1946 – The Young Fr. Menard
Fr. Menard continued with graduate studies while preaching retreats at the Franciscan Retreat House in Châteauguay near Montreal.
1945 – Mr. Hector Durand Meets Fr. Menard
Mr. Hector Durand, a wealthy building contractor, meets Fr. Menard during a retreat. Durand and his wife Clare later pledged their fortune to increasing priesthood vocations. Fr. Menard called Durand the MSA “co-founder.”
1946 – Seminary Opens in Montreal
The first Holy Apostles Seminary opens in Montreal for “older vocations.”
1951 – Creation of the Society of the Holy Apostles
Creation of the Society of the Holy Apostles (S.Ss.A.)., to form young men and adults (“older vocations”) for the priesthood, and for the direction of retreat houses and for service to poor parishes.
1957 – Holy Apostles College & Seminary Opens in Cromwell, CT
In 15 years, Fr. Menard and Mr. Durand established two religious communities, four seminaries, and two retreat houses, all run by independent lay boards to administer finances.
1962 – MSA is Founded by Rev. Eusebe Menard
The Missionaries of the Holy Apostles (United States Province), a community of priests and brothers, was founded by Rev. Eusebe Menard.
1962 – Fr. Menard Exiled from Montreal
Exiled by Cardinal Paul-Emile Leger for reasons unrelated to moral flaws. They reconciled later. Bishop Damase Laberge invited Fr. Menard to “re-found” his work in Peru, leading to the establishment of the Missionaries of the Holy Apostles (M.Ss.A.) in South America.
1962-1978 – Fr. Menard’s Work Expands
With Mr. Durand’s support, Fr. Menard expanded his work to South America, Africa, and the U.S. He avoided Canada and refrained from speaking to members there out of obedience to Cardinal Leger.
1972 – Mr. Hector Durand Dies
Mr. Hector Durand passed away on March 7, 1972. In his will, he wrote: “I am sorry for not having built more houses to form priests.”
1978 – Cardinal Paul-Emile Leger and Fr. Menard Reconcile
After stepping down as bishop for a mission in Africa, Cardinal Leger encountered Fr. Menard in Yaounde, Cameroon, where they reconciled. Despite their earlier conflict, Cardinal Leger later supported Fr. Menard’s mission.
1987 – Fr. Eusebe Menard Dies
Fr. Eusebe Menard passed away on March 26, 1987, in Montreal. Discussions began soon afterward about unifying the two societies he founded.
1995 – Historic Unification
The Society of the Missionaries of the Holy Apostles (M.S.A.) was officially established, unifying the S.Ss.A. and the M.Ss.A.
2000 – Approval of Holy See
The Holy See approved the Constitution & Norms of the unified MSA.
2000 – Status of Pontifical Right
Saint John Paul II elevated the MSA to a Clerical Society of Apostolic Life with Pontifical Right, placing it under the Bishop of Rome rather than a local ordinary.
2006 – Amended Constitution
The MSA Constitution & Norms were amended in 2005 and approved by the Congregation for the Institutes of Consecrated Life and Societies of Apostolic Life. Promulgated in Easter 2006 by MSA General Animator Rolland Barrette of Montreal.
2011 – Franciscans Aggregate M.S.A.
The Franciscan Order of Friars Minor officially aggregated the M.S.A. into the Franciscan family.
2014 – MSA Expands into Asia
New MSA communities were established in Vietnam and Indonesia.
2017 – First M.S.A. Bishop
Pope Francis appointed Rev. Christian Rodembourg, M.S.A. as Bishop of the Diocese of Saint Hyacinthe, Canada (south of Montreal and north of Vermont). His grace (Canadian title) is the first “M.S.A. Bishop” ordained to the Apostolic Office. He was consecrated and installed on September 17, 2017.
2021 – Second M.S.A. Bishop
Rev. Isaac Circuncisión Martínez Chuquizana, M.S.A., was appointed Bishop of Cajamarca, Peru, on October 23, 2021. He was consecrated and installed on December 7, 2021.
2022 – Very Rev. Luis Luna Barrera Re-Elected General Animator
In August 2022, at the MSA General Assembly, the Very Rev. Luis Luna Barrera, M.S.A., was re-elected as General Animator for a second five-year term. He has also served as a beloved Professor of Canon Law at Holy Apostles College & Seminary in Cromwell, CT, USA.
Provincial Administration
MSA USA Provincial Administrators
- Very Rev. Martin D. Rooney, M.S.A.
Provincial Animator USA/Vietnam
[email protected]
860.316.5926 Office
MSA USA Provincial Council
- Reverend Michael Hai Van Tran, M.S.A.
Assistant Provincial Animator - Reverend Edward J. Przygocki, M.S.A.
Provincial Bursar - Reverend Dennis Connell, M.S.A.
Provincial Secretary/Praesidium-Safety Coordinator - Reverend Paul Lich Xuan Dang, M.S.A.
Provincial Councilor for Formation and the Laity - Ms. Donna Godere
Office Manager
[email protected]