In 1942 on September 11th Fr. Michael Murphy MSC, greatly weakened by malnutrition, sickness, and months of captivity, was executed by the Japanese and buried on an uninhabited island.
Fr. Michael was one of millions of people who lost their lives in World War II, but his story and what happened next was an extraordinary example of faith and the power of love.
Born in 1911, he was the eldest son of James and Elizabeth Murphy, farmers from Co. Cork. He was ordained a priest with the Missionaries of the Sacred Heart in 1936. He was seen as bright and talented and studied to become a Professor of Canon Law.
Only four years later he travelled with three other Missionaries of the Sacred Heart (MSC) to minister to the people in Papua New Guinea. In his letters home he writes about his voyage through Los Angeles, crossing the Date Line, and having to buy light shirts and trousers to cope with the tropical climate.
He spent the next two years working in local villages, celebrating Mass, hearing confessions, baptising children, and being with the people.
He visited communities on horseback, but some were so inaccessible he had to hike through the jungle. He gained the trust of his parishioners, who came to call him Fr. Mike.
In June 1942, at the invitation of the Japanese Army, he travelled to source more medicine for his community. He was never to return.
His parishioners knew nothing of his execution and waited for his return. In his absence they maintained their church, the altar, and even took care of Fr. Mike's vestments.
They only found out about his death in 1946.
After the war Bishop Leo Scharmach of Rabaul came to parish to assess the devastation. On his arrival Fr. Mike's ciborium, was presented to him.
The villagers had protected the #TabarCiborium and had kept the faith of the people alive under the most adverse of conditions.
Today Papua New Guinea is one of the strongest regions of the Missionaries of the Sacred Heart. Parishes and communities have continued to raise up men and women for the priesthood and religious life.
The newly appointed Cardinal of Papua New Guinea, His Eminence John Ribat is an MSC. Following the example of Pope Francis he is an outspoken proponent of climate justice and care of refugees.
This year Fr. Alan Neville MSC will travel the parishes and communities of the Missionaries of the Sacred Heart in Ireland and England with the #TabarCiborium.
It's your opportunity to help create the Church of the 21st Century by encouraging people to celebrate their faith and consider where God might be calling them.
Today we look to our communities and parishes to raise up men and women for religious life and the priesthood. Like the people of Papua we are called to foster vocations through prayer and encouraging people to consider a call to priesthood and religious life.
If you want to know more have a look at our webpage:
www.mscvocations.com
Prayer for Vocations
Lord our God, you created your Church as a sign of your continuing presence in our world.
We ask you to raise up faithful ministers in our Church for the priesthood and relgious life, so that the message of faith, justice and love contained in the Gospel may be brought into the hearts of all people.
