The Founding Spirit

Our Lord had very much at heart the creating of a spirit, a missionary spirit, an evangelical burning that would sweep over the whole world. He came to cast a fire on the earth, and he willed that it would be enkindled. (Luke 12:49 ) The Holy Spirit has enkindled this fire in our hearts. This is our heritage: an apostolic spirit, a Gospel Spirit, a Catholic spirit. The Missionary Cenacle spirit is charity, charity aflame. ( Rule of Life, article 1).

Father Thomas A. Judge was a Vincentian priest whose apostolic zeal led him to organize small groups of laity to address the "leakage" in the Church. In 1909 a formal meeting of what was to become the MCA took place in Brooklyn, NY at St. John's Parish. From this lay organization eventually came two new missionary religious congregations: the Missionary Servants of the Most Blessed Trinity ( a congregation of women) and the Missionary Servants of the Most Holy Trinity (a congregation of men). Father Judge had an unshakable confidence in the capacity of ordinary men and women to love and serve God in the ordinary circumstance of their lives. 

Mother Boniface Keasey, a native of western Pennsylvania and a teacher, joined Father Judge's missionary efforts in Alabama in 1916. By 1919, when the fledgling religious community of women was being formed, Father Judge named her the first General Custodian (Major Superior Superior).  Through her leadership the work of the Sisters spread beyond the confines of Alabama. In 1978 the Sisters, at a General Chapter recognized Mother Boniface as the Co-founder of their Institute. 

Doctor Margaret Healy was an early associate of Father Judge. In 1928 he asked her to assume the role of "General Custodian" for the combined lay groups which became known as the Missionary Cenacle Apostolate. She was to hold this office until 1964. At that time she was instrumental in the formation of the Blessed Trinity Missionary Institute. She was to serve as its first General Custodian.