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Christmas and La Salette — Two Lights, One Message
Editor: My grateful thanks go to Fr. Paul G. Charbonneau, M.S. who first wrote an article on the topic of Bethlehem and La Salette in the La Salette publication, “Celle Qui Pleure,” in December of 1962 which sparked this article. The biblical background is from Fr. Raymond E. Brown, SS and his book, “An Adult Christ at Christmas: Essays on the Three Biblical Christmas Stories - Matthew 2 and Luke.”
As strange as it may seem, Christmas offers us a striking parallel between the Feast of the Nativity and the event of La Salette. The comparison of these two extraordinary events will allow us to rediscover the lasting importance of this Feast of the Incarnation, celebrated on December 25th.
Read more Christmas and La Salette — Two Lights, One Message
Mary at La Salette Speaking About the Families of Her Children
In her conversation with Mélanie and Maximin, the Beautiful Lady refers to the families of that time, and their coming difficulties in living: struggle to provide for their families in times of famine, and even facing the death of small children...
She tenderly invited them: “Come closer, my children."
Had Melanie ever heard her so-called home described so affectionately? We don't know. As far as Maximin is concerned, we are better informed, since the Beautiful Lady reminded him of words from his father: "Here, my child, eat bread again this year ..." The wheelwright Giraud expressed that he feared that his family might soon run out of bread because the wheat harvest was shaping up to be bad.
As for Mélanie's family, it was permanent misery. The father had no fixed occupation. Mélanie had to leave the family home from her early childhood, placed as a shepherdess in the surrounding farms. His sentiments were very realistic: when you're in misery, it counts if there is one less mouth to feed!
In her message, Mary speaks of the “six days” that God gave people to work. When she herself was Maximin's and Mélanie's age, Mary had learned in her “catechism” that God created the world in six days, and that on the sixth day he created humanity endowed with intelligence and intelligence, a force that makes him capable of working. Such gifts could only spark recognition and thanksgiving!
"...In his image and likeness, male and female (God) created them..."
Read more Mary at La Salette Speaking About the Families of Her Children
The Father-Like Face of God…
The subject in question before us, from the biblical point of view, is paradoxical. Paradoxical because, on the one hand, the question expresses the intrinsic human yearning for the transcendent, a relationship with the divinity, the search for God (see for example Amos 5:4 and Psalms 27:9; 42:3; 44:25; 67:2; 105:4). It is not by chance that the intercession or prayer of longing to see the face of Adonai is one of the recurring themes that occur throughout the pages of the Bible.
Seeing – or experiencing – the face of God
Face detail of God from "Creation of the Sun and Moon" in ceiling of Sistine Chapel by Michelangelo (1475-1564)On the other hand, however, the Bible reminds us not only that he who “[...] sees God dies” (Exodus 33:20), but that “no-one has ever seen God” (John 1:18; 1John 4:12). Even Moses, of whom Scripture reports that Adonai “[...] has spoken with him ... face to face, as a man speaks with his friend” (Exodus 33:11), does not benefit from the gift of seeing the face of God. As the matter of fact, his request (Exodus 33:18) is not granted: on Sinai, Moses sees only Adonai’s shoulders, but not his face (Exodus 33:23).
It is clear therefore that, in the economy of the History of Salvation deposited in the scriptures of the biblical Israel, God has his own face, but hides it from human eyes. In short, the biblical texts constantly remind us of two leading features of Adonai: his face does not show itself, but speaks to man. Adonai’s face is the source of the word that is addressing man with the intention of revealing himself and into relationship with him and making himself known (see the experience of biblical Israel briefly described by the words of Moses in Dt 4:12).
Secondly, Adonai’s face is experienced, but not seen. In this regard, although the testimony of biblical Israel is extremely rich and multi-layered, it converges around two dimensions. It is, in fact, a face that suffers with (compassion) and stands alongside those whose hearts are in misery (mercy) – see for example Exodus 3:7; 34:7; 1 Kings 22:17; Psalm 144:8; Matthew 14:14; 15:32; Luke 7:13.
Fr. Bob Vachon, M.S. – A Man of Reconciliation
Editor: Joe Baxer, a La Salette Alumnus, has recently been awarded The Arnold Goodman Lifetime Achievement Award, which recognizes a longtime volunteer leader for their continued support of the UNA-USA’s mission. This member has served more than 10 years as a chapter leader and has previously served on UNA-USA’s National Council.
Joe has been involved with United Nation Association (UNA) for almost 20 years and has served two terms on the National Council. Joe has also been actively engaged with the World Federation of United Nations Associations (WFUNA) for more than 10 years. He currently served as President of the UNA Connecticut Chapter, working tirelessly to organize presentations and programs across the state each month to continue building support for the UN, its vision, and its goals. Congratulations, Joseph!
In his honor, we republish his article for our website concerning the recently-deceased, Fr. Robert Vachon, M.S., excerpted from Joe’s book, “An Intercultural Life: Robert Vachon: A spiritual journey engaging religions and culture,” Xlibris, 2007, 216 pgs.
It was more than twenty years ago that I met Fr. Robert Vachon, a La Salette Missionary. I soon discovered an extraordinary colleague; at once a scholar, a humanist and a humble man. Here is someone committed to universal reconciliation and harmony on our planet. The reconciliation he articulates, amazingly, results not in spite of differences, but in and because of them. Over time, I have come to know him as someone in awe of human diversity, open and incredibly accepting of others.
La Salette and Emmaus – A Journey of the Word from Tears to Joy
“Were not our hearts burning within us while he talked with us on the road and opened the Scriptures to us?” (Luke 24:32)
Fr. Eusébio Kangupe, M.S.The focus of this reflection is the journey of the two disciples of Emmaus (see Luke 24:13-33) as well as the apparition of Our Lady to Maximin and Melanie on the mountain of La Salette. An unexpected message of joy comes from the French Alps, despite its warning and challenging truths. As the two disciples of Emmaus, the two children experience a profound joy after the encounter with The Beautiful Lady of La Salette. Indeed, in one of the children’s reports they state: “After (she disappeared) we were very happy and we went back to took care of our cows”.
A deep joy changes their hearts
The joy of the two disciples of Emmaus is the result of their attentive listening to the words spoken by the Risen Jesus. This joy deeply transforms their lives. By the end of the story Luke portrays the two disciples as apostles proclaiming Jesus’ Resurrection.
Their joy echoes that of Mary when, at the moment of the Annunciation in Nazareth, she says, “Yes” to Gabriel’s words. The evangelist Luke clearly highlights this joy in the Magnificat, a text that reveals what it means to submit our heart to the Word of God. In continuity with the Annunciation story and with the Emmaus narrative, Our Lady of La Salette stresses the importance of an attentive listening: “If my people refuse to submit ... if they are converted.”
Read more La Salette and Emmaus – A Journey of the Word from Tears to Joy
The Merciful Apparition of La Salette
Visions from heaven to people are wonderful things, great facts. When angels appear and converse with creatures of earth in the execution of the Lord's designs, in prophetic revelation, such instances are remarkable events. But when the Blessed Virgin herself, the great Mother of God, is the center and the heart of a celestial manifestation and has a message for sinners –such a happening is almost the miracle of miracles, something like the last attempt in the important matter of Salvation, a final plea.
Mary, first appears seat, weeping within a globe of lightIn the course of ages, Mary has favored the world with various appearances to carry out the designs of the Almighty but there is one vision, dear to our hearts and cherished by our clients, that it is our fond duty to publish and preach, namely, the Apparition of Mary on the Holy Mountain of La Salette.
A Simple Story and a Truly Blessed Event
La Salette is a rural commune in the Department of Isère, in southeastern France. One of the Alpine summits that dot this elevated territory — Mt. Sous-les-Baises — was predestined to become the pedestal of the Queen of Heaven in a celestial manifestation that was to play a great role in the Grenoble district with a rather great repercussion on the world at large — an event that deserves a detailed description in an effort to build up a theme — devotion for the month of September, dedicated to Our Lady Reconciler.
September 19, 1846, an Ember Saturday, eve of the Feast of Our Lady of Seven Dolors, a little girl, 15 years old, by name of Melanie Calvat, surnamed Mathieu, and a little boy of eleven, Maximin Giraud, both poor and unschooled, born at Corps, a neighboring village of La Salette, were called to herd the cows to the upper mountaintop to graze for the day.
How do La Salette Shrines Support the Faith of Catholic Pilgrims?
The biblical roots of pilgrimages
In Luke’s retelling of the visitation of Mary to Elizabeth (Luke 1: 39-45), he recounts that: “During those days Mary set out and traveled to the hill country in haste to a town of Judah, where she entered the house of Zechariah and greeted Elizabeth.” The meeting was of these two relatives as well as their two unborn infants. Elizabeth noticed her child moving in her womb and said: “And how does this happen to me, that the mother of my Lord should come to me?” The evangelist is, in his own inimitable way, pointing out that Mary’s lengthy journey to assist Elizabeth was truly “a pilgrimage of faith and support.”
The Founding of Our Shrine on the Holy Mountain
Visitation window in St. Joseph Church, Bristol, Connecticut, USAAs devotees of La Salette, we are certainly aware of the importance of these pilgrimages of faith and the Shrine which welcomes them. Our own La Salette Shrine on the Holy Mountain had its roots in the days following the Apparition, when ever-increasing numbers of pilgrims visited the Holy Mountain to witness the place and hears the message which Mary left us, her needy children.
In response to the need for a ministry to those pilgrims, Bishop de Bruillard of Grenoble, France, announced on May 1, 1852, the construction of a sanctuary in the same area where the apparition has taken place, some 2,600 feet high, as well as the creation of a group of Diocesan Missionaries whose purposes were to greet pilgrims, preach the Word of God, and celebrate the sacraments, especially Reconciliation and the Eucharist.
The Founding of the Missionaries of Our Lady of La Salette
He stated: “These missionaries shall be called the Missionaries of Our Lady of La Salette; their institution and existence shall be, like the Shrine itself, an eternal monument, a perpetual remembrance, of Mary’s merciful apparition.” And so it was. And in the wintertime, this diocesan band of priests, chosen from among the diocesan clergy, would travel the diocese giving mission and retreats.
Read more How do La Salette Shrines Support the Faith of Catholic Pilgrims?
La Salette –The Father-like Face of God…
Burning Bush by Sébastien Bourdon (1616–1671), Hermitage Museum, Saint Petersburg; photo: www.oceansbridge.com
The question that introduces this topic is, from the biblical point of view, paradoxical.
Paradoxical because, on the one hand, the question expresses the intrinsic human yearning for the transcendent, a relationship with the divinity, the search for God (see for example Amos 5:4 and Psalms 27:9; 42:3; 44:25; 67:2; 105:4). It is not by chance that the intercession or prayer of longing to see the face of Adonai is one of the recurring themes that occur throughout the pages of the Bible.
On the other hand, however, the Bible reminds us not only that he who “[...] sees God dies” (Exodus 33:20), but that “no-one has ever seen God” (John 1:18; 1 John 4:12). Even Moses, of whom Scripture reports that Adonai “[...] has spoken with him ... face to face, as a man speaks with his friend” (Exodus 33:11), does not benefit from the gift of seeing the face of God. As the matter of fact, his request (Exodus 33:18) is not granted: on Sinai, Moses sees only Adonai’s shoulders, but not his face (Exodus 33:23).
It is clear therefore that, in the economy of the History of Salvation deposited in the scriptures of the biblical Israel, God has his own face, but hides it from human eyes. In short, the biblical texts constantly remind us of two leading features of Adonai: his face does not show itself, but speaks to man. Adonai’s face is the source of the word that is addressing man with the intention of revealing himself and into relationship with him and making himself known (see the experience of biblical Israel briefly described by the words of Moses in Deuteronomy 4:12).
Fr. Ron Foshage, M.S., Texas priest, forges a path for reconciliation
Fr. Ron Foshage, M.S., the 2020-21 Lumen Christi Award recipient; photo: Catholic ExtensionCatholic Extension is honored to recognize Father Ron Foshage, M.S., in the Diocese of Beaumont, Texas as our 2020-21 Lumen Christi Award recipient. The award is Catholic Extension’s most prestigious of the year.
In this challenging year—in a country suffering from a pandemic, natural disasters, reckoning with its past and current struggles with systemic racism, and enduring ceaseless political battles in a landmark election year—it can be difficult to see the valiant efforts of everyday people working to make a difference.
Catholic Extension celebrated the remarkable work of 47 nominees and eight outstanding finalists, including Fr. Foshage. Each is a reflection of the “Lumen Christi” or “Light of Christ.”
Fr. Foshage leads five Catholic Extension-supported parishes in the Diocese of Beaumont, including St. Michael Parish in Jasper. He showcases how gestures both grand and small, in the most difficult of times, can create an immense impact.
Here’s how this humble pastor has worked to rebuild a community torn apart by a horrible act of violence and racism, and how he spends his days helping his flock in small gestures that speak volumes in the Catholic Extension-supported Diocese of Beaumont.
Here’s the true story...
Read more Fr. Ron Foshage, M.S., Texas priest, forges a path for reconciliation
Why is La Salette not more widely known?
When I look back on my life, it has always been centered on La Salette. I was born and brought up in Pawtucket, Rhode Island – seven miles from La Salette Shrine in Attleboro. My grandparents would go to the Shrine every Sunday for Benediction and the Procession. They would return home speaking about the various La Salette priests. Each Sunday, La Salette priests would do ministry at my home parish of St. Cecilia’s. Once a month, the 800 kids of the school would he herded into Church for Confession by a car-load of La Salette priests. It was like going through the monthly car wash. When it came time to decide to enter a seminary, God did not give me much of a choice. La Salette was it!