Meet Fr. Joe Bachand, M.S.

Fr. Joseph Bachand, M.S., presently serving as a General Councilor on the La Salette General Administration in Rome

What is your family background? 

I was born in Jewett City, Connecticut, USA, on December 15,1949. I am the oldest of eight children, with five brothers and two sisters. My father was a factory worker and also worked for the U. S. Post Office. He is now 86 years old and was ordained a Permanent Deacon 25 years ago. My mother died three years ago and was a marvelous sign of faith and strength to my entire family.

How did you come in contact with the La Salette Missionaries?

As a child, I was an altar boy and often spoke about the possibility of becoming a priest. My neighbor, who knew this, had two cousins who were Missionaries of La Salette. She and her husband brought me to visit the La Salette Shrine in Ipswich and the La Salette College Seminary in Altamont where her cousins were serving. She also gave me copies of Our Lady’s Missionary to read. There I was especially taken with the photos and stories of the La Salette Missionaries in Burma. Since then I have had the opportunity to meet a number of the men I had read about. Only recently did I have the opportunity to visit the country (now Myanmar) that had first captured my interest in La Salette.

Where did you experience your preparatory studies and priestly ministry?

 

In the beginning I simply engaged in seminary studies, receiving my Bachelor Degree in Philosophy from Merrimack College in North Andover, Massachusetts. I completed my theological studies at Boston Theological Institute in Cambridge, MA. I was then appointed to the Renewal Center in Ipswich, Massachusetts, working frequently with groups of young people. I was then asked to go for graduate studies and received a Th.D. in Spirituality from the University of St. Michael College in Toronto, Canada. In addition I have served in our Province as Master of Novices, Director of Theology Students, Provincial Councilor and Provincial. I presently serve as a General Councilor on the La Salette General Administration in Rome.

Where do you feel called as a religious to serve the Church?

I very much appreciate having been able to study. This allowed me to deepen my understanding of the La Salette message and mission. The study of non-Christian spirituality, such as Buddhism, also seemed important to me in order to be attentive to the place of the Gospel in human longing.

Campus of the University of St. Michael College in Toronto, Canada

What do you wish to say about your country, the United States?

Currently, I would say that ours is not a Christian country and, in fact, many people do not see themselves as Christians. Of course there are great differences from state to state, which become evident when traveling the country. My country strongly values freedom and individual achievement. I would say that the shadow side of this is a rising skepticism.

What do you see as the mission of the Church in the United States?

Unlike Europe, the Catholic Church here is invigorated by immigrant populations from Africa, Latin America, Asia – including Vietnam and the Philippines. Unfortunately the Church in this country is still feeling the effect of the sex abuse scandals. Try to preach morality after that! Our bishops call for forgiveness while the people look for truth and a sense of security. This has alienated many people. We La Salettes, however, possess a message of reconciliation; the challenge is how to preach that in this context.

How does La Salette spirituality influence your own ministry?

As a La Salette, I feel first called to be a "reconciler". "Make this known to all my people" is our vocation: to proclaim, preach, teach and testify. This is how I understand this call.

What words of the message of La Salette affect you most, and why?

Even prior to her words, what moves me most is the attitude of the Beautiful Lady in tears. These tears are as eloquent as her words. But like everyone, I think the words that affect me the most are: "Come near…do not be afraid!" It is as if she is saying, “Don’t stay far from God because God is always trying to get close to you!” And a wonderful expression of her tenderness is the repeated phrase: "My children..." These are really words of trust. And then, "Make this known to all my people!" There are many ways to understand this message: each person can, if they put themselves in a posture of listening, find something applicable to their own life. Her message is a call to choose life.

 

 Candlelight Procession on the Holy Mountain of La Salette in France