As a pilgrim – My Visit to the Holy Mountain of La Salette

 

As Bishop of Orlando, Florida, I receive many invitations to attend different religious functions yearly in the Diocese of Orlando. Last year, in the middle of the Covid-19 pandemic, I received another type of invitation; an invitation to attend the 175th anniversary of the Apparition of the Blessed Mother in La Salette, France. I have visited many of the Apparition Shrines of Mary in the world, but I have never been to the Shrine of Our Lady of La Salette. I was excited about the possibility of my participation; however, within the pandemic, I never thought I would be able to attend.

The La Salettes in my Diocese

His Excellency, Bishop John Noonan, Bishop of Orlando, Florida, visits the Holy Mountain of La SaletteI had known for the past ten years the priests of the religious order of the Missionaries of Our Lady of La Salette serving in the Diocese of Orlando, having met them when I was installed as the Ordinary of this beautiful Diocese. My heart knew that this invitation was a blessing offered to give thanks to Mary, Our Blessed Mother, for the La Salette priests who serve in the diocese.

I especially remember the late Rev. Norman Farland, M.S., who served the migrants. His funeral was a celebration of his life’s work with migrants from Latin America. The liturgy reflected their customs and traditions, followed by a meal of native food for all. I also note Fr. Robert Susann, M.S. I call him the most essential priest in the diocese because he is the chaplain at Orlando International Airport. He serves more people daily at one of the busiest airports in the United States.

Off to the Holy Mountain of La Salette in France

With wonderment and awe, all obstacles were removed, and almost a year after the invitation, I was on a plane to La Salette, France as a pilgrim to thank Our Lady of La Salette for the gift of her priests to the people of God here in Orlando. The ministry and charism of these priests came from Mary's message to two shepherd children, Melanie and Maximin. These young children found “the Beautiful Lady,” weeping as she spoke a powerful message of reconciliation to them to give to the world. Her message is timeless.

Mary's first words, "Come nearer, my children, be not afraid. I am here to tell you great news.” Her news is a call to prayer, conversion, and commitment. Mary's final words to the children were, “Well, my children, you will make this known to all my people.” Consequently, in 1852, the Missionaries of Our Lady of La Salette were founded to serve as a “perpetual remembrance of Mary's merciful Apparition.”

I spent my days at La Salette in prayer and reflection around September 19, 2021, joining the community in morning and evening prayer. I concelebrated Masses with priests and people from all over the world. During the day, we spent time discussing the mission of the Missionaries of Our Lady of La Salette and spoke about the communities of priests and religious sisters. It was enlightening to hear their experiences despite all the challenges and dangers.

He kneels in prayer at the site of the ApparitionEach evening we gathered for Adoration and processed by candlelight to the Apparition site. The hospitality and joy of the religious sisters and volunteers who assisted with our pilgrimage brought forth the hope of the Lord for our troubled souls.

The Mission of the La Salette Missionaries

The mission of Our Lady of La Salette is lived out among the people of God. The La Salette Community of priests and brothers has spread this good news of Mary worldwide for the past 175 years. The Shrine of Our Lady of La Salette, situated within the remote French Alps, offers visitors God's Peace and blesses them with the whisper of Mary's Son to hear our call to prayer, conversion, and commitment. Pope St. John Paul II said, “La Salette is a message of hope, for our hope is nourished by the intercession of her, the Mother of [all].”

I returned to the Diocese of Orlando refreshed and renewed in the Spirit of the Lord. I praise God for the gift of this pilgrimage, and I hope I will be able to visit the Shrine of Our Lady of La Salette again. I pray that in my daily living, I, too, will share the message of Our Lady to all God's people.

The Sanctuary of the La Salette Basilica and the ceiling paintings by Acabas, a renowned local artist