Who are the La Salettes

Details

Written by N.D.S.

In many countries and in varied situations, we, the Missionaries of Our Lady of La Salette continue our efforts to spread the message of the Beautiful Lady and respond to the problems of the day and the evangelization efforts of the Church around the world.

Our Roots

Today our efforts continue, based on the broad vision given by Mary at La Salette as well as in response to the needs of the Church. As our mother, she was concerned for us, “her people,” and in particular for the poor and the young. Assuredly Christ, crucified and risen, takes the central place in our lives because he is the Reconciler. With Mary, we are but his humble, prayerful servants, collaborators in building his kingdom “on earth as it is in heaven.”

We fight the evils of the day which degrade human beings and can easily separate people from God. By our preaching and the various expressions of our ministry of reconciliation, we help people discover and respond to the call to follow Christ. We also assist others in listening to Jesus through their prayer, participation in the Eucharist and use of Lenten traditions to strengthen their faith.

The words of the Beautiful Lady at La Salette concerned the problems and daily concerns of her children. Our responsibility as La Salette Missionaries is to share with others the graces we ourselves have received. We simply walk in the footsteps of Mary, sharing her message of motherly concern for her people.

A Brief Description of the La Salette Missionaries

Details: Written by Ron Gagne

A Brief Description of the La Salette Missionaries

(PDF file)

Motto:

"Make this message known to all my people." These words were spoken by Our Lady of La Salette on September 19, 1846 to two children, maximin and Melanie, near the small town of La Salette, close to Grenoble, France.

Symbol:

The La Salette Crucifix with its hammer and pincers was first worn by Our Lady at the apparition at La Salette in France on Sept. 19, 1846. The hammer on the crucifix symbolizes the sins of humanity that put the nails into the hands of Jesus; the pincers symbolize the good actions we do which remove the nails from Jesus' hands.

The La Salette Charism:

Founded in 1852 by Bishop de Bruillard, Bishop of Grenoble in France and based on Mary's message at La Salette, the main purpose (gift or charism) of the La Salette Missionaries is to preach the word of God, to exercise the Ministry of Reconciliation, to celebrate the Eucharist, and to heal the hurts and deepen people's awareness of God's ongoing call to repentance. They were asked by Mary to "make her message known", that is, the message of her Son.

History of Growth:

In June, 1892, two La Salette priests left France to spread Mary's message. After a brief stay in Montreal, they were received into the Diocese of Hartford, Connecticut in August of that year. Their ministry in North America began at the time of the social upheaval in France in the late 1800's. Their members also support mission territories in Madagascar, the Philippines, Myanmar (Burma), Eastern Europe and South America.

La Salette Ministries Today:

Today's La Salette priests, sisters and brothers continue to care for the alienated and estranged by ministering to pilgrims at our shrines throughout the world, and serving the spiritual needs of God's people in retreat work, home and foreign missions, in parishes and schools, in youth ministry, counseling and teaching, as well as by serving as chaplains in hospitals and in the armed services. Wherever they minister, they make Mary's message of reconciliation known to all God's people.

Province Website: http://www.lasalette.org