Festival of Lights Brightens Season

Details: Written by Dave Jolivet, Editor

Attleboro, Mass. — When Our Lady of La Salette visited two shepherd children, 15-year-old Melanie Calvat, and 11-year-old Maximin Giraud, on a mountain side in the French Alps in 1846, she appeared “within a light that was brighter than the sun.” It’s in that tradition of light that the Missionaries of La Salette in Attleboro established the Festival of Lights in 1953.

Since then, millions have flocked to the shrine between Thanksgiving and New Year’s Day to view the Christmas story illuminated by thousands of lights, giving pilgrims “the opportunity to meditate on the close relationship between the Christ Child, the Light of the World, and his mother,” who appeared to the shepherd children in a dazzling brilliance.

While the Christmas message remains the same, the festival has evolved a great deal leading into the 58th year. A series of new displays and the gradual transition to LED lighting, this year’s Festival of Lights, entitled “Light of Life” promises to be inspiring and breathtaking. “It is my hope that each and every visitor may be touched by Jesus’ light and be reborn,” said shrine director, La Salette Brother Bob Russell. “It is also my hope that those who come become a light of life to their families and all those they meet throughout their lifetimes.”

At the entrance to the Shrine Church is a
Christmas tree with more than 4,000
ribbons representing U.S. troops killed in
Afghanistan and Iraq, a reminder of their sacrifice.
(photo by Dave Jolivet)

The 350,000 lights were illuminated with the flick of a switch yesterday following the 4 p.m. Mass. Newly featured this year is a breathtaking display of artwork depicting Christ in the “Face of Jesus Exhibit” adjacent to the book store and cafeteria. The exhibit is made up of more than 800 pieces of artwork from artists from 41 states and 42 foreign countries.

Also new this year is the opening blessing at 5 p.m. each evening that pays tribute to all the American service women and men serving in Afghanistan and Iraq. “We have the blessing of the crib and a procession including the Knights of Columbus, four children and a singer,” Brother Bob told The Anchor. Following the reading of his original poem, “Our Fallen Heroes,” Brother Bob welcomes the evening’s guests. “Then the singer performs the National Anthem with one single spotlight focused on the U.S. flag. It’s in honor for all those who serve and all those who have given their lives.”

In fact, at the entrance of the shrine church year-round is a Christmas tree covered with more than 4,000 yellow ribbons. “The ribbons represent all those U.S. soldiers who have made the ultimate sacrifice in Afghanistan and Iraq,” explained Brother Bob. Each time a solider is killed, another ribbon is added so that the faithful may pray for them and their families.

Following the “Star-Spangled Banner,” Brother Bob gives the command, “Turn on the lights,” and a fortunate youngster gets to throw the switch bathing the shrine with the sights and sounds of that very first Christmas.

“We’ve made a point to rearrange some of the decorations this year to more accurately portray the season,” added Brother Bob. “For instance the three kings are up on a hill behind the monastery illustrating the fact that they are off afar traveling to visit the Christ Child.

“The theme, ‘Light of Life’ is to help everyone keep the focus on Jesus this Advent and Christmas season.

Coming back this year is the crowd-favorite “Clopper” the Christmas donkey, who will again make his home beside the outdoor Crèche of Bethlehem much to the delight of young and old alike.

Other highlights include trolly rides, hayrides, a children’s carousel, a family/children’s room featuring “Birthday Cards for Jesus” and other activities, and a Christmas bazaar.

Should visitors seek to come in out of the cold, the “Face of Jesus Exhibit,” provides a warm respite, as does the International Crèche Museum, the gift shop and the cafeteria with food provided by Johnson and Wales College.

Also in the comfort of the indoors are the scores of concerts from 16 various performers. And, as is the tradition, La Salette Father Andre “Pat” Patenaude will perform 62 concerts during the 2011 Festival of Lights.

The shrine will also maintain its full schedule of daily Masses as well as Masses on Christmas Eve and Day and New Year’s Eve and Day, as well as the availability of the Sacrament of Reconciliation on most days.

“I encourage families and everyone to visit us and view the sights and hear the sounds of this blessed season of Jesus’ birth,” said Brother Bob. “Here, people can discover what this newborn Child wants to share with us.”

(Reprinted with permission of the author, Dave Joliet, editor of The Anchor, Diocese of Fall River, Nov. 25, 2011)