Friday, August 15, 2014

A Special Marist Feast

As great a solemnity the Assumption is for the Universal Church, a pledge of our future resurrection of the dead and reunion with our glorified bodies in heaven, for worldwide Marists it is a very special day.  In 1816, young Fr. Marcellin Champagnat began his ministry in the parish at LaValla.  One of his first tasks was cleaning up a little side chapel dedicated to Mary and purchasing an altar for it from his own pocket.  Little did he know then, how significant a role Mary would play in the years ahead.
Over the years in this country, August 15th has been the day for the taking of the religious habit; I and 27others did so 54 years ago, and 39 years ago, the first group of Cold Spring Novices pronounced their first vows.  May Mary keep sending us vocations to continue the work of St. Marcellin.  And may she continue to call all of us to make her Son known and loved.
Bro. Rene

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