How do we as La Salette Missionaries live up to the demands and live out the message and charism of reconciliation given to us by the Mother of God? How do we look like, sound like and act as reconcilers in our world today?

There are several sources for examining and attesting to the life and ministry of the Missionaries of Our Lady of La Salette. The first source, as with all Catholic religious orders, is the scripture since we are a Christ-centered community.

In addition to the Bible, we also have a second source, the content of the Apparition of Our Lady of La Salette on Sept. 19, 1846. Mary’s words and actions, her attitudes and concerns speak volumes about who we are to be as La Salette Missionaries and what we are to do.

A third source is a special guide for our life and ministry, called our “Rule of Life,” first approved in the late 1880’s and significantly updated after Vatican II. Our Rule explains our way of life and the direction in which our community should serve the Church and the world.

A fourth source is the living testimony of our La Salette ministry throughout the world. Having just come from our 2012 General Chapter in Willimantic, CT., where our membership shared their experience of worldwide La Salette ministry and elected of our new Superior General, Fr. Silvano, Marisa, M.S., I heard many chapter members sharing about their ministry. Also through my work as Director of Communications for the past five years, I have learned much about our worldwide ministry. With all this in mind, I could give many examples of how we live out the invitation of Jesus and His Holy Mother to be reconcilers is our world today. With laity to share with and support us, we are a significant reconciling presence as Jesus and Mary expect of all of us!

The La Salette Message:

“Come near, my children, be not afraid. I am here to tell you great news.”

Our La Salette Rule describes that we are to: welcome the alienated and marginalized and minister to those estranged from God, the Church, themselves or others.

Our response to this invitation is expressed by our ministry of:

· welcoming all people warmly into the family of God

· welcoming those alienated from the Church

· respecting the culture and personality of the people we serve,

identifying ourselves with them, uncovering the richness and

values of their culture, and, along with them, offering these innate gifts to Christ

· ministering to groups of the marginalized, handicapped, including Vietnam Veterans, separated and divorced, gays and lesbians, those with AIDS

The La Salette Message:

“Do you say your prayers well, my children? … say at least an Our Father and a Hail Mary.”

Our La Salette Rule describes: the importance of daily prayer as well as teaching people how to pray

Our response to this invitation is expressed by our ministry of:

· celebrating the Sacrament of Reconciliation in our parishes and shrines

· directing shrines and retreat houses

· serving in counseling centers

The La Salette Message:

“In the winter, when they don’t know what else to do, they go to Mass only to scoff at religion.”

Our La Salette Rule describes: the need for an awakening and renewal of faith in people of God

reaching out to the alienated and estranged

Our response to this invitation is expressed by our ministry of:

· ministering in parishes and as chaplains

· serving in renewal centers and leading prayer communities

· supporting ongoing religious education for all those involved in our

ministries

· reaching out to those who have left the Church, especially in our

parishes, in order to restore them to an active and complete communion with

the life of the Church

The La Salette Message:

“During Lent, they go to the butcher shop like dogs.”

Our La Salette Rule describes: importance of habits of faith, including fasting and spiritual discipline

Our response to this invitation is expressed by our ministry of:

· preaching retreats and missions, especially during the seasons of Advent and Lent

· providing liturgical and educational Lenten programs

The La Salette Message:

“A great famine is coming. But before that happens, children under seven years of age will be seized with trembling and die in the arms of those holding them.”

Our La Salette Rule describes: caring for children and those who cannot take care of themselves

Our response to this invitation is expressed by:

· supporting programs involving the formation of youth

· struggling against social evils such as poverty, hunger,

homelessness, racism that do not support the dignity of the human person; struggling with people in nations which allow little personal freedom and few rights

· supporting peace and justice ministry in our shrines and parishes

· being open to people’s problems and difficulties — whether physical, mental or spiritual — in order to help them find solutions consistent with the good news of Christ

The La Salette Message:

“Well, my children, you will make this known to all my people. Now, my children, you will please make this known to all my people.”

Our La Salette Rule describes: our mission is to be reconciled and to be reconcilers, to witness to the vibrancy and importance of faith

Our response to this invitation is expressed by:

· evangelizing in areas where the Church has not been

implanted and in social milieus that are estranged from the Church;

we serve presently in over 20 countries

· promoting mutual understanding among religions and their

coming together in charity and truth, including our involvement in

ecumenical activities and inter-faith dialogue

All this we do around the world as Missionaries of Our Lady of La Salette. However we accomplish this not through our own strength but, as St. Paul reminds us:

“My grace is sufficient for you, for power is made perfect in weakness.” I will rather boast most gladly of my weaknesses, in order that the power of Christ may dwell with me. Therefore, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and constraints, for the sake of Christ; for when I am weak, then I am strong (2 Cor 12:9).”

May Jesus and His Holy Mother continue to be our strength and inspiration as we journey together back to the Father.