This is my first time attending the shrine of La Salette in France. Since I arrived, I have experienced a sense of renewal. All the things that I learned about the history and charism of the congregation has now come to light. My experience in the PPP has been very positive. I have met other La Salette Brothers and Sisters from around the world and I’ve developed some lasting friendships. This has also broadened my horizon of the congregation. There are good ministries that are happening in other countries with the charism of reconciliation. It is wonderful to know that the Spirit is alive in this congregation.

     Being here at the site of the apparition has deepened my love for our Blessed Mother. Her message of reconciliation of the world to Christ certainly rings true to this day. I feel blessed to be called by God as a La Salette Missionary to help dry the tears of Mary at La Salette by leading others to her Son, Jesus.

-Br. Paul Jussen M.S.

Dear Brothers,

It is with great sadness that we have received the news of the death of Fr. Eugene Barrette from the Province of Mary, Mother of the Americas. For many years he suffered from cancer, and ultimately succumbed to a cerebral hemorrhage.

We remember him with affection and with the great awareness of the important contribution made to the Congregation in the many years he spent at the General House, first as director of scholastics, then as General Secretary and Councilor, and finally as Superior General, with his writings, his studies in La Salette, and his research into our charism and the huge dossier for the revision of our Rule of Life.

We thank the Lord for having given him to us as a member of our great religious family of La Salette, for having made him known, loved and appreciated by us. Now that his earthly journey is over, we recommend him to the mercy of the Father so that he might grant him the reward of the just for all the service given to his Church and to our Congregation.

We are certain that the Virgin of La Salette, who loved him so much in life, has welcomed and invited him into Paradise with the same words she used with Maximin and Melanie in her apparition at La Salette: “ Come near, my children, don’t be afraid….”.

Fr. Barrette was 75 years old, lived 54 years in religious life and had served 48 years in priestly ministry.

Rest in peace, Fr. Gene, and do not forget us, your brothers.

Fr. Silvano Marisa

Superior General

The important celebrations in the shrine during the month of June were the feast of Corpus Christi, feast of bread, feast of the Music, feast of mothers and feast of the fathers. In Preparation to the feast of Corpus Christi there was a retreat on the theme of “Eucharist Source of Life” preached by Fr. Manuel BARBIERO from the congregation of the Blessed Sacrament.

The Grenoble Gospel Singers gave a musical concert on Saturday 13 June and they also sung during the Sunday mass. Every year the Grenoble Gospel singers come to La Salette to give concert. The ceremony of Transhumance was held in Corps on June 13; Fr. Manuel the rector of the shrine blessed the herds of sheep and now after 7 months they are back to the La Salette Mountain.

Feast of the Music was celebrated with varieties of activities such as concert in the Gallery, and Salle Notre Dame, and prayer service in the Basilica. There were also many couples who celebrated their wedding anniversaries in the last Sunday of June here on the Holy Mountain. In the Last weekend of June we had more than 500 polish Pilgrims. The Month of June is concluding with the arrival of the participants of PPP.
p. Biju. MS

On Monday June 15, 2015 the Province of Madagascar Mary Mother of the Church, began its 12th Provincial Chapter at Antsahasoa/Antsirabe. Present at the Chapter were 20 delegates. The Chapter must elect a new Provincial Superior, and two assistant Councillors.

The first day of the Chapter entailed discussion on various topics: formation, peace and justice, finances, administration, mission, la Salette Laity.

Even though the climate is quite cold here in Antsirabe, we were very well received, lodged, and feed. The atmosphere at the Spiritual Centre here is quite well for the Chapter: solitude, chapel for prayer and Mass, a hall well prepared for Chapter session.

We invite you all to pray for the success of the Provincial Chapter and for the future of the Province of Madagascar.

In the month of May we had lot of special pilgrimages. In the first weekend of May we had the pilgrimages of Protestants from Madagascar origin. In the second weekend of May 750 Catholic pilgrims of Madagascar came to La Salette to have their national pilgrimage. As usual there were many international groups and one group from Mumbai, India was also present. Fr. William Kaliyadan M.S came on May 12-13 to La Salette with a group from his parish in USA. In the last weekend of May the special pilgrimage was organized by the La Salette Sisters. It was the pilgrimage of the consecrated. Saturday May 3Oth Professor Thierry Magnin, rector of the Catholic University of Lyon gave a conference on the theme of “Remember with gratitude, Embrace the future with hope, live the present with passion”. The bishop of Grenoble Mgr. Guy de Kerimel addressed the pilgrims in the afternoon of Saturday May 30th on the theme of “Religious life a gift to the Church”. The month of May concluded with a week of festival with “Rose flowers”. Pilgrims offered every day flowers at the feet of the statue of Our Lady. The Sunday Mass on May 31 was presided by Mgr. Benoît RIVIERE, bishop of Autun, France. One of the famoun French singer Jean-Claude Gianada animated the vigil and mass of Pentecost and Trinity Sunday.

From our Rule of Life

“248 C The purpose of the Council of the Congregation is to broaden the Congregation's participation in its government and to develop a spirit of cooperation and co-responsibility. It is composed of the superior general, his assistants, the provincial and regional superiors or their representatives. The treasurer general, in view of his role and expertise, also attends as a consultant but does not participate in the voting.

249 cp The superior general convokes a meeting of this council every eighteen months, and more often if he judges it necessary.

a) to examine the spiritual and financial condition of the Congregation;

b) to deal with important matters;

c) to deliberate and vote on those matters reserved to it by the Rule or submitted to it by the superior general.”

We are gathered here outside of Luanda, Angola, for the Council of the Congregation – the first time the Council has been held in this country, and our Angolan brothers have welcomed us with joy. This Council comes as the present General Administration is half-way through its mandate; so it provides an opportunity to evaluate these past three years, as well as look forward to the next three. Important topics include the Congregation’s vocation efforts, Initial Formation, possible new mission(s) in Africa, and initial planning for the General Chapter of 2018. Everyone has finally arrived, except for Fr. Louis de Pontbriand, who was unable to get his documents in order in time. He joins us in prayer, as we hope you do as well.

Joe Bachand MS

THIS IS PRESENTATION OF JUSTICE AND PEACE DEPARTMENT IN THE CONGREGATION OF Divine Word Society

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