We Would Love
to Keep in Touch!
Editor: In this first of three articles, Fr. Charles Novel, M.S. (1912-1980), a true man of letters, with a Doctorate in Theology and in Sacred Scripture, reflects on a total of six major characteristics of the La Salette spirituality
Our Lady of La Salette speaks with the two children (1855)We are in grave need of a... World view and of a theology of History capable of spurring us to act and of directing both our action and our life. This outlook on the World and its destiny—which is also our destiny —must be inspired by faith and translated into terms of down-to-earth life.
Our vision must take on a universal dimension; its dynamism must set off a chain reaction of solid impacts on our everyday life. The principles of our spirituality must stem from a faith-stimulated view of the World and of History. What facet of truth does that vision of faith reveal?
Mary once spoke to Maximin and Melanie; now, she reaches us through the testimony of those children. The Church has declared their witnessing to be authentic. By the grace of La Salette, the Virgin Reconciler opens the eyes of our faith upon a vision of the World and of Salvation History. The grace of La Salette is dynamic: it jolts us into action, it can moreover tele-guide our apostolate and steer our religious life.
The grace of La Salette enables its beneficiary to view Salvation History in a special light: that of the History of Reconciliation between God and fallen humanity. One quickly recognizes that this is precisely the History being actualized today within the Church and by the Church.
By virtue of a divine mandate, Mary has not only been intimately associated with this History in the past; she continues to be deeply involved in it; and what is more, the grace of La Salette is the Virgin Reconciler's way of drawing us into that History.
Christ Crucified with Our Lady of Sorrows at his feet by CarlosVdeHabsburgo, porcelain tile Seville, SpainAt La Salette, Mary is actively fulfilling her actual role, during this contemporary phase of the History of Salvation, known as the era of the Church. At La Salette, the Virgin Reconciler invites us to cooperate with her in the fulfillment of the divine plan.
It is surely upon the actual role currently being played by her, for the salvation of souls, that the Beautiful Lady lays special emphasis while announcing the “great news”. She tells us most explicitly that the sins of her people are cancelling her prayerful mediation.
It would be impossible to dissociate her present role from the one she played in her Son's objective reconciliation. “Standing at the foot of the Cross was Mary...” (see the gospel of the Mass of La Salette: John 19:25-27). Thus, we encounter Mary—her person, her titles, her privileges, her action—within the broad sweep of Salvation History, inasmuch as it narrates the History of our reconciliation with God.
Through the grace of La Salette we are granted a special insight into the Virgin who uttered the opening words of reconciliation, at the Annunciation (Luke 1:26-38); who identified herself completely with her Son, on Calvary; who prays steadily for us, today.
Through the grace of La Salette we recognize in Mary the exemplar of reconciled souls and, simultaneously, the model of peacemakers engaged in the task of reconciliation. (It is in this context that one should read anew Fr. Giraud's pages on Mary the Reconciler and the five conferences of the elder, Fr. Charles Rahier, M.S., 1898-1969).
The Spirituality of La Salette must be Catholic
Our Lady of La Salette speaks with the two children (1855)We are in grave need of a... World view and of a theology of History capable of spurring us to act and of directing both our action and our life. This outlook on the World and its destiny—which is also our destiny —must be inspired by faith and translated into terms of down-to-earth life.Our vision must take on a universal dimension; its dynamism must set off a chain reaction of solid impacts on our everyday life. The principles of our spirituality must stem from a faith-stimulated view of the World and of History. What facet of truth does that vision of faith reveal?
Mary once spoke to Maximin and Melanie; now, she reaches us through the testimony of those children. The Church has declared their witnessing to be authentic. By the grace of La Salette, the Virgin Reconciler opens the eyes of our faith upon a vision of the World and of Salvation History. The grace of La Salette is dynamic: it jolts us into action, it can moreover tele-guide our apostolate and steer our religious life.
The grace of La Salette enables its beneficiary to view Salvation History in a special light: that of the History of Reconciliation between God and fallen humanity. One quickly recognizes that this is precisely the History being actualized today within the Church and by the Church.
By virtue of a divine mandate, Mary has not only been intimately associated with this History in the past; she continues to be deeply involved in it; and what is more, the grace of La Salette is the Virgin Reconciler's way of drawing us into that History.
It is also a Marian Spirituality
These considerations lead us to qualify our spirituality as Marian.Christ Crucified with Our Lady of Sorrows at his feet by CarlosVdeHabsburgo, porcelain tile Seville, SpainAt La Salette, Mary is actively fulfilling her actual role, during this contemporary phase of the History of Salvation, known as the era of the Church. At La Salette, the Virgin Reconciler invites us to cooperate with her in the fulfillment of the divine plan.It is surely upon the actual role currently being played by her, for the salvation of souls, that the Beautiful Lady lays special emphasis while announcing the “great news”. She tells us most explicitly that the sins of her people are cancelling her prayerful mediation.
It would be impossible to dissociate her present role from the one she played in her Son's objective reconciliation. “Standing at the foot of the Cross was Mary...” (see the gospel of the Mass of La Salette: John 19:25-27). Thus, we encounter Mary—her person, her titles, her privileges, her action—within the broad sweep of Salvation History, inasmuch as it narrates the History of our reconciliation with God.
Through the grace of La Salette we are granted a special insight into the Virgin who uttered the opening words of reconciliation, at the Annunciation (Luke 1:26-38); who identified herself completely with her Son, on Calvary; who prays steadily for us, today.
Through the grace of La Salette we recognize in Mary the exemplar of reconciled souls and, simultaneously, the model of peacemakers engaged in the task of reconciliation. (It is in this context that one should read anew Fr. Giraud's pages on Mary the Reconciler and the five conferences of the elder, Fr. Charles Rahier, M.S., 1898-1969).
(Translated by then-Bro. Normand Theroux, M.S.)
(Reprinted from the La Salette publication, Reconcilare, Volume II, no. 2, December 1966, pgs. 10-14)