A Strong Future For La Salettes

Fr. Silvano Marisa, M.S. Superior General of the La Salette Missionaries

Our common baptism is a call to intimacy with the Lord. It is a vocation which is a lifelong call given to all. In the past, speaking about vocations used to center on priest and religious. Now we more correctly speak about a vocation or call to the church for every baptized member of the church.

At La Salette Mary gave us an invitation to “make her message known to all her people.” She echoed the words of her Son: “Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you” (Matthew 28:19-20a).

A Marian Call to Unity and Reconciliation

But our call to La Salette is a Marian call, a gospel way of life and a response. For Mary’s call, we should look at her example. She was the one who called us to serve the Lord, be available to serve our fellow humans, meet them. She asks us to put our life at the service of mercy, love and forgiveness.

Our La Salette vocation is to unity – among ourselves, with God and with the Church. All this is in view of our call to be reconcilers. This was the theme of our 2012 General Chapter: “May all be one for the mission of reconciliation.” Reconciliation should imbue our entire life and all our ministries since it is the specific charism of our congregation.

Our Vision of a Gifted and United Community

Our recent distillation of our common vision comes from our 2012 General Chapter:

We are a Christ-centered community committed to the ministry of reconciliation with the laity, as a living out of the event and the message of the apparition of Our Lady of La Salette. Attentive to the voice of God, who speaks through the signs of the times, our life and mission are lived out in the light of the option for the poor and the demands of justice and peace. Enriched by our multicultural diversity, through collaboration and solidarity between provinces and regions and manifested in intercultural living and work situations, we move beyond the limitations of Provinces and Regions. Our community life and shared leadership are based on dialogue, discernment, sincerity and the active participation of all.

Christ-centered community: Our vision is centered on Christ; he is “the rule of our life”, as is mentioned in our La Salette Rule (#5). In community we daily try to live in the spirit of reconciliation.

La Salette Laity from across the United States

With the laity: Our La Salette call and charism is not limited to religious and priests and sisters alone but is a more open call to every person of faith, young and old, men and woman. With us, we make a grand La Salette family; our charism is living, actual and for the participation and benefit of everyone. It is also a much-needed charism in our world of today. Although the La Salette Missionaries cannot be everywhere, our La Salette laity can enter in unencumbered and without hesitation. We thank God for all the youth who are responding positively to the call of Mary, first to Maximin and Melanie, and now to even more “Maximins” and “Melanies” who wish to make her message known today by their life and service.

Attentive to the voice of God: In order to do this, we should also be attentive to God speaking through the signs of the times. It is a mission which must be accomplished with the help of the people we serve. Some of the elements of our call are traditional (our history) and some brand new (new ways of presenting the message of Mary, based on the core message of the Gospel). Also we are to concentrate on the church’s “preferential option of the poor.”

La Salettes from India, Myanmar and the Philippines

Enriched by our multicultural diversity: Another aspect of our call is to try to live in a community which is international and transcultural. Those who wish to join us should realize this is part and parcel of La Salette life everywhere. There is no culture which we as La Salettes can’t serve in some way at some time. All situations are part of and effected by the incarnation of Jesus. All God’s people can benefit from Christ’s care and service, concretely and lovingly given. This is what Jesus meant by making disciples of all nations.

Our Future in Serving

God’s People

By nature I am an optimist and my vision is quite positive. The world of today needs our message of reconciliation and hope. The Virgin invites us to share her message and live within the support of a caring community. This is certainly the spirit of the Gospel.

We have a great mission before us, with the help of God. Our ministry is needed and truly limitless. The words of Jesus before his passion were: “I pray that… they may all be one” (John 17:20-21). This is our prayer, our mission, our call, and our life.