Sisters of Our Lady of La Salette:
Our Purpose, History and Ministry
Our Roots:
We are uniquely blessed with a founding event – the Apparition of the Blessed Virgin Mary at La Salette on September 19, 1946. Mary's compassionate presence at La Salette – her tears, words, gestures, symbols, and the social context – serve as a striking illustration and an urgent reminder of God's merciful love and compassion for his people and creation. She affirms that God is intimately present at the heart of our lives in conversation with us. She weeps because “her people” has so much need for conversion and she remains hopeful that they will return to the Source of Life, the God of infinite tenderness.
Our Vision:
We, the Sisters of Our Lady of La Salette in the Philippines are women disciples of Christ, called to live and witness in word, deed and ritual in a creative and participatory way, to the realization of ecclesiastical communion, interfaith solidarity among peoples and deep ecological integrity as designed by Mary in Her Apparition at La Salette, who invites us to transcendence and the restoration of the dignity of persons and creation in a process of conversion from a life restrained by personal weakness and social injustice to the fullness of Life in Christ.
Bishop Donald Pelletier, MS arrived in the States for heart a procedure and is doing very well. He is now the retired bishop of Morondava, Madagascar. He has led a very busy and productive life.
After completing his studies in theology and receiving his licentiate degree, Fr. Donald returned to the States. Stationed in Enfield, NH, he prepared for the missions. In October 1958 he departed for Morondava, Madagascar, arriving in December. Liturgies were still in Latin at that time, so he was able to do limited local ministry while studying the Malagasy language, which he quickly learned.
Chapter delegation from Brazil: La Salette Frs. Marcos Antonio Queiroz, Adilson Schio and Presentino Rovani. |
For the last 12 years, Fr, Isidro Perin, MS – originally from the Brazilian Province – has been the Superior General of the Congregation. At the General Chapter in the Philippins last May, after the election of Fr Dennis Loomis as Superior General of the Congregation, I had an interview with members from the Brazilian delegation participating ine La Salette General Chapter.
Fr. Jack asked Fr.Adilson Schio, MS – Provincial of Brazil: What do you see as the reaction of the Brazilian Province to having Fr. Isidro Perin, MS back among you?
Fr. Adilson: We welcome him home with open hearts and arms. We are very grateful for what he brought