Breton Lay La Salettes

The Chapel and Grounds for the Augustinian Sisters in Morlaix, FranceThis place became a meeting place for the Laity Salettins of the West. Together with Sister Anne-Marie and another sister, regularly four times a year, the group prays, reads and shares its experience in community, in light of the Gospel and the Great News entrusted by the Beautiful Lady. It is in this rereading that the life of laity and religious sisters finds breath and is excited by the mission entrusted to them by Mary: "Make this message known to all my people."

 

The eldest daughter of La Salette

By the concluding days of 1846, the Great News of the event of La Salette found a special resonance at Morlaix among the Augustinian Sisters of the Mercy of Jesus. In her message the sisters immediately discovered a God who, through Mary, came to tell the world not about God’s vengeance toward the sinner, but of God’s infinite mercy. The Beautiful Lady confirmed "her people" in her ability to pray for change – "if they convert..."

 

Augustinian Sisters of La Salette

In 1834 the first community of the Augustinian Sisters of the Mercy of Jesus arrived in the area of Morlaix (Saint Martin des Champs), France. They managed a hospital and boarding school, carrying out by their ministry as caregivers their mission to testify to all of the Mercy of God.

Since then, despite a diverse apostolate, they continue to live the same mission through their attention to the residents of the old people's home and their daily prayer. Today they are better known as the "Sisters of La Salette"! The miraculous cure of two of their residents on September 19, 1847 only served to strengthen them in their mission (see the La Salette French publication, Les Annales, #233). Since then, each generation of Sisters living in this monastery will be marked by the La Salette event.

(from left) Procession on the Feast of La Salette; La Salette statue with early design of inverted hammer and pincersThe elegant chapel overlooking their estate is a tangible sign. For decades they have put their hearts into prayer, praying the rosary. Every day they include the public many intentions, listed in a notebook arranged in the chapel, to nourish their prayer. Every third Sunday of September, this chapel echoes songs to Mary. It celebrates the anniversary of the appearance of Apparition of Our Lady of La Salette.

 

Our Need for Faith and Mercy

After experiencing a very strong growth in affluence in this corner of Brittany, an appreciation of God’s forgiveness suffered from the lack of faith of the townspeople. However the flame was not extinguished.

In a world evolving at high speed, the continuing need for faith and meaning for everyone continues to be felt. The sisters are very conscious of this and ready to do everything so that this place remains the presence of the mercy of God and a sanctuary of reconciliation, from the enduring example of Our Lady of La Salette.

 

Special Visitors

In 2015, the feast day of the apparition was presided over by the La Salette Provincial, Fr. Louis de Pontbriand, accompanied by Fr. Frantz Monnet, M.S. Together they reflected on the message of Our Lady, sharing their amazement at its great harmony with Laudato Si ', a plea from Pope Francis in favor of our planet, our common home.

“Mary, prophet of God, came to the mountain to tell us her concern for our way of life: children dying, harvests spoiled, famine coming, disrespect for Sunday worship and the name of Jesus in the context of the world of 1846, where solidarity was lacking and where some wanted to build their own happiness to the detriment of the most needy.”

It was a moment of reconciliation and friendship, encompassed by the warm welcome of the Augustinian Sisters – Sisters of La Salette de Morlaix.
The weather-worn statue of Mary in conversation with the two children, with a dusting of snow