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Spring flowers on the Holy Mountain in France
About six weeks ago, I came here at the Holy Mountain of La Salette in France. I’d like to let you know about the members of the international community here at La Salette Mountain and share some information about our life here.
 
La Salette remains the same as before; the mountain is so beautiful with flowers. Yesterday the friends of La Salette came with machines to cut the grass in the mountain, apparition site and surroundings of the Basilica. On June 1st there was snowfall and then the temperature begun to rise. On June 21st the season of summer officially started in Europe and still we got a few rainstorms in these days.
 
In June there were lot of pilgrims here at La Salette sanctuary; most of them were from Germany and East Europe especially Poland. There were also significant numbers of pilgrims from Italy, Brazil, and Singapore etc. The number of French pilgrims is less compared to the number of foreign pilgrims.
 
Fr. Chempottickal, M.S.
Apart from the paid workers of the Sanctuary there are also volunteers from different European countries for a short period of time to do different services. A big number of volunteers are from Poland and 14 La Salette postulants from the province of Poland were also present here to do the service of the volunteers for about one month. There are a lot of changes in the pastoral ministry; the use of modern technologies provides advanced service to the pilgrims. Fr. André Patenaude, M.S., came in the month of June and he makes every evening Prayer vigil and procession more alive with his music. Jean-Claude Gianadda and few other choirs came to sing at La Salette. There were also pilgrimages from few schools. The M.P.P. Program (Walk, Prayer, and Sharing) is especially attractive for the young people.
 
Fr. Gaidioz, M.S., Shrine
Rector and Superior of House
Currently we have eleven members in the Shrine Community; six are from France, two from Poland, one Madagascar, one from Myanmar, and one from India. Among the eleven community members, two are brothers – Alain Aujas and Albert Girard. Fr. Michel Faillon is an oblate member. 
 
Fr. Bernard Gaidioz is the superior of the community and the rector of the sanctuary now and Fr. Jarek Borucki is the vice-rector. Fr. Manuel dos Reis Bonfim from Brazil is coming on July 15 and will stay up to August 30 of this year. We do not
La Salette Cross on
nearby Mount Planeau
know yet about the arrival of other members who would be part of the International community here in the sanctuary.  
 
Fr. Albert Girault is more than 90 years old and he helps still in the confessions; he is an inspiration for every one with his simplicity, religious poverty and love towards La Salette. Fr. Jerome Eiphan M.S., from Myanmar was with us for two months and on July 6 he returns to his country to continue his ministry. 
 
Last Sunday Fr. Jeannot Pierre Rakotonindrainy, M.S., General Councilor and the Provincial Superior of the La Salette Missionaries in Madagascar came to La Salette Sanctuary for a short visit. 
 
Crowds walk around sight of the Apparition
Apart from the community members there are several other La Salette priests and diocesan priests come as chaplains for a short period of time.  The chaplains who served in the month of June already left and new chaplains have arrived for the month of July. There are also some lay chaplains.   
 
All this ministry happens in order to continue to make Mary’s message known. We welcome thousands of pilgrims from all over the world. The message of La Salette seems to speak well to so many people from so many cultures and religions. Please pray that our mission at the Holy Mountain in France will be blessed abundantly during this 2011 Shrine Season.
 
 
 
Panoramic view of Shrine nestled among the Alpine Mountains