Celebrating Our Lady of La Salette in Enfield, New Hampshire

High in the French Alps of southern France, a "Beautiful Lady" appeared to two children — Maximin Giraud and Mélanie Calvat — as they tended their cows on Sept. 19, 1846. She was sitting with her elbows resting on her knees, her face buried in her hands. She said she was weeping because people had turned away from Jesus.

She brought the children a message of reconciliation — a reminder that she constantly intercedes for people before God and that she reconciles sinners by calling them back to the message and way of Jesus — her Son.

This year, the Shrine of Our Lady of La Salette in Enfield — located on property that once was a Shaker community on the shore of Mascoma Lake — is celebrating the 175th anniversary of that apparition
of the Blessed Mother near La Salette, France. The theme is “Mary Uniting All Cultures.”

Some La Salette Associates in Enfield, New Hampshire stand near the sign created for the 175th Anniversary of Mary’s Apparition at La Salette, France. The anniversary theme is “Mary Uniting all Cultures.” The schedule for the summer includes Mass in Spanish and English with Manchester Bishop Peter Libasci, ecumenical and interfaith programs, presentations about Mary and her apparitions, special attention to St. Joseph during the Year of St. Joseph, a 3-day celebration of the Feast of La Salette in September and the annual Festival of Lights around Christmas.

“Mary’s message of reconciliation and mercy resonates with me in the important timing that her title of ‘Reconciler of Sinners’ provides for today’s polarized and divided world,” says Father John Sullivan, a Missionary of Our Lady of La Salette and Director of the Enfield shrine. “Following the example of her Son, I see Mary as such a healing influence, with her mercy and tear-filled compassion. She calls us to recognize our common connection with one another, even amidst the diversity and variety that make up our contemporary church.”

This message is worth repeating in 2021 because it\ gives a grace-filled response to today’s many challenges, he continues. “These include the systemic racism we read about daily in the newspapers, the varied cries of the poor, especially [among] the many immigrants looking for hope and security within our borders. Also, the awareness of the abuses of our ‘common home’ that have led to so much suffering and death in many parts of our troubled world,” he says.

Rosary Pond and Peace Garden, La Salette Shrine, Enfield, NHJohn Markowitz and his wife, Sharon, are La Salette Associates in Enfield. “The message of peace and the using of one’s talents for the glory of God continue to resonate with us,” John says. “In a world fraught with hate, violence and political strife, reconciliation and the invitation of peace and forgiveness into all of our lives would serve the world well.”

Through the years, John and Sharon Markowitz have had opportunities for spiritual development through their association with the priests and brothers stationed in Enfield and throughout the La Salette provinces of North America and abroad. “We have been afforded time to attend retreats, conferences and … days of recollection at the shrine with members of the Enfield Community. We have been enriched by the many wonderful services and activities held at the shrine,” John says.

The couple has travelled to the site of the apparition in France and to the La Salette missions in Madagascar. “By walking the journey with the La Salette Missionaries in Madagascar, the message of the corporal works of mercy comes to mind: to clothe the naked, feed the hungry and thirsty, tend to the sick and give shelter to the homeless,” John says. “And that is what the La Salette Missionaries have been doing there and throughout the world for many years. To us, it is an example as to how we should live our lives.”

The La Salette Missionaries minister in 27 countries. “Mary appeared at La Salette to bring the people back to focusing on her Son. It is our work to make her message known, to invite others to share in the story and to turn
their lives toward God,” John reflects.

“We wish to be a center of reconciliation, taking our focus from the apparition of the Mother of God, high up in the Alps of southern France. ... She spoke of overcoming our fears, to come closer to her Son with the help of the Scriptures and the sacraments and especially the celebration of the Mass and confession,” Father Sullivan says.

Shrine facilities include a chapel, gift shop, cafeteria and expansive grounds. For more information, please visit
lasaletteofenfield.org.

(Reprinted with permission from Parable magazine , Diocese of Manchester, New Hampshire)