A blast from the past....visiting La Salette.

When we were youth pastors in Massachusetts, we took the youth group to La Salette every December to see the Christmas display of lights, drink hot chocolate or hot cider and be together as a youth group. He put the youth into a situation where they could learn and ask questions about another religion. You know especially with Denny, life is always about learning and processing, using knowledge to win your Catholic friends to Jesus or at least to have intelligent conversations with them.

We haven't been there in years so we took the opportunity to visit once again. It was as beautiful as always, the only thing I missed were the voices and joy from a roudy youth group!

 

 

 

 

 

Mary speaks to the children

I found this information on their website.

Any La Salette story traces its beginnings to September 19, 1846 when the Blessed Mother appeared to two shepherd children at La Salette, a small hamlet in the French Alps. Through the children she gave her message of "Reconciliation" to the world. She insisted that this message be made known to all her people. Consequently in 1852 the Missionaries of Our Lady of La Salette were founded to serve as a "perpetual remembrance of Mary's merciful Apparition." In 1892 two La Salette Missionaries arrived to explore possible settlement in the New World and ultimately settled in Hartford, Connecticut. Since then the United States presence has grown nationwide. Our province is known as the Province of Mary, Mother of the Americas. We are an Apostolic, religious community. We witness to the Kingdom of God as we seek to mend relationships in need of healing. Inspired by the event of La Salette and supported by our community life, we are strengthened by the Eucharist, prayer and faith sharing.

The "Castle" - original site of theMonastery in Attleboro, MA

In 1942 the La Salette Missionaries bought the Attleboro, Massachusetts property as a major seminary and in 1952 the construction of the Shrine was announced. The Feast of the Immaculate Conception, December 8, 1953, marked the official opening of the Shrine of Our Lady of La Salette in Attleboro. From this beginning to today we have united our gifts and talents with those of the laity. Looking to Mary as our model, we discern new opportunities to make known Her message of hope and reconciliation.

The National Shrine…

Outdoor Creche - Christmas Festival of Lights

We are best known for our Christmas Festival of Lights. Dating back to 1953 on our opening day with a simple but beautiful outdoor manger, this festival has grown into a spectacular display of more than 300,000 lights, inspiring displays, concerts and other events during the Christmas Season. It has been a Christmas tradition for thousands of families for well over half a century!