OUR MOTHER OF MERCY: INTERCESSOR FOR LIFE
(a reflection by Theresa Effinger)
Last month, on Friday September 19th, it was the 162nd Anniversary of the Apparition of Our Lady of La Salette in the French Alps to two shepherd children. The Shrine of Our Lady of La Salette in France is high up in the mountains while the little Grotto for Life here at the Centre is on top of a hill in the Lanark Highlands. Nevertheless, it was still an extremely moving experience as we celebrated this special occasion with an hour-long prayer service after dark.
The night was cool but clear as we gathered with glowing candles in hand. The La Salette Cross at the front of the Grotto for Life, wrapped with withering grapes vines, towered over our hand-held flames. A spotlight on the statue of Our Lady gave us a focal point – the Weeping Mother who continues to cry as the lives of her innocent children are taken away from her every day through abortion, violence, war, famine and euthanasia.
Songs and prayers filled the night air as we begged for God's mercy, through our beloved Mother of Mercy, upon those who are responsible in any way for the loss of life. My heart and soul rejoiced as I felt the loving approval of our Heavenly Mother for this small effort to pray for the protection of life. (Our prayer service included some new hymns and prayers from the Congregation of La Salette Missionaries which have been added at the end of this reflection.)
As we prayed the Sorrowful Mysteries of the Holy Rosary we were reminded, through the powerful meditations preceding each decade, of the torment Our Lord lovingly endured for our salvation. How do we repay His love these days? With ungrateful, selfish hearts, we try to take the easy way out ... to eliminate all the so-called “problems” of our lives. Day after day, we attempt to avoid the little splinters of the crosses we are asked to carry instead of using the opportunities to grow in perseverance and spiritual strength.
Unfortunately, it does not end there! In the name of “human rights”, helpless unborn children are killed. In the name of “mercy killing”, we dispose of the elderly and handicapped. In the name of “progress”, we watch people starve to death while tons of food are hauled away in dumpsters. In the name of “security”, we watch people die in useless wars. When will it end?
In 1846, Our Lady of La Salette said, “If my people do not obey, I shall be compelled to loose my Son's arm ... if my Son is not to abandon you, I am obliged to entreat Him without ceasing.” THANK GOD for our beloved Mother of Mercy and for all the prayer warriors in the convents of the world, who uphold this miserable world! Can you fathom how much worse humanity has become in the past 162 years? How much longer can we expect to be spared from the Hand of Justice?
My dear friends, let us each take a leading role in helping our country to start making changes – one life at a time. Why not consider having Holy Masses said for the protection of life in your home parish? At the very least, let us make a conscious decision to pray each day for this cause. Let us all take active roles in drying the tears of our beloved Mother of Mercy!
Memorare to Our Lady of La Salette
(from the Congregation of La Salette Missionaries)
Remember, Our Lady of La Salette, the tears you shed for us on Calvary. Remember also the care you have taken to keep us faithful to Christ, your Son. Have done so much for your children, you will not abandon us now. Comforted by this consoling thought, we come to you pleading, despite our infidelities and ingratitude. Virgin of Reconciliation, do not reject our prayers but intercede for us. Obtain for us the grace to love Jesus above all else. May we console you by a holy life and so come to share the eternal life Christ gained by His cross. Amen.
Prayer for Healing
(from the Congregation of La Salette Missionaries)
Our Lady of La Salette, heavenly reflection of Christ's love and concern for God's needy children, help us to be open, like you, to the reality and wonder of God's healing touch in our lives. Quiet our fears and, just as you ministered to the two children at La Salette, may the grace of your Son ease the sufferings, the hurts, the crosses that we bear as well as those borne by people we hold close to our hearts. Blessed Lady, in this moment of need, may Jesus Christ bring us the healing and peace we need in order to continue to be His faithful children, now and forever. Amen.
Prayer for Life
O Mary, bright dawn of the new world, Mother of the living, to you do we entrust the cause of life. Look down, O Mother, upon the vast numbers of babies not allowed to be born, of the poor whose lives are made difficult, of men and women who are victims of brutal violence, of the elderly and the sick killed by indifference or out of misguided mercy.
Grant that all who believe in Your Son may proclaim the Gospel of life with honesty and love to the people of our time. Obtain for them the grace to accept that Gospel as a gift ever new, the joy of celebrating it with gratitude throughout their lives and the courage to bear witness to it resolutely, in order to build, together with all the people of good will, the civilization of truth and love, to the praise and glory of God, the Creator and Lover of life. (Pope John Paul II)
Hail, Tearful Queen of La Salette:
Hail Holy Queen Melody – lyrics by Ronald Gagne
Congregation of La Salette Missionaries
Hail, tearful Queen of La Salette, O Maria
Hail, Woman whom the children met, O Maria
REFRAIN:
Pray with us to your loving Son,
That God's will on this earth be done,
Hear our voices raised as one:
Salve, Salve, Salve Regina!
O reconciler, we draw near, O Maria
To hear your message: “Do not fear”, O Maria
REFRAIN
Yours words of love are mixed with pain, O Maria
You call us to your Son again, O Maria
REFRAIN
Now change our hearts, O Virgin mild, O Maria
Make us the image of your child, O Maria
REFRAIN
As part of God's own chosen race, O Maria
Our saving hope is in God's grace, O Maria
REFRAIN
Teach us to share your words of life, O Maria
With all who live in sin or strife, O Maria
REFRAIN
As pilgrims on our way we go, O Maria
That your great message all will know, O Maria
REFRAIN
Ave of La Salette
Immaculate Mary melody - lyrics by Ronald Gagne
Congregation of La Salette Missionaries
A beautiful Lady appeared in such light
That two little shepherds
were awed at the sight.
Ave, Ave, Ave Maria. Ave, Ave, Ave Maria.
“Come near, little children. Do not be afraid.
I bring you such good news,”
she lovingly said
Ave, Ave, ...
“To all of my people, God's mercy I speak.
If they in their own hearts,
God's pardon will seek.
Ave, Ave, ...
“Pray well, then, my children, at morn and at night;
and open your hearts to
be changed in God's sight.”
Ave, Ave, ...
“My people must honour My Son and His name.
Each week as they gather,
His glory they claim.”
Ave, Ave, ...
“O take, then, this message and go make it known
to all of my people,
that God's love be shown.
Ave, Ave, ...