The Little Rose Newsletter The Voice of the Rose Ferron Foundation of Rhode Island

Volume I Issue 3 June 2017 Little Rose – Miracles and Healings Something that her doctors A special guest at the said would never happen. The lecture was Carl LeClair of Re- On May 20, 2017, visiting Woonsocket on a woman feels deeply that her vere, Mass. who shared his expe- the foundation held a presen- buying trip for her store, visit to the grave and her rience with Little Rose with the tation on Little Rose, Woon- was told about Little Rose by prayers had something to do audience along with some of her socket’s stigmatist, at the Amer- an antique dealer on Main with it. Miracle or not, she now mementos that he has. A long- ican French Genealogical Soci- St. and decided to visit the believes Little Rose interceded term believer in Little Rose, he ety on Earle St. along with a grave of Little Rose while for her. met her sister Flora during month- talk given by President David she was here. While stand- ly trips to her chapel in Woon- Ethier, some of her personal ing in front of the grave, she An 87-year-old wom- socket with his church. He came belongings were on display. said a few prayers to her. an writes that when she was down with a severe case of pneu- For years, the woman had 12, during a physical exam it monia, brought to Massachusetts Over the years there been told by doctors that was discovered that she had a General Hospital and while there, have been many healings and she was barren and could tumor in her chest and that a he was resuscitated 6 times and miracles attributed to our Little not have children, something lung had collapsed. She then spent 4 days in a coma before Rose and they continue today. she and her husband wanted had surgery to have the tumor waking up. He attributes his re- Some in different ways – peo- greatly. The woman was removed but her breathing covery to the intercession of Little ple will visit her grave and back in Woonsocket 4 remained shallow after the Rose. leave with a sense of well- months later, stopped by the operation. A nun placed an being, others are a little more antique store where she had image of Little Rose on her There are many cases as dramatic. learned about Little Rose chest and she began breathing the above that people believe and informed them that she normally. Little Rose played a part in. In 2016, a woman was now 2 months pregnant. Words from the Foundation President As President of the infallible judgment of the Apos- Rose Ferron Foundation of tolic See, which alone has the Rhode Island-I, David P Ethier power and authority to pro- would like clarify the follow- nounce as to whom rightly be- ing : our acceptance of the long the Character and Title of decree of Pope Urban VIII. Saint or Blessed. Also, the foundation will dis- Written articles from courage the use of the word the past referring to will and ask all devotees to not be changed refrain from using it. All be- The Foundation was longings of Marie Rose Ferron very pleased with the coverage will be referred to as memen- in Sunday and Monday’s edi- tos or souvenirs. We would tion-(May 21 and 22, 2017) of appreciate your cooperation! the Woonsocket Call, which In obedience to the clearly stated the above - decree of Pope Urban VIII and ment. The stories covered recent other sovereign Pontiffs, the miracles and healings attribut- Rose Ferron Foundation of ed to Little Rose. One witness Rhode Island declares that the was Carl Le Clair from Revere, graces and other supernatural Massachusetts, who gave a first facts related in witnessing to hand testimony. Also, a docu- the sanctity of Servants of God mented healing of Helen Peltier other than those canonized or of N. Smithfield, RI who re- beatified by the Church rest on ceived a healing in 1945. The human authority alone; and in Foundation has received a num- regard thereto, as in all thing ber of contacts from persons else, the foundation submits who have received favors from Mementos of Little Rose itself without reserve to the- Little Rose, which we will share

Page 2 The Little Rose Newsletter not in Heaven, ready made. Poets are born, The Odor of Sanctity but not Saints. Saints are made, by labor, This is an extract from an article which appeared in the toil, pain, suffering, time, by God and man July-August, 1949 “The Scapular” together cooperating to form the finished It is well known that the torted imagination. divine project, the Saint. Saints are made “odor of sanctity” has followed the by God and the Servant of God cooperat- relics of certain saints; especially in “When six American sisters ing, first of all. But Saints must be made by the case of the Little Flower has the passed relics around to one another, the the Holy See, the NCCB, the Loci Ordinarius, fragrance of roses been noted. It is fragrance changed in intensity . . . the laity by their prayers to God and peti- generally said to denote the pres- Since then about 1,000 persons of both ence of the saint at the time and sexes, religious, priests, brothers, old and place that the “fragrance” occurs. young, Chinese and foreigners, pagans Donors Mary Rose Ferron is evidently pre- and Christians, fervent and lukewarm, Ayotte Printers for producing our newsletters. sent in many places throughout the good and bad, skeptical and credulous, Bileau’s Flowers, Woonsocket for discount on world today, if the scent of roses from all classes and conditions of life; all decorations for Little Roses grave. from her relics is any indication! A these have perceived varied fragrances Leeway Hardware, N. Smithfield flowers woman in Nanjing, who “did not from the crucifixes, relics, etc.” Helen Pelitier believe any of that supernatural Timeless Antiques, Woonsocket $125 and stuff,” began to tremble when she providing space and selling some of put the rosary crucifix that Father Little Rose and Royalty of our items in their store. Palm had to her nose, turned pale, Siam Walmart, North Smithfield $50 gift card. and exclaimed: “Roses!”

From China, Father John B. Upon his return to China in Au- Several people wished to remain anonymous Palm, S.J., writes that several fra- gust 1948, Fr. Palm had His Royal High- but covered the expense of advertising the grances given off from the relics of ness, the Prince of Siam, first cousin to the May lecture in both the Woonsocket Call and Mary Rose Ferron marked “the be- king as a fellow passenger on the ship three versions of the Valley Breeze and for ginning of a long series of strange, that left San Francisco. Both the prince production of some handouts provided at the odd, weird experiences that must and his wife perceived a strong fragrant lecture. Also provided refreshments.at the seem like the wild dreams of a dis- odor coming from two crucifixes which lecture. belonged to Mary Rose Ferron during her lifetime, which had often been lying on O my good her bed during the Passion-ecstasies. At One of the purposes of the Foundation is to I am yours forever. first, the belief was that this had its source bring word of Little Rose to the public. We in the imagination of the prince and his do this by lectures, tri-fold handouts, novena wife. But as he himself said, “I knew that cards (in four languages), a newsletter, pray- this could not be true because I could not er cards, even a weekly novena insert in the have imagined this odor all the times I local Woonsocket newspaper, all at no cost to

opened the book or picked up the circu- the recipients. All of this comes at a cost for replenishment and this effort is supported lars.” He had been given the book “She solely by donations from devotees. We are wears a Crown of Thorns” and a series of coming to you for your help in supporting circulars telling about other such extraor- this, out reach program. MARIE ROSE FERRON dinary occurrences, and favors granted through the intercession of Mary Rose While we are grateful for any size donation, Spiritual Recipe Ferron, along with a piece of the coffin for a $20 or more donation, the foundation that was retrieved during her exhumation will send you a laminated business card size “Grind up all your sufferings in in 1946. As a result, the prince had the memento that can be used as a bookmark in the mill of patience and silence: book translated into Siamese and invited your bible, prayer book or carried in your mix them with the balsam of the Fr. Palm to preach in Siam. Passion of the Savior: make them into a small pill and swallow it with faith and love and the fire of charity will digest it.” Why does not North America have more saints? “There is a secret in the art of suffering, and for those who asked for it, I gave the above Cardinal Cushing stated two recipe. special reason: lack of interest and of devotion on the part of our clergy and Mary Rose Ferron to laity. Matter is all that matters to us! Rev. Emile Leonard, Jan 2, 1930 Our heroes are to be found in Hollywood, Page 3 The Character of Rose Chapter 5 of “Little Rose—American Sticmatist” by John J. Thilges, S.V.D. Published by Divine Word Publications 1959 Defining the character of Little was in that state. And she used more Rose is a very intricate problem as Rose prudence in the case of her . She was a mystic and mystics are not easily was constantly holding back the curiosity understood or evaluated. There major of visitors, who were at times, ruthless, motives for their conduct are often hidden vulgar and boorish in their demands, and from the eyes of their admirers and sel- it was most painful task for this delicate dom come to the surface. This is natural soul.” as the term implies something hidden, mysterious, and indefinable. Another visitor who understood the character of Rose better perhaps than Rose seemed to have been fun- the majority of those acquainted with her, damentally humble. But what is humility? was Sister Mary Angela. Her account of This virtue is not easily defined because the Ferrons is also charming. She relates, of its many semblances. The simplest def- “I found both Mrs. Ferron and Rose very inition is – humility is truth. If we are charming, simple, and friendly. The smile truthful in our thoughts, words and actions, of Mrs. Ferron was something that I shall we really are humble. This implies the full never forget.” Thanks to a donation for flowers and realization of our nothingness and our containers for the grave of Little Rose, complete submission to God. Little Rose In this respect Little Rose was a her grave was decorated for her was truly humble because from her infan- worthy companion of Theresa Neumann, death and birth days in May by foun- cy she lived in complete submission to her whose visitors are usually impressed by dation board members. Decorations Jesus. her great humility and simplicity. Father will remain until the weather no longer Leonard gives us the following interesting After Jesus became her personal account: allows the plants to survive and then Teacher during her ecstasies, Rose deep- they will then be replaced with Winter ened her submission to Him Who asks us I learned this October 23, 1930, decorations. all to learn from Him. All that Rose want- that a man from South Carolina had visit- ed in this world was to be unknown, the ed Theresa Neumann on a Friday and Our second newsletter saw 152 least of all. “I don’t want to expose my- without knowing him she said, ‘Why are mailed to those without email address- self and draw attention,” she said many you here? Why don’t you go and see my es (Dec. edition was 150) and 335 times, “for I do not know what will be- litter sister, Rose Ferron, in your own coun- emailed (Dec. edition was 150) to come of me. I am diffident of myself.” try? Go and see her. It’s not as far as people of which 64 were overseas She fully realized the danger of pride, coming here.’ And she gave Rose’s ad- contacts. since it pollutes the mystical life. dress. After his arrival in New York, this man came to Woonsocket on a Friday. Diffident of herself and fearful After explaining matters, the family In addition, there have been of pride, Rose was prompted to ask Our called up Father X to ask if they should requests totaling 350 with no email Lord that her sufferings might not appear, let him in; ---with his permission he was addresses that we have not been able that her stigmata would disappear. allowed to see her. The stranger came to fill due to costs. Each newsletter Christ finally granted her this request. out in tears, saying, ‘I have seen as much sent by USPS costs the foundation Father Boyer gives a vivid and touching here as in Konnerstreuth.’ The same fact $1.49 for printing and postage with pen sketch of the humility of Little Rose: was mentioned at the Ferron’s while I was overseas requests going around $2.57 there the following November.” each. As much as we would like to be Humility and generosity mingled able to cover these requests, the foun- with a sense of humor made Rose one of Though Little Rose never reached the most charming characters you could the fame which Theresa Neumann pos- dation simply cannot without more do- meet,” he wrote in his volume, She Wears sesses, we may call her a true sister of nations coming in to support it. a Crown of Thorns. Sister Neumann. Both are mystics of a high order who have accomplished much If you are receiving this as a Her modesty and her deep hu- for the conversion of sinners by their hard copy and you have an email ad- mility, together with a fear of vanity, kept prayers and sufferings. dress, please think of providing it so her from making a show of herself. Alt- we can continue sending the newsletter hough she pretended not to believe in her to you. ecstasies, and would speak of them as dreams, nevertheless, her parents were Further newsletters will only told to keep everybody away when she be sent out electronically due to cost. Would you like to help the foundation Books Available from the Foundation bring Little Rose to the world? Bookstores no longer carry books on Rose Ferron’s life, to obtain such, one must go to second hand book dealers. There are many things we need volunteers to do. Some are only occasional such as arranging for a place for a lecture We have a limited supply of: and coordinating it. “She Wears a Crown of Thorns.” You have a talent in research and writing? The Foundation By Rev. O. A. Boyer, S.T.L believes that everyone should have a chance to learn about her, her ties to Woonsocket and what the Foundation is doing to bring her name forward. To do so, this newsletter was cre- This is a definitive work by her biographer in hard cover consisting ated. If you think you could help produce it, it would be of 364 pages published in 1951. It tells the story of her life and greatly appreciated. some testimonies from people who have obtained favors through her. They have never been read and are in perfect condition with dust We have collected much material from the past on Little Rose covers. and need assistance in cataloguing and organizing what we The cost is $25.00 plus $5.00 P&H. hold. Another booklet entitled: While the Foundation is still young, it’s never too early to plan for the future. One of the goals is to have a permanent home for her chapel. Hopefully in time, someone will donate land “My Heart Speaks to Thee, or a home that can be used for it. Remember, the Foundation The Life of Marie Rose Ferron—Little Rose” is a 501c3 nonprofit and any donations made to it are tax deductible. Written by Wanda Sadowski first printed in 1964 by Little Rose Friends in Detroit. In 2015 the Foundation had a Third Printing pro- If you have ideas to bring her name and life forward, please duced. It is a soft cover booklet consisting of 22 pages concerning feel free to contact the her life with many illustrations. Foundation President, David Ethier by The cost is $4.00 plus $2.50 P&H. EMAIL : [email protected] Calling David at 401-568-0349 or on Also available are novenas in English, French, Spanish and Polish as FACEBOOK: Rose Ferron Foundation of Rhode Island well as some tri-folds on her life with prayers. These are FREE. We do ask, if possible, for a small donation so they can be replaced.

Rose Ferron Foundation of RI PO Box 3441 Woonsocket, RI 02895

Email: [email protected]

Rose Ferron Founda- tion of Rhode Island

The Rose Ferron Foundation of Rhode Island is a 501c3 nonprofit, all volunteer organization. All donations are tax deductible.