March-April, 2018 Vol. 9 No. 4 echoesfrom A publication of the Lourdes Center F Marist Fathers and Brothers

The Fourth Station of The Cross Jesus meets His Mother on the Way ... THE DIRECTOR’S LETTER

FR. GEORGE SZAL, S.M. Traveling a Pilgrimage of Faith

n this issue of the “Echoes” we not have the possibility of choos- Iare announcing the 64th an- ing unloving and evil behaviors, nual pilgrimage to Lourdes, July we would have only one option 2 to 11, 2018. I hope that some – loving behaviors….We would of you will consider joining it. be reduced to the status of ro- The deadline for application is bots, and our love would not be March 30. This annual event our own, but the property of the and the season of Lent in which divine programmer.” (Finding we now find ourselves causes True Happiness, Ignatius Press, me to reflect on the meaning of 2015, p. 25). We are made in the pilgrimages. describes being a Christian as a image and likeness of God, and Once on a flight to give a mis- community in motion towards a to be like God means to learn to sion I got into conversation with goal (Acts 18:25, 26;, 19:9, 23) We love as God loves. Being on a a college student sitting next to ‘walk’ in a Church that gives us pilgrimage to Lourdes, or walk- me. Eventually I asked him if he faith, community, sacraments ing through Lent to Easter, or knew the meaning of his life. He and the encouragement to con- simply the difficult journey of said that he was going to finish tinue our journey to God. It is a trying to live a Christian life in a his education, settle down, get pilgrimage to heaven, a journey broken world gives us plenty of a job, probably marry his girl- to Eternal Life in a resurrected opportunities to carry the Cross, friend and have some children. community of saints living in to choose love rather than self- “But why?” I asked, “All of your deep intimacy and joy with God. ishness, and to get ready for life goals are wonderful, but if you As on any trip, a pilgrimage is in heaven. achieve them and come to the bound to include some discom- Thank you for supporting our end of your life, where will you fort. As we travel the journey pilgrimage of faith here at the be and who will you have be- of faith we can be certain that Lourdes Center. Since we make come?” He didn’t know. I told it will involve some suffering – no profit form the sending of him that no one’s life is an acci- physical, mental and spiritual. Lourdes Water we have existed dent, God loved him and wanted Some suffering will come from for over 50 years on the grace of him to live forever in Eternal joy sin, but why earthquakes, floods, God, the prayers of the Mother of with all of his loved ones. We cancer, birth defects, etc.? We God and your generosity. If you spoke about these things for a often wonder,”If God loves us can remember us with a Lenten long time and finally I said, “You so much, why does He allow so donation we would greatly ap- need to ‘walk’ in a community much suffering in the world?”. I preciate your generosity. of faith where this will be an- think that one reason is so that nounced to you and celebrated we can exercise our free will. Peace, every week.” As the blind priest, Fr. Robert I said this because the Bible Spitzer has written, “If we did Fr. George

Page 2 The Lourdes Center Ministry of The Marist Fathers & Brothers of The U.S. Echoes From Lourdes Haunting Words By Fr. Francis A. Grispino, S.M. (A Lenten Read)

he conversation had been a long one. All I can remember were the words, “When you get close to TJesus he crucifies you!” I never heard a heartache or a misfortune put exactly that way. That woman was on to something. It needs to be addressed. But first it will be helpful to mention a saying. We often hear it said, “I got to do what I’ve got to do.” The usual meaning is that the person has got to meet a problem straight on and that there is no ducking the issue. Only responsible persons utter such a statement. And now the woman’s unusual expression needs unpacking. But it is with some misgiving for fear that sensitive feelings may be hurt, so keep in mind that if humans resolve to meet their obliga- tions so does God. God’s Justice Those who know the workings of God better than most inform us that while God is merciful he is also just. And because God is just he must, per force, “Do what he’s got to do.” Our holy faith teaches us that God forgives us our sins because of the great redemptive act of loving obedience of Jesus’ suffering and death on the cross. By such an atonement for us and our salvation man’s guilt that cries out for eternal punishment is forgiven. That’s right! Short of the Redeemer’s suffering and death we were all hell-bound. But are we then absolved from what is called temporal punishment due to sin, punishment needing to be faced in this world?

Punishment for Sin Remains The penance given in the confessional is only a partial remittance of the punishment that needs to be satisfied in this world. So, what must be done to make up for this residual punishment?

Kinds of Penance? Our Blessed Mother gave the answer to St. Bernadette. Upon Mary’s request that penance be performed for sins, the saint asked what kind of penance. The reply was to accept the inconveniences, difficulties, and trials that occur during the living out of each day. This is covered by the old expression – not often heard now-a-days, “Offer it up.” Other terms used to express penance or satisfaction due to sin are: prayer, acts of self-denial or sacrifices, monetary offerings or almsgiving, fasting, abstinence and to bear one’s crosses patiently, especially those inherent in the fulfillment of one’s duties in life.

St. Paul on Trials in Life / Paraphrased Hebrews 12, 7-15 Endure your trails as discipline. We submit to our earthly father to discipline us, should we not all the more submit to our Heavenly Father? They discipline us for a short time, but Our Father does so for our benefit to share his holiness. Strive for holiness, without which, no one will see God.

The Dynamics of Penance But how is the justice of God satisfied by such acts? A simple explanation is: the “No” to God in the act of sin is reversed by the “Yes” to God in doing voluntary penance. Viewed another way we can say: sin gives in to human nature; penance goes against human nature and restores the balance. Finally, sin is pleasing; penance is displeasing. Temporal punishment due to sin is thereby regarded by God as atone- ment. Continued on page 6

Echoes From Lourdes The Lourdes Center Ministry of The Marist Fathers & Brothers of The U.S. Page 3 For complete details: www.Lourdes-pilgrimage.com

Page 4 The Lourdes Center Ministry of The Marist Fathers & Brothers of The U.S. Echoes From Lourdes Readers Write (about Pilgrimage blessings) ave you heard yet about Not all of the healings at Lourdes suits and began to practice his Hthe 70th certified cure at are from diseases of the body as faith in earnest. When the Lourdes? (We had not). Sr. the following reports from the Germans invaded dur- Bernadette Moriau had 4 op- International Medical Associa- ing World War II Honore be- erations on her spine in the tion of Lourdes,( No. 276, Oct. came the leader of a resistance late sixties which did her no 2001) attests: group. He was captured, im- good. Deemed incurable, she prisoned, tortured and finally remained nailed to a wheel- FAITH RESTORED put to death for opposing the chair with a permanently onore Etienne de Monteley occupation of France. He en- twisted foot. Sr. Bernadette Hwas born into the French dured it all with great humility lived in constant pain for 28 nobility in 1928. He was a very and peace. years until she made a pilgrim- lukewarm Catholic and only age to Lourdes not expecting attended Mass out of a feeling A HOLY DEATH a . She attended the of duty and from social pres- hierry V. was a former mili- blessing of the sick and went sure. To please his mother he Ttary parachutist, sports- back home. During prayer in accompanied her on a trip to man and successful executive. her convent’s chapel she be- Lourdes. Twice a day and out He was 41 years old in 1999, gan to feel a strange warmth of a sense of duty he helped and although he appeared to throughout her body and transport the sick by stretch- be in good health, a malignant heard a voice saying “take off er and wheelchair around the cancerous growth was discov- your brace”. She did just that, and to the baths. At ered on his left leg. In spite of got up and walked. She got first he was disgusted by their surgery and chemotherapy at rid of her wheelchair, braces pitiful and diseased state and some of the best cancer medi- and pain killers and was able could hardly wait to get back to cal centers, the cancer spread to walk unaided for the first his hotel for dinner and a rest. and Thierry decided to stop time in many years. In fact, His conversion occurred when all therapy and asked to go to in a couple of days she took a woman with incurable cancer, Lourdes. Because the pilgrim- a three mile hike! The whom he was transporting, was age had to begin immediately of Lourdes, Most Reverend cured. He began to understand there were many problems Nicholas Brouwet declared the meaning of the pilgrimage, preventing it. However, these that Sr. Bernadette’s heal- in which people put themselves were smoothed out. The doc- ing was miraculous, achieved into the hands of the Blessed tors and nurse who received without any medical inter- Virgin Mary. Honore said that him were amazed by his con- vention. [Note: There have at the prayers that were said at fidence and open-heartedness. been thousands of healings at the Shrine, “I felt myself car- He seemed to everyone to be Lourdes and through the use ried away – not by a false emo- relaxed and peaceful. When- of Lourdes Water, but only tion of the moment but by an ever he was in the Grotto he those whose incurable illness enduring sentiment, a sense of never took his eyes off of the is thoroughly investigated by God’s taking charge of me.” At statue of Mary. “He seemed an international team of doc- that moment the 28 year old to be in direct contact with tors over a period of years can man began to become an adult. Our Lady.” The nurse who ac- be officially declared “mirac- He gave up his life of parties, companied him said that after ulous”.] -- AN entertainments and selfish pur- Continued on page 7

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Echoes From Lourdes The Lourdes Center Ministry of The Marist Fathers & Brothers of The U.S. Page 5 Haunting Words A Lenten Read Continued from page 3 is not atoned before death, pur- gatory is how God remedies the God’s Cross, defects and disorder brought on Man’s Splinter by sin. God’s justice and mercy is ever present and active even Our kinds of penance are mere beyond this world where a puri- splinters when compared to the We must fication by suffering takes place cross of Jesus that achieved infi- as a prerequisite for entrance into nite payback for sin. Neverthe- heaven where, “nothing unclean less, the little that man can do let God will enter” 21, 27. And so is not excluded when united to it is that the soul is rendered fit for the sufferings of the Son of God. heavenly glory – thanks to God’s St. Paul urges us, “…if only we backup plan. suffer with him so that we may do be glorified with him.” Romans 8, 17. Conclusion what He A life lived with faith and con- God’s Backup fidence in the Lord will have its transformative effects provided of Plan course that we let God do what If satisfaction for sins forgiven must do. he has got to do even if it is ex- pressed in words such as, “When you get close to Jesus he crucifies you.”

Page 6 The Lourdes Center Ministry of The Marist Fathers & Brothers of The U.S. Echoes From Lourdes EDNA MCDONNELL, MA Our Deceased HARRY MCDONNELL, MA A Holy Death We have been notified that the ROBERT MCDONALD, MA Continued from Page 5 MARGARET L. STUDDS, FL every visit to the Grotto he would following friends of the Lourdes MARY STRONGHEART, AK Center have passed away. Please MRS. WILLIAM GILL, NV say, “May your will be done,” and join us in remembering them in ROSALIE SMITH, MI he was always very sensitive to the ELIZABETH COOK, MI suffering of the others around him. your prayers. ROSE HEIDER, OH PATRICIA SCAPERDINE, IL Theirry returned home to his wife ROSE A. KANRILAK, AK ANN PALKA, OH and three small children and said, TERRY SACKETTE, PA ARTHUR GODFREY, MA “I am happy to know that I will die DENNIS FELTON, FL DOLORES KREBSBACH, NY FRANCIS CADY, MA ROBERT V. BASHAW, NY at 41 knowing Jesus, than at 81 HUBERT J. EVANS, LA PAUL MAZAK, PA without any faith!” ELENITA P. MORELOS, NH SR. MURIEL STARK, WI CHARLES CATTANECH, JR., GA THOMAS RILEY, OK Spiritual Opportunities MARGARET SCHAAD, OH EDNA O’BRIEN, NY MARY SHIBLEY, NY M. DEUTSCHMAN, NJ FRAN CERNARO, NY MARY PLATURKIS, PA BETTY J. VAN DRUNEN, WI ANNE BRKICH, CANADA SR. THERES DUGRE, PA IRENE L. KINGSWOOD, MA CHRISTINE SKRZPEK, IL SARAH J. PETERS, MA JOHN MILLER, LA MARCELLE NADEAU, ME MARGARET ALLSHOUSE, TX EILEEN A. LEWIS, RI BEN MANN, KY A. MINECCI, PA JOHN KILLEEN, MA NORMA MORRIS, IN JULIA KILLEEN, MA ANNA M. ROWLAND, RI JOHN KILLEEN FAMILY, MA ANNE E. HAEFNER, PA STEPHEN DI NAPOLI, GA ALEXANDRINA FONSECA, NY

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Lourdes Echoes Published bi-monthly to promote devotion to Our Lady and interest in her shrine at Lourdes. Director: Rev. George, Szal, S.M. Printed with Ecclesiastical Approval