July-August 2017 Vol. 9 No. 1

A P UbLIcATIOn Of ThE cEnTER • T hE MARIST fAThERS & b ROThERS

PILGRIMS AT LOURDES ThE DIREcTOR ’S cORnER

Rev . A ndRew AlbeRt , S.M.

Dear friends of the Lourdes center, mailing it to you. infant bathed the child in the water and I received word recently that one of Over the years we have received the child was cured. Thus began the our faithful readers and supporters left many bequests and all kinds of gifts associated with the spring a substantial bequest to the Lourdes both large and small. That is Mary at water at the Lourdes . center. This lady was from florida and work. What we do here is a spiritual min - I have no doubt that her generosity was Every so often someone calls us to istry. We have received thousands of inspired by . say someone is selling Lourdes water letters attesting to the power and love As I have said before, our ministry to on the internet. There is nothing we of Mary through the use of Lourdes provide Lourdes water, water from the can do about that. The internet can be water and prayer. Shrine of Lourdes was begun at the the Wild Wild West. We can and have Our mission is to take the special request of Archbishop cushing of intervened if anyone uses a picture of gift that Mary gave to bernadette and and Theas of Lourdes. our bottle and gives the impression that to the shrine of Lourdes and to make In 1950 these two wanted to they are acting in our name. Our web - that special gift available to you. from make it easy for Americans and site is www.lourdescenter.org. You can the beginning we knew that Mary canadians to get Lourdes water. order water on the internet with any would support this ministry by touch - Archbishop cushing knew the Marist credit card that PAYPAL accepts. That ing the generous hearts of you her sons fathers very well. he knew we had for - website is our one and only valid web - and daughters. God bless You! eign missions and knew we had been in site. Many of you use it. this diocese since 1884. So he trusted You know anyone can go on the us. both bishops wanted to make sure internet and say they have Lourdes Fr. Albert that Lourdes water was not sold. It was water available. for all you know it not a commodity for sale. could be tap water from the town of but to get this ministry started some - Lourdes. The Lourdes water we deal one had to put up the money needed to with is water that comes directly from get the water shipped from , the the springs at the Lourdes Shrine. money needed to buy the bottles and During one of the apparitions to boxes, and pick up the mailing costs. bernadette Our Lady asked bernadette The Marist fathers agreed to do that to scratch the ground where she was Our email address is: [email protected] trusting that Mary would see to it that kneeling. bernadette did that and water [email protected] catholics would support this ministry. sprung forth. Our Lady told bernadette And that’s what happened. The dona - to wash her face with it. Our website is: tion we ask simply covers our costs for People from the town heard about www.lourdescenter.org getting the water from france and then the water. One Lady with a very sick

2 MARIST FATHERS & BROTHERS OF THE UNITED STATES ECHOES FROM LOURDES Saying goodbye

is hard to do Rev . R olAnd lAcASSe , S.M.

By Rev. Roland Lacasse, s.m.

not long ago, I suffered a heart “No one lives alone. So, I like to think my articles attack which led me to curtail my have, in some small way, helped to activities. One of the activities I We all influence one change your lives for the better, just decided to let go of was contributing another for good as your sharing your lives with me articles to “Echoes” on a regular or for bad. has helped to change my life for the basis. I did so very reluctantly better. no one lives alone. We all because I loved sharing my values That’s why it’s important influence one another for good or and christian attitudes with my to surround ourselves for bad. That’s why it’s very impor - readers. not only that, but doing so with good people.” tant to surround ourselves with led to a wonderful correspondence good people. They make us better with my readers, a correspondence persons, just as we, hopefully, make which I still carry on to this day, Our blessed Mother (an integral them better persons. albeit to a diminished degree. and important part of being a finally, I want to thank all of you The bible states that there is a catholic) is alive and well in our for your support of the Lourdes time for everything, a time to hang country. Every night I pray that it center. We are a non-profit organi - on and a time to let go. As may always be so. I have also zation dedicated to making Our christians, we also believe that God learned that no matter what life Lady of Lourdes better known and doesn’t need us, but deigns to accept throws at us, as regards problems of more greatly loved. In 1858, she us as partners to establish his any kind, Our blessed Mother is intervened in our world to remind Kingdom here on earth. no one is always ready to help us. That’s why us that there is more to human exis - indispensable. The world will con - I recommend to each and every one, tence than what we can see, hear, tinue long after we are gone. as well as try to live, the words of and touch, and that there is another With this being said, I want to the prayer called “The Memorare.” world that exists and that awaits us thank all the wonderful readers of There is an old saying that says “We after we die and that can help us “Echoes” who have inspired me by go to school every day.” There is even now to be happy and holy. sharing their lives with me for the also a saying that cautions us all – May we never give up our catholic past 12 years. I have grown in sym - “The person who hasn’t changed, in faith and our devotion to Mary, the pathy and compassion as a result. I the past 30 years of his/her life, has Mother of Jesus. And may Our have learned that catholicism here wasted the last 30 years of his/her blessed Mother help you, all the in America, as well as devotion to life.” days of your life.

ECHOES FROM LOURDES MARIST FATHERS & BROTHERS OF THE UNITED STATES 3 By Fr. Frank Grispino, S.M.

Meeting the Challenge with God’s Help Judges 6, 11-16

There is an interesting story in the champion.” (A bit of satiric humor rose for our justification.” (Romans 4, bible about Gideon, a farmer turned here?) but more to the point: Grace 25) general. The start of the story is not is anticipated that will change inepti - What it Means to Survive without humor. Just prior to the visit tude to aptitude. What I find striking in this tragic of an angel, Gideon is doing a com - account is that he did not return to a mon enough chore of a typical Go with the strength you have... life before addiction, but got his life farmer. he is sifting wheat from its Gideon objects to the angel’s back and then some – despite his husk. This task is done ordinarily in greeting since the Midianites are on paralysis. he was exhilarated and the open field so that the breeze car - the loose showing once more their full of optimism. he has prevailed ries off the sundried chaff tossed into ferociousness by destroying the or, as we would say today, he is a the air while the golden-brown hard-earned fruits of the Israelites. survivor. Those who survive, who wheat falls back into the wide wait - The angel insists that Gideon free the prevail, have wounds to show as a ing open basket. but where do we land from the enemy and says, “Go result of their misfortune, but a bet - find our “champion” doing this task? with the strength you have…and I ter human being all the same. he is within a stonewall enclosure of shall be with you.” (It is the Lord a winepress. but grapes are pressed himself and not the angel who has Making up for our Deficiencies into wine! So, we may ask, why is been speaking to him!) We find ourselves at Mass with he “there” sifting wheat? Our the inadequacy of a child who is “champion” is hiding! he is in fear Lesson for the Mass asked to take on an insurmountable of the Midianites. These are the The Lord’s words to Gideon will task. how are we to respond to the sworn enemies of the Israelites – help add to understand the mystery mystery of the Mass, this dying and marauding bands who attack by of the Mass. basic to the under - rising of christ for us and our salva - plunder or set crops on fire prevent - standing of the Sacrifice of the Mass tion? nonetheless we feel the tug to ing the Israelites from harvesting the is that it commemorates two dramat - give a response. The rendering of rewards of their labor. Suddenly an ic events in the history of man’s sal - christ present at Mass in word and angel appears. It is he who greets vation: Jesus’ passion and death on sacrament wrests from us praise Gideon with the title, “O Good friday, and his rising from the and thanksgiving. We praise and champion!” The full salutation is, dead on Easter Sunday. In the words thank the heavenly father for the “The Lord is with you, O of St. Paul, “he died for our sins and Continued on page 5

4 MARIST FATHERS & BROTHERS OF THE UNITED STATES ECHOES FROM LOURDES fr. Grispino Continued from page 4 ing by the priest is reminding us of our bonding with christ made one Purgatorials great labor of love accomplished by with him in baptism. United with the his son for our redemption. We One Mediator, the One, only true sense need to thank him for sins for - Worshiper of the father the gap for given; the restored friendship; the between the sinner and the dignity of promise of eternal union already the One Offended is closed. The the Deceased anticipated in holy communion. inadequacy of meeting the obligation While we do what is humanly possi - to worship “in Spirit and truth” is ble to render divine worship, all falls met. (John 4, 24) name short to match the infinite dignity of the One offended. hence the defi - “Go with the strength you Address ciency. More is needed. have...” The words of the Mass, “The Lord city “The Lord be with You” be with you” in the context of the The celebrant reminds us words spoken to Gideon “… go with State Zip throughout the Mass of the “more” the strength you have” sheds added that is needed by his repeated greet - light on our enhanced role in the Phone # ing, “The Lord be with you.” It is divine liturgy. It is also an encour - the same greeting used by the angel agement to strengthen us to meet Requested by: when Gideon was assigned a task for life’s challenges: “The Lord be with Suggested offering: $10.00 (perpetual) which he felt inadequate. The greet - you.” n

Our Lady s’ Purgatorial Society

each year your enrolled deceased and loved ones are remembered during the 365 daily Masses cele - brated by the Marist Fathers. An attractive cer - tificate framed in a blue folder with a colorful pic - ture of our lady is sent to the donor or recipient.

ECHOES FROM LOURDES MARIST FATHERS & BROTHERS OF THE UNITED STATES 5 STEPhAnIE DAYTOn, PA KAREn RODRIGUES, RI We have been notified that the fol - DORIS bURnS, MS nIchOLAS & MARY DOffInG, KS lowing friends of the Lourdes JOSEPh SMITh, MD MARGARET WYDERKA, WI Center have passed away. Please LILLIAM cAnTOn, cA ESThER bALTIERRA, TX LORETA S. fERbES fELIX, GA cLARA GAYLIn LARSOn, SD join us in remembering them in ALIcE TObEnS, Tn hELEn E. MOLIhAn, MA your prayers. bEVERLY SIncLAIR, MT cEcILIA GROLEAU, WI DOROThY DE nOVA, nY bEATRIcE A. PIchE, MI KAThLEEn cORSOn, WY RITA WILLIAMS, nc MARY ELIZAbETh bRUSSO, nY hOWARD WARREn KRAUSS, VA SR. REnE fISchER, D.c., In GALASYn, SR., fL PAT KnOP, MI MARY M. SchAfER, Oh GEORGE & fRAncIS GUnTER, MO RITA SAcK, PA hELEn nEWbERG, Mn JOhn J. bEAVEn, MO RObERT L. SPAnG, nJ GEORGE KRISKO, Oh MIchAEL J. TAKAS, cA RUTh GULLAGE, MA LInDA AREEnEAUX, LA chARLES J. SchIRMAnn, Oh JOhn M. KEnnEY, MA PEnnY D. STIMLEY, In PATRIcK bEGnAUD, LA AGnES PRIncIPE, PA LOVELY MOSES, hI MARThA nOVAK, PA bERnIcE LESnIAK, IL ALIcE D. DAVID, LA GERARD J. LEVESQUE, PA SR. GRAcIS SchMITT, IA cOnchA SAnchEZ, TX ELDORA AGEnA, nh chERYL SVGITA, hI MARIA hEREDIA, MA JOhn G. DAnnER, JR., LA Ann G. ALbREchT, MA RAYMOnD hUbER, IL bEATRIcE TEMPLEMOn, MD MAURO bAcOLO, nJ fRED bROADhAcKER, MO EDWARD bUcK, Oh EUGEnE SchOEnbAUER, Mn MARGARET ThORnTOn, WI GERMAInE bEnAnTI, cT EDITh fERRETTI, PA MARY SEVEc, AZ ThERESA PELLOIccIARO, nY ARLInE RhEAUME, MA DOROThY MEIER, Mn KAY bELLIA, PA MARGARET h LUcAS, cT DOLORES c. hEnLEY, LA LEILAnI EARLS, MD GREGORY M. TAKAcS, cA AQUILInO bRAVO, cA RITA D’AnnA, nc JOE & GLADYS OPPOLD, IA DAnIEL J. DALY, MA ARThUR WIELGUS, WI SR. RITA ST. OnGE, cT WILLIE b. ThAIS, nM SR. JAnE KEEnAn, PA LUcILLE nEWTOn, WI fRAnK PURZYcKI, nY DEnIS D. nOLAn, Mn JAMES G. cARREYn, MI hELEn WOJDOn, PA EDDIE MILLER, MI MARY bARcZEWSKI, IL DORIS LEARY, nY Do you know someone who would GRAcE bEAUDETTE, MA like to receive Echoes from Lourdes? JOAn TURSI, nJ cAROL PInKERTOn, OR Give them a FRee SUbScRIPtIon! nORMAn L’hEUREUX, ME Send their names and addresses. cAROL fREcK, MI Use a separate sheet if necessary. WILLIAM fORThMAn, MO MARcELLA MILLER, Mn fRAncES EILEEn VEZInA, MI fELIX ARAMbULA, TX MIKE RIchARD, TX EDWARD PASZKIEWIcZ, IL cUShMAn K. PInAO, hI cORbETT DUhOn, SR., LA MARY A. fLYnn, PA fRED bROADhAcKER, MO E-mail the information to: [email protected] hELEn bROWER, MI MAIL it to: cLARA hILL, MI Lourdes center ESThER WAcKER, MO P.O. box 15575 SUZETTE cAnOnIZADO, OR 698 beacon Street, boston, MA 02215-2594 ELEAnOR DIVEnTURA, PA

6 MARIST FATHERS & BROTHERS OF THE UNITED STATES ECHOES FROM LOURDES dles in the recipient. Such little B.M.K. Thanks be to God to be things seem to have suffered a terri - able to send you an offering of fifty D.D. A number of years ago I ble blow in our tech society. And dollars towards your new boiler in read an article about letters. In it the greatest technology in the world memory of the anniversary of your the author spoke of how uplifting will never be able to replace the 50th year! You good people are my it is to arrive home at the end of a simple human touch. God bless! NJ life on earth because I will be 87 day and find “an honest to good - years on february 11th next year, ness letter – that is hand written” B.L. When I had a physical and x- and your Echo magazine is a joy when the most that people usually rays before my knee replacement and pleasure to read. I always look get are bills and ads and cata - surgery, they found a mass on my forward to all the interesting items. logues. And…if the day has been lung. When I went to the doctor, he God’s will be done. I am in a especially difficult it (the letter) checked the PET scan and told me wheelchair in a catholic nursing can revive the spirit. how true! to come back in four months after home. I faithfully use the Lourdes So your little note and the prayer another cT scan. I promised I water on myself every night and as that you composed and sent would send a check for $25.00 and you might know, have faith and served as a little “pick me up.” I also drink Lourdes water. The sec - confidence in Our Lady of Lourdes have tried to keep alive in myself ond cT scan showed that it is better to help me. Please tell all at the that idea of letter writing. It and I don’t have to go back for 6 Lourdes center to keep up the good seems to give me as much pleas - months. Praise and thank God work as you make a young lady of ure as I always hope that it enkin - and Jesus. PA 87 very happy. MA Affiliations Lourdes Water ...

...is an expression Please send ______bottles of the Remembrance in 50 Masses of my faith... water from the Shrine at lourdes yearly and at our my trust in God’s weekly Perpetual novena mercy. name (PLEASE PRInT cLEARLY) Offering to cover shipping & (Please Print clearly) Requested by: handling $ ______Address n.b. A donation of $3.00 per city Phone no: bottle is suggested to cover our expenses. When the offer - State Zip ing permits, we use Priority Offering: 1 year $2.00, 3 years $5.00 Lifetime $10.00 Mail. We will accept orders of Does this person receive Lourdes Echoes? 1-3-5-6-and 10 bottles. for name __ Yes __ no multiples thereof and for Address unusual numbers requested, If not, should we send Lourdes Echoes to them? __ Yes __ no city we reserve the right to send what is both just and feasible. PLEASE ALLOW 3-6 WEEKS fOR DELIVERY State Zip

ECHOES FROM LOURDES MARIST FATHERS & BROTHERS OF THE UNITED STATES 7 lourdes center Marist Fathers Lourdes bureau P.O. box 15575 698 beacon Street boston, MA 02215-2594 617-536-2761 Address Service Requested www.lourdescenter.org [email protected]

lourdes echoes Published bi-monthly to promote devotion of Our Lady and interest in her shrine at Lourdes.

Director: Rev. Andrew Albert, S.M. Asst. Director: Rev. Roland Lacasse, S.M. Printed with Ecclesiastical Approval