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

Volume 2 Issue 3 June 2018 Little Rose’s Castle in from the rooftop: Possible Intercessions Much has happened in the past quarter since our last news- of Little Rose letter. The Culprits The Foundation has received two letters, one from Canada and the Work has begun on our new headquarters and hopefully it other from Pennsylvania in which will be ready for a Fall dedica- people believe that Little Rose was tion and open house. involved in their recent healing.

A generous donation was She is still involved in interceding received which allowed the The Foundation is still for her followers and if you feel she Foundation to obtain some working towards obtaining a has helped you, please let us know. sign for the front of the build- stained glass windows for the It is important for others to know future ‘Domestic Chapel.’ ing.The sign design has been completed at this time. We and the word spread. And remem- The main room in the are hopeful in the very near ber to thank her if she helped you. “Castle” was renovated in prepa- future it will proudly announce ration for its being used as an the location. “Oh , yes, I love You, and I want exhibit room of Little Rose mem- orabilia. Parts of the Domestic On a side note, the Foun- without a cloud to love You more than Chapel were set up in it tempo- dation was found to have myself. Oh! It is for You, my Jesus, rally so the public would be able inhabitants living inside at the You Can Help that I wish to suffer. Oh Jesus, it is for to view during the St. Jean the beginning of April, however Monetary donations to support nothing was disrupted. It took You alone, for that would be my Baptist festival. Upon comple- the rehabilitation of our buildings heavenly Father’s will.” - tion of the space in the Annex two weeks to rescue a mother can be made online through our cat and her two kittens from Marie Rose Ferron area, the chapel will be moved secure site at: roseferronfri.org to its proper place. the attic space. They snuck Words From the Foundation President My Prayer

city where she died and was Estimated project is At first I prayed for light buried. $300,000, half for labor - Could I but see the day $150,000; work to begin after How gladly, swiftly would I walk To everlasting day. Woonsocket is preparing for the Feast with Mr. Beaupar- the Feast of St. Jean Baptiste, lant’s first gift of $3,333 put And next I prayed for strength last celebrated in 1946, 72 towards framing the Annex as That I might tread the road, Return of “Little Rose” years ago. The Foundation the complete chapel’s perma- With firm, unfaltering feet, and win The heaven’s serene abode. will be manning a “Little nent home. Reassembling the ‘Domestic Rose” display booth and sell- Then I asked for faith, Chapel’ of “Little Rose” has ing French Canadian foods; This intricately designed Could I but trust in God. begun in its ‘temporary’ mark your calendars for June domestic chapel is truly a I’d live enfolded in His peace beautiful masterpiece of art- Though foes were all abroad. place, Foundation Castle 24 & 25! Headquarters, 339 Arnold work. Please keep in mind But now I pray for love St., Woonsocket, RI, open to On May 28, after a portion of that completing this restora- Deep love to God and man, the public right after the the domestic chapel was set tion is still dependent on A living love that will not fail Feast Day of St. Jean Bap- in place, a prayer service was donations, so please remember However dark His plan. held. That afternoon, our to give generously. Projection tiste: by July, the month hon- And light, and strength, and faith for the project is 12 to 18 oring the Precious Blood. friend, Albert Beauparlant Are opening everywhere. The ‘Domestic Chapel’ built and I took a photo with some months with special upcoming God only waited for me till in Burrillville, RI under the of the best contractors in events planned. I prayed the longer prayer. Woonsocket. Such excite- direction of “Little Rose,” May God Bless You, was hidden for decades and ment among us all: plus of- Rhoda Wise Yours with “Little Rose,” has now been brought to the fering their services for free! P. Ethier Cause opened 10/7/2016

Page 2 The Little Rose Newsletter

St. Jean Baptiste Block Party

The news about Woonsocket has The event will again be held in the area of where participants will be encouraged to “pray for been less than positive on several fronts Main Street below Monument Square to Woonsocket and her children.” A plea for guid- so far this year. Albert Beauparlant’s Chan’s Restaurant running from 4 to 9 p.m. ance will also be made to Marie “Little Rose” Fer- answer is a look back to the city’s past, and open to all. To kick the event off there ron, the city’s well known late stigmatic who once when the community took pride in itself will be a French open-air Catholic Mass drew many French Canadians to her city home and honored its heritage by gathering to and private chapel. celebrate religious and cultural events. Following the religious event, a feast will follow Despite recent headlines that have with a free cookout for local children, amusement noted ongoing issues such as child ne- rides for the kids and a wide variety of booths glect and substance abuse in the city, he offering educational information for children, feels that Woonsocket still retains great family life, city pride, economic opportunities and strengths of great ethnic diversity, histo- much more. ry, heritage, religious faith and culture A booth will also be manned by members of “unequaled for any city of its size.” the “Rose Ferron Foundation of Rhode Island” A block party in honor of St. Jean and will have some information on her life. Re- Baptiste, honored by French Quebecois, cently, the Foundation obtained property on Ar- will be held on June 25. St. Jean Baptiste nold St. that in time will be a museum and infor- was deemed the patron of French mation center to her. While not completed, part Quebecois by Pius in 1802. Saint of the complex will be opening late June after the Jean Baptiste Day, celebrated on June 24 St. Jean Baptiste festivities, to display a portion of is a national holiday in Qúebec. Woon- the private chapel her 3rd cousin Rose Myette socket will be celebrating it on June 25, a built in Burrillville to honor her. It has been in Monday, giving local people some Sum- storage for several years, after her cousin’s death, mer variety. and is currently undergoing renovations.

The tradition of celebrating him was Mr. Beauparlant said that there are a lot of brought to Woonsocket as it once was people in the city who still have Woonsocket pride once a textile manufacturing center with and they are already coming forward to help with the city having the largest French speak- June’s festival. The Baptism of Jesus ing population in America. Sponsored “Baptême de Jésus” Come on downtown on the 25th of June and by the Pothier Foundation of Woonsock- James Tissot mingle with your fellow residents and enjoy a good et and the Heritage Harbor Foundation. European Art Collection evening out. Hopefully, the skies will provide Events honoring him were held every Brooklyn Museum, New York good weather, the booths will be informative and year from the late 1800’s to 1946. the food plentiful.

Woonsocket Homes of Little Rose While many people relate to the 84 Asylum St. St. Francis. Brother André, now St. Broth- house at 271 Providence Street when er André visited her several times and on they think of Little Rose, it was just the one visit, Little Rose gave him her favorite last house that she lived in while in statue of Jesus to bring back to Canada with Woonsocket. She lived there from him. The family lived on the second floor at December 1935 to when she died in the time.

May of 1936, just five short months. Her next home was at 243 Ballou Previously she lived in 3 other hous- Street, second floor between January 1933 es. When the family moved to Woon- to Dec. 26, 1935. During this time, Alice socket from Fall River, they lived at 157 Guerin who had been helping to take care West Street during the period of 25 of Little Rose and was a loyal supporter, May, 1925 until 4 July 1926. During this turned against her when she was refused a time, Rose’s hand shrivels up. loan, originally offered to the Ferron family, which they never accepted. It was only when they moved to 84 few days later her hand , then on her feet and Asylum Street in July of 1926 that things side. She had had the flagellation when she lived in At the end of December 1935, the fam- really began. In August she received Fall River but they were never noticed by the public. ily once again moved and it was here at 271 the stigma on her head. During Lent of It was while living here that she founded her religious Providence St. that Little Rose died on May 1927 she received the flagellation and a order and also took the vows of the Third Order of 11, 1936 after living there only five months. Page 3 The Little Rose Newsletter Saint Charbel Youssef Antoun the grave; this time the Makhlouf O. L. M. was a Mar- body was completely de- onite and priest from composed. Only the skele- . He was born on ton remained May 8, 1828, one of five chil- dren born to Antoun Zaarour On December 5, Makhlouf and Brigitta Chidiac. 1965, Pope Paul VI presid- They lived in the village of ed at the of Bekaa Kafra, possibly the Father Charbel at the con- highest in the Lebanese moun- clusion of the Second Vati- tains. His father, a mule driver, can Council. The Pope died in August 1831, returning said: “A of Mount from corvée for the Turkish Lebanon is enrolled in the army, leaving his wife a widow number of the blessed… a to care for their children. He new eminent member of had a true Christian upbring- monastic sanctity has by ing, which had given him a his example and his inter- passion for prayer. Youssef cession enriched the entire was raised in a pious home Christian people … may and became drawn to the lives he make us understand, in of the and to the hermit a world largely fascinated life, as was practiced by two by wealth and comfort, the hermit uncles, Augustine and paramount value of pov- Daniel Shidiac of Bsharré, in the hermitage of care of the monastery. He spent the next 23 erty, penance and , to liberate the the St Antonious Kozhaya monastery. As a years living as a solitary hermit, until his death soul in its ascent to God.” young boy, he was responsible for caring for on Christmas eve, December 24, 1898 and was the family's small flock. He would take the buried in the St monastery cemetery in On October 9, 1977, Pope Paul VI flock to a grotto nearby, where he had installed Annaya on Christmas day. There was heavy presided at the of Blessed Char- an icon of the Blessed Mary and then snow falling but while transporting him to the bel. At the time Francis Zayek, head spend the day in prayer. cemetery, the clouds disappeared, and the the U.S. Diocese of St. Maron, wrote a pam- weather cleared. A sign of sorts? phlet entitled “A New Star of the East.” In 1851, Youssef left his family and Bishop Zayek wrote: “St. Charbel is called entered the at the A few months later, dazzling lights the second St. Anthony of the Desert, the Monastery of Our Lady in to begin were seen around the grave . The superiors Perfume of Lebanon, the first Confessor of his training as a monk, later transferring to the opened it to find his body still intact. Since that the East to be raised to the Altars according Monastery of St. Maron in Annaya, located in day, a blood-like liquid flowed from his body. to the actual procedure of the Catholic the Jbeil District near . Here he received Experts and doctors were unable to give medical Church, the honor of our Aramaic Antiochi- the of a monk and took the explanations for the incorruptibility and flexibil- an Church, and the model of spiritual values name Charbel, after a in Anti- ity. Hordes of pilgrims from different religious and renewal. Charbel is like a Cedar of Leba- och from the 2nd century. He made his final facets started swarming the place after his death non standing in eternal prayer, on top of a in the Order on Novem- to get his intercession. And through this inter- mountain.” The bishop noted that Charbel's ber 1, 1853. cession, God blessed many people, both Chris- canonization plus the beatification causes of tians and Muslims with recovery and spiritual others prove “that the Aramaic Maronite As a young monk Charbel began his graces. Antiochian Church is indeed a living branch study of philosophy and theology at the Mon- of the and is intimately astery of Saints & Justina in Kfifan, in In 1925, his beatification and canoni- connected with the trunk, who is Christ, our the Batroun District of Lebanon, to prepare zation were proposed for declaration by Pope Savior, the beginning and the end of all himself for receiving . Among his Pious XI. In 1950, the grave was opened in the things.” professors at the seminary was Father Nimat- presence of an official committee which includ- ullah Kassab, who was himself later also de- ed doctors who verified the soundness of the As a member of the Lebanese Mar- clared a saint. He was ordained six years later, body. After the grave had been opened and onite Order and as a Saint of the Maronite on July 23, 1859, in Bkerke, the Maronite Pa- inspected, the variety of healing incidents amaz- Church, St Charbel is an exemplar of the triarchate. He was sent back to St. Maron ingly multiplied. A multitude of pilgrims from Maronite expression of Catholic holiness and Monastery – Annaya, where he lived a life of different religious facets started flocking to the values. As a Saint of the Universal Church, St severe asceticism in the monastery for 16 Annaya monastery to get the saint's intercession. Charbel Makhlouf’s example of virtue and years. On February 15th, 1875, Charbel was Father Mahfouz, the postulator of the intercessory power is available to Catholics granted by the of the monastery the cause, certified that in 1965 the body of Saint of all backgrounds. Faithful to his Maronite privilege of living as a hermit at the Hermitage Charbel was still preserved intact with no altera- spirituality, St Charbel became a Saint for the of Saints Peter and Paul, a chapel under the tion. In 1976 he again witnessed the opening of Universal Church. His feast day is July 24.

Page 4 A Saint Charbel Miracle

Since his death in 1898, over 600 miracles have been at- tributed to Saint Charbel.

The most famous one is that of Nohad El Shami, a 55-year -old woman, the mother of 12 children, at the time of the miracle who was healed from a partial paralysis. On the evening of the 9th of January 1993, she suffered from a left hemiplegia, affecting her leg, arm and mouth. Thus, she entered Saint Maritime Hospital in Jbeil.

Dr. Joseph Chamy, a cardiologist, received her and referred her to the Intensive Care Unit and to Dr. Antoine Nachakian and Dr. Majid Chamy, her family doctor. After many consultations, X- rays and medical tests, they deduced that the hemiplegia was due to the obstruction of 80% of the left-brain arteries and 70% of the right ones. “In this case, no treatment can cure you. Nevertheless, we still have the possibility to perform later a surgery and replace the ob- structed arteries by plastic ones,” said the doctor. They advised me to go home and come back to Hotel Dieu Hospital within three months for new X-rays.

So, my eldest son, Saad, went to Annaya and brought me consecrated oil and soil from Saint Charbel’s tomb. When my daughter applied them on my body, I felt tingles in my hand and my foot. I left the hospital after staying there for 9 days.

She tells that on the night of January 22, 1993, she saw in her dream two Maronite standing next to her bed. One of them put his hands on her neck and operated on her, relieving her from her pain while the other held a pillow behind her back. When she woke she dis- covered two wounds in her neck, one on each side. She was completely healed and recovered her ability to walk. She believed that it was Saint Charbel who healed her but did not recognize the other monk. Next night, she again saw Saint Charbel in her dream. He said to her: "I did the surgery to let people see and return to faith. I ask you to visit the hermitage on the 22nd of every month, and attend Mass regularly for the rest of your life”. People now gather on the 22nd of each month to pray and celebrate the Mass in the hermitage of Saint Charbel in Annaya. “In a world largely fascinated with riches and comfort, he helps us understand the paramount value of poverty, penance, and asceticism to liberate the soul in its ascent to God….” Pope Paul VI The Best Things to Give By Benjamin Franklin LR mag Vol 39 No 4 December 2004

To your enemy, forgiveness; To an opponent, tolerance; To a friend, your ear; To a child, good example; To your father, reverence, To your mother, conduct that will make her proud of you; To yourself, respect; To all men, charity; To God, your will and prayer.+++ Page 5

Novena to Mary The Choice is up to Us Composed by Little Rose LR Magazine Vol 25 March 1990 Little Rose’s life teaches us what is Christ as He was crucified on the cross. By really important in this life. She had nothing her offering of her suffering in union with First Day . . . Lily and suffered greatly, yet radiated joy. While Jesus, for salvation of souls, she was choos- To commit no voluntary fault we compete with each other for the best ing her heaven while she was on earth. We Prayer: of the “things” in life. The best cell phone, fastest are all called to do the same. While we may coolest car, newest fashionable clothing, and not be called to suffer to the degree as she Second Day . . . Rose the list goes on and on. Most of the time was, we all have things we suffer – it is the The practice of Charity after a short time we tire of the new addition human condition. We can complain and Prayer: Five Spiritual Communions to our stuff and go on searching for the next curse or we can choose to focus on Jesus new and improved thing. In truth, we have and offer our displeasures and suffering up Third Day . . . Mignonnette everything and are for the most part, misera- to Him. The choice is up to us. To work under the eyes of Mary ble. For some of us it is not things, but the Prayer: Nine Ave Maria’s amusement before our eyes -- All the dis- Reflection written by tractions that take us away from God. And Cathy Boisvert, a Director Fourth Day . . . Violet after brief pleasure, these give us a feeling of The practice of Humility emptiness. Prayer: The Memorare Our Newsletter may also be found on our What was important to Little Rose website. Fifth Day . . . Lilly of the Valley was the winning of souls to God. A soul has roseferronfri.org Modesty of the eyes infinitely more value than any thing on this Prayer: Three Avé Maria’s, three invocations earth. Truly we cannot take any of these If you would like a hard copy. to Mary accumulated “things” with us when we leave For a donation of $5.00 to cover costs, we this life. What we are guaranteed to take is will send it as a hard copy for one year. Sixth Day . . . White Rose our soul. Each day, with the decisions we Please provide your mailing address. Fidelity in small things make, we choose to take our soul to heaven Prayer: The Litanies of the Blessed Virgin or to hell. We choose to follow God’s com- Mary mandments or we choose to go against Him. God, Our Heavenly Father, gives us this free “Increase my suffering if You Seventh Day . . . Daisy will to choose. He sent His only Son Jesus will, but allow no one to see The practice of Simplicity to show us the way; the choices we should them. Put a smile on my lips Prayer: Ten invocations of Mary make if we are to advance closer to heaven. Jesus told us that the Kingdom of Heaven is and a ray of Your glory in Eight Day . . . Carnation at hand. That would mean: it is here, now. my eyes and show them that Five mortifications IF WE CHOOSE IT. I am happy.” Prayer: Three acts of contrition Marie Rose Ferron Jesus showed us the way of the Ninth Day . . . Braid the flowers into a crown cross. The joy that Little Rose conveyed to by reciting the Rosary those who knew her came from her high One Mass heard during your Prayer: O Mary, bless your child degree of union with the suffering of Jesus life will be of more benefit to

Our Foundation Supporters you than many heard for you Everything being done in Little Roses name after your death. Laughter is better medicine… comes from donation from people like you. For weeks, a six-year old lad kept telling his Think about making a small sacrifice to help LR magazine Sept 2003 first-grade teacher about the baby brother or spread her word and be listed. sister that was expected at his house. The meaning of a yellow rose stands Marc & Patricia Auger Helen Peltier for joy and happiness, but most of all One day the mother allowed the boy to feel Cathy Boisvert Nancy Ringer yellow roses mean friendship. And the the movements of the unborn child. The six Estelle Bubble Donna Rivas Marguerite Buco meaning of yellow roses are very spe- -year old was obviously impressed, but made Judith Chace Timeless Antiques cial because it's no comment. Furthermore, he stopped tell- Thomas Collard & Collectibles ing his teacher about the impending event. David & Denise Ethier associated with Gilles Gallant In memory of Ray Gladeau true friendship. The teacher finally asked the boy, “Johnny, Rosanna Whitesell Frank Houtman A true friend is what has become of that baby brother or Kathy Lilla sister you were expecting at home?” Marie L. Magill Several wished to remain so important to Christine McCullough anonymous. people of all Lise Ann Paille Johnny burst into tears and confessed, “I ages; it's like a gift from God. think Mommy ate it!” Volunteers Needed Foundation Book Store Bookstores no longer carry books on Rose Ferron’s life and to obtain, one We hope that by the end of this year, all construction will must go to second hand book dealers and even then they are hard to find. have been completed and the ‘Domestic Chapel’ moved into At present, we have an ample supply of: its permanent place in the Annex. “She Wears a Crown of Thorns” Someone is still needed to arrange and co-ordinate the occa- By Rev. O. A. Boyer, S.T.L sional lecture on Little Rose that are held in other facilities. This is a definitive work by her biographer in hard cover consisting of 364 pages published in 1951. It tells the story of her life and includes some If you like plants and flowers, there is a large courtyard that testimonies from people who have obtained favors through her. They have will need tending. Summer is almost here and plantings are never been read and are in perfect condition with dust covers. to be planned and the ones put in last Fall will need tending. The cost is $20.00 plus $5.00 P&H.

“She Wears a Crown of Thorns” Do you have a talent in research and writing? The Foundation By Rev. O. A. Boyer, S.T.L is looking for someone who knows the grants world and can Published by the Rose Ferron Foundation of Rhode Island, 2017, soft cover, research and write them to aid in the funding of the founda- 241 pages, a reprinting true to the last printing made in paperback of the tion. 1958 edition with several additional photos, includes Little Rose’s story and testimonies of favors received. Parlez-vous français? We occasionally receive correspond- The cost is $15.00 plus $4.00 P&H. ence in French and while we are able to read, we cannot answer back in French. Also, some of the literature from the “My Heart Speaks to Thee” past would be nice to have translated. The Life of Marie Rose Ferron—Little Rose” Written by Wanda Sadowski and first printed in 1964 by Little Rose Friends Woonsocket now has a large population of Spanish speaking in Detroit, MI. In 2015 the Foundation had a Third Printing produced. A soft people and we would like to be able to provide them infor- cover booklet consisting of 22 pages concerning her life with illustrations. mation on Little Rose. If you think you would be able to trans- The cost is $4.00 plus $2.50 P&H. late into Spanish, please contact the Foundation. “Virtues and Glories of Marie Rose Ferron” A reprint of the 1984 book originally printed by the “Friends of Little Rose.” There is also the archives that need to be worked on. We in Detroit, MI consisting of 130 pages of selected articles and testimonies have much material from the past that needs to be organized. that appeared in the “little Rose Magazine” issues from 1965—1979. The cost is $15.00 plus $4.00 P&H. If you have ideas to bring her name and life forward, please feel free to contact the Foundation President, David Ethier by EMAIL : [email protected] Also available are in English, French, Spanish and Polish as well as Calling David at 401-568-0349 some tri-folds on her life with prayers. These are FREE. We do ask, if pos- WEB: roseferronfri.org sible, for a small donation to help with their replacement.

Rose Ferron Foundation of Rhode Island PO Box 3441 • 339 Arnold St. Woonsocket, RI 02895

Email: [email protected] WEB: roseferronfri.org

Rose Ferron Foundation of Rhode Island

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