The Feast of Our Lady of La Salette – September 19
Our Lady of La Salette is a title of the Blessed Virgin Mary. It was given in reference to an apparition in 1846 in the commune of La Salette-Fallavaux, located in southeastern France. According to the accounts of the two children who witnessed the apparition, Mary was weeping and gave a message of repentance and conversion to the world. The apparition was approved by the Catholic Church in 1851, and a shrine was built on the site of the apparition.
The message of Our Lady of La Salette is one of warning and hope. She warned the people of France of impending disaster if they did not repent and turn back to God. She spoke of a time of famine, war, and persecution. She also spoke of the need for people to observe the Sabbath, to respect the name of God, and to stop working on Sundays.
Our Lady of La Salette also spoke of the importance of prayer and penance. She urged the people to pray the Rosary daily and to fast on Fridays. She emphasized the need for priests to be holy and to lead their flocks by example.
The apparition of Our Lady of La Salette had a profound impact on the people of France and beyond. Many people were moved to repentance and conversion. Pilgrimages to La Salette-Fallavaux became popular, and a shrine was built there in honor of Our Lady of La Salette. The shrine is still a popular destination for pilgrims today.
Shrines are important places of worship for Catholics, as they serve as a physical reminder of the presence of God in the world. They are places where the faithful can come to pray, reflect, and seek spiritual renewal. Shrines can take many forms, from outdoor locations such as pilgrimage sites, to ornate buildings and cathedrals.
The Shrine of Our Lady of La Salette is a popular pilgrimage site where thousands of Catholics come each year to honor Mother Mary and seek her intercession. The shrine is located on a mountainous plateau in the French Alps and features a basilica, chapel, and a museum dedicated to the apparition.
The shrine is open year-round, and visitors can attend daily Mass, participate in the sacrament of reconciliation, and take part in guided tours of the site. There are also a number of events held throughout the year, including processions, concerts, and other religious celebrations.
Shrines like Our Lady of La Salette serve as important centers of faith and community for Catholics. They provide a space for people to come together and share in their beliefs, and offer a sense of connection to something greater than themselves. For many, visiting a shrine can be a deeply spiritual experience, and can help to strengthen their faith and deepen their relationship with God. They serve as physical reminders of the presence of God in the world, and provide a space for people to come together and share in their faith. Whether through prayer, reflection, or simply being in the presence of something greater than themselves, visiting a shrine can be a deeply meaningful and transformative experience for many.
The National Shrine of Mary, Mother of the Church is another Marian shrine, and is located in the Ozark hills of Missouri on 60 acres along Missouri Route 5 between Versailles and Camdenton, Missouri. The Mission of the Shrine is to celebrate Mary and motherhood, the preciousness of life and the integrity of the family. The National Shrine of Mary, Mother of the Church provides faith-filled and joyful Eucharistic celebrations, pilgrimages, programs and retreat experiences for the spiritual enrichment of all. It also celebrates mothers in a special way through the Mothers’ Wall of Life.
One way to connect with Our Lady of La Salette and deepen our understanding of her role in our lives is to visit The National Shrine of Mary, Mother of the Church, in Laurie, Missouri. This shrine is dedicated to Mary and serves as a place of prayer and pilgrimage. It is a beautiful and peaceful place where visitors can reflect on Mary’s role in their lives and offer their intentions to her. We invite you to explore our upcoming events by clicking here.
Sources:
- “Our Lady of La Salette.” Catholic Online. https://www.catholic.org/saints/saint.php?saint_id=457
- “Our Lady of La Salette.” EWTN. https://www.ewtn.com/catholicism/devotions/our-lady-of-la-salette-302
- “Our Lady of La Salette.” The National Shrine of Our Lady of La Salette. https://lasalette.org/about/our-lady-of-la-salette/