Newest Releases

Bookstore

Library Catalog

Mar. Lib. Class.

Special Articles

Resources & Queries

Virtual Learning

Audio Files

Marianist Links

Programs

Internship

Who's Who

FAQs

Click on Image to Order

How could a writer stop in the middle of a story? Jalons ends with a beginning!

(pp. 632-33)

So it was that the Society of Mary was born, without much to-do and with no great publicity. It took birth in a supernatural atmosphere of faith, generosity, and Marian devotedness. . . .

That same day, after having shared it contents with the retreatants, the Founder had sent Archbishop d’Aviau the following letter: “Today we are bringing our private retreat to a close. Sixteen people made it. If the good spirit which animates our retreats lasts, they all can be considered founders of the Institute of Mary. All seem entirely devoted to its support for life, although all are not bound by vows. We would have greatly desired your blessings.”

They received that blessing the following day, Sunday, in a meeting granted them by the archbishop at his residence.

What more could Chaminade have wished? He was supremely happy, and he made no attempt to hide it. On September 15, after another retreat, this one especially for the Young Women sodalists of the Madeleine, he wrote to M. Changeur: “Our two consecutive retreats have given me more satisfaction than work.”

Even more. A week later, in a letter to Bishop Jacoupy, he already anticipated a development of the seed just planted. He credits the bishop with the merit and honor:

Your very kind letter of August 22 has had an effect, since God has been good enough to grant the wishes expressed there. The bountiful harvest which your piety was asking of him in favor of his servants has come because of your prayers. The excellent priests, Fathers Mouran and Laumont, whom you were kind enough to send, have powerfully cooperated. These worthy priests will tell you, far better than I am able to, everything that happened.

The first retreat, the one intended for those destined for the Institute, was filled, in solitude, with a fervor men can hardly imagine. As a result, we have seen the most solid direction, from many points of view—a new constancy in work is but one example—the glory of God has not been neglected for a minute. These young men breathe only the spirit of holy things. Real workmen will be found among them. These are those he is pleased to advance to the front line. They in turn are surrounded by others who long for the same happiness. In the entire multitude there will be a few missed steps. But the fire having been continued, it will not lessen the total effect.

Click here to view Table of Contents