On October 12, the Catholic Church celebrates the Feast of Our Lady of the Pillar, commemorating the first known Marian apparition to St. James in Saragossa, Spain. Years later, Blessed William Joseph Chaminade prayed at this same shrine during his exile from France—an experience that contributed to his spiritual inspiration for founding the Family of Mary.
To help you reflect on this feast day and Fr. Chaminade’s defining moment in Saragossa, we recommend exploring these resources:
- Sharing Our Marianist Stories, Episode 45: Inspiration in Exile - Former NACMS director Carol Ramey reflects on Fr. Chaminade’s time in exile and its lasting impact.
- “Our Lady of the Pillar: Patroness” - Bro. John Samaha, SM, shares the incredible history behind Mary’s first apparition.
- “A Reflection on Saragossa” - Bro. Tom Redmond, SM, explores how Chaminade’s journey reveals how God and Mary work through our Marianist commitment.
- “From Exile to Mission: Fr. Chaminade’s Defining Moment” - Mike Bennett examines how Chaminade’s defining moment inspires us to embrace transformation today.
- The Spirit of Saragossa Retreat in Daily Life - This retreat opportunity hosted by NACMS invites participants into Chaminade’s transformative experience.
Published in the October 2026 NACMS Newsletter.