A Most Blessed Feast Of The Assumption
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August 17, 2023I am writing this column to you on the evening of August 15th, the Feast of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary, which is always very special for me. One of my favorite celebrations of this Feast Day was six years ago. It was the 100th anniversary of the apparition of Mary in Fatima. We had gone on a parish pilgrimage to Fatima to celebrate this centennial event. We had also decided to go and visit other Marian sites.
We first went to Lourdes, where the amazing apparition of Mary to Bernadette Soubirous in the 1850’s made it one of the most visited Marian Centers, after Guadalupe, and one as famous as Fatima. Then we went to Paris and it happened that the day we were in Paris was August 15th. We went to celebrate the Mass, on this beautiful feast of the Assumption, in a little chapel in the famous church of St. Sulpice. This chapel brought me wonderful memories. I had played the organ there during my years as graduate student in Paris. I did not know at that time that it was called The Chapel of the Assumption. Before the Mass began, I noticed for the first time, beautiful paintings of the Assumption of Mary, which I then used in my homily. The Mass was joyful! The forty pilgrims and I felt the presence of Mary on that special day of her Assumption into heaven. Immediately following the Mass, we went to another chapel behind the main altar. In that chapel, St. Louis-Marie de Montfort had celebrated his first Mass. As you know, three times a year (Immaculate Conception, Annunciation and Assumption), at OLHOC, our parish tradition has been to consecrate ourselves to Jesus through Mary, following thirty-three days of special prayers and readings prepared by St. Louis-Marie de Montfort.
As some of you may have heard, I flew back from California to Waldorf last night. My doctors were very concerned about the long flight, but it went very well. God was good to me. I have been asked to spend the first days back home to focus entirely on my health and minimizing stress to continue progress in my recovery.
Father Jan has been like a guardian angel to me since I landed at the airport. He drove me home late last night, and since then has been helping me to not overdo it and stay calm. I would have loved to come and concelebrate the noon Mass today with Father Jan and renew my consecration with all of you; but God tells me it is good to slow down and take it easy for a little while. This morning, I asked Fr Jan for one big favor: could he bring me some wine and one host so I would be able to celebrate a private Mass at home. I had all the time in the world, so I prayed the Mass as slowly as possible... reflecting on every single word. It took me a full two hours and was one of the most memorable Masses I have celebrated in my lifetime. It was so peaceful, so calm, so filled with the presence of the Holy Spirit and His Spouse, Mary. And I was able to spend a very long time in Silence after eating the Body of Christ and drinking His Precious Blood. At the end of the Mass, I prayed the same prayer you did, the beautiful Consecration Prayer prepared by St. Louis-Marie de Montfort. If you have never done the 33 days preparation for consecration, I encourage you to think about it for the next time which will begin 33 days before the Feast Day of the Immaculate Conception and will conclude on December 8th.
Of course, a private Mass is most incomplete as the priest is alone! The Holy Mass is complete with a community, and I am looking forward to being with you soon!
The Lord is in charge and He is so good. I am making much progress. I keep praying that God will grant me the Grace to do His will and not mine. To paraphrase the beautiful prayer by Fr. Jean-Jacques Olier, S.S., (founder of the Sulpicians), here is my own prayer on this beautiful day of our parish Consecration to Jesus through Mary:
“O Jesus, living in Mary, come and live in me, your humble servant. Through the Eucharist, and the intercession of Your Mother, The Blessed Virgin Mary, help me to be ONE in You!”
One in Christ,
Fr Alain
LA GRAN SOLEMNIDAD DE LA ASUNCION
Estoy escribiendo esta columna en la tarde del 15 de Agosto, la Solemnidad de la Asuncion de la Santisima Virgen Maria, la cual siempre ha sido muy especial para mi. Una de mis celebraciones favoritas de esta Festividad fue hace seis años atras. Era el 100 aniversario de la Aparicion de la Virgen Maria en Fatima. Habiamos ido a una peregrinacion a Fatima a celebrar este Centenario evento. Habiamos decidido ir a visitar otros lugares Marianos.
Primero fuimos a Lourdes, donde fueron las sorprendentes apariciones de la Virgen Maria a Bernadette Soubirous en 1850 que ha hecho al Centro Mariano mas visitado , despues de Guadalupe, que es tan famoso como Fatima. Despues fuimos a Paris y sucedio ese dia cuando estabamos en alli era el 15 de Agosto.Fuimos a celebrara Misa, en esta preciosa solemnidad de la Asuncion, en una capillita en la famosa Iglesia de San Sulpice. Esta Capilla me trajo maravillosos recuerdos. Habia tocado el organo alli durante mis anos de estudiantes Universitario en Paris. No sabia en ese tiempo que se llamaba La Capilla de la Asuncion. Antes de que empezara la Misa, me fije por primera vez, en la hermosa pintura de la Asuncion de Maria, la cual use para mi homilia.La Misa fue muy alegre. Los cuaenta peregrinos y yo sentimos la presencia de Maria en ese dia especial de su Asuncion al Cielo. Immediatamente despues de la Misa, fuimos a otra Capilla atras del Altar principal. En esa capilla, St. Louis-Marie de Montfort habia celebrado su primera Misa. Como saben tres veces al ano (La Immaculada Concepcion, La Anunciation y La Asuncion), qui en Maria Auxiliadora, nuestra parroquia tenemos la tradicion de consagrarnos aJesus a traves de Maria, despues de Treinta y tres dias de oraciones especiales y lecturas preparadas por San Louis-Marie de Montfort.
Talvez algunos han escuchado , que regrese de California a Waldorf anoche. Mis doctores estaban muy preocupados por el viaje tan largo, pero todo salio bien.Dios es bueno conmigo. Me pidieron que pasara los primeros dias de regreso en casa enfocado en mi salud y disminuir todo el estress para continuar el progreso de recuperacion.
El padre jan ha sido como un angel guardian para mi desde que aterrice en el aeropuerto. Manejo tarde para llevarme a casa anoche, y desde entonces ha estado ayudandome a no excederme y mantenerme en calma. Me hubiera encantado asistir y concelebrar la Misa de mediodia con Padre Jan hoy y asi renovar mi Consagracion con todos ustedes; pero Dios me dijo que vaya despacio y lo tome con calma por un tiempo. Esta manana, le pedi al Padre Jan un gran favor, que me trajera un poco de vino y una hostia para poder celebrar una Misa privada en casa. Tengo todo el tiempo del mundo, asi he orado para que la Misa sea despacio como sea posible... reflexionando en cada palabra. Me ha tomado dos horas completas y ha sido una de las mas memorables Misas que he celebrado en mi vida. Tan en paz, tan calmado, tan lleno de la presencia del Espiritu Santo y Su esposa, Maria. Y pude pasar un tiempo largo en silencio despues de comer el Cuerpo de Cristo y beber su Preciosa Sangre. Al final de la Misa, hice la misma Oracion que ustedes hicieron, la hermo- sa Consagracion preparade por St. Louis-Marie de Montfort. Si nunca ha hecho la preparacion para la Consagraicon de 33 dias lo invito a que lo piense para la proxima vez cuando empecemos los 33 dias antes de la Solemnidad de la Inmaculada Concepcion que concluira el 8 de Diciembre.
Por supuesto, una Misa privada esta incompleta solamente con el sacerdote. La Santa Misa esta completa con la comunidad, y estoy viendo la manera de estar con ustedes pronto!
El Señor esta a cargo y El es bueno conmigo, Estoy progresando mucho. Me mantengo orando para que Dios me conceda la Gracia de hacer Su voluntad y no la mia. Parafraseando la bella oracion del Padre Jean-Jacques Olier, S.S., (fundador de los Sulpicianos), aqui esta mi propia oracion en este bello dia que nuestra parroquia hace la Consagracion a Jesus a traves de Maria:
“Oh Jesus, que vives en Maria, ven y vive en mi, tu humilde siervo. A traves de la Eucaristia , y la intercesion de Tu Madre, la Santisima Virgen Maria, ayudame hacer UNO en Ti!”
Uno en Cristo,
Padre Alain
