250th Celebration Concludes

Four bus loads of pilgrims departed from Long Island at 7 am and travelled to the National Shrine of the Basilica of the Immaculate Conception for the conclusion of the Chaminade Year.

Above the final bus arrived at the front steps of the Basilica

Marianist Brother Robert prepares the liturgy music at the organ console of the Crypt Chapel.

Dr. William Mattison gave the keynote address yesterday. His  study of the life of Blessed Chaminade contributed to his address, but his personal experiences of the legacy of Blessed Chaminade  was more influential.

Many contributed to the festivities of the day. Above, some members of the Gregorian prepare the music for Adoration.

Mrs. Peggy Clores participated in the General Intercessions for Mass.

The four banner carries pause for a photo.

We Celebrate 250 Years since the Birth of Blessed William Joseph Chaminade

Join us today in prayer as we conclude the Chaminade Year with a National Gathering in Washington, D.C. 
to celebrate the birth of 
Blessed William Joseph Chaminade

January 22, 2011 to January 22, 2012

William Joseph Chaminade was born on April 8, 1761 in Perigueux, France and died on January 22, 1850. Pope John Paul II declared him Blessed on September 3, 2000. His feast day is celebrated on January 22.

Exiled from Bordeaux, France during the French Revolution, Fr. Chaminade fled to Zaragoza, Spain, where he spent many hours in prayer and meditation at the shrine of Our Lady of the Pillar. During these moments of quiet contemplation, he experienced a spiritual awakening and conceived a vision for reviving the faith of the Catholic Church in his homeland.

Blessed William Joseph Chaminade believed that Christian communities needed to bring the story of Jesus and the Gospel to life through their daily activities and outreach to others. Mary, the Mother of God, was the model for his renewed faith formation. In Mary, he saw Christian discipleship, simplicity and hospitality. Fr. Chaminade thought an “alliance with Mary” would transform the Church.

Today the Marianist Family travels to the National Shrine of the Basilica of the Immaculate Conception in Washington, D.C. to conclude this year-long celebration as we pray that the life and mission of Blessed William Joseph Chaminade would inspire a transformation of the Church in our own day.

May the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit be glorified in all places through the Immaculate Virin Mary. Amen.

Marianist Provincial & the Chaminade Year

March for Life 4

On Monday at the Verizon Center as part of the March for Life,  Msgr. Charles Pope, from the Archdiocese of Washington, delivering a terrific homily before a crowd of 18,000 young people.

March for Life 3

The theme of this year's March is “Unite on the Life Principles to Overturn Roe v. Wade and, With Love, Protect Mothers and Preborn Children. No Exception! No Compromise!” The “life principles” refer to a comprehensive statement of the position motivating the pro-life movement and serve as the basis for pro-life moral and legal theory by which the American people can overturn Roe v. Wade.

Both of our high schools attended the March for Life as a community. Our students are active in pro-life work year round, leading retreats and attending weekly meetings.

March for Life 2012

"We are facing an enormous and dramatic clash between good and evil, death and life, the "culture of death" and the "culture of life." We find ourselves not only "faced with" but necessarily "in the midst of" this conflict : we are all involved and we all share in it, with the inescapable responsibility of choosing to be unconditionally pro-life." (#28) 

Truly great must be the value of human life if the Son of God has taken it up and made it the instrument of the salvation of all humanity! (#33) 

The Gospel of Life is both a great gift of God and an exacting task for humanity....In giving life to man, God demands that he love, respect and promote life. (#52) 

The deepest element of God’s commandment to protect human life is the requirement to show reverence and love for every person and the life of every person. (#41)  

March for Life 2