Joy of Fraternity

Besides the boundless personal joy which Peter and Marie-Nizier felt at the arrival of their confreres, it made a great difference to their own standing among the islanders… For the next few days the visitors toured the island; Peter, always eager to assert his neutrality between the two factions, took five of them to stay a few days in Singave, where, for the first time, he had the happiness of celebrating Mass, along with his confreres. While there they made the acquaintance of King Vanai, with whom they had breakfast. The newcomers had apparently brought some musical instruments with them; an organ (presumably a very small one) and an accordion are mentioned. These created a great impression. Music was played at the Mass on Whit Sunday, but the joy of the feast was marred some what by the departure of Peter’s confreres later that day. (Graystone, St Peter Chanel, Pg. 31)

Prayer for Vocations
Lord Jesus, you gave to the Church, the Society of Mary and the people of Oceania, St Peter Chanel, as an example of gentleness, compassion and love in action. Welcome many young men and women into the Marist Family, as priests, brothers and sisters. Help us to share our charism with lay people throughout the world and to work in partnership with them in mission for the good of your Church and the world. This prayer we make to the Father in Your name through the Holy Spirit. Amen.

(Picture: St. Peter Chanel sunken relief sculpture, Marist School, Atlanta, Georgia)

Daily Faithfulness

He had been on the island for over four months. Daily he and Brother Marie Nizier had faithfully practised the routine of prayer prescribed by their rule; on most days he had celebrated Mass; in February with his companion he had carried out the liturgy of Candlemas Day and Ash Wednesday. Quite often the islanders had been present at these acts of worship, though without understanding them, since Peter had no means of explaining anything. His efforts at peacemaking had largely gone unheeded. Very little – except what we might nowadays term wishful thinking – occurs in his diary about direct efforts at evangelisation. Quite simply, he was completely handicapped by lack of communication, and it must have been extremely discouraging. Small wonder that he felt the need of consulting …his Marist fellow-priests. (Graystone, St Peter Chanel, Pg. 29)

Prayer for Vocations
Lord Jesus, you gave to the Church, the Society of Mary and the people of Oceania, St Peter Chanel, as an example of gentleness, compassion and love in action. Welcome many young men and women into the Marist Family, as priests, brothers and sisters. Help us to share our charism with lay people throughout the world and to work in partnership with them in mission for the good of your Church and the world. This prayer we make to the Father in Your name through the Holy Spirit. Amen.

A Saint who Perseveres

He had been on the island for over four months. Daily he and Brother Marie Nizier had faithfully practised the routine of prayer prescribed by their rule; on most days he had celebrated Mass; in February with his companion he had carried out the liturgy of Candlemas Day and Ash Wednesday. Quite often the islanders had been present at these acts of worship, though without understanding them, since Peter had no means of explaining anything. His efforts at peacemaking had largely gone unheeded. Very little – except what we might nowadays term wishful thinking – occurs in his diary about direct efforts at evangelisation. Quite simply, he was completely handicapped by lack of communication, and it must have been extremely discouraging. Small wonder that he felt the need of consulting …his Marist fellow-priests. (Graystone, St Peter Chanel, Pg. 29)

Prayer for Vocations
Lord Jesus, you gave to the Church, the Society of Mary and the people of Oceania, St Peter Chanel, as an example of gentleness, compassion and love in action. Welcome many young men and women into the Marist Family, as priests, brothers and sisters. Help us to share our charism with lay people throughout the world and to work in partnership with them in mission for the good of your Church and the world. This prayer we make to the Father in Your name through the Holy Spirit. Amen.

(Picture: Tracy L. Christenson, https://tracylchristianson.com/index.html)

The Joy of the Gospel

The followers of Niuliki… gathered one day near the Marists’ hut in Alo to hear one of their gods speaking through the mouth (as they put it) of one of his devotees. It was, as the good Brother observes, especially in time of war that they felt the need of such encouragement. The speech, loud and animated, was clearly audible inside Peter’s dwelling. To counteract this pagan exhibition the missionaries started to sing “a deux voix” the Salve Regina, followed by the Inviolata. Their voices must have been remarkably strong, for after a while a few of the islanders, despite their fear of the god who they thought was addressing them, came over to ask the Marists to continue their singing, and at the end of the harangue a great number joined them. (Graystone, St Peter Chanel, Pg. 24)

Prayer for Vocations
Lord Jesus, you gave to the Church, the Society of Mary and the people of Oceania, St Peter Chanel, as an example of gentleness, compassion and love in action. Welcome many young men and women into the Marist Family, as priests, brothers and sisters. Help us to share our charism with lay people throughout the world and to work in partnership with them in mission for the good of your Church and the world. This prayer we make to the Father in Your name through the Holy Spirit. Amen.