On this eve of the feast day of two great Marian saints, St Peter Chanel and St Louis de Montfort, we can meditate on not only their lives but on the Blessed Mother herself. Our Lady called these two men to become priests, to bring her Son into the world through their sacred hands as they celebrated the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass. These two saints were completely devoted to the Holy Eucharist as well as devoted to Our Lady.
St Peter Chanel, a Marist, became a missionary and traveled to the South Pacific, in particular, to the island of Futuna, where he was martyred, and where the Catholic faith, through his efforts, has blossomed. He is the patron saint of Oceania.
St Louis de Montfort wrote the treatise, True Devotion to Mary, and many people have used his formula for consecration to the Blessed Mother. In fact, he was very influential on the thought of the founder of the Marists, the Venerable Jean Claude Colin.
It is with great joy that I remember both of these saints tomorrow, April 28th, for it is the anniversary of my own ordination to the priesthood, and I know that just as Our Lady inspired these two saints to become priests of her Son, Mary has also invited me to become a priest in her order, the Society of Mary (Marist Fathers).
It is also a joy to know that in a few days we will be celebrating the Month of Mary. We are in need of her prayers. Let us turn to her during this month of May and ask for her intercession and her guidance as our Church is undergoing a purification. And let us pray that especially in this Year of Priests that our priests will be devoted to her Immaculate Heart.
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