Lyon – Fourviere
Orientation
Having been called to something not their own – “the work of Mary” – this group of 12 young men in their 20′s climb 800 stone steps to the sanctuary of Our Lady of Fourviere to make the wish of Mary their own. They resolve to spend their lives in establishing the Society of Mary. The promise of Fourviere was only the beginning: twenty years of struggle would pass before the congregation was approved. Of the 12 who make the promise, only 4 persevered in the project.
Reading
An account of the seminary years and the promise of Fourviere written by Etienne Terriallon.
At the seminary “we sometimes used to meet in the garden of the country house of Fr Cholleton. We used those meetings to inflame our enthusiasm, at times with the thought that we had the happiness of being the first children of Mary, and at times with the throught of the great needs of the people From time to time, M. Courveille would give us short talks.
Our ordination took place on the feast of St Mary Magadalene on July 22nd, 1816. On ethe following day we went up to Our Lady of Fourviere to place ourselves and our project under Mary’s special protection Father Courveille said Mass and I assisted him. The others simply received communion because they were saving their first Mass for their parish. We placed our names on the altar as a symbol of our dedication.”
Reflection
The leader of prayer for the day gives some reflection if he wished, and if it is appropriate and possible.
Prayer Intention
Gratitude for teh grace of our vocation; thanksgiving for those who have accompanied us on our journey as Marists and who have chosen other paths; and a prayer to stir up in ourselves the fervour and enthusiasm of our first Marist confreres.
Hymn: Regina Coeli