28 Apr – Memorial for St. Peter Chanel, priest & martyr; Memorial for St. Louis-Marie Grignion de Montfort, priest
St. Peter Chanel (1803-1841) was born to a peasant family and was a shepherd as a boy. He was an excellent student and was ordained at 24. He was assigned to Crozet, a parish in decline; he turned it around, in part because of his ministry to the sick, and brought a spiritual revival. He joined the Society of Mary (Marist Fathers) in 1831, and taught in the Belley seminary for five years.
In 1836, he led a band of missionaries to the New Hebrides, an area where cannibalism had only recently been outlawed. He converted many, often as a result of his work with the sick. He learned the local language and taught in the local school. He was killed by order of Niuliki, a native king who was jealous of Peter’s influence. He was the first martyr in Oceania.
“He loves us. He does what he teaches. He forgives his enemies. His teaching is good.”
- one of St. Peter’s catechumens, explaining why he believed Peter’s teachings.
St. Louis-Marie (1673-1716) was born poor. He studied in Paris, France, and was ordained in 1700. While a seminarian, he delighted in researching the writings of Church Fathers, Doctors and Saints as they related to the Blessed Virgin Mary, to whom he was singularly devoted.
Under Mary’s inspiration, he founded the Congregation of the Daughters of Divine Wisdom, a religious institute of women devoted to the care of the destitute. During this work, he began his apostolate of preaching the Rosary and authentic Marian devotion. He preached so forcefully and effectively against the errors of Jansenism that he was expelled from several dioceses in France.
In Rome, Pope Clement XI conferred on him the title and authority of ‘Missionary Apostolic’, which enabled him to continue his apostolate after returning to France. He preached Mary everywhere and to everyone.
He was a member of the Third Order of St. Dominic, and was one of the greatest apostles of the Rosary in his day and, by means of his miraculously inspiring book, The Secret of the Rosary, he is still so today. The most common manner of reciting the Rosary is the method that originated with St. Louis’ preaching. In 1715, he founded a missionary band known as the Company of Mary.
His greatest contribution to the Church and world is Total Consecration to the Blessed Virgin. He propagated this in his day by preaching, and after his own death, by his other famous book True Devotion to Mary. Consecration to Mary is for St. Louis the perfect manner of renewing one’s baptismal promises. His spirituality has been espoused by millions, especially Pope John Paul II, who has consecrated not only himself, but every place he has visited as pope.
In True Devotion to Mary, St. Louis prophesied that the army of souls consecrated to Mary will be her instrument in defeating the Devil and his Antichrist. As Satan gains power in the world, so much more shall the new Eve triumph over him and crush his head.
The cause for his declaration as a Doctor of the Church is now being pursued.
- Patron Saint Index
Acts 4:23-31
Jn 3:1-8
“I tell you most solemnly, unless a man is born from above, he cannot see the kingdom of God.”
I love the smell of new things.
These include the smell when you flip the pages in a new book; the smell of freshly cut grass, even the smell of crisp new notes when I received ‘red packets’ when I was a child. Somehow, these smells trigger something within me, and I am brought to a happy place for a moment or two.
As we celebrate the Easter season, we should recognise that the Risen Christ has given us something new. Through our Lenten practices, we have hopefully divested ourselves of all that prevents us from Christ’s most precious gift — new life.
I remember the Easter Vigil last week, where we witnessed the baptism and confirmation of the Elect, the expressions of some of the newly-baptised as they emerged from the waters of baptism were unforgettable. Their faces shone as if they really encountered the Risen Christ, much like Moses as he came down from Mt Sinai. It was such a wonderful sight, as we also welcomed some hearing-impaired Elect as well. As they emerged from the waters, they signed their happiness and were welcomed by the community.
I never attended Easter Vigils until my wife introduced it to me. I always thought that they were too long, too many readings, and the entire duration was just too long. I had this perspective, until about 10 years ago, when we moved to our current parish. And I was fortunate enough to serve at that Easter Vigil. We had the complete 9 readings and more than a hundred Elect. Plus, the then parish priest mentioned that it wouldn’t be a Vigil unless it finishes past midnight.
I initially thought that it was going to be a drag, but I was really caught up in the liturgy. The hours melted away and I came away with awe and finally understood the beauty and meaning of that most holy of nights. The readings came alive to me, the baptisms were beautiful, and I was thoroughly engaged for those 5 hours. But, what was more important is that I started to grasp the meaning of Salvation History, and what it means to me and other Catholics.
The Easter Vigil gives us many new things. There is a new paschal candle, there are new holy oils which are blessed by the Bishop, there is new Holy Water — that’s used to bless the faithful. I love all these new things. Not forgetting all the NEW Catholics that have been baptised into Christ’s death (Romans 6:3-4) in order to receive new life.
So, it is with us. Christ gives us the most precious gift of all — new life. Are we doing all we can to be made worthy of this most precious gift?
(Today’s OXYGEN by Calvin Wee)
Prayer: Heavenly Father, you give us new life, the most precious gift of all. We humbly ask for your graces to continue walking in your way and thus, be made worthy of this most precious gift. Amen.
Thanksgiving: All merciful Father, thank you for all that we have and hold. Thank you for the gift of our faith, and thank you for always being there to lead us and guide us to your promise that we will all have new life though your son, Jesus Christ, our Risen Lord. Amen.
OXYGEN 
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