The Diary of the 137th Annual Novena to St. Anne
St. Anne Shrine – Fiskdale
Administrated by the Assumptionist
The third night of the Novena to Saint Anne recognized the Lay Assumptionist community, with Mass being celebrated by Father John Franck, A.A. The rosary procession was shortened because of the rain, but the fervor of the Novena participants was not changed. The Joyful Mysteries were led by two Lay Assumptionists, praying in French and English. In addition to the rosary, Lay Assumptionists from Fiskdale participated in the Mass in the choir, as greeters, lectors, bringing the gifts to the altar in the Offertory, and as Eucharistic Ministers.
Father John began his homily talking about the Priest as a shepherd, and urged the congregation to pray for Priests because good shepherds are needed now more than ever. In tonight’s Gospel reading, Mark 6:30-34, Mark tells us that Jesus is moved to pity. What does Jesus do? He teaches them. Teaching is an act of compassion for Jesus, it is who God is and who we are called to be.
Many people are lost today. Are we willing to sit at the feet of Jesus to listen to his teaching? We need to be open to the heart of His teaching and remove our blinders. The demands of the laity include Christian commitment. We desperately need shepherds, and we need to heed the voice of the Good Shepherd to lead us out of the dark valley.
Before the conclusion of the Mass, Father Luc thanked the Lay Assumptionists for their presence and their animation of the liturgy.
Father John then said that when Father Emmanuel D’Alzon founded the congregation in 1845, one of his initiatives was to evangelize. He needed the laity to work side by side with him. Father John then introduced Sylvia Desautels, who has been a part of the Lay Assumptionist community in Fiskdale for over ten years, since its inception.
Sylvia told the congregation that there are 24 members currently, with 6 in formation. They do not have a specific role such as Parish Council or Liturgy Committee in the Parish. The Lay Assumptionists are a group of dedicated men and women who have Christ as the center of their lives. Out of love for him, they love what Jesus loved most on earth – Mary, His Mother, and the Church, His spouse.
Being a Lay Assumptionist is a calling, and they share the same spirituality of the Assumptionists, with a commitment to the “Way of Life” handed down from Father Emmanuel D’Alzon. The only difference is that they do not take the vows of obedience, celibacy, and poverty. They meet approximately once a month, and come together to study, pray and strive to deepen their spiritual lives. Even though all the members are different, they all have the same goal, to love Christ more and more each day, and to live the Assumption charism.
