November 1, 2008
Dear Friend of La Salette,
While November is dedicated to the memory of and prayers for the Holy Souls, the Church begins this month with the glorious feast of All Saints. Before turning to those needy souls now suffering in Purgatory for their temporal transgressions, Holy Mother Church places before our eyes the majestic example and eternal beatitude of those men, women and children in the Church Triumphant, who courageously followed the Divine Lamb while on earth and now perfectly enjoy His presence in Heaven.
Although the heights to which we have been called, the mansions which our loving Lord has prepared for the faithful persevering to the end remain beyond the mind of man to fully conceive, we should nevertheless frequently reflect upon our eternal destiny, for it must provide the ultimate inspiration for our every thought, word and deed in this life. "The knowledge of our end and purpose," wrote Frank Sheed, "provides not only for holy, but even sane living."
During the opening spiritual recollection this year each student was given a picture of Mont Saint Michel (below), the island city in Normandy, as a striking symbol and concrete reminder of the heights they must attain. These heights, to be sustained, need a deep and solid foundation. Thus the whole work of their formation at La Salette is to help them dig more deeply in order to scale more surely the immense heights of glory to which Our Lord calls them.
Please pray for us in this most noble and necessary work and be assured of our prayers for you and the Faithful Departed. Besides the Holy Souls Brick Memorial (for your convenience another copy of the order form is on back of this letter), feel free to send a list of Holy Souls to be placed on the main altar during the Masses of this month. Requiescant in pace.
In Christ the King,
