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2023 - A beautiful time of Jubilee and Pilgrimage!
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Dear <<First Name>>
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The Beatitudes Community is celebrating fifty years since its foundation in France in 1973. It is a jubilee year and a special opportunity to be reconciled, to remember God's blessings, to offer Him thanksgiving and to let ourselves be renewed in the joy of our call.
Our jubilee pilgrimage in five steps began in Lent. Individually and as a Community we looked back over our history, recognizing our human frailty and infidelities, and asking pardon.
At Easter we remembered God’s goodness to us, and the history of our foundation in New Zealand. We gave thanks for those who have been part of our ‘family’ over the years and have shared our joys and sorrows.
In April a delegation of the Community travelled to Rome for a private audience with Pope Francis. They received a beautiful personal address and the apostolic blessing. On May 25th, anniversary of foundation, a Jubilee Mass of Thanksgiving was celebrated in our General House in France. Sr Therese and the Loretz family providentially found themselves there at that time!
Step four was the renewal of our consecration to Mary and pilgrimage to a Marian shrine. Our two families accomplished this step at various Marian shrines during their pilgrimage to France in June-July. The consecrated members didn’t go quite so far. We renewed our consecration in the little church of St Mary’s at Motuti in the Hokianga, at the shrine of Bishop Pompallier, who celebrated the first Catholic Mass on New Zealand soil nearby in 1838.
The final and ongoing stage of our jubilee pilgrimage is to bear witness to the joy of our call and to share what we have received from God in our mission and apostolates. We hope to share it with you and your family, so that you too will be renewed in your faith and in your zeal for the greater glory of God!
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Beatitudes at Motuti, Hokianga.
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The Loretz Family at Fourvière, Lyon.
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The Peacock Family at Fourvière.
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Beatitudes celebrate 50 years at Blagnac, France.
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Members of the Beatitudes Community met with Pope Francis in Rome in April.
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Testimonials:"For us, the chance to go to France and to stay with the Community of the Beatitudes, as part of our formation in the Community, was a special grace and a trip of a lifetime! Being immersed in their charism and life of prayer was a particular joy and a taste of the fraternity of heaven!
For our youngest four children, the experience of praying in the great basilicas in the presence of the relics of Saints, and absorbing the rich history and culture of this Catholic nation was a great education and experience we hope will spur them on in their faith.
Singing in Māori at the Basilica at Fourvière, processing in the evening light at Lourdes, sharing the 50th Jubilee with the Community at Blagnac and a mini-pilgrimage to Pontmain with the Community at St Broladre were special highlights. We are forever grateful to God for this time of consolation and encouragement.
- Michael and Rebecca Loretz
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"Our Pilgrimage started in Lourdes where we met with members of the Beatitudes Community from different houses around France to participate in the Community Annual Session held in Lourdes. We were blessed to be there as three new priests were ordained for the brother’s branch of the Community! It was very special to visit Lyon and the Sanctuary of Fourvière - and to see the beautiful sacred places from where the journey of the Gospel to New Zealand began. We also visited the Shrine of St Peter Chanel in Cuet and the Basilica of St Jean Marie Vianney in Ars. It was a blessed time of prayer and communion with our Community."
-Thomas and Ellie Peacock
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Coming up.... St Thérèse Rose Petal Evening... You are invited! Saturday 7th October at the Beatitudes chapel. 67 Leithfield Rd, Leithfield. Begins at 5:30pm. A beautiful evening of prayer and reflection with St Thérèse. Music with her words, readings, talk and intimate times of prayer with this beautiful Saint. Afterwards there is a shared meal. Please bring a plate of food to share.
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<<First Name>>, why not make a pilgrimage to the Sanctuary of Fourvière? Celebrating the Venerable Suzanne Aubert...
You are invited! The first Sunday of October has been put aside as a celebration of the Venerable Suzanne Aubert. Mother Aubert grew up near Fourvière in Lyon and travelled to New Zealand with Bishop Pompallier in the late 19th Century. She ministered to the local Māori and early settlers in Northland, Hawkes Bay and Wellington, later founding the Home of Compassion. |
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Why not make a pilgrimage of your Sunday on October 1st to the Sanctuary of Fourvière? Mass is at 12pm and will celebrate Suzanne Aubert. Bring your lunch and relax afterwards in the beautiful grounds and take the time for some prayer in the "Red Shed" - a replica of the place Suzanne Aubert lived and worked in the Hawkes Bay with a healing ministry for the local Māori. LITTLE TRIDUUM weekend retreats!
A reminder that the next Little Triduum Retreat begins on Friday 27th to Sunday 29th October 2023
(There is just one place left available for this beautiful retreat - BOOK NOW)
What is a "Little Triduum Retreat?Join the Beatitudes Community as they celebrate a "little Triduum". The Triduum commemorates the days of the pascal mystery - from the supper of the Lord, through His cross to His resurrection on the third day. _____________________ |
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Donating to the Life and Mission of the Beatitudes in New Zealand helps us to secure this important mission to God's people! Please donate today! _____________________ <<First Name>> - You are also invited to an extended time of retreat with the Word made Flesh! LECTIO DIVINA - 8 day retreat! If you can, you will not regret embarking on this journey of discovery!
Spend 8 days in a very special guided retreat with the Community of the Beatitudes. Let the Living Word reveal Himself to you in new ways and discover the desire of God to speak to you personally through the Holy Scriptures. Email Sr Giovanna Maria today to discuss possible dates and to make your booking. retreats@fourviere.nz |
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