|
Fourvière
|
|
Fourvière Shrine as it was in 1816 and now situated beside the new basilica. |
New Basilica at Fourvière consecrated in 1896 |
There has been a shrine on Fourvière dedicated to Our Lady since 1170. The interior of the chapel, restored in 1751, has not greatly altered since then. Fourvière has always been a popular place of pilgrimage, as can be seen from the plaques placed round the wall of the chapel.
The Basilica on the hill was consecrated in 1896, in fulfillment of a vow by the city of Lyon, and in thanksgiving to Our Lady for protecting the city from the ravages of the Franco-Prussian War of 1870.
On 23rd July 1816 the twelve Marist aspirants, priests and seminarians, climbed the hill to the shrine of Our Lady of Fourvière. They placed their promise to found the Society of Mary under the corporal while Jean-Claude Courveille celebrated Mass. After Communion which they all received from Fr Courveille’s hand they read out their declaration promising to devote themselves and all that they had to the foundation of the Society of Mary. On the left of the chancel is a plaque commemorating this event, and on the opposite side a plaque commemorating the Marist Brothers (FMS).
In the years which followed, many Marists came to the shrine. On 29th August 1833 a Mass was celebrated here before the departure of Fathers Colin, Chanel and Bourdin for Rome. In October 1836 before the departure of the first missionaries for Oceania, Bishop Pompallier had a novena of Masses said here, and on the final day Fr Chanel hung a heart containing the names of the missionaries round the neck of the Infant Jesus, giving birth to the legend that Mary had given her mantle to the future martyr. Among the votive offerings are some ‘tableaux’ recalling events in the history of the Oceania missions.
Since then many Marist celebrations have taken place either in this chapel or in the basilica. The first time that the four branches of the Marist Family celebrated together here was on the 150th anniversary of the Fourvière pledge, 24 July 1966.
And so as we come to this place where the first Marists responded to Our Lady’s request with a promise to do what she wanted, it may be worth reflecting on and developing a thought of Gaston Lessard...
When Jean-Claude Colin heard Courveille talking of his plan, he instantly leapt to the bait. Ever since his childhood he had been looking for some way of being alone with God. The seminary drew him and satisfied him, but only partly. Seminary life led to priesthood (diocesan) and that would inevitably bring him back into the world again in busy parish life, thus limiting his ability to be alone with God. But now in Courveille’s plan he could see a solution - a way of being quiet and hidden even in the midst of great activity. “As soon as M. Courveille made known the project of the Society of Mary, I told myself, ‘That suits you!’ and I joined them.”
The moment at Fourvière on 23rd July 1816 flows directly from this conviction that the Marist project was for him. From now on, all his energies were to be spent in making this a reality. It was this decision that unified his life from now on.
But what gave Fr Colin the power to carry this decision through was not simply the fact that it corresponded to his personal wishes. It ran much deeper than that. It flowed from his belief that Mary had said she wanted it, and that she wanted him among others to make it a reality.
When Courveille spoke about the Marist project at the major seminary, he always presented it as something that Mary had told him she wanted. And Colin tells us very clearly that Mary’s words “I supported the Church at its birth, and I will do so again at the end of time” (which are probably a summary of the Le Puy experience) inspired and guided the birth of the Society. (FS 152) The Fourvière moment sealed his decision that he would work at the project.
The Fourvière pledge became a powerful symbol for Colin, because it represented for him two realities: first, that the Marist project was where his deepest desires lay; and second, that it would become real only if he made it real. The Marist project was not something “outside” of him, which he joined. It was an interior driving force which inspired him.
For Marists today, the same is true. Fourvière represents not only a commitment to do the work of Mary, but also the commitment to make “the work of Mary” (i.e. the Society of Mary in all its branches) exist.
Fourvière Pledge
All for greater glory of God and the greater honour of Mary, Mother of the Lord Jesus
We the undersigned,
striving to work together for the greater glory of God
and the honour of Mary, Mother of the Lord Jesus,
assert and declare our sincere intention and firm will
of consecrating ourselves at the first opportunity
to founding the pious congregation of Mary-ists.
That is why by the present act and our signatures,
in so far as we can, we irrevocably dedicate ourselves and all our goods
to the Society of the blessed Virgin.
We do this
not childishly or lightly or for some human motive
or the hope of material benefit,
but seriously, maturely, having taken advice,
having weighed everything before God,
solely for the greater glory of God
and the honour of Mary, Mother of the Lord Jesus
We pledge ourselves to accept
all sufferings, trials, inconveniences,
and, if needs be, torture, because we can do all things
in Christ Jesus who strengthens us
and to whom we hereby promise fidelity
in the bosom of our holy mother the Roman Catholic Church,
cleaving with all our strength to its supreme head the Roman Pontiff
and to our most reverend bishop, the ordinary,
that we may be good ministers of Jesus Christ,
nourished by the words of faith
and by the wholesome teaching which by his grace we have received.
We trust that under the reign of our most Christian King,
the friend of peace and religion, this institute will shortly come to light
and we solemnly promise that we shall spend ourselves
and all we have in saving souls in every way
under the very august name of the Virgin Mary and with her help.
And may the holy and immaculate conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary be praised. Amen.
|
