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La Salette Feast Day celebration

The Feast of Our Lady of La Salette will be celebrated Saturday, Sept. 19, at St. Mary of Sorrows Church in Fairfax Station. The day will begin with Mass at 9:15 a.m., followed by fellowship and a brunch in Farrell Hall. The event is sponsored by the Sisters of Our Lady of La Salette and Our Lady of La Salette Lay Community.

The Marian apparition at La Salette, a small hamlet in the French Alps, took place on Sept. 19, 1846. Mary’s message to the two children was the warning of a mother concerned over her wayward children. The apparition is a modern-day reminder of an ancient truth that Mary constantly intercedes for us before God; that she is the reconciler of sinners, calling us back to the message and way of her Son, Jesus.

The La Salette Missionaries are founded upon this reconciling message and mission. The congregation numbers about 1,000 priests and brothers as well as 200 sisters serving in over 20 countries around the world.

In addition to their presence in the Arlington Diocese, the La Salette Sisters have two houses in the U.S.: the Shrine of Our Lady of La Salette in Attleboro, Mass.; and St. Matthew Church in Virginia Beach. The community also has a presence in Angola, France, Italy, Poland, Brazil, Madagascar, Philippines and Myanmar.

Bagels, donuts and muffins will be provided at Saturday’s celebration. Donations of breakfast casseroles are welcomed. They should be pre-cooked and delivered to Farrell Hall prior to Mass. St. Mary of Sorrows Church is located at 5222 Sideburn Rd. in Fairfax. For additional information contact Cathy Gulac at 703/323-6694 or [email protected].

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