LA SALETTE LAY ASSOCIATE COMMUNITY TRAVEL PREPARATIONS DAY 1

We start by inviting you to join all those La Salette Lay Associates who are preparing to travel from their home countries to La Salette in France in prayer.  Isabel Dion who is one of the representatives of the La Salette Lay Associate Community in North America is scheduled to begin her travel on August 28, USA West Coast time.  The entire community of participants in the meeting will be praying this novena to Our Holy Mother as they prepare to board the planes that are to take them to France.  Some will be traveling very long distances.  They will be leaving from Brasil, Argentina, Bolivia, Poland, Angola, Madagascar and of course, The United States of America.  Every day from now until Friday, August 26, 2011 you will receive the same prayers that the representatives will be offering for a safe journey and a successful convention.
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Each day of the novena there is a theme, a Bible Reading and a question for personal reflection.  The theme of the day is taken from something the Virgin said to the children during the Apparition.
This is the first day.
1.  Do not be afraid.  Draw near.
     Luke's Gospel, chapter 1, verse 30  
     John's Gospel, chapter 16, verse 33  
     Do I believe in a God who controls and punishes us, or in a God of mercy and love?
After your personal reflection, recite the Memorare as is found just below.



Memorare to Our Lady of La Salette:


Remember, Our Lady of La Salette,
true Mother of Sorrows,
the tears you shed for us on Calvary. 
Remember also the care you have taken
to keep us faithful to Christ, your Son.
Having done so much for your children,
you will not now abandon us.
Comforted by this consoling thought,
we come to you pleading,
despite our infidelities and ingratitude. 
Virgin of Reconciliation,
do not reject our prayers, but intercede for us,
obtain for us the grace
to love Jesus above all else.
May we console you by a holy life
and so come to share the eternal life
Christ gained by his cross.  Amen.


Our Lady of La Salette, Reconciler of Sinners
Pray without ceasing for us who have recourse to you.