April 2nd, the day that Pope John Paul II died, had for us a  similar “feel” to the days when one of our own members is dying. As we do then, we did our usual “duties of the moment” ever-carrying our holy father in our hearts and prayers.

When, shortly after 3 p.m., we heard the sound of the chapel bell tolling, we all gathered in the chapel and said the rosary for him.

That evening when we came for supper, there in the dining room, and turned on, was the television. That’s something which I only remember happening once before—during World Youth Day in Toronto. (Ordinarily the television lives under a cloth in the basement and is only used for the occasional video or sports event.)

And there in the dining room the t.v. stayed—though not usually on—until after the inaugural Mass of Pope Benedict XVI.

The library outdid itself with displays of books by and about the pope, especially books with photos, and other larger photos hung on the walls.

Pope John Paul II

For our spiritual reading after lunch, we read from and discussed Crossing the Threshold of Hope, an interview of the pope, and one evening we watched a video about his life. St. Mary’s even had a memories night, as we do for our staff on the night of their funeral.
Then when Pope Benedict was elected pope, out came our library books by him and one wonderful framed photo—of him blessing us all when he first came out on the balcony as pope.

On the day of the funeral, and on the day of the inaugural Mass, a number of staff were up at 4 a.m. to see the event live. Someone taped it, and the rest of us saw a shorter version in the evening.

The whole time, from the death of Pope John Paul II until the inauguration Mass of Pope Benedict XVI, was, for us, a time of experiencing Church. And not only in events directly connected with the popes.

On April 16th, just two days before the conclave began in Rome, Fr. Pierre-André Fournier, an associate priest of MH, was ordained bishop and appointed auxiliary of the archdiocese of Quebec City.

He had made his pre-ordination retreat at Madonna House, and 14 from here, including the five second-year applicants, traveled to Quebec to attend the ordination. (A pilgrimage there had already been planned for the applicants, and it was decided that it be combined with this event.)

All those who went were profoundly moved by the prayerfulness of the whole four-hour event and by the warm fatherliness of Cardinal Ouellet towards the two priests he had ordained as his auxiliary bishops.

Cardinal Ouellet, who had attended the pope’s funeral the day before, had received permission to fly home for the ordination. (He quickly returned to Rome for the conclave on Monday.)

Shortly after that, our director generals, too, flew to Europe—for a visitation of our houses in France and Belgium. It was their first visitation.

Among other things, they met with the bishop of each of the dioceses in which our houses are located. Our house in Paris is a poustinia house, and Bishop Pierre d’Ornellas, the auxiliary bishop of Paris, said, “It is important that (your house) is in Paris. We need you in Paris!” Then he added that he believes that Paris needs silence, not just prayer, but silence that endures.

The next event, which took place during the first three weeks in May, was the directors’ meetings: the meetings of the directors of all our houses, the director generals, and certain people from MH Combermere.

As always at these meetings they talked and shared about many things both practical and dealing with the spirit and vision of Madonna House—in daily meetings of all of them together, in small groups, and of course, one-to one.

One input this year was a teaching about evangelization by associate priest Fr. Dan Hermes, who has been very much involved in this in his parish in Illinois.

Pentecost Sunday was an especially big day this year, as we chose that day to also celebrate Fr. Paul Béchard’s 60th anniversary of priesthood.

The day was glorious: the weather at its best, the Mass beautiful, and a spirit of quiet joy filled the day. And, wonder of wonder in mid-May, it was even bug-free.

Fr. Paul, ever the hidden priest, had insisted that, in his homily, Fr. David May give any credit to God rather than to himself. This Fr. David did, though he also thanked Fr. Paul for the fact that he had cooperated with the graces given.

Several members of Fr. Paul’s family and friends of his came to celebrate with him. One visitor brought a cake decorated with a hammer and saw, since Fr. Paul is a carpenter as well as a priest.

We had a lovely reception, a lovely supper, and since there are several musicians among us these days, we ended up with an unplanned evening of folk dancing.

Shortly after that event, our director generals, along with Marité Langlois and Mike Fagan, traveled again: this time west to Edmonton, Alberta, where our house, Marian Centre, was celebrating its fiftieth anniversary.

They came back glowing, and said that it was one of those times when God lifts the veil for a moment on the beauty and importance of what we are doing. (We’ll be telling you more about Marian Centre in a future issue.)

Another event when God lifts that veil is Promises Day, June 8th, the day the members of Madonna House make or renew their commitment to God and to this community.

Promises Day

Every year it is a time of celebration of commitment and perseverance, of our vocation itself, and of Our Lady of Combermere whose feast it is.

Our community, both staff and visitors, has gradually been becoming more and more international, and this was very much reflected in this year’s class of new staff, who come from Korea, Belgium, Poland, and Grenada, West Indies. (One of the Belgians, Martine Debatty, received her formation and made her promises in MH Belgium.)

This internationalism was reflected in both the food and decorations in their retreat, and in the decorations for Promises Day, when, for example, our beautiful statue of Our Lady of Korea was prominently displayed.

It was even more prominent in the making of promises. The two new Korean staff and one Mexican-American woman making finals wore national dress.

First promises—we can choose which language to make them in—were made in Korean, French, and English, and one man renewed and one woman made finals in Spanish.

Several families of those making promises were in attendance, and, for all of us, it was wonderful to be with them. Their joy was palpable, and the veil was lifted, too, on the fruitfulness of their love and perseverance.

It was a day filled with joy— “like a wedding!” as one of the guests said.

Yes, in God, however dark the times, there is always new life—and the forms that new life take are endless.

P.S. Just two days after promises, and one day before this paper’s deadline, Archbishop Joseph Raya entered into glory.