The author, Fr. Normand Theroux, M.S. (1927-2001), was a devoted Missionary of Our Lady of La Salette. His many years of priestly ministry included his professional study and teaching of scripture, giving retreats and days of recollection to laity and members of countless religious orders, as well as his extensive study and writing about the Apparition of Our Lady of La Salette.
The purpose of this book, The Face of the Reconciler, is to share the message and meaning of the La Salette Apparition for ordinary Christians with practical application to their daily lives. It is considered by many Marian scholars as the most biblical of recent Apparitions and touches upon the basics of the Christian life: an active faith, daily prayer, the importance of the Eucharist, reverence for the Name of Jesus, use of the Lenten habits of faith and finally the call to share her message and that of her Son with all God’s people.
Mary's message to the two children at La Salette was the warning of a mother concerned over her wayward children. She complained: “If my people refuse to submit, I will be forced to let go the arm of my Son” and more specifically: “Those who drive the carts cannot swear without using my Son's name... they labor all day Sunday... there are none who go to Mass... when they do not know what to do, they go to Mass just to make fun of religion...” She warned: “If the harvest is ruined, it is only on account of yourselves... If you have wheat, you must not sow it. Anything you sow the vermin will eat... A great famine is coming...” She promised: “If [my people] are converted, rocks and stones will turn into heaps of wheat, and potatoes will be self-sown in the fields...” She pleaded: “Well, my children, make this known to all my people...”
The La Salette Missionaries are founded upon the reconciling message and mission of this Apparition of Mary. Their congregation numbers about 1,000 priests and brothers as well as several hundred La Salette Sisters. They are motivated by their charism and ministry of reconciliation and make Mary’s message known to all her people in over thirty countries around the world.
The purpose of this book, The Face of the Reconciler, is to share the message and meaning of the La Salette Apparition for ordinary Christians with practical application to their daily lives. It is considered by many Marian scholars as the most biblical of recent Apparitions and touches upon the basics of the Christian life: an active faith, daily prayer, the importance of the Eucharist, reverence for the Name of Jesus, use of the Lenten habits of faith and finally the call to share her message and that of her Son with all God’s people.
Mary's message to the two children at La Salette was the warning of a mother concerned over her wayward children. She complained: “If my people refuse to submit, I will be forced to let go the arm of my Son” and more specifically: “Those who drive the carts cannot swear without using my Son's name... they labor all day Sunday... there are none who go to Mass... when they do not know what to do, they go to Mass just to make fun of religion...” She warned: “If the harvest is ruined, it is only on account of yourselves... If you have wheat, you must not sow it. Anything you sow the vermin will eat... A great famine is coming...” She promised: “If [my people] are converted, rocks and stones will turn into heaps of wheat, and potatoes will be self-sown in the fields...” She pleaded: “Well, my children, make this known to all my people...”
The La Salette Missionaries are founded upon the reconciling message and mission of this Apparition of Mary. Their congregation numbers about 1,000 priests and brothers as well as several hundred La Salette Sisters. They are motivated by their charism and ministry of reconciliation and make Mary’s message known to all her people in over thirty countries around the world.
