Reopening of the “Maison Natale”

MONTFORT-sur-MEU, France - On the occasion of the 352nd anniversary of the birth of Saint Louis-Marie-Grignion de Montfort, born January 31, 1673 in Montfort-la-Cane, today Montfort-sur-Meu, the parish of Saint-Louis-Marie in Brocéliande with the Congregation of Montfort Missionaries and the Montfort Marian Fraternity organized 3 days of prayers and festivities in Montfort-sur-meu from January 31 to February 2. It was especially marked by the blessing and the reopening of the Maison Natale (the home where he was born) to the general public.

Friday January 31 at 8:30 p.m. with an evening of prayer was hosted by the Montfort Marian fraternity at the church of Montfort-sur-Meu with Father Willi. A prayer-praise around the Hymns composed by Father de Montfort followed by a time of adoration.

On Saturday morning, from 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m., a Conference entitled “Montfort, pilgrim of hope” was given by Father Santino BREMBILLA SMM, former Superior General of the Montfort Missionaries and current rector of the Calvary sanctuary in Pontchâteau, also of the church of Montfort-sur-Meu. Father BREMBILLA exposed the pillars of hope according to Montfort: God alone, Prayer, Providence, Desire to save souls and the Presence of Mary. It also highlighted Montfort's attitude as a pilgrim of hope: Freedom, Peace, Joy and the Ability to overcome Trials. Father mentioned two major signs of this hope: the writing of a triptych for a Congregation still without members and his own unshakeable faith in the future of the Calvary despite many trials.

On Sunday, at 10:30 a.m., an Anniversary Mass was celebrated in honor of the Presentation of Jesus in the Temple, presided by Mons. Jean BONDU, in the presence of the Provincial Superior Paulin RAMANANDREIBE SMM, and hosted by the Ad Cordis group. In his homily, Mons. Bondu recalled: “Salvation comes in a child: Jesus presented at the Temple reminds us that God is present in us. ….. Consecration, which means total gift of self to God, is none other than the response to the love of God who became incarnate, since the motive of the Incarnation is love.”

At noon, the “home” of Montfort was officially reopened, followed by a convivial moment, the happy hour together on Saulnier Street in the presence of the mayor, residents and parishioners. Father Paulin welcomed everyone with these words: “The House is open for all of us. Welcome home.” The day ended with a Rosary and Vespers at 4 p.m., directly at the Maison Natale.

After several months of maintenance and renovation work, visits to the Maison Natale have resumed. And already the day before the blessing, Pierrette MAGNÉ welcomed around thirty adult visitors.