Friends of Saint Marie-Leonie
Dear Friends of Saint Marie-Leonie,
We continue to give thanks to God for the canonization of Saint Marie-Leonie Paradis. With the Blessed Virgin Mary, whom she has given us as a model for living according to the spirit of Nazareth, let us continue to pray the rosary to unite ourselves to all the mysteries of the rosary, source of faith and comfort.
The theme of this Advent season, “A hope to welcome”, follows on from the events we experienced on October 20 with her canonization. What joy and hope Saint Marie-Leonie gives us, demonstrating through her life that love and fidelity are the source of true happiness.
She also suggests that, even with age limits for most of us, our remaining physical and moral strength is still useful to those around us. Whether we give much or very little, the important thing is to do so out of love.
Even when trials come, we realize that God's Word keeps us hopeful on our path to holiness, on our way to living eternally in his loving presence.
At Christmas, we welcome Hope in the person of Jesus. Let us imitate Mary in bringing him to our brothers and sisters, and let us pray to Saint Joseph, guardian and protector of the Holy Family, that unity and respect for differences may reign in our families.
Let us learn from the Holy Family in Nazareth how to live together in love, forgiveness, sharing and joy, in an affective environment where life is good and simple.
Merry Christmas, and may 2025 be marked by the hope and certainty that God dwells in our daily lives. With Him, our hearts remain free, whatever our circumstances. By abiding in hope, we can be certain that Jesus sanctifies our humanity.
Let us remain united in prayer with the protection of Saint Marie-Leonie,
Rachel Lemieux, p.s.s.f. November 2024
For those who would like to make a donation, Mass offering or lamp, you can now do so in 3 ways.
- Online: with a credit card
- By Interact transfer
- In person: at the reception desk of the Centre Marie-Leonie Paradis in cash, debit or credit card.
ONLINE:
Go to our website on this page:
https://www.centremarie-leonieparadis.com/fr/dons-et-services-en-ligne/index.php
INTERACT TRANSFER:
- For mass fees and lamp offerings:
It is essential to e-mail us the details of your order and your intentions. Send to: centre.marie-leonie@videotron.ca
- For donations with tax receipt:
It is essential to e-mail us your full postal address, as for all donations received during the current year, we issue an annual tax receipt in February of the following year.
Send to: centre.marie-leonie@videotron.ca
Once you've sent us your e-mail with your requests, we'll send you the information you need to make the Interac transfer.
SERVICES OFFERED
(no tax receipt, as the money does not stay at the Centre Marie-Leonie Paradis).
- Masses announced with their intention: $10
- Masses read with intention: $5
- Large lamp offering with intention: $5
- Small lamp offering with intention: $1
*The Centre Marie-Leonie Paradis sends the money for the Masses and the intention to missionary priests. It is impossible to have a mass celebrated on a fixed date.
*The Centre Marie-Leonie Paradis will light your lamp for you, along with your intention, at Saint-Michel’s Cathedral in Sherbrooke. The lamp will burn for 6 days or for one day (depending on the size) with Mother Marie-Leonie.
THE ROSARY WITH MOTHER MARIE-LEONIE (Joyful Mysteries 2) Monday and Saturday
For the months of December 2024, January and February 2025
HOW TO PRAY THE JOYFUL MYSTERIES
- on the cross, make the sign of the cross and say “I believe in God”,
- recite an “Our Father”, 3 “Hail Marys” and 1 “Glory be to the Father”,
- meditate on 5 mysteries out of the 5 tens: read the text associated with the mystery, confide an intention,
recite over each decade: 1 “Our Father”, 10 “Hail Marys”, 1 “Glory be to the Father”.
1st decade: The Annunciation
The angel went to her and said, “Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you.” Mary was greatly troubled at his words and wondered what kind of greeting this might be. Lk 1:28-29
“I came here against my will, purely to obey you and God has blessed me, for here I found calm and peace of mind.”
Book: A Mother who was “All Heart”, p. 207
2nd decade: The Visitation
When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the baby leaped in her womb. Lk 1:41
Mother Leonie has fascinated me. I have found her beautiful and great. I have admired her faith, strong enough to move mountains. I have been challenged by her immense charity which left an enormous trail of love everywhere she went. I have been profoundly touched by her simplicity, her modesty and her humility. Meeting her has made me a better man.
Book: A Mother who was “All Heart”, p. XII
3rd decade: The Nativity
Joseph belonged to the house and line of David. He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child.
While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them. Lk 2:1-20
The human story of Mother Leonie, from her birth to her death, was therefore, “sacred history” because it was entirely permeated by the presence of God. Book: A Mother who was “All Heart”, p. 7
4th decade: The Presentation of Jesus in the Temple
When the time came for the purification rites required by the Law of Moses, Simeon took him in his arms and praised God, saying: “Sovereign Lord, as you have promised, you may now dismiss your servant in peace. For my eyes have seen your salvation, which you have prepared in the sight of all nations: a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and the glory of your people Israel.”
The child’s father and mother marveled at what was said about him. Then Simeon blessed them and said to Mary, his mother: “This child is destined to cause the falling and rising of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be spoken against, so that the thoughts of many hearts will be revealed. And a sword will pierce your own soul too.” Lk 2:22-40
You will therefore, meet a woman who searched for the ways of God and walked with love in the simplicity of her daily life. Book: A Mother who was “All Heart”, (Preface)
5th decade: Jesus' recovery in the Temple
When they did not find him, they went back to Jerusalem to look for him. After three days they found him in the temple courts, sitting among the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions. Everyone who heard him was amazed at his understanding and his answers. Lk 2:41-52
The experience of Mother Leonie challenges our world and opens some refreshing possibilities. First, it invites us to find again the way of interiority and prayer, the heart‑to‑heart relationship with God, the awareness of his divine and gratuitous Presence. Book: A Mother who was “All Heart”, p. 399
____________________________________________________
Prayer to the Holy Family
O Jesus, full of love, who by your ineffable virtues and the examples of your domestic life have sanctified the family of your choice on this earth, deign to fix your gaze on ours, prostrate before you to implore your mercy. Remember that this family belongs to you, for we have offered and consecrated it to you. Assist her in your goodness, defend her in every peril, help her in her needs, and give her the grace to persevere in the imitation of your holy Family, so that, faithful in serving and loving you here below, she may bless you eternally in heaven.
Mary, O sweetest Mother, we pray for your intercession, assured that your divine Son will answer your prayers.
And you too, glorious patriarch, Saint Joseph, help us with your powerful mediation, and offer our wishes to Jesus by passing them through the hands of Mary.
Jesus, Mary, Joseph, enlighten us, help us and save us.
______________________________________________________
Rosary with Mother Marie-Leonie (Sorrowful Mysteries 2) Tuesday and Friday
For the months of December 2024, January and February 2025
1st decade: The Agony of Jesus
Going a little farther, he fell with his face to the ground and prayed, “My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me. Yet not as I will, but as you will.” Then he returned to his disciples and found them sleeping. Couldn’t you keep watch with me for one hour?” he asked Peter. “Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.” Mt 26:36-46
On November 11, 1907, Mother Marie-Leonie wrote to one of her Daughters: “Dear Sister... I admit that I find it difficult to call you ‘dear Sister’ when you cause me so much trouble. What are you thinking, being so self‑conceited and believing that you have absolute authority in the laundry room?” Book: A Mother who was “All Heart”, p. 317
2nd decade: The Scourging of Jesus
You brought me this man as one who was inciting the people to rebellion. I have examined him in your presence and have found no basis for your charges against him. Lk 23:13-16
In actual fact, on February 3, 1870, the Council decided to remove Sister Marie‑de‑la‑Rédemption from office and to replace her as Superior of the Saint Vincent‑de‑Paul Orphanage. Along with her, they also removed Sister Marie‑de‑Sainte‑Leonie, the Assistant, and Sister Marie‑de‑Sainte‑Philomène, the Bursar! Book: A Mother who was “All Heart”, p. 281
3rd decade: The Crowning of Jesus with Thorns
And they began to call out to him, “Hail, king of the Jews!” Again and again, they struck him on the head with a staff and spit on him. Falling on their knees, they paid homage to him. Mk 15:16-20
It was God, my dear children, who spoke to you through your Pastor, and he did you a greater favor by humiliating you with words that were somewhat harsh to nature, than he would have by exposing you to pride with compliments, for if pride were to enter your hearts, the most beautiful angel of light would change into an angel of darkness.
Book: A Mother who was “All Heart”, p. 315
4th decade: The Carrying of the Cross
A large number of people followed him, including women who mourned and wailed for him. Lk 23:26-31
The situation soon deteriorated, however, so much so that it can be said that the four years Sister Leonie spent in Indiana were mostly years of trial and sacrifice. Book: A Mother who was “All Heart”, p. 40
5th decade: The Crucifixion
The people stood watching, and the rulers even sneered at him. They said, “He saved others; let him save himself if he is God’s Messiah, the Chosen One.”
The soldiers also came up and mocked him. They offered him wine vinegar and said, “If you are the king of the Jews, save yourself.” There was a written notice and above him, which read: “This is the King of the Jews.” Lk 23:32-47
To a Sister who enjoyed perfect happiness in her convent, Mother Leonie said, of course, that she was happy for her and gave thanks to God with her, but she felt the need to remind her that only through the cross does one get to heaven: “Every day I thank our good Savior and ask him to continue his favors; however, my good child, arm yourself with courage for the time when trials come, for you know that it is by following our good Savior on the royal road of the Holy Cross that we get to Heaven. Always be ready to say to Jesus: Yes, my God! yes, I am ready to suffer this little trouble, this little humiliation, this little suffering.” Book: A Mother who was “All Heart”, p. 314
Saint Francis' prayer for peace
Where there is error, let me bring truth.
Where there is doubt, let me put faith.
Lord, make me an instrument of your peace.
Where there is hatred, let me bring love.
Where there is offence, let me bring forgiveness.
Where there is discord, may I bring union.
Where there is despair, let me bring hope.
Where there is darkness, let me bring light.
Where there is sadness, may I bring joy.
May I not so much seek
to be consoled than to console,
to be understood than to understand,
to be loved than to love.
Because it's in giving that we receive,
it's in forgetting ourselves that we find ourselves,
it's in forgiving that we obtain forgiveness,
it is in dying that we are resurrected to eternal life.
Rosary with Mother Marie-Leonie (Glorious Mysteries 2) Wednesday and Sunday
For the months of December 2024, January and February 2025
1st decade: The Resurrection
So, Peter and the other disciple started for the tomb. Both were running, but the other disciple outran Peter and reached the tomb first. He bent over and looked in at the strips of linen lying there but did not go in. Then Simon Peter came along behind him and went straight into the tomb. He saw the strips of linen lying there, as well as the cloth that had been wrapped around Jesus’ head. The cloth was still lying in its place, separate from the linen. Jn 20:1-18
From her love for the Passion of Jesus and for the Mass, quite naturally came her love for the Blessed Sacrament. Jesus was, to Mother Leonie, the Lord of the paschal mystery, who died on the cross out of love for us, but also the One whom the Father rose from the dead on Easter Sunday. Book: A Mother who was “All Heart”, p. 151
2nd decade: The Ascension
They were looking intently up into the sky as he was going, when suddenly two men dressed in white stood beside them. “Men of Galilee,” they said, “why do you stand here looking into the sky?” Acts 1:9-11
“My children, only in heaven shall we know the greatness of the priest and all that he has done for us. Therefore, pray for him every day, you must do so... If I ever heard one of you say a single word against the priest, I would be greatly saddened.” Book: A Mother who was “All Heart”, p. 269
3rd decade: The Pentecost
Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting. They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them. Acts 2:1-4
Mother Marie-Leonie lived Father Basile Moreau's ideal of life: the Gospel is at the center of everything. Jesus is the Master. So, the important thing "is to “become his disciple,” to listen to him, to allow oneself to be taught by him, and to enter with him into the will of the Father and the ways of the Spirit. Book: A Mother who was “All Heart”, p. 119
4th decade: The Assumption of Mary, a sign of hope
In the interim just as the Mother of Jesus, glorified in body and soul in heaven, is the image and beginning of the Church as it is to be perfected is the world to come, so too does she shine forth on earth, until the day of the Lord shall come, as a sign of sure hope and solace to the people of God during its sojourn on earth.
Dogmatic Constitution on the Church: LUMEN GENTIUM no 68
If Mother Leonie had faith in God as “Father,” “Love” and “Mercy,” she also had faith in God as “Providence.” She was a woman of hope. She believed so strongly, that her hope was equally strong. This is what sustained her through her struggles and through contradictions of all kinds. Book: A Mother who was “All Heart”, p. 134-135
5th decade: The Coronation of Mary
But since it has pleased God not to manifest solemnly the mystery of the salvation of the human race before He would pour forth the Spirit promised by Christ, we see the apostles before the day of Pentecost "persevering with one mind in prayer with the women and Mary the Mother of Jesus, and with His brethren", and Mary by her prayers imploring the gift of the Spirit, who had already overshadowed her in the Annunciation. Finally, the Immaculate Virgin, preserved free from all guilt of original sin, on the completion of her earthly sojourn, was taken up body and soul into heavenly glory, and exalted by the Lord as Queen of the universe, that she might be the more fully conformed to her Son, the Lord of lords and the conqueror of sin and death. Dogmatic Constitution on the Church: LUMEN GENTIUM no. 59
“All her life,” wrote Father Nadeau, “she maintained a deep attachment to her teachers of Laprairie; she would later praise before her spiritual daughters the enlightened zeal of those who had opened her mind to the beauties of knowledge and her heart to the love of virtue.” Book: A Mother who was “All Heart”, p. 16
___________________________________________________
Prayer for priests
Almighty and eternal God, deign to look upon the face of your Christ, the eternal High Priest, and, out of love for Him, have mercy on your priests.
___________________________________________________
Rosary with Mother Marie-Leonie (Luminous Mysteries 2) Thursday
1st decade: The Baptism of Jesus
Jesus replied, “Let it be so now; it is proper for us to do this to fulfill all righteousness.” Then John consented. Mt 3:13-17
Having promised Father Moreau never to complain and to do everything she would be asked to do, Sister Leonie became a teacher. But in her heart, she still heard the call to serve the priests. Book: A Mother who was “All Heart”, p. 26
2nd decade: The Wedding at Cana
His mother said to the servants, “Do whatever he tells you.”
Nearby stood six stone water jars, the kind used by the Jews for ceremonial washing, each holding from twenty to thirty gallons. Jesus said to the servants, “Fill the jars with water”; so they filled them to the brim. Jn 2:1-11
“If I had not obeyed the directives of the ecclesiastical superiors, we would not be what we are today: obedience is what made us what we are.”
She added on September 2, 1911: “As for myself, I strive to obey in all things and everywhere, and I believe that is where my merit is and where it will be beyond the grave.” Indeed, after her death Bishop LaRocque spoke these words: “She was admirable in her respect, obedience and humility [...] When she came to consult me on something, she obediently accepted my decisions. The Bishop wanted it that way: that was all.” Book: A Mother who was “All Heart”, p. 218
3rd decade: The Proclamation of the Kingdom
I have spoken to you of earthly things and you do not believe; how then will you believe if I speak of heavenly things? No one has ever gone into heaven except the one who came from heaven, the Son of Man. Just as Moses lifted up the snake in the wilderness, so the Son of Man must be lifted up, that everyone who believes may have eternal life in him. Jn 3:11-21
Mother Marie-Leonie wrote: “Good Father Rézé said to me again recently that it would be much better for this community to manage on its own and that the Sisters of Holy Cross could now withdraw. Today, I am beginning to believe it and they are acting in such a way as to make me feel it; I would beg for my food every day rather than impose myself on anyone.” The following September 26, she brought up the subject once again and went even further, alluding to her possible return to Notre Dame. She wrote: “They say that it would be better for the Little Sisters to govern themselves on their own; if I asked you to go to Notre Dame, Indiana..., would you, Very Reverend Father, refuse to receive me?”
Book: A Mother who was “All Heart”, p. 68-69
4th decade: The Transfiguration
Peter and his companions were very sleepy, but when they became fully awake, they saw his glory and the two men standing with him. As the men were leaving Jesus, Peter said to him, “Master, it is good for us to be here. Let us put up three shelters—one for you, one for Moses and one for Elijah.” He did not know what he was saying. Lk 9:28-35
The most important thing was the presence of God in their midst. And since November 29, 1895, He was there. Bishop LaRocque had indeed granted the little community the privilege of having the Blessed Sacrament permanently in the chapel of the little convent. One can imagine the joy of Mother Leonie!
She wrote to her daughters of Memramcook: “We had been so deprived of the presence of the Blessed Sacrament in our house that I was wishing with all my might for the happy day when Jesus would set up His abode in our little Bethlehem.
“The day when He did come, I kept going into the chapel at every moment all day long, and there, without saying anything, as I was unable to speak, I contemplated the tabernacle, and in my joy, I could not believe that Jesus was with us.” Book: A Mother who was “All Heart”, p. 84
5th decade: The Institution of the Eucharist
After the meal, he did the same with the cup, saying: “This cup is the New Covenant in my blood. Whenever you drink it, do it in remembrance of me.” 1Cor 11:23-29
Bishop Joseph‑Médard Émard, then Bishop of Valleyfield, gave the following testimonial. “This morning, I saw the funeral cortege accompanying the mortal remains which are certainly those of a great saint. What a triumph! No greater demonstration was ever seen in the city of Sherbrooke. I am returning home a better man after attending such an exaltation of humility. We often have opportunities, as bishops, to take part in various ceremonies... The one that took place this morning left in my heart a deep impression, a remembrance that will never, never fade from my memory... I saw her only two or three times while she was alive, but it was enough... Mother Leonie is gone; she is not dead, because saints do not die...” Book: A Mother who was “All Heart”, p. 108
____________________________________________
Let us all thank God 1 Chronicles 16:8-14
Let us all thank God with a pure and sincere heart,
for his wonderful gifts, for the joys of this earth.
It is he who has guided and blessed our every step,
his Son, he gave for us all here below.
O God, be with us all our lives.
Bring us peace and your infinite joy.
Guard us with your love, lead us night and day!
Deliver us, Most High, from evil and the grave!
___________________________________________
“Friends of Mother Marie-Leonie”?