The event was also deeply Lasallian significance, and that Brother Denis, the then Vicar General of the Institute, proclaimed in 1955 to Santa Maria de la Estrella "Queen Mother of the Christian Schools' . From then, the Lasallian have welcomed this title affection among family treasures, extending his devotion to all corners of the world. As I stated eloquently the presence in the various events of seventy brothers, the Superior General and the Visitors of France in the lead. But what ties together the Virgen de la Estrella in La Salle? A MEDIEVAL LEGEND
The history of the Abbey of Our Lady of the Star is lost in the mists of medieval traditions. Legend has it that two hermits in the Alps decided one day leave in search of new lands where they devote themselves to God. I take the long march to the northwest of France, a beautiful shores of the Atlantic. exhausted, waiting to find way to travel across the ocean, they decided to rest there: one in an abandoned boat, his partner, Roger called directly on the sand.
the middle of the night a violent storm arose that dragged the boat out to sea, with the hermit stayed inside. They say they reached British shores, where, over time, the unwitting sailor would be appointed bishop.
Roger, overwhelmed by loss Your friend, she with more intensity than ever to prayer and hardship until the Lord revealed his will: he wanted me to stay in Norman land and build a church for Him Somewhat perplexed, Roger continued her penance-ing, hoping to find more light in their anxieties. A dream was going to fade completely: the key was to look into a star. Suddenly awakened, was, in effect, a star fall from heaven and set fire to some bushes.
did not think twice, at the same site set up his hut and began to build a modest chapel in honor of Mary. Locals and some pilgrims threw a hand.
The Roger reputation for holiness grew, so many people joined them eager to take advantage of his wisdom until, with the generous support of the Duke of Normandy, William the Conqueror, a beautiful abbey terms emerge in the place: Santa Maria de Monteburgo. Historical documents speak of it since 1051, being the first abbey church consecrated in 1152.
The twelfth and thirteenth centuries are, without doubt, the moments of glory Monteburgo. Then, various wars destroyed and plundered on several occasions most of its units while monastic observance was sliding down the slopes of decline. The nail would come to give it the French Revolution, which literally reduced to ruins of the monastery.
THE BROTHERS OF MERCY MONTEBURGO
Monteburgo The rebuilding has much to do with the adventures of a holy apostolic Norman: Santa Maria Magdalena Postel. In 1807, completed the sordid revolucionrio period, this lady devout women founded a congregation dedicated to the education of rural girls. Having known the Lasallian youth, holy is the best rule to guide their faith in the ways of holiness in school is that of La Salle, and so says so explicitly. Will decide by something called "Sisters of the Christian Schools of Mercy," which now extend into two branches, fourteen countries worldwide.
At first, these sisters are grouped around the ruins of a medieval abbey neighboring Monteburgo-Saint-Sauveur-le-Vicomte, whose reconstruction adopted as congregational commitment.
Following closely the model of Santa Maria Magdalena, Father Delamare, which eventually became Bishop of Lucon, decided to found a congregation similar to that of the saint, but for men. Will the Brothers of the Christian Schools of Mercy, born in 1842 and were to encourage thirty schools in rural Normandy. Like the sisters, the disciples of Monsignor Delamare bought the ruins of an ancient abbey to ensure, as a congregation, to remake it. Elect of Monteburgo, although until the end of the century will not be able to promote the project effectively.
The first decision that this commission will adopt the famous workshops of the Lasallian school in Saint-Luc in Tournai (Belgium), the design of a new sculpture of the Virgin, because the former is dire. The new image Monteburgo reached in 1892, to call her Our Lady of the Star, as a tribute to the medieval legend that associates to those places. It is the same size as in 1960 would be formally crowned and that even today, is revered in the sanctuary. Six years after the arrival of the Virgin can be opened and the church whose walls are completely redone and their vaults nearly half completed. Enthusiasm and no funds were missing, but the deck of the story was about to strike again ...
STAR LASALLIAN
This time it was the secular laws of 1904, prohibiting the presence of religion in French schools. Expelled from their schools, the Brothers of Mercy go to Belgium and try to implant there, waiting times more favorable in their land.
These arrived in 1922, after the First World War. The Brothers of Mercy Monteburgo back then. Are already very few have aged her own, but have the guts to continue with the works of restoration of the abbey, whose church manage to cover completely.
vocations, however, are hard to get and therefore, the last of the Christian Brothers of Mercy was forced to make costly decisions. So, apply for admission to the Institute of La Salle, accepting the pain that venerable institution disappears, just as he is about to celebrate a century of existence. The year was 1936.
is still one last adversity: the landing of Normandy, which takes place a few kilometers from Monteburgo and further reduced his church to ruins. Worse was, however, the disappearance of Brother director of the community, destroyed in the fields of school when he stepped on a mine, the same day in 1944 when, after the heavy bombardment suffered seemed that, finally, peace was installed definitely in those places.
again be rebuilt abbey church, he could be consecrated again in 1951, in the presence of the last two former Brothers of Mercy, who carried the habit and Lasallian.
Upon arrival Monteburgo effective, the Christian Brothers established a school farm there with his internship, connecting well with a rich French Lasallian tradition. Parentheses after the tragic World War I return to school with their strength and development activities greatly.
In 1986, beset by shortages of staff, the community had to leave Monteburgo Brothers. Since then, the center has been animated by lay enthusiasts who keep ward Lasallian. The farm and the boarding school continue, although less buoyant than in other seasons. We also operate two schools: one elementary school and a training adult farm.
Our Lady Star of the continuous, since, in his way, blessing from Monteburgo apostolic commitment of so many Lasallian engaged, everywhere, to bring the Gospel to the world of children and youth in need. Invocation
Lasallian Queen, Mother of the Christian Schools. Pray for us.
Text from ARLEP Magazine, No. 249, pp. 24-26. Text Josean
Villalabeitia
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