At our Roots N. 8

In 1863, Father Debrabant embarked on a momentous journey to Italy, bound for Rome and an audience with the Holy Father at the Vatican, and then onward to Loreto on pilgrimage. The route took him across the treacherous Apennine mountain chain, where he faced "the long and dangerous journey over the mountains in the snow, to visit our Lady of Loreto there." Upon his return, he wrote to the Sisters:

“You have heard already of my safe return from my wonderful pilgrimage to Rome and Loreto, but I am sure you are looking forward to a letter from me, and indeed it is a pleasure for me to write it; you all have prayed so hard for me during my long and difficult journey. (…)

(…) during the  precious three days of prayer I spent at Loreto in the holy house of the Virgin Mary, I prayed very specially for you; also, when I knelt on the spot where (it is believed) Mary knelt when she received the visit of the Angel Gabriel; I said with deep emotion, a Hail Mary for you. I had the happiness of celebrating Mass transported from Nazareth with the holy house and on both occasions I commended you to the care of Jesus, Mary and Joseph.

You know the house of Nazareth is mentioned in your Rule, this same house where Joachim and Anne lived with Our Lord, the Blessed Virgin Mary and St. Joseph. There, Our Lady conceived without sin, was born; there the Holy Family lived and practiced all the virtues most perfectly. Yes! in that same house I prayed and offered the holy Sacrifice of  mass for you. No doubt you thought that I would have been contented with a pilgrimage to the Holy City of Rome and an interview with the Holy Father about the affairs of the Congregation. But no! I wanted more than that. 

I felt there was something more I must do as your loving father, I must make a further pilgrimage and face the long and dangerous journey over the mountains in the snow, to visit Our Lady of Loreto there. I have told you something about that already enough to help you to feel something in your hearts, something of that experience.

May the spirit of Charity reign among you all, in all your houses, as it did in the house of the Holy Family of Nazareth. I want you to understand clearly, the necessity for this love without which there is no salvation'. It is by Charity that we shall be able to work wonders in the sacred mission which has been entrusted to us. But humility must be foundation on which we build, and regularity its firm support. Take this thought well to heart, my dear children; impress it deeply on your memory, so that it inspires all your actions".

Excerpts from the Circular letter of Fr. Debrabant, December 1863