Lindy Boggs - Blessed Francis Xavier Seelos C.Ss.R.

National Shrine of
Blessed Francis
Xavier Seelos
In the Redemptorist Church
of Saint Mary’s Assumption
Volume LII
Number 9
919 Josephine Street
www.seelos.org
New Orleans, LA 70130
(504) 525-2495
Lindy Boggs
In one capacity or another,
I had enjoyed the privilege
of serving our nation
in the House of Representatives,
the greatest deliberative body
in the family of nations, for fifty years,
and I had been inspired to do so
and trained for the task
by [my husband] Hale,
who literally gave his life
to the institution.
In the doing he left a legacy
that Katie Louchheim proclaimed in the sensitive poem
she penned for his
Memorial Mass: . . .
‘[Y]ou’ve left us your grace,
your balm,
Trumpets to sound,
hosannas to raise,
Your heights to climb,
your purpose proclaim.’
1916 - 2013
— Lindy Boggs, in her memoir,
Washington Through a Purple Veil .
Poetry at Hale’s 1973 Memorial Mass
in St. Louis Cathedral would have
been apropos for his wife’s funeral
Mass in the same Cathedral
40 years later.
September 2013
I will not embarrass Lindy
by recounting her rich
and varied service
to the city of New Orleans
and the state of Louisiana
as well as to our country
and the world community.
For the moment, I wish only
to remind you of her term as
an ambassador of the U.S.A.
During her tenure in the
diplomatic corps before the
Holy See, Lindy was
renowned for her graciousness
and skillful diplomacy. . . .
Each one of us has been
personally commissioned
as an ambassador. On the
day of our baptism, our
head was anointed with
chrism as an outward sign
of our new identity. . . .
As Saint Paul says, ‘We are
ambassadors for Christ. . . .’
— — Most Rev. Joseph W. Tobin,
Superior General
of the Redemptorists,
Seelos Mass, New Orleans
October 7, 2001
b.
vo
ng
10thAnnual Seelos Gala Dinner
Annual Seelos Memorial Mass
Sunday, October 6, 2013
1:00 p.m.
St. Mary’s Assumption Church
(corner of Josephine & Constance)
Presider & Homilist:
Most Rev. Gregory M. Aymond, D.D.
Archbishop of New Orleans
One-on-one intercessory prayer
and veneration of Seelos relics
before and after Mass!
You
are
cordially
invited!
Honoring
Joyce Bourgeois
2013 Seelos Order of Witness Recipient
Sunday, October 13, 2013
Program 5:30 p.m. / Dinner 7:00 p.m.
Audubon Tea Room - 6500 Magazine Street
with Margaret Orr of WDSU 6 News
For Dinner Reservations or Sponsorships
Call 504-525-2495 or visit seelos.org by Oct. 7th
Seelos Gala features Silent & Live Auctions
& Door Prizes to benefit Seelos Shrine Ministry
Message from the Editor
“Dignity,” wrote Aristotle, “consists not in possessing
honors, but in the consciousness that we deserve them.”
The Honorable Lindy Boggs died in July at the age of 97.
Over the years, she possessed numerous accolades, titles, and honorary
degrees — all of them well-deserved. And while Lindy was no doubt conscious
of her self-worth, perhaps her greatest possession was a sensitized
conscience for those who deserved dignity, but were deprived of it.
Lindy wrote in her memoirs that her empathy with people whose rights
were denied probably began when she grew up on a Louisiana sugar plantation.
More boys than girls lived in the area and they ganged up on her as a
favored only child. Consequently, she always had to be the enemy: “I was
the British when we played Revolutionary War, the Yankee in the War
between the States, and an Indian in cowboys and Indians. I have often
wondered if these experiences made me sympathetic with people who are
the underdog.” (Describing the Yankee in the War between the States as
the “underdog” is, of course, a matter of perspective!)
Lindy also acknowledged a most valuable lesson that she learned from
her grandmother: Anyone can succeed at anything if they are willing to
give somebody else the credit for doing it. In other words, “It is always
the secure who are humble,” wrote G. K. Chesterton.
Lindy learned life’s lessons well. She combined an empathetic heart and
energetic determination with an appropriate sized ego and oversized charm.
As a nine-term congresswoman, she was an effective champion for equality;
as an ambassador to the Vatican, she was the consummate diplomat at the
time of Father Seelos’ beatification in Rome!
On April 9, 2000, the Church conferred on Seelos the honorary title
of Blessed for his many virtues: notably, for his tireless, empathetic
ministry to the most abandoned, and for his humility and endearing appeal.
A contemporary described an example of his effectiveness: “Hardly one in
a thousand can be compared with Father Seelos in his manner of directing
the members of his community. He did not govern or rule, but he attracted
a response. He did not command but asked rather for a willing service. He
did not have to fear that others would become too familiar with him, for
even his dignified, and yet so amiable, appearance forbad this. He could
be extremely self-effacing and yet was still always himself. He did not
need to scold; a simple remark effected more for him than the most severe
scolding for others. . . . He never held a grudge. What was past was forever
passed for him. He did not tell others the affairs of the members of his
community.” Because Seelos was such an exemplary Ambassador for Christ,
may the collective consciousness of the Church be sensitized to bestow on
him a final, most deserving title!
Byron Miller, C.Ss.R.
Year of Faith:
an invitation to prayer
The National Seelos Shrine is one of eight designated
Holy Sites in the New Orleans Archdiocese during this
special Year of Faith.
By papal decree of Pope Benedict XVI, a plenary
indulgence is granted to all during the Year of Faith who:
Sacristy Window, National
Shrine of the Immaculate
Conception, Washington, DC
• Spend time in personal prayer & meditation;
• Read & reflect on the Creed or on a Scripture passage;
• Conclude with the Our Father, a Profession of Faith, & a
prayer to the Bl. Mother for the intentions of the Pope.
• While here—or within three days before or after the
pilgrimage—receive Holy Communion & the Sacrament
of Penance (Confession).
Seelos Center Services

Pilgrimages to Seelos Shrine &
Museum. Call Center: 504-525-2495,
Open Mon-Fri, 9 to 3; Sat, 10 to 3:30.
 Daily Prayer Message 504-586-1803
 Blessings of the Sick with a Seelos
Crucifix in designated area hospitals:
East Jefferson
Gerry Heigle:
504-482-4404
Teresa LaCour: 504-887-0214
Ochsner (Kenner)
Linda DiMaggio:
504-287-8732
B. J. Chauvin:
504-427-5469
Ochsner (Jefferson)
Mark/Monica Surprenant 504-895-5371
Marie Giorlando
504-568-0522
Earl Moraga
504-428-5141
Uptown/Innercity
Dennis Waldron:
504-442-6336
Westbank
Elaine Freeman:
504-341-2213
Mary Grace Orsag:
504-367-7515
Abbeville/Erath/Lafayette
Boniface ‘Boni’ Suire: 337-937-5675
Alexandria
Deacon Bill /Joan Travis: 318-664-7069
Baton Rouge
Gloria Bacque: 225-753-3800
Covington
April Mayo:
985-892-1828
Denham Springs
Kathy Newcomb: 225-665-1924
Houma/Thibodaux
Dan Montz, L.P.C.:
985-446-1805
Lacombe/Abita Springs
Billy Bachemin: 985-288-7006
Lafayette/New Iberia/Morgan City
Fred Roy: 337-380-0646
Lake Charles
Lisa Verrette:
337-274-4810
LaPlace
Courtney Guidry:
985-653-1343
Mandeville
David Brumfield: 985-886-9235
Lisa & Eric Johnsen
985-276-4445
Mississippi
C. Carolla (Carriere): 601-916-4233
New Iberia/Abbeville/Jeanerette
Rachel Gonsoulin: 337-224-7855
Opelousas
Suzanne Pitre:
337-351-8489
Ponchatoula/Hammond
Gasper Corpora:
225-294-5938
Prairieville/Gonzales
M/M Claude Bourgeois 225-673-6688
Shreveport/Bossier City
Tom & Marjorie Rivers: 318-797-3116
Slidell
Mary Jo Stewart:
985-502-9033
Lisa & Eric Johnsen
985-276-4445
St. Bernard/Arabi
Patricia Noote: 504-756-4163
Seelos Center Devotionals
“ Thank you for your hospitality during our visit to the Seelos
Center earlier this month. The Shrine visit was absolutely the
Seelos Prayer Cards with popular highlight of our New Orleans trip! The Seelos Welcome Center is
images of Bl. Francis Seelos, prayer, so impressive & beautiful. What a wonderful sanctuary you have
made for our beloved friend, Bl. Seelos. How powerful to kneel
& biographical information. Assort- & pray by the reliquary that holds his remains!” —Pittsburgh, PA
ment of 100 total in 4 styles as depicted.
(Donation: $13.50, incl.p/h)
Seelos:
Seelos Oil in new exclusive 1 oz.
size bottle to be used when praying
over people for healing; to bless
family members, homes, or objects.
(Donation: $9 incl. p/h)
Seelos 3-D Wodcut Plaque: Measures 4”x6”. Comes in clear acetate
box. Made in Italy. (Donation: $15,
incl. p/h)
St. Mary’s Assumption High Altar
3-D Woodcut Plaque: Measures
4”x6”. Comes in clear acetate box.
Made in Italy. (Donation: $15, incl. p/h)
The Way of the Cross with Bl.
Seelos: Deluxe 40-page pamphlet
with meditations alongside exquisite
color reproductions of the 14 Stations
(Donation: $5, incl. p/h)
Seelos Shrine All Occasion Card:
A deluxe remembrance card for any
special occasion. (Donation: $12,
contact Seelos Ctr. for information)
Catholic Shrines of New Orleans
DVD: Come & discover why Fr.
Seelos was so happy to call New
Orleans home! 58-minute DVD, a
Focus TV production (Donation: $20
- incl. p/h)
Praying the Rosary with Saint
Alphonsus 2-CD Set: First Rosary
CD to feature the music of a saint.
(Donation: $23 for 2 CDs - incl. p/h)
A Life of Blessed Francis Xavier
Seelos, 108-page paperback biography, illustrated. (Donation: $12
- includes p/h)
 A Seelos Vigil Candle will burn near his
sacred resting place in Seelos Shrine, New
Orleans, for an offering of $3.
 Seelos
2nd & 3rd-Class Relics/ Seelos
Pamphlets & Prayer Cards also in Spanish
& Vietnamese. Call Seelos Center, 504-5252495 or 2499.
Please allow up to 2 weeks for delivery.
Doctor of Souls
Meet
our staff
John &
Lois Kuchler
Lois began as an occasional
volunteer at the Seelos
Center in 1982; by 1990, she
had become a regular.
Her husband, John, joined her
in 2003. Lois is coordinator
of the dedicated volunteers
across the country who make
3rd class Seelos relics;
she’s also faithful to sacristy
functions at the Seelos
Welcome Center chapel.
John’s bookkeeping services
and managerial background
are gifts that he primarily
offers to the Cause.
Between them both, over 40
years are given to the Seelos
ministry! Well done, good and
faithful servants!
Wood engraved
Seelos items
• 1” pendant
• 5” bookmark with
color image
• 2-sided keyring
• 2” x 2.5” magnet
All 4 items:
$25 (incl. p/h)
front
back
“My wife and I live in Escondido, CA
(near San Diego). We visited the Father
Seelos Shrine this past May and we are
still inspired by his life and story. Last
night we attended Casey Groves’ one
man play on the life of Father Seelos.
It was held at Immaculate Heart of
Mary Church in Ramona. It was very well
attended and we drove 25 miles just to
attend. And finally I want to tell you
that everyone was impressed with the
wonderful performance. Casey Groves
is certainly a talented actor who really
brings Father Seelos to life.”
See Blessed Seelos “come to
life” in this dynamic 90-minute
performance by Casey Groves
as he alternates between
the accents and demeanor of
over two dozen characters!
“I saw the one man, one act play on Father
Seelos at my parish (Most Holy Trinity,
Covington LA) and I knew I just had to
visit the Shrine. Last week, my husband
& I had the pleasure of doing just that.
I loved everything about the Shrine:
the video, the walk-through exhibit,
the welcome area and the gift shop.
The Shrine itself was impressive and
the church was so conducive to prayer.”
Performances already in Alabama,
California, Connecticut,
Louisiana, Maryland, Mississippi,
New Jersey, New York,
& Pennsylvania!
Please contact Casey directly:
[email protected]
or 917-969-8698
for a Seelos
performance
in your local
parish, school
or community
theater.
https://
caseygroves.
com/
frseelos/
Last week, a friend and colleague (a nurse
at our hospital) in her 60s unexpectedly
had to undergo open heart surgery—a
6-way coronary bypass and 2 valve
replacements. After nearly 12 hours in
the OR, she was extubated the night after
surgery. When sepsis and pneumonia
suddenly overwhelmed her, she was
quickly put on ventilatory life support,
but then experienced renal failure. The
prognosis was grim. I was reading a
book titled, Apparitions of Modern Saints,
by Patricia Treece. It contains a chapter
regarding Fr. Seelos and his intercession
for the sick. I was inspired to pray to Fr.
Seelos in the company of our Bl. Mother to
save my friend’s life and, if that were not
God’s Holy Will, to please save her soul.
After only one day of incessantly asking Fr.
Seelos to intercede for her, she was full of
spunk and off the ventilator and almost all
drips! She now has another chance at life!
somers, ny
Bl. Seelos has been a special friend of
our family and has interceded for us over
the years. I had heard about him on
EWTN after learning that my Mom had
borderline 4th stage ovarian cancer. My
faith and hope was renewed as I told my
Mom and family about Fr. Seelos, and we
began to pray to him for a miracle. After
aggressive surgery and several rounds
of chemotherapy, the doctors thought my
Mom might live another 3 years. Thanks to
Fr. Seelos’ intercession my Mom lived for
another 11 years. She passed away this
year. We are grateful to Fr. Seelos for the
gift of time that we enjoyed with her, and we
pray for his canonization to sainthood.
TESTIMONIALS
prairie du chien, wi
I have been praying to Bl. Seelos since my
visit to his shrine in 2008. Last month, my
brother found out that he had cancer of
the kidney and a spot on his lung. It is an
aggressive cancer that spreads to the lung,
bone, and brain. Our mother died from it.
I requested that candles be lit in the shrine
and I prayed to Bl. Seelos that my brother
would not have chemo or radiation. He
had his kidney removed in July and they
got all of the cancer. No chemo required.
I thank Bl. Seelos for this and I have made
him known to my entire family.
lafayette, la
My 68-year-old father had atypical chest
pains. In two separate surgeries, stents
were inserted to alleviate the blockages at
99% and 75%. Before both surgeries, my
father was prayed over with a Seelos relic.
Both times he said that the relic became
warm and he felt a warm sensation over his
heart. My dad went home the next day after
the procedures and returned to work within
a week. The cardiovascular surgeon is still
amazed at how long my father was able to
function on a daily basis with the blockages
before the surgery. I firmly believe that
through Fr. Seelos’ prayers, my father is
Seelos Center News
orange county, ca
A monthly newsletter for friends of
BL. FRANCIS X. SEELOS
Denver Provincial Superior:
Very Rev. Harry Grile, C.Ss.R.
Seelos Center Executive Director / Editor:
Rev. Byron Miller, C.Ss.R.
Seelos Center Administrator: Joyce Bourgeois
Nick Punch, Maureen Vicknair
Vice-Postulators: Frs. John Vargas & Byron Miller
Seelos Center News (USPS 4472) published monthly
by the Redemptorists / National Shrine of Bl. F.X. Seelos
Subscription is $12 per year.
still with us today. Not only is Fr. Seelos
known to my family, he is near to our
hearts, literally and physically speaking.
gretna, la
In March 2012, I discovered a lump in my
breast while showering. I saw my doctor
the next morning and he recommended an
immediate ultrasound & mammogram. Not
once did I have fear, anxiety or depression.
When the doctor called to confirm that I had
breast cancer and advised a mastectomy,
I told him I had felt all along that it was
cancer and that I had already put it in God’s
hands. On Holy Thursday, my Bl. Seelos
relic was taped to my arm for the surgery. I
prayed for the radiologist before he started
the nuclear injections. He said he could
ease the discomfort topically but not inside.
I imagined Jesus in Gethsemane, “Father,
let this cup pass—not my will but Yours.”
I deserved whatever discomfort I had to
undergo, but Jesus did not. So, I asked
God to give me the grace to endure any pain
& the grace to walk the walk; not just talk
the talk. I prayed for the anesthesia team
& for my doctor. When I awoke in recovery,
I felt an indescribable joy and spiritual
high that I had never felt before. I stayed
overnight in the hospital and the nurse
could not believe I didn’t need anything
for pain. I was discharged on Good Friday
morning. I went to 3:00 p.m. service at
St. Mary’s Church & Easter Mass. I had
5 hours of chemo every 3 weeks, then 4
every 3 weeks. I will be reevaluated in the
fall to know where we go from here. This
is not a testimony of healing, but of faith.
When things appeared out of control, I tried
to totally abandon myself and surrender
to God’s Holy Will and trust in His care.
PLEASE VISIT SEELOS.ORG as we celebrate 350,000 hits!
Dear Father Byron: In my own way, I want to support the cause
of Blessed Francis Seelos in gratitude for Graces Received &
Prayers Answered. $_________ to be used for:
 the ministry & maintenance at the National Seelos Shrine.
 my 1-year newsletter subscription renewal ($12)
Make a Self-Guided Retreat with Bl. Seelos: All 6 for $15, incl. p/h
 other item(s) designated below:
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