December - Blessed Francis Xavier Seelos

National Shrine of
Blessed Francis
Xavier Seelos
In the Redemptorist Church
of Saint Mary’s Assumption
Volume LI
Number 12
919 Josephine Street
New Orleans, LA 70130
www.seelos.org
(504) 525-2495
December 2012
ejoice!
The love of God
born in a manger
is born in our hearts
ever anew!
“Every song
is transfigured;
every tear is dried;
every sorrow is sweetened;
every cross has disappeared,
and the place of rest
has been found.”
—Fr. Seelos, Easter Sermon,
Cumberland, Md
FOR LEASE NAVIDAD: Borrowed Properties Give New Lease on Life!
Along the border in south Texas, I once tried a taco de lingua for the first
time. However, after taking a few bites of this cow’s tongue wrapped in a
flour tortilla, I thought to myself: “I can’t eat anything that comes directly
out of the mouths of animals.” So, I ordered a couple of eggs instead.
Early Christians gave new meaning to the Roman proverb Omne vivum ex
ovo, “All life comes from an egg.” A hatching chick represented the risen
Christ emerging from the shell of a tomb on Easter morning. In 1610, a
prayer by Pope Paul V blessed the egg, “that it may become a wholesome
sustenance to Thy faithful servants, eating in thankfulness to Thee, on
account of the Resurrection of Our Lord.” Eggs prohibited during the
Lenten fast were then reintroduced at the Easter meal and also shared
as decorated gifts.
In short order, the Easter Resurrection is Christmas, sunny-side up!
When one is celebrated, so is the other! The infant Jesus is wrapped in
swaddling clothes and laid in a borrowed manger just as the body of the
crucified Christ is wrapped in cloth and laid in a borrowed tomb. The wood
of the manger and the wood of the cross are from the same Tree of Life
to form the quintessential “womb to the tomb” theology:
The Virgin today brings into the world the Eternal
And the earth offers a cave to the Inaccessible.
The angels and shepherds praise him
And the magi advance with the star,
For you are born for us,
Little Child, God eternal!
( Kontakion of Romanos the Melodist, CCC #525)
Such a seemingly modest beginning is best viewed by the magnitude of
its end. According to Saint John the Evangelist, “In the beginning was
the Word . . . and the Word became flesh.” This is not simply a matter of
what came first—the figurative chicken or the egg—as it is a fulfillment
of God’s Promise from the beginning of time to the end of eternity!
Byron Miller, C.Ss.R.
“On the great festivals his sentiments were in harmony with
the spirit of the Church; for example, at Christmas he was
filled with an innocent childlike joy, he was wholly taken
up with the Divine Babe; at Passion-tide, he sympathized
with Our Lord in His sufferings, and at Easter, he was lighthearted and radiant at the thought of his risen Saviour.”
—Visitation Sr. Mary Sebastian McKenna on Father Seelos
In the current book My Sisters,
the Saints,(Image Books,
2012), author Colleen Carroll
Campbell writes how she
and her husband wandered
into Saint Mary’s Assumption
Church: “We stepped into the
grand old church and learned
from a woman there about its most famous
pastor, a nineteenth-century priest named
Blessed Francis Xavier Seelos, who had
died after contracting yellow fever from
the victims he served. When she handed
us his crucifix and urged us to pray with it,
we settled into a pew together to figure out
what we wanted to ask of God.”
As you review your yearend plans, please consider
our canonization cause &
ministry at the National
Shrine of Bl. Francis Xavier Seelos
(Fed. Tax ID #72-0576253). Federal
tax laws & those of many states
make it possible to bypass income,
gift, & estate taxes on funds you
donate for charitable purposes.
This can result in a lower tax bill
while you gain the satisfaction of
supporting causes in which you
believe. Most Americans make
charitable gifts in December.
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
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
Elmo & Gwen Miller:
504-362-2674
Mary Grace Orsag:
504-367-7515
Abbeville/Erath/Lafayette
Boniface ‘Boni’ Suire: 337-937-5675
Baton Rouge
Gloria Bacque: 225-753-3800
Covington
Dr. Ann Logarbo:
985-886-0218
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
MS Gulf Coast
Janice Coari:
228-206-0535
Gail Garay (Pearl River)985-863-7562
New Iberia/Abbeville/Jeanerette
Rachel Gonsoulin: 337-224-7855
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
Carmelie Mancuso: 985-502-7325
Mary Jo Stewart:
985-502-9033
St. Bernard/Arabi
Patricia Noote: 504-756-4163
Seelos Center Devotionals
Cheerful Ascetic, 480-pg.hardbound biography by Fr. M.Curley that
captures Seelos’ piety & personality;
index/photos (Donation: $30, incl.p/h)
.999 Fine Silver Seelos Medal
Round, 3/4” dia., with loop; brushed
image with polished reverse & edge.
Marked with .999 FS on reverse top.
(Donation: $59 - includes p/h).
Willy Finds Victory: A Blessed
Francis Seelos Story, Introduce
youth, ages 7-12, to Fr. Seelos in this
110-page illustrated book by Joan
Stromberg (Donation: $13, incl. p/h)
Statue of Bl. Seelos, Roman Inc.
exclusive 8-1/4” hand-painted finish,
fine detail, resin-stone mix. (Donation: $38 - includes p/h)
JOYCE BOURGEOIS, MARSHALL SMITH,
JULIA CALLAHAN
The highlight of the 9th Annual Seelos
Gala on October 14th was recognizing
J U L I A C A L L A H A N as the 2012
Inductee into “The Order of Seelos
Witness” for her many decades of
volunteer service to the Seelos Cause!
GALA EVENT COORDINATORS:
Anne Batt, Diana Maher,
Kay Kenney, Gloria Bacque,
Jane Fountain & Nick Punch
HILAIRE & ETHEL LANAUX
NEW ORLEANS, LA
JOSEPH & LINDA PAPPALARDO
NEW ORLEANS, LA
DAVID & GLORIA BACQUE
BATON ROUGE, LA
ACADIANA SHELL & LIMESTONE, INC.
NEW ORLEANS, LA
DR. ROBERT & JOANNE MARIER
NEW ORLEANS, LA
DISHMAN & BENNETT SPECIALTY CO.
GERALD DISHMAN, SR., HOUMA, LA
DAVID & GLORIA BACQUE,
BILL COSKREY
ELIO’S WINE WAREHOUSE
ELIO TODARO, NEW ORLEANS, LA
DR. A.J. & MARIE GIORLANDO
NEW ORLEANS, LA
JOSEPH & PAULA MELANCON
BATON ROUGE, LA
FRANK’S CASING CREW
LEONARD CASTILLE, LAFAYETTE, LA
PIONEER ENERGY SERVICES
CO-M.C. MARGARET ORR OF
WDSU-CHANNEL 6
TODD DAUPHINET, NEW IBERIA, LA
DOUG & CLAIRE ASHY, SR.
LAFAYETTE, LA
BROTHERS OILFIELD SERVICE/SUPPLY
MIKE MONCLA, LAFAYETTE, LA
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)
 A Seelos Vigil Candle will burn near his
MARSHALL SMITH, HOUSTON, TX
FRIENDS OF BLESSED SEELOS
Seelos, Tireless Intercessor, a
68-min. documentary on Seelos’
miraculous life; seen on EWTN.
(Donation: $25 for DVD - incl. p/h)
Seelos Hematite Rosary, round
rosary beads & silver-colored cross
with Bl. Seelos image as the divider
medal. (Donation: $26 - incl.p/h)
NORTHWIND ENERGY PARTNERS, LLC
ROY YOUNG, JR., ABBEVILLE, LA
Seelos Scapular: B&W images of
Bl. Seelos & Mother of Perpetual
Help, each measuring approx. 3/4”
on cord necklace. Made in Brazil.
(Donation: $11 - includes p/h)
Seelos Healing Card: a deluxe
remembrance card for someone
in need of healing. (Donation: $12,
contact Seelos Ctr. for enrollment)
2012 SEELOS GALA SPONSORS
JOEL & SYBIL DEVILLE
NEW ROADS, LA
DR. ANNA MARIA POU, M.D.
NEW ORLEANS, LA
KAY & ROBERT KENNEY
sacred resting place in Seelos Shrine, New
Orleans, for an offering of $4.
 Seelos
2nd & 3rd-Class Relics/ Seelos
Pamphlets & Prayer Cards in English,
Spanish, Vietnamese. Call Seelos Center,
504-525-2495 or 2499.
Please allow up to 2 weeks for delivery.
ANNE & DAVID BATT, FAYE BATT, EARL MORAGA
My husband and I first “met” Bl. Seelos in
Annapolis, when we visited our daughters’
parish, St. Mary’s. There is a statue of him
on a bench in the church garden and we
asked him to intercede for my husband who
was diagnosed with prostate cancer. After
a seeding procedure, my husband has been
fine. I’ve had back surgery and continue to
grow stronger each day. We now have a
Bl. Seelos relic and pray our rosary and a
prayer for his healing intercession each day.
Last week our one-week-old grandson had
to have emergency surgery. Our relic went
with us to VA. He is doing fine now. Maybe
these don’t qualify as instant miracles, but
they are to us. We have a special devotion
and a special relationship with Bl. Seelos.
mandeville, la
In 2011 my son had a successful heart valve
replacement. I had worn a Seelos secondclass relic by my heart during the operation
and for many weeks after. The doctor came
out of the operation room with the removed
valve in a jar and said that it was the second
worst valve he had ever seen. My son
received a cow’s valve and was back to
work in weeks. He truly feels better than
he ever did before. I will continue to say,
“Thank you, Jesus and Bl. Father Seelos.”
boutte, la
I was scheduled in June 2011 to have knee
surgery because of an infection in my bone.
The doctor told me that I had to have a knee
replacement removed and left out for three
months. I went home with an IV antibiotic.
I prayed to Bl. Seelos and placed his relic
on my knee every day. After doing all my
pre-op before the scheduled surgery, the
TESTIMONIALS
doctor informed me that I did not have
any more infection in my knee and did not
need the surgery. Thank you, Bl. Seelos,
for prayers answered.
essex junction, vt
I brought my 2nd class Father Seelos
relic with me to oral surgery as there was
concern on removing a tooth with a break in
it. Jesus heard my prayers through Father
Seelos’ intercession. I am very grateful that
all went so well.
metairie, la
In May my husband was diagnosed with
colon cancer. He had a suspicious spot
on his liver and needed immediate surgery.
We prayed intensely to Bl. Seelos using
one of his relics and the Seelos oil. The
cancer was Stage I with no chemo or
radiation needed. The liver spot was only
a harmless blood vessel. Our beloved Bl.
Seelos truly answered our prayers.
kingston, ny
A painful bone fracture in my foot needed
surgery. My prayer to Bl. Seelos was
answered. The pain disappeared and the
doctor said, “no surgery.” Thank you, Bl.
Francis Seelos.
Seelos Center News
pittsburgh, pa
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 Administrators: Joyce Bourgeois,
Jackie Milan, Nick Punch
Vice-Postulators: Frs. John Vargas & Byron Miller
baton rouge, la
In March I watched the Focus program,
“Catholic Shrines of New Orleans” on my
local Catholic channel and I would like
to say how much I enjoyed it and all the
information given on the local shrines.
We visited the Seelos Shrine in 2011 and
I can’t tell you how much I got from that
visit. I have been praying to Fr. Seelos for
a personal healing, and for other family
members with health problems. He really
has given me peace and spiritual guidance.
When I was at the eye doctor a week ago,
I reached in my shirt pocket for the eye
drops, where I also had my Seelos relic
prayer card. When the doctor saw the card,
he said, “Oh, I see you’re familiar with Fr.
Seelos.” I told him that I had been praying
to Fr. Seelos for a correct diagnosis.
What a connection I had with that doctor!
Thanks for all you do for the church.
Special Healing Mass
with Sacrament of Anointing
to Commemorate the
Birthday of Father Seelos
SUNDAY, January 13, 2013
1:00 p.m.
St. Mary’s Assumption Church
Corner of Josephine & Constance
New Orleans
Seelos Center News (USPS 4472) published monthly
by the Redemptorists / National Shrine of Bl. F.X. Seelos
Subscription is $12 per year.
PLEASE VISIT WWW.SEELOS.ORG FOR LATEST SEELOS BOOK TITLES in KINDLE format!
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:
 Delete me from your mailing list.
 Delete multiple mailings to
this address.
 these prayer intentions at the Shrine & at weekly Mass for
Seelos Benefactors:
Please make donations payable to “National Shrine of Blessed Francis Seelos”.
Contributions to the Seelos Shrine are income tax deductible, less items purchased.
 Send electronic newsletter
to e-mail address below:
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