On Memorial of “Apostle of Mauritius” Blessed Jacques Laval, Catholic Bishop Calls for Rekindling of Hope

On September 9, tens of thousands of pilgrims of different faiths participate in the annual pilgrimage to the tomb of Blessed Laval at the Shrine in Sainte-Croix, Mauritius’ most important religious site.

It is the anniversary of the passing on of the Spiritan Priest venerated in Mauritius for his dedicated service to the poor, the ill, and the formerly enslaved. His shrine is a central point for spiritual reflection and intercession.

In his September 8 homily, Bishop Durhône reminded pilgrims that Blessed Laval’s mission was rooted in communion, unity, and empowerment of the poor.

“When Father Laval listens to a former slave, he makes him feel confident. You learn to organize yourself to get out of misery. Father Laval visits the sick, the prisoners, prepares families for sacraments, trains Catechists, and raises lay leaders,” he said.

Linking the pilgrimage to the Jubilee of the Poor, Bishop Durhône urged the Church in Mauritius to listen to the cries of today’s suffering families.

More in Africa

Catholic Sisters Facilitating Trauma Healing for Thousands Displaced by Jihadists in Northern Mozambique

Read the article

“The Church must stand close to parents suffering because of drugs, to prisoners seeking reintegration, and to young people searching for meaning,” he said.

The Catholic Church leader continued, “Sometimes, children under the influence of drugs kill their parents or rape their parents. The house must give hope to parents who suffer. Courage to mothers, fathers, families, who do not give up and continue to fight to raise children in this suffering.”

“The Jubilee must be the occasion of an impulse with renewed passion. Let’s take care of the young, the students, the engaged, the young generations. They are the joy and hope of the Church and the world,” Bishop Durhône said.

The Catholic Bishop further emphasized that education remains a foundation for hope in the country’s future.

“Hope for our country is in the education of our children. The Church wants to collaborate with the State and educators to ensure that Mauritian children can read and write when they finish grade 6. We must abolish automatic promotion at the end of grade 4. Our children are the real treasure of the nation, more precious than stones or natural resources,” he said.

Bishop Durhône expressed hope that Blessed Laval, already venerated as the patron saint of Mauritius and the Indian Ocean, might one day be canonized by the universal Church.

“In the Diocese of Port-Louis, we will soon launch the process for the canonization of Blessed Laval. We believe that Blessed Laval is already a saint for our region, but we hope one day he will also be a saint for the universal Church,” the Catholic Bishop said.

Born in France in September 1803, Blessed Laval abandoned his career as a medical doctor and dedicated his life to serve the ill and the poor people in Mauritius as a missionary from 1841 to the time of his death on 9 September 1864.

He was beatified on 29 April 1979, becoming the first Frenchman to be beatified by Pope St. John Paul II and the first Spiritan to be proclaimed as Blessed.