If you were to ask me what has attracted and drawn me to the priesthood and the Religious Life, I would have to say: the example and encouragement of my parents and schoolteachers, the Dominican Sisters and the Christian Brothers.
As an altar boy, I got to know and respect these priests as joyful men of God. Of course, our daily evening family Rosary kept me close to Jesus and His Mother Mary.
When I left home, at the age of thirteen, to pursue my preparatory studies with the Montfort Missionaries, here in Bay Shore, N.Y., I never dreamed that I was being called to a very special Community of Priests and Brothers whose founder, St. Louis Marie de Montfort, had deeded to them a spiritual treasure, a "Secret of Sanctity" which our own John Paul II labels a perfect form of "Marian Spirituality."
Ordained a priest on Feb. 28, 1942, in Notre Dame Cathedral, Ottawa, ON. Canada, I celebrated my First Mass in the Montfort parish church, Our Lady of Lourdes. After 7 years of teaching and formation of our Montfortian candidates, I was assigned by my superiors to found a Montfort marian magazine, QUEEN of All Hearts. The first issue appeared in May 1950, with a beautiful foreword by our Superior General, Father A. Josselin, S.M.M. Permit me to quote a few lines from that fatherly encouragement.
"According to the plan which you have traced out, your magazine is destined to serve its readers food that is substantial, abundant and delightfully prepared. It is our hope that you will reach very many readers. May you contribute-along with the other Montfortian Publications to foster the Reign of Mary over all hearts, that in your great and beautiful country, the faithful disciples and imitators of Jesus Christ may ever increase in numbers. "
Elected Superior of our American Province, in 1961, I was privileged to visit some of our missions in the Far East, Africa and Haiti. It opened my eyes to the problems and heroism of our men in the mission fields and to the plight of the world's poor. Was it Bishop Fulton Sheen that once said: "two thirds of the world goes to bed hungry every night"? You can believe it!
At the end of my 6 years as Provincial Superior, in 1967, I was granted a year's "sabbatical," during which I joined our preaching Mission Team and preached parish Missions. That was a great experience for me! Then, in January of 1969, I was re-assigned to the QUEEN and Montfort Publications
Like every priest, I was favored with meeting and working with many wonderful and saintly people. The men in my own Religious Community have always been a great support and inspiration to me. My Religious vows have definitely protected and guided me all the way.
As for the lay people with whom I have worked and who have encouraged me along the way, it would be impossible to enumerate them all and their influences in my priestly life and ministry
Through my work in the QUEEN and Publications, I have been privileged to meet and correspond with Frank Duff, the founder of the Worldwide Apostolate of the Legion of Mary, whose cause for beatification is being considered by the Church. The same can be said of Catherine de Hueck Doherty, foundress of Madonna House Lay Apostolate in Combermere, Ontario. Catherine and her husband, Eddie Doherty, were on the Queen's "Contributing Editors" list for at least 16 years. Like Frank Duff, Catherine may now be invoked as "Servant of God."
One of the highlights of my priesthood was the privilege obtained for me, in 1992, by my Superior General, Fr. Gerard Lemire, to concelebrate Mass with Pope John Paul II in his private chapel, in Castel Gandolfo. To be honest with you, John Paul II has been my spiritual mentor who has inspired me from the very beginning of his pontificate, by his admiration for our founder, St. Louis Marie de Montfort, from whom he has adopted his papal motto: Totus Tuus.
Dear reader, should you know any young man attracted to the Religious Life and Priesthood, please send him to me. From my 60 years of experience, I'll tell him what a rewarding life it is! Fr. Roger Charest
631-665-0726
