How this website came about
My name is Glenn Dallaire and I live in Bristol, CT, USA. I am happily married to my beloved wife and friend, Brenda, and together we have six wonderful children, thanks be to God. I have been working in the Computer IT Tech Support field since 1994. I love the Catholic Church and the holy faith of our Fathers very deeply. However, this was not always the case.
Although I was raised a Catholic, by age 16 I stopped going to Mass, and I had very little interest in God, the Catholic faith or even spirituality in general. This religious indifference continued throughout my teenage years and into my early twenties. Then, thanks be to God for His mercy and kindness, I met my wife-to-be, and through her holy and faithful example, God enkindled in me a desire to know Him. I began reading the life of a certain mystic (I will not mention her name, because she is still living as of this writing) and I was immediately enraptured by her extraordinary faith, and the remarkable graces that God gave to her. Through the reading of the life of this mystic, faith in God was awakened in me; I had a deep longing for God for the first time in my life. I was 28 years old.
Inspired and edified by her exceptional love for God, I continued reading the lives of other Mystics of the Church, including the life of the remarkable mystic, St Gemma Galgani, whose fervent love for God has deeply inspired me. So, I decided to put my computer skills to work for the love of God, and over the course of over a year I created a website devoted to St Gemma, located here: http://www.stgemmagalgani.com/. Since I first read her remarkable Autobiography back in the year 2000, Saint Gemma has always been my favorite Saint. Her heart was all on fire with the love of God and anyone who reads her autobiography, diary or letters will be completely moved by her fervent devotion to God.
Next, I created a second website devoted to another extraordinary mystic, the founder of the Passionists, St Paul of the Cross. Since then I have also created websites devoted to the Miracles of the Church and the Miracles of the Saints.
Since coming back to the Catholic faith in 1996, I have read the lives of many Mystics, quite often the lesser known Mystics. In fact, I have a small library of books, most of which are on the lives of the mystics. For me, it was without a doubt the heroic example of the mystics that led me to God and the practice of the Catholic faith. And so, I am deeply indebted to the Mystics of the Church for their loving witness and their heroic lives of sacrifice and virtue that penetrated into my little world of self-centeredness and religious indifference. And because of my life of indifference towards God and my countless sins, I have taken great comfort in the Psalm 25 which says: "Remember O LORD that Your compassion and Your love are from of old. The sins of my youth and my frailties remember not; in Your kindness remember me, because of your goodness, O LORD....Remember Your mercies O Lord."
And so, it is in a spirit of deep gratitude and thanksgiving that I am creating this website in honor of the extraordinary Mystics of the Church, especially the lesser known mystics that inspired me the most.
It is my fervent prayer that the pages herein will be of some small service to the Catholic Church and Her faithful followers. I pray that the Mystics fiery love of God may penetrate into the hearts of all who visit here, and inspire in us a greater love and devotion for our God, who is most worthy of all of our love.
I enjoy receiving emails and discussing the Mystics and Saints of the Church so feel free to contact me with any comments or suggestions. My email address is: gdallaire1@gmail.com
Glenn Dallaire -webmaster
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"My God, my God, I love You. But, perhaps I love You too little, oh Jesus? ... Are You not happy? ...But this needs to come from You, if you want me to love You more. Yes, I should love You with a unique love. Oh! I have told You so many times, oh Lord: if my life does not end in seeing the suffering of someone who loves me so much, what other pain do You think could bring about my death? ...I told You that it is enough, oh Lord, what you have suffered for me and for sinners. Yes, enough! ... My shoulders shall replace Yours in bearing the cross!" -St Gemma Galgani
40 comments:
Great work Glenn.Your blog on the lives of the mystics is greatly appreciated.It inspires me to a greater faith.Amen.
Thank you Greg/Francis for your kind comments. I am really happy to hear that you are enjoing the Mystics of the Church website-blog.
For me it is really a "work of love" so to speak!
May God bless you and yours,
-Glenn Dallaire
Glenn, I have just found your web site, thanks to a reference on a Catholic discussion forum. It is a great treasure. I will be visiting your site daily for inspiration from these holy mystics. God bless you!
In the hearts of Jesus and Mary,
David
Hi David,
It is a pleasure to meet you. Thanks for your kind comment. I hope you enjoy the website and please let me know if you have any suggestions!
Union in the hearts of Jesus and Mary,
-Glenn Dallaire
Thank you for this wonderful website! I have found some of the best spiritual reading as a result of your blog on the mystics. How great is the communion of saints... each one of us helping to lead another to Heaven.
God Bless You!
Hi Anonymous,
Thanks you for your kind comments. Yes, the Communion of Saints is a very comforting and inspiring truth...to know that the Saints in heaven are always praying and intereceding for us before the throne of God, especially when we pray and ask for their intercession.
I am so glad to hear that you are enjoying the website.
May God bless you and yours!
Union in the Hearts of Jesus and Mary,
Glenn Dallaire
God bless you Glen. I love your website. I find myself here every other day. Love it, love it, love it. I'm a prodical son who is now a year old in faith. The Lord led me to your site. There is so much here, so much I want to read, but I am unable to sit on the computer for too long. I tried printing screens out without success. Can you share your resources with me? What books do you recommend?
In Jesus and Mary,
Daniel McGann dpmcgann72@gmail.com
Hello again Glenn, I just noticed you do have books listed as references on 10 of these precious lives. What would really be awesome is you turning this website into a book!!! I would love to buy it, as opposed to buying all of the books you read. Just for starters, just as an appetizer, then in a few years I could start buying the books you cite here. What do you think?
In Jesus and Mary,
Daniel McGann dpmcgann72@gmail.com
Hi Daniel,
It is great to hear from you again.
Thanks for the suggestion of possibly turning this website into a book. Honestly, I have never even thought of it.
I do know of a great website devoted to St Padre Pio that for a good number of years has produced an excellent quarterly newsletter full of great interviews and stories about St Pio. And just recently they turned all these newsletters into a excellent book full of these stories and interviews about Padre Pio.
And so, your suggestion is certainly something to consider.
Also, thanks for asking about an updated list of books. I actually need to make an updated list, as I have recently added some mystics without providing info on the source books. In fact, I am currently working on an article about another American Mystic named Rhoda Wise, however after this is published I will definitely work on an updated book list.
Thanks again Greg and may God continue to draw you ever closer to Himself.
Keep in touch!
Glenn Dallaire
Dear Glenn,
I find treasures of the Catholic Church everywhere I look these days and you dear man and this site are very certainly amoung them.
I can't seem to get enough, I find myself spending a good deal of time each day reading & re-reading about these beautiful souls and I thank God that I came across your site.
May God bless you, your family & this holy endeavor.
Your friend, mother of 8 future saints & fellow rejoicing Catholic,
Theresa Winters
Hi Theresa,
Thanks for your kind comments. I am really happy to hear that you are enjoying the website, and I am also really glad to hear that you are a devoted mother of 8! -That is wonderful!....May God bless you and your family, and may He draw you ever closer to Himself!
-Glenn Dallaire
Dear Glenn! Thank You so very much! I just discovered your site through Josefa Menendez yesterday. Can not get enough of it! I already e-mailed it to my friends. What a beautiful website! Just essentials, not overloaded, simple and so delightful! Did You have a chance to visit True Life In God website (www.TLIG.org) and read Jesus’ Odes of Love Messages? The most amazing Lord’s work I ever read! I recommend it very much to everybody! They have an Internet radio, so you can listen too. Well, again – THANK YOU for your work, time and wonderful personality! God Bless You and Your Family!
In Christ Love,
Renata,
Houston, TX
Hi Renata,
Thank you for your kind message.
I am really happy to hear that you are enjoying the website. I too love Sr. Josefa Menendez. Many of the things that Jesus told her are very inspiring and her response to Jesus through her holy life is very inspiring also. Thank you for the link that you provided.
Best wishes and may God bless you and yours!
Glenn Dallaire
Hello, again, Glenn, I am cousin to Little Rose and was curious- are you related to Little Rose as well? What are your experiences with her and thank you so very much for visiting my site and for writing such a beautiful piece on Little Rose- the flower of R.I. I owe her my life and I have witnessed repeatedly such sweet miracles she has done even now near 75 years later- Wow! It & she can take your breath away! :) I look forward to talking with you soon. With much love, and many blessings to you always, Laurie W.
Hi Laurie W,
Thanks for your kind comments.
As for myself, I soon became devoted to Marie Rose Ferron shortly after I began reading Fr. Boyer's excellent book "She Wears a Crown of Thorns". Afterwards I also read Jeanine Savard Bonin's book. And then later Fr. John Baptist Palm's book "Tape Recorded Little Rose Testimonies"---although I did not read all of that one. I see in Marie Rose an authentic holiness and love for God. You are blessed to have such an extraordinary soul for a cousin!
I've written three articles about her for my websites because I belive her life is an extraordinary example of devotion for the love of God and souls.
Thanks again and may God bless you and yours,
Glenn Dallaire
Hi Glenn!
I had never heard of the book "He and I" until I read your blog, and just in time for Christmas.
Fantastic website, thank you!!!
Hi Steve,
Thanks for your comment. I am really glad to hear that you are enjoying the website.
Yes, I highly recommend the book "He and I". It is in my top five list of books of the best spiritual reading. It really is that good.
By the way, I left you a reply on the 3rd Secret of Fatima article comments.
Thanks again and may God bless you and yours,
Glenn Dallaire
Hi Glenn,
Great work and devotion! I have been on this website for a couple of days reading - strarting with Mary Magdalene. I too am in the IT world as a Sr. Manager in QA.
I would like your permission to add a link to your site to two of my own devotional sites:
Http://infantjesusblog.com
- a devotion to Infant Jesus for prayers answered for work in 2004 (by praying the Infant Jesus Novena).
Http://thecloudofunknowing.com
- a devotion to the mystical and internal prayer method handed down through the centuries that invites God's presence by harnessing your own intent to consent to his presence.
Thanks,
Bill Fulbright
Hi Bill,
It is really nice to meet you! Thanks for your comments. I am really glad to hear that you are enjoying the "Mystics of the Church" website. This and all my websites are really a "work of love" so to speak.
Of course I would be happy if you would share the information from my website(s)with your readers. You have my permission to use whatever text(s) that you would like. If you would kindly credit my website that would be great!
May God bless you and yours.
Glenn Dallaire
thank you sir for creating this website for us catholics... this is such a big help for us to be inspired and be more enlightened with our faith...and to somehowone way or another answer the criticism of othe religious man made sect creeping evrywhere nowadays... God bless you more!!!
Dear Sleksii,
Thank you for your kind comments. I am really glad to hear that you are enjoying the website.
May God bless you and your loved ones,
Glenn Dallaire
Glenn, I am thrilled with this beautiful blog on the lives of the mystics. God is truly great. These stories are a great guide to a closer relationship with Our Lord. I am so grateful to have access to such a beautiful lifeline. Please keep it going!
Hi Deanna,
Thanks for your kind comments. I'm glad to hear that you are enjoying the articles here. For me this website is a "work of love" so to speak.
Best wishes and may God bless you and yours,
Glenn Dallaire
Hello Glenn, was wondering if the mystic you write about that influenced you coming back to the faith - is he/she still living? If not, would you be able to share his/her name? I too, have known a very gifted soul who has since past away. Who knows, maybe the same person?
Hi Augustina,
It is nice to meet you. Thanks for your comments.
Yes, the mystic that I once knew (whose religious movement that she founded helped bring me back to the Catholic faith) is most definitely still alive, so this is one of the reasons why I prefer not to disclose her name, as I am sure you can understand.
I will state that out of obedience to the judgement of the Catholic Church, I am no longer associated with her and the movement that she founded, since a few years ago the movement itself received a negative judgement from the Vatican.
This shows once again the extreme caution and prudence that must be taken in regards to mystics.
Union in the Hearts of Jesus and Mary,
Glenn Dallaire
Greetings from the Philippines, and congratulations Glenn, on Mystics of the Church; very beautiful, and very inspiring. Let us all work together to win more souls for Heaven, and let us pray for the return of Christian values to all hearts. May Jesus and Our Lady bless you and your family always!
-Hi Mabel,
It is nice to meet you. I am really glad to hear that enjoying the website....-thanks for your kind comments!
May God bless you and all the faithful in the Philippines!
Glenn Dallaire
Hi, Glenn, Thank you so much for tending this jewel of a "holy lives" garden. Love of God at any cost. Each life a colorful, inspiring reflection to me of the Glory of God. It's already a strong favorite.
Hi George,
It is a pleasure to meet you. Thanks for your kind comments.
Believe me, I have enjoyed creating this website probably as much as you have been enjoying reading it. It has truly been a really edifying and enlightening experience and I have learned so much while making it.
Union in the Hearts of Jesus and Mary,
Glenn Dallaire
Thank you for this website. I like it very much.
Thank you for this website. I like it a lot!
This is my first time on your websites. There's a lot of great info here. Thanks.
I'm curious if you have ever heard of Little Audrey Santo of Worcester and what you think of her life and the numerous signs and wonders associated with her. IN GOD'S HANDS is the title of the book about her life and there is a website and Foundation now dedicated her Cause.
Hi Anonymous,
Thanks for your comments.
Yes, I have occasionally read some documentation about the late "little" Audrey Santo of Worcester, Massachusetts. She (and her mother I would add) are definitely extraordinary souls, who without a doubt suffered some remarkable trials and crosses.
Perhaps, God willing, the Church will one day recognize her cause.
May God bless you and your loved ones,
Glenn Dallaire
I just found your blog today. I love it! Very inspiring. The photos are great. One comment that I may lend is in the inclusion of Luisa Piccarreta. I find it very disturbing with the emptying of a prominent convent(I will not say who because of its notoriety) because of the invasion of Divine Will. The Sr. responsible for bringing Luisa Piccarreta's works and Divine Will into the convent has been suspended from there by the Vatican and not allowed to step on the grounds. The entire thing was extremely scandalous and caused loss of many vocations and hurt and division among many Catholics in the area. There is a large cult surrounding this entire situation and person that believes that there is more revelation after Jesus Christ. This is contrary to our Faith.
Hi Anonymous,
Thank you for your comments about the Servant of God, Luisa Piccarreta. Like many other mystics her life and the extraordinary greaces that she alledgedly recieved can be percieved at times as controversial. Then too sometimes those who follow a particular mystic can interpret the mystics writings, actions or graces that they might have recieved incorrectly. And without a doubt some of Luisa's writings on the Divine Will have been not only misintepreted, but also mistranslated. But of course we can't judge a mystic by the erroneous judgements or actions of his/her followers.
So far the cause for canonisation of Luisa has been progressing and most recently, the second theologian assigned to evaluate the writings of Luisa Piccarreta by the Vatican Congregation for the Causes of the Saints has given a positive, that is, a favorable judgement. This means that both of the official censors librorum for the cause of Luisa have found nothing contrary to the faith in her writings, and her cause can now go forward.
At the end of the article on Luisa Picaretta here you can find the current position of the Church concerning her.
Thanks again for your comments and may God bless you and your loved ones,
Glenn Dallaire
Thank you Glenn.
I wanted to let you know the information you have worked hard to make available and very readable/viewable has had strong impact on me in my conversion.
You are doing good work and may God continue to bless your efforts. Thank you.
Most Sincerely, Michael F. Ross
Dear Glenn,
I do prison ministry at CA. State prison for men at Avenal. The Chaplain asked me to encourage devotions to the inmates and now I am going to share with them your wonderful website. I will also share on Facebook, Twitter, and other places your work for Jesus on this site with a prayer that the information in it will open their hearts to grace. I often tell them they are the army of God in that prison of over 7,000 men because only anywhere from 8 to 10 or 25 or so show up for my presentations, so I encourage them to take courage and approach the other men with God's merciful messages. I hope, Glenn, that you have plans for others to carry on your work after God calls you someday.
Sister Veronica Brutosky C.S.J., a Sister of St. Joseph of Carondelet in CA. USA.
Hi Michael F. Ross,
It is nice to meet you. Thanks for your kind comments.
As you probaly read in the little "who I am" biography above, the Mystics of the Church had a huge impact on me and really were responsible for my conversion into the practice of the faith, so I understand well when you say that the Mystics of the Church have had a strong inpact on you in your conversion.
Anyway, thanks again Michael and may Jesus continue to draw you ever closer to Himself.
-Glenn Dallaire
Hi Sister Veronica Brutosky C.S.J.,
I am very happy to hear that you are enjoying this website. Thanks so much for your kind remarks and for your encouragement. It is still very much an ongoing "work in progress" and I hope to add many more articles as time goes on. And I do hope someday that one of my children will "take over the reins" of this website someday, if that would be the holy will of God.
I am very happy to hear of your prison ministry and I fervently pray that God may bless and guide you in your efforts to bring the Gospel to those who often are foresaken by society and are really in need of hearing it.
Union in the Hearts of Jesus and Mary,
Glenn Dallaire
Dear Mr. Dellaire,
I am grateful to God for finding your blog. We need more and more ammunition in the battle against the evil one, and your blog is a great source of such holy ammunition.
Is there any way to subscribe to this site,or get a reminder when new material is posted. I don't want to miss any of it.
God bless you and keep you and your family.
Yours in Christ and His ever-Virgin Mother,
Gina Nakagawa (new.englander1620@gmail.com)
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