Faith That Moves Mountains
Chapters 14 through 17 are sometimes collectively called “The Revelation of Jesus,” because they contain a number of dramatic scenes that reveal Jesus as the Hebrew Messiah, the Universal Savior, the Suffering Servant, and the Divine Son of God. Some of the most famous stories of the Gospel are contained in this section: the walking on water, Peter’s confession, the Transfiguration, and many others. It is in this section of Mt that Jesus gives one his most famous quotes: “If you had faith the size of a mustard seed, you would say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it would move. Nothing would be impossible for you” (17.20).
In 1824, Marcellin Champagnat, believing he needed more space for his growing congregation, purchased land outside La Valla on the banks of the Gier River. Here he and the brothers built a residence with room for a hundred men, which they named the Hermitage. To make space for this building, they first had to carve away a granite mountainside that came too close to the river. Using nothing but pickaxes and other hand tools, Marcellin and the brothers pushed the mountain back to make room for their new home. Today, the Hermitage still stands as a retreat center for Marist Brothers, laity, and students from all over the world. We visit this site as pilgrims to remember the faith of the Marcellin and the early brothers that moved a mountain.