Priest says mark Sept. 11 with fervent prayer, rosary

By FRANK DOLPHIN
Special to the WCR
Edmonton

In contrast to demands by American politicians for further military campaigns to annihilate those planning new attacks on the U.S. and its allies, Father Emile-Marie Briere, formerly of the Edmonton Archdiocese, advises a spiritual approach.

"We are now in a confusing period of transition. Keep your cool. God is still the Lord of history," he says.

Briere, a priest for 62 years, an author and a former social action leader in the archdiocese, urges Catholics to say the rosary as it has never been said before.

"We are called to work in faith and trust. Our Lady promised at Fatima that she would guide those who prayed the rosary. She promised to take care of everything. We must help people to get a proper understanding of everything that's happening around us."

"Since 1937, I've been waiting for the death knell of modern society. I heard it on Sept. 11." - Fr. Emile Briere

Briere said in an interview that he sees two positive elements at work in society that give him great hope for the future - a desire by Christians for more fraternal relations with all religions and a desire for the spiritual.

He believes an indication that this is happening is the fact that many people are turning to prayer and contemplation, which leads to various forms of social action. "Contemplation is not divorced from social action."

Unfortunately, he says many people are turning to wrong spiritual practices, like the occult and New Age practices.

Briere urges all Christians to step into social action by reaching out to the poor through their own organizations in an effort to help these people meet their basic needs. A second meaningful way is to convince governments to act on a global scale by forgiving debts owed by the poor in the Third World to comparatively rich First World countries.

Ordained in 1940, Briere joined Madonna House and moved to its main house in Combermere, Ont., in 1955. From there he continues his work of teaching and inspiring people to place their trust in the wisdom and goodness of God and Our Lady.

He is convinced that change in society is coming. "Since 1937, I've been waiting for the death knell of modern society. I heard it on Sept. 11," he said.

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