In solidarity with Jesus Christ« The spirit of the Assumption leads us to search for a consensus. We need to develop benevolence, fraternity and the respect for each other. »

EDITORIAL

JULY 2018 no 05

AA AA Newsof the Assumption

Religious and laity

the same mission

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The Hackers in the Vatican

It was, in a way, a kind of an event to which Assumption and some other congregations were associated: for the

first time, on the 9th and 10th of last Mach, a hackathon took place in the Vatican. This word, almost barbaric, designates in fact an informatics marathon of 36 hours during which 120 youth passionate in informatics were invited by the Holy See, with the challenge of developing in teams, the apps for smartphones about the three themes dear to Pope Francis: the social inclusion, aid to the migrants and the interreli-gious dialogue. No matter being Christians, programmers, specialists in marketing or designers, the most brilliant sub-jects of the best Universities and schools from all over the world were on the list. Organizer of the Hackathon, the French Dominican Eric Sa-lobir wanted hence, “to bring together different peoples in order to solve together the common problems.” Given these two days of high intensity, the objective has been doubly reached. First, of course, by the projects, technically as well as economically evaluated, elaborated in a very brief period of time by the candidates: therefore, an “appli” allowing the migrants to find their scattered families with the facial recognition, or rewarded by La Croix journal, a site that put in touch volunteers and religious organizers in order to de-velop a dialogue between believers of all confessions in a concrete action. But another success was the meeting between the Church and the digital culture, incarnated at this occasion by stu-dents but also people in charge of major firms in the world (Google, Microsoft, Airbnb…) who have come to reflect with the religious authorities. We have even seen Cardinal Gianfranco Ravasi putting on his eyes a helmet of virtual re-ality in order to be involved in the latest technologies. The pontifical council for culture, which he presides over, was one of the roman organizers of this event, with the Secretar-iat to the communication and the dicasterio for the human and integral development : a collaboration between dif-ferent services of the Vatican, this neither is not too usual. Pope Francis has personally encouraged the initiative: “It is good to use the intelligence that God has given us for the benefit of the truth and the needy”For the Church −and included the Assumption, whose dif-ferent Chapters have been insisting on our presence in the “digital continent”, the challenge of this type of meeting is also to see how the Web is not intrinsically diabolical, but may be a vector for progress and for solidarity. A privileged place, in today’s world, wherein the gospel must be encul-turated.

Michel Kubler

AgendaPlenary General Council• December 3-12, 2018, in Rome, preceded by

the Economic Council of the Congregation• June 8-18, 2019, in Vietnam

Ordinary General Councils• n° 8 : September 5-19,2018• n° 9 : November 5-8, 2018• n° 10 : December 17-18, 2018• n° 11 : February 5-8, 2019• n° 12 : April 8-12, 2019• n° 13 : May 30-31, 2019• n° 14 : June 19, 2019.

Benoît• June 30-July 4: General Chapter of the

Religious of the Assumption (Lourdes). • July 16-31: Québec. • August 1-4: Layrac.• August 11-16: National Pilgrimage (Lourdes).

Marcelo• June 26-August 29: Chile.• September 24-October 1: Ouagadougou.

Didier• June 28-July 2: Belgium.• August 13-30: Madagascar.

Thierry• July-August: Nairobi.

Miguel• June 21-July 7: Vietnam.• July 11-22: United States.• July 23-August 24: Mexico.• August 25-26: United States.• August 27-28: Mexico.

Coverage noteA flotilla of ships on the lake Victoria, in Tanza-nia, sail towards Mwanza, not far from our foun-dation of Murutunguru : an image of necessary cohesion for not only the Vice Province of East Africa, but to the whole of the Assumption, at all levels.[© Didier Remiot]

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In solidarity with Jesus Christ

The 33rd General Chapter held a year ago remains a compass. Already a year passed by and the road ahead is

ours. Let us not change course and even let us speed up. We first have to make our own the orientations of the Acts of the Chapter. I do know that we can do better in applying fairly what the Spirit is requiring from us in order to be faithful to our Assumptionist charism.While the PGC just met in Arusha (Tanzania) for its June session, we could witness with joy the vitality of the Assumption in East Africa. Thirty years after the first foundation in Kenya, we are grateful for all those religious who contributed to the blossoming of the Assumptionist charism in this fertile and welcoming land. American, English and Congolese religious have allowed our religious family to take root in these countries and to take in charge parishes in Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda. Even if, still today, the formation of young religious occupies a large part of our human ressources - with a novitiate, a house of philosophy and a house of theology - the religious are also much involved in the pastoral mission. When I met with the Archbishop of Arusha, Bishop Isaac Amani Massawe, he told me how happy he was that our congregation was much involved in the mission of his diocese. We are responsible for four parishes in Tanzania and a fifth one will soon be added. During our stay there, we have launched the process that will lead to the creation of the Vice-Province of East Africa, in January 2019. It is in our communities, our Region and in our Province that we are called to live united. We know it well: unity is a battle and a fight of every moment. Our Rule of Life is filled with calls to work as one body. I invite you to read and meditate all that pertains to our life in common, which are articles 6 to 12 where the words ‘unity’,’ communion’ or even the verb ‘to unite’ come up six times...

To be a craftsman of unity means to be faithful to the Gospel and uttermost to the solemn call of the Lord (John 17, 21): ‘May they all be one, like you, Father, you are in me and me in you, that they may be one in us them too, so that the world may believe that you have sent me.’ Our mission starts with our search for unity in our community: our apostolic credibility is at stake.At the time when our congregation is experiencing a re-organization in creating Vicariates (Asia-Oceania, Kinshasa, West Africa) and a Vice-Province in East Africa, it is urgent to reaffirm our passion for unity and to work at it wholeheartedly. We are an international and inter-cultural body. Like I was writing to you in my last letter, we are tasked to live ‘with a totally Catholic spirit’, following the example of our Founder, Emmanuel d’Alzon, who was seeing wide and broad. I was also quoting in my letter a paragraph of Lumen Gentium (no. 13) which calls for ‘a common effort towards the fullness in unity’.The challenge is there in front of us: will we be able to tackle it? Will we be up to the witnessing in this world that we, the religious, are craftsman of unity rather than men of disunity? Communion in the Assumption implies to listen with respect in a context of diversity. It is also to look for a balance where the strong ones do not crush the weak ones and where the majority does not load its law on the minority. The spirit of the Assumption leads us to search for a consensus. We need to develop benevolence, fraternity and the respect for each other. In the Bible, the demon is the one who sows disunity, ill-feelings. We need to fight with all our strength to be authentic witnesses of Christ, the one who gave his life for the unity of the children of God. When question can guide us in our personal discernment: where does lie my solidarity? Which one do I value most: my family, my people, my culture or Christ himself? Find your own answer! n

Editorial <<

Fr. Benoît Grière

General Superior of the

Augustinians of the Assumption

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Father Benoît Grière, Superior General,with his Council, has called

■ TO PERPETUAL PROFESSION1) ATIDEPE Kokou Senyo Yves(Africa) (15/05/2018)2) KAKULE MAHAMBA Nicolas(Africa) (15/05/2018)3) KAMBALE KATUSELE Barthélemy(Africa) (14/05/2018)4) KAMBALE KYAVUMBA Sadiki(North America) (16/05/2018)5) KAMBALE TSONGO Pacifique(North America) (17/05/2018)6) KASEREKA MUMBERE Zéphyrin(Africa) (15/05/2018)7) KATEMBO KAMERA Dalmon(Madagascar) (15/05/2018)8) MBUSA KITAMBALA Kizito(Africa) (16/05/2018)9) MUHINDO MALISAWA Bienvenu(Africa) (14/05/2018)10) RAKOTOMALALA Marc Pierre(Africa) (14/05/2018)11) SAWE MBIONGO Jean-Bosco(Africa) (16/05/2018)12) TEMBO KATALIKO Philémon(Africa) (14/05/2018)

■ TO ORDINATION TO THE DEACONATE

13) CERVANTES Rodel Sapalo(North America) (18/05/2018)14) KAKULE MASIKINI Germain(Africa) (17/05/2018)15) KATHEMBO TSONGO Dieudonné(Africa) (17/05/2018)16) PALUKU MASIMENGO Vedastus(Andean Prov.) (18/05/2018)17) LÓPEZ SÓLIS Marciano (Amérique du Nord) (11/06/2018)

■ TO ORDINATION TO THE PRIESTHOOD

18) MBUSA KATUKA Deogratias(Africa) (17/05/2018)

5 6 7 8

9 10 11 12

13 14 15 16

17 18

1 2 3 4

Calls, nominations, changes...APPOINTMENTSFr. Benoît Grière, General Superior, with the consent of his Ordinary General Council, has appointed:

- Fr. Yves NZUVA KAGHOMA, Provincial Superior of Africa, for a first term, starting on 1st June 2018 (read a profile of the new Provincial on page 10);

- Fr. Luiz Gonzaga DA SILVA, Provincial Superior of Brazil, for a second term, starting on 1st July 2018 ;

- Br. Didier REMIOT, treasurer of the General House, for a third term, starting on the 1st July 2018.

- Fr. Gervais MUHINDO BAKERETHI, Deputy Director of the Development and Solidarity Office (D.S.O.), with assignment to the General Community, starting on the 1st September 2018.

OPENING OF NEW COMMUNITIESFr. Benoît Grière, General Superior, with the consent of the Plenary General Council, has approved the opening:

- Of a parish community at Kayna, in the North-Kivu (DR-Congo, Prov. Of Africa;

- Of an apostolic community at Bibwa, near Kinshasa (DR-Congo, Prov. Of Africa);

- Of a community with a social vocation at Saigon (Vietnam, Prov. Of Europe).

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It was certainly not the of-ficial theme of the session. Yet, as it was having its

session for a second time in an Assumptionist region, East Af-rica, which is blooming and will shortly become a Vice-Province, the Plenary General Council (PGC) could expect that the mis-sion would be at the heart of its debates. Such was the case: in an explicit way first, by consecrat-ing half a day to deepen what we mean when saying that Assump-tion is defined as a missionary congregation, but also by the very fact that this session was taking place in Arusha during ten days (1-11 June), allowing the Council to give flesh very concretely to that concept.

A description is given of the situation and the near future of this Vice-Province (read page 11). But let us stress here how this immersion in the African territory was beneficial to the PGC: the warmth of the Tanzanian commu-nities with which we were wel-comed (not only the Assumption-ists but also the Oblates and the Orantes living in Arusha) as well as the challenges of fast growing numbers in the congregation.

So, is the Assumption a mis-sionary congregation? The an-swer is YES, for sure: maybe not in the classical sense of an Insti-tute dedicated to the evangeliza-tion ad gentes, but it was certainly founded for the extension of the Kingdom in a broad sense, as our Rule of Life states it: ‘Our mis-

sionary vocation calls us to give ourselves ‘all for all’.’ (RL 20) Indeed, the question could be put this way: to develop a mission-ary model for today, what are the obstacles to real missionary vocations at Assumption? What would be the best preparation for the Mission? How to understand Mission as meant in Evangelii Gaudium? How can our inter-cul-tural communities become mis-sionary as much in the countries of old Christianity as in the young Churches or in the new evangeli-zation areas? A whole range of initiatives is necessary in the con-gregation in order to achieve a burst in our missionary spirit.

Well, the Mission of the As-sumption for now on has to take into consideration a double as-pect: it has to be inter-cultural and international. If these two have become familiar to our vo-cabulary, it is another story to live

them out concretely. So, the PGC has thought about a way of pro-moting an education kit to inter-culurality to help the local com-munities as well as the Provinces. It is stressed in it that no one can be satisfied only by being tolerant to differences or to accept them with a certain sentimental kind-ness: indeed, ‘we are called to a process of conversion deliberately aimed at building community ex-periences that are multi-cultural and truly inter-cultural. Brothers of various cultural origins consti-tute an inter-cultural community when the members choose - as a commitment based on their faith and their Assumptionist vocation - to build a new and concrete ap-ostolic project which is enriched by the contribution of every member’. Quite a program!

Besides these subjects, the agenda of the PGC had still other business that come regularly on

Assumption on mission trackThe Plenary General Council session in Tanzania has allowed at the same time a reflection and an immersion, which means a congregation in missionary mode.

Plenary General Council <<

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>> Plenary General Council

Solidarity campaign at Assumption in 2019

As it is the case every year, the PGC calls the whole con-gregation to solidarity in order to support some Assumptionist projects around the world. This ‘Solidarity campaign at As-sumption’ is not yet completed for the year 2018, in order to help our communities in Africa to acquire some cars (see AA Info no. 3).

But it is already time to look at the objective of the 2019 cam-paign: the PGC has decided that the next Solidarity campaign will be in favor of the project ‘Mujeres Emprededoras’ devel-oped by the Lay Assumption-ists behind the foundation ‘Mi Hogar Assuncionista’ in Bogota (Columbia).

Since this project has a rather small budget, the surplus of the Solidarity campaign 2019 will be given to the newly created Vice-Province of East Africa in order to purchase farming land for their self-financing.

the table: follow-up of the mo-bilizing works (see page...), the Lay-Religious Alliance, educa-tion and commitment for Justice, Peace and Integrity of the Cre-ation: it is recommended to read the impressive work realized by our Sisters leading to ‘An Eco-Assumption’ (see the website of the secretariat o the family of the Assumption: www.jpic-assump-ta.org) !

A meeting of the PGC always gives a space to have a look at our financial situation and our human resources. Three clear examples:

- First, the decisions, vali-dated by the PGC, about the first apostolic assignments for reli-gious who have completed their formation: eight of them this year.

- Then comes what has been called the ‘mercato of the Provin-cials’, they meet one on one in order to call on specific situations and eventually propose transfers of religious from one Province to another.

= Finally, they foresee ‘top offices’ in the congregation where collegiality plays a great role so that the right men may be made available for significant ministries for our charism or for emergency functions. The Prov-inces which have many young vocations are asked to be gen-erous even if at time the forma-tion and specialization need to be completed and that requires a long planning.

Speaking about vocations, this session of the PGC spent some time reflecting about the vocation of the Lay brothers: are we convinced of the place at Assumption for Lay brothers

(in the canonical sense of the term), and not only a place but a real need, since many among our commitments do not need an ordained ministry. Which profile for such religious? Which kind of formation should we propose for them? In promoting this kind of Assumptionist commitment is fighting against clericalism in our communities and our pasto-ral areas. It also gives a clearer picture of our religious vocation as such, whether lay or ordained.

Impossible, of course, to evoke the totality of the subjects that form a session of the GPC ... Should we end this report with accents that may seem dramatic? The session in Arusha also saw the GPC approach the crisis that marks today the Church (as in Chile ...) but also the Assump-tion, by many local or structural fragilities (we spoke about the difficult prospects of our pres-ence in Ecuador or in Turkey - read about it the Message of the Superior General to the whole Congregation, page 14).

But we must not be afraid of it, said Father General, quoting one of his masters, the philoso-pher Jean-Louis Chrétien: "It is the only fragility that forms the abode of the imperishable in the world . Only the fragile boat of the human voice can cast anchor in the sky." Fragility thus says that we can no longer be deceived: we are fundamentally dependent on each other, and this must push us to collegiality, availability and solidarity. Something of the or-der of the Kingdom, in short!

Michel Kubler

(with Benoit Bigard)

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The Adveniat Youth Hostel (Paris)

Many Assumptionists have a memory of an-cient images of a house

called “Francis the 1st “and placed under the patronage of St. Vin-cent de Paul. It marks our oldest presence in France. How many have crossed the threshold since it undertook its new reason for being? After seeing it spring up as “La Bonne Presse” and “Notre-Dame de Salut”, accommodating generations of Augustinian or Byzantine scholars, and groups of journalists, it became a hostel for Catholic youth. It is the only one in Paris that has welcomed youth since 2004 under the Assump-tionist name of Adveniat.

The PGC has carefully exam-ined the evolution of this house for a year. Fr. Benoît Bigard, Provincial of Europe, listed the recent changes of personnel (reli-gious and lay collaborators). The continuity of the animation of this locale, based on its frequent use, has become very satisfactory

after a difficult period due to the attacks on Paris. Among the chal-lenges: referencing the hostel on professional sites that attract cli-ents but that draws a strong fi-nancial contribution, thus redoing the site of the hostel in French, English, Spanish and Korean. It is also necessary to refurbish the building. From an economic per-spective, such work would en-gender a positive result that one would hope could be lasting, be-yond any actual risks.

As for the connection with the Assumption, the community runs the hostel and participates in the board of the association, as well as to the network of lay friends of the house. Volunteer-Assump-tionists continue to help with the functioning of the house, as well as the religious of the Assump-tion family. The collaboration with the lay is permanent and is at the heart of the project. The spirit of the Assumption is very much present in this work, through hos-pitality and an encounter in a spir-it of communion, not excluding

the witness of faith. The hostel is “a showcase for the Assumption”, in Paris and more expansively in France and in the world. We can hope that through the grace of the Internet, a clear reality of the Congregation will be better popu-larized in all of our Provinces.

www.http://adveniat-paris.org/

The network of bush schools (Madagascar)

The important focus of the Province of Madagascar, is often referred to as « the schools under the shade trees/bush schools ». This is a work in permanent evo-lution: if the enrollment at Col-lège Mgr. Canonne d’Ejeda is in decline (with 300 students), the total number of students is stable in the 42 primary schools (more than 3,700), varying in enroll-ment according to each institu-tion. Four of the schools had to be closed because of the lack of financial assistance from the par-ents. The academic results were unequal among the different sites. The support from one French as-sociation connected to Valpré al-lows for medical assistance in 10 of the schools and for some technical courses for the college. There is noticeably a strong turn-over among the teachers.

In presenting this mobiliz-ing work, Father Etienne Rata-lat Rafanambinantsoa did share a concern---one must realize the absence of continuity between the bush schools and the college. For mostly economic reasons, par-

Follow the Mobilizing WorksAmong the responsibilities of the CGP, are the annual evaluations of the 7 works

of the Congregation defined as “mobilizing” by the General Chapter. Three

among them were part of the agenda for the 2nd session of the new Council.

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ents are hesitant to send their children to town after their primary studies in the village. However, they express a certain degree of satisfaction in seeing some of the former students returning to their schools as teachers!

The primary challenges are convinc-ing the parents to educate their children (knowing that they have only a por-tion of the tuition); to monitor the bush schools that are very distant from the center; to increase salaries on a regular basis, etc. The Assumption has greatly invested in the schools on a financial level. The revenues allow the college to function but not to meet expenses that are much higher.

From an organizational standpoint, the congregation is the overseer of the schools, and they are always directed by a religious. There has been a desire to put the lessons learned from the Edu-cational Congress in Worcester at As-sumption College (2016) into practice. There was another equally profitable experience from two visits made last year to Madagascar by students and teachers from our college in Belgium. These connections have been extreme-ly valuable. As for volunteering, these results are not always clear. Sometimes it is best to conclude these experiences.

Ultimately, there exists a beauti-ful family spirit in the collaborations with the congregations of religious Sisters of the Assumption. This work, which we can judge as somewhat pro-phetic, responds well to the criteria set by the General Chapter (i.e. in an unfavorable climate or, more likely, in an area where Christians are a minor-ity). You might ask yourself what role the Church should play in making up for the inadequacies of the State in as-suring the education for which all chil-dren have a right. We must formulate plans for offering scholarships and aid, so as to ensure that our schools are not restricted to only those regions that are most well-off.

First apostolic appointments

The 32nd General Chapter, in 2011, has decided that the « first apostolic appointment » of every religious, at the end of his formation, will be decided at the level of the entire con con-gregation, in the framework of the CGP. These appointments will be published henceforth the moment of priestly ordination (for the religious brothers: the time of perpetual profession)

We hereby publish the appointments received by the religious ordained priests since one year (the indicated province is that which has presented the brother to the ordination):

- Aymar KISHINDO MATOLU (Africa): Divin-Maître Parish at Kinshasa (DR-Congo).

- Hervé MABOKO NAKUDIANDA (Africa) : Treasurer of Emmanuel d’Alzon Kinshasa

- Jean Ignace RAKOTONDRABE (Madagascar) : formator at the Tulear Noviciate, with an apostolate in the parish and commitment of the youth ministry.

- Donatien VULA MBWAMOSI (Africa) : Teaching the scolasticate of Burkina Faso

- Dominic MUTURI KAMAU (Africa) : Kijenge Parish at Arusha (Tanzania).

- Augustin KAKULE MUTAHIA (Africa) : Community of Mgr-Piérard of Beni (DR-Congo), for agricultural self-financing in the region.

- Uzima ni Mali KAMBALE MALYABWANA (Africa) : Charles Lwanga Novitiate Community of Butembo (DR-Congo), with veterinary studies.

- Muyisa KASEREKA MOLOVERYA (Africa) : Kitatumba Parish (DR-Congo).

- François MUHINDO MATHE (Africa) : Kyondo Parish (DR-Congo).

- Emmanuel MUHINDO NGALYAVURIYA (Africa) : Postulancy « Bienheureux Kamen » of Katendere (DR-Congo).

- Cristopher QUIÑAL (North América) : Initial formation and treasurer at the Philipines.

>> Plenary General Council

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The Center of Saint Peter-Saint Andrew (Bucharest)

Father Benoît Bigard, Provin-cial of Europe, made a pre-

sentation on the work of the Mis-sion of the Orient. He outlined the three realities present in the house, which recently celebrated the 80th anniversary of its foun-dation: 1.) the Byzantine Library (recently enriched by the collec-tion from Fr. Christopher Walter, particularly rich in oriental ico-nography); 2.) a place for inter-faith students (with the decision to renew the group this year, in a manner somewhat vocational) and 3.) the Center itself. All of this in a Romanian context that is unfavorable to ecumenism.

This mission is sustained by a community of three religious following the departure of Fr. Mi-chel Kubler, who left for Rome. His successor as director of the Center St. Peter-St. Andrew is Fr. Iulian Danca. However, Fr. Dan-ca has not replaced Fr. Kubler in his roles in the community. This is somewhat worrisome because all the brothers are very much oc-cupied and must share responsi-bilities. Fr. Lucian Dînca, besides being the superior of the commu-nity, is full-time at the University. Fr. Iulian is also working on a doctorate in ecumenism at Sibiu. Nonetheless, he knows

full-well that the building recently renovated still requires much maintenance.

The Mission of the Orient, despite its reconfiguration, con-tinues its collaboration with the Oblates of the Assumption in Rumania. At its very core, the house in Bucharest remains true to the mandate of mobilizing the Assumption toward its vocation. It is with joy that the house will welcome this year the novitiate

of Juvisy for a session of forma-tion on the Christian Orient and on ecumenism. It proposes to welcome religious in theological formation. As for Fr. Jean-Marie Mwamba Kambale, responsible for the students of the house, he will benefit from his stay in his native Africa, this summer, to or-ganize formations not only with the lay but also with the young Congolese religious.

1) You can follow the activi-ties of the Center at : http://www.centrulpetrusiandrei.ro

The four other « mobilizing

works », validated by the

General Chapter, 2011, and

confirmed by the 2017

Chapter, are Accompagner

(Belgium), Assumption College

(United States), Bayard and

ISEAB (RD-Congo). The PGC

completed their annual

evaluations last December

(read AA Info no 3).

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Father Yves Nzuva Kaghoma, New Provincial Of AfricaAfter the consultation of 310 religious (whose 150 are priests) of the Province of Africa, the General Superior appointed father Yves Nzuva Kaghoma as Provincial for a 3-year term.

The beginning of this reli-gious’ term, who was the first assistant of Father

Protais Kabila Kalondo Provin-cial Superior of Africa, coincides with the opening, this 1rst of June 2018, of the General Plenary Council of Arusha (Tanzania): a joyous opportunity of taking up his new responsibilities, in the presence of his peers. Father Yves becomes the 5th African Provin-cial after FF Jean-Chrysostome Kanyororo Kisali, Jean-Marie Paluku Meso, Vincent Kambere Kaghaniryo and Protais Kabila Kalondo.

His identityFather Yves Nzuva Kaghoma

was born on August 19, 1972 in Luofu in the south of the Lubero Territory, in the North-Kivu Prov-ince (Democratic Republic of Congo). He did his primary school at Vuvogho, Kanyabayonga, from 1979 to 1986. After the primary school, he studied biochemistry from 1986 to 1992 at Kanyabay-onga secondary school. After-ward, he became a teacher in the same school from 1992 to 1994.

His religious formation journey

In the course of the year 1994-1995, Yves entered the Postulan-cy at Kindugu, in Butembo Town. The following year (1995-1996), he entered the novitiate Saint Charles Lwanga, still in Butembo Town. He made his first vows on August 28, 1996.

From 1996 to 1999, the young religious was appointed to the community of Bulengera in order to start the first cycle of philoso-phy. Next, (1999-2000) he was sent to the Novitiate Saint Charles Lwanga for his pastoral experi-ence. From 2000 to 2004, he was sent to Spain for mission where he studied theology (first cycle) at the faculty of San Damasso of Madrid. During this period, he made his final vows on Sept 28, 2002. From 2004 to 2006, he pur-sued his studies first in dogmatic Theology (Masters) at the Uni-versidad Pontificia of Comillas in Madrid, and then in Formation of formators at the Center “Ruah” of Salamanque for two years.

Yves was ordained a deacon on February 18, 2006 at Reina del Cielo Parish in Madrid. And on July 19, 2007, he was ordained a priest at Mulo, in the Butembo-Beni diocese (DRC).

Pastoral activities after his priestly ordination

During four years, father Yves has taught the course of Church history and of the religious con-secration at the Inter-novitiate of

Arusha (Tanzania). And during six years, he taught French, lit-urgy, spirituality and the social doctrine of the Church at the Spiritan Institute of philosophy in Arusha. He has been the nov-ice master at Kizito House, still in Arusha from 2008 to 2014. He was appointed in charge of the commission of formation in the East Africa region from 2010 to 2014. From 2011 to 2014, he was the spiritual director of the novitiate of the Carmelite sisters at Arusha. In fact, from 2014 up to the recent appointment, he has been in charge of formation in the entire Province of Africa, while teaching Church History and Ec-clesiology at the Inter-novitiate of Butembo. At the same time he has been teaching the social doctrine of the Church and Spanish at IS-EAB (Institut Supérieur Emman-uel D’Alzon de Butembo). Since June 2017, he has been in charge of formation and at the same time the first assistant of the Provincial of Africa.

The appointment as the Provincial of Africa

It was on Monday May 14, 2018 that the general Superior Father Benoît Grière, in his or-dinary council, appointed Father Yves Nzanzu Kaghoma as the Provincial Superior of Africa. We wish him to give his best in this new mission, with God’s aid and the support of his brothers. n

>> Plenary General Council

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East African Assumption in emergenceIn six months a new Vice-Province will be born. Here, impatience rises as they await the sign of this beautiful new growth.

It is an emotional day lived in Arusha (Tanzania) on this day, of the 8th of June. On this par-

ticular day, the entire team of the CGP has come to Austin House (the assumptionist community of philosophy in Arusha), in order to attend the East Africa Regional Assembly. Surprisingly, among the forty religious and novices from the three countries which will jointly form the new Vice-Province (Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda), nearly all were those who believed that the launch of the new entity would take place that day. However, they had to lower their right expectations a little bit when the Superior General handed the record good schedule: the new Vice-Province will be definitely erected on the 1st of January 2019, at the end of the consultation which will be followed by the nomination of the vice-provincial superior, this coming autumn.

The misunderstanding can be explained by a deformation of in-formation, but also by the visible impatience of the 72 religious who currently form the assump-tionist Region of East Africa. It is important to point out as well that the regional superior him-self who opened the meeting by announcing that “our Vice-Prov-ince will definitely be opened, its launch taking place today”; was also hoping to see the new Vice-Province be inaugurated that same day. This cry from the bot-tom of the heart of Fr. Jean-Marie Paluku Meso, one of the founders

of the East African Assumption in 1988, was already perceptible during the meeting between Fr. Benoit Grière with the native re-ligious of East Africa, at their re-quest, enthusiastic (if one has to say so) to see things on the move. They are today 22 Kenyans, eight Ugandans and one Tanzanian, all alongside 35 Congolese, two Cameroonians, two Malagasy, one Togolese and one Canadian. They all together form ten com-munities: three in Kenya, six in Tanzania and one in Uganda.

In his speech, the general un-derlined the briefness of time that represent the period of 30 years

of the presence of the Assump-tion in the region and invited all the religious to be patient, and to develop step by step the Assump-tion goals: “Erecting a vice prov-ince is a way of saying the value of East Africa for the entire con-gregation, but also a call to sus-tain the unity of the Assumption in Africa: we are a family!”, he consequently invited all the reli-gious of the upcoming Vice-Prov-ince to think about not only the vice-provincial superior whom they will propose, but also about the mission and the apostolate to be carried out in the future Vice-Province in the light of our Rule

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of Life. So, it is incontestable that it is

too early or even premature to say that a new Assumption is being born in East Africa. A stopover in the entities whereby the congre-gation took its roots, there is only one generation; reveals further continuities than novelties, even though new possibilities can be glimpsed at.

Regarding the apostolate in the region. From its origins, the Assumption presence in East Africa developed alongside two axes: the pastoral ministry, so to respond to the need of the local Church, and the formation of the young people who express their desire to join the congregation. Among the ten communities that form nowadays the future Vice- Province, six are mainly respon-sible of a parish (one in Kenya, four in Tanzania and one in Ugan-da), the other four are formation houses: the postulancy in Kenya (St Mbaga-Tuzinde), the novi-tiate and the house of philosophy in Tanzania (Kizito and Austin House, in Arusha), and the house of those doing theology in Kenya (Emmanuel House in Nairobi).

However, regardless of the projects of opening new parishes (in Tanzania, as a means of end-ing the isolation of the communi-ty of Murutunguru) and the new formation houses (Postulancy in Uganda): a variety of apostolate is being done, particularly in the following areas:

-Education: two primary schools, Pavel-Njiru and Kamen Mailisaba, have been opened in our parish Ste Monica in Nairobi, with a good collaboration of the Oblates of the Assumption. In addition, one secondary school, “Assumption High School”, has opened its doors at the beginning of 2017 at Katua (Nairobi): it is

an underway establishment that counts today 30 students in two lecture halls which benefit from the support of the lay of the alli-ance.

-communication: present in west Africa for long time ago, Ba-yard-Presse will be implemented in Nairobi, with the support of the Kenyan Episcopate and the proj-ect of the two local adaptations of Living with Christ in English and in Kiswahili (a language spoken by the majority in East Africa): Who knows if one or the other of the religious will one day work

with this institution? In addition to these big projects of the kind, the religious venture also in other specific apostolates such as the preaching of retreats and spiritual accompaniment.

Showing apostolic creativity while being faithful to the spirit of the congregation, finding our own assumptionist ways in the African culture while remaining deeply plug into the entire body: Such may well be the great chal-lenges of these young religious full of zeal who, already, are awaiting the hour. n

The Assumption is-african: some important dates

1929: Arrival of the first assumption missionaries in the Congo Belge (Dem. Rep. of Congo). They settled in the region of the current diocese of Butem-bo-Beni (Nord Kivu).1988: Foundation of Emmanuel House international community in Nairobi (Kenya) by four religious: Edward Pepka and Richard Brunelle (USA), James Conlon (England) and Jean-Marie Paluku Meso (Dem. Rep. of Congo). Fa-ther Luc Martel (USA) joined later. They were doing their apostolate at the Catholic University of Eastern Africa (CUEA) and at Kenyatta University.1994: Fr. Jean-Marie Paluku Meso founds the mission of Arusha in Tanza-nia. Saints Peter and Paul Parish of Kijenge recovered from the capuchins, is our first establishment in Arusha.1995: opening of the first assumptionist community for formation: Austin House for philosophy.1997: opening of the Novitiate in Nairobi which will later be transferred to Arusha (Kizito House), with Fr. Victor Ndakasi as novices’ master. He will be followed by Fr. Richard Brunelle, Yves Nzuva Kaghoma and Kizito Vyambwera.2001: A new parish, Saint Monica, is given to the Assumption in Nairobi (Njiru). Father Protais Kabila is the first pastor of the new parish which will be consecrated by the archbishop of Nairobi, Cardinal John Njue in 2010. 2013: Foundation of the first assomptionist community in Uganda. This new community will be in charge of a new parish (Kyavakkade) the follow-ing year, in Kampala diocese.2014: The Assumption celebrates the silver jubilee (25 years) of pres-ence in East Africa. On that opportunity, two communities were opened in Tanzania, one in Digodigo (Saint Augustine of Hippo, Arusha Diocese) and the second in Murutunguru (Ste Mary Parish, recovered from the White Fathers in the Diocese of Bunda, bordering Lake Victoria). These are two geographically large parishes, each, with many outstations located in the region of the Masaï community.2017: Opening of two other new communities in Tanzania responsible of two parishes Chekereni and Loliondo (diocese of Arusha).

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« The 2nd CGP since the Gen-eral Chapter is coming to an end. It is Africa that wel-

comed us for our work. We have benefited from the hospitality of our brothers and sisters. While the world is being menaced by national setbacks, by distrust to-ward strangers and migrants, we are happy to have had this ex-perience of a fraternity without boundaries.

For the Assumption, coming to African soil is to remember that since 1929, many paths have been traveled by our congregation. The Assumpionist reality is rapidly evolving and we have a strong hope of seeing new generations contributing to the building of the Kingdom. (…)

Having re-read the experience of the foundation of Riobamba, we recognize that our realizations are often fragile: through lacking in preparation, lacking in coordi-nation, lacking human means and materials. We must draw from the results of these weaknesses for building future foundations. I am thinking foremost of the founda-tion that is in preparation in An-gola. Let us stay vigilant so as not to make the same mistakes. We also spoke of the last community in Turkey, that of Kadiköy, that was threatened in its existence, at a very short notice, had we not found reinforcements. In my eyes, the exercise in collegiality was very rich. It allowed us to better understand the issues of a

presence in Turkey beyond the sole responsibility of its attach-ment to the province. (…)

The Assumption is a mis-sionary congregation. Our rea-son for being according to Em-manuel d’Alzon, is the coming of the Kingdom of God. We have a solid apostolic tradition: the media, pilgrimages, educa-tion, parish life, vocations and youth, advanced studies, pro-motion of young churches, jus-tice and peace. The Body of the congregation is a missionary body. That is to say, it should be open to the urgings of the Spirit. The congregation is missionary by virtue of its internationality and its pursuit of intercultural-ism lived in community. It seeks to bear witness to the Kingdom of God, a kingdom without bor-ders where everyone is welcome as he is, so as to live an evangeli-cal fraternity. It is necessary to re-inforce our Assumptionist forma-tion, not solely to distinguish us from others, but to better convey the passion of Father Emmanuel d’Alzon. We have no need for lukewarm and mediocre reli-gious; but men of passion. (…)

We have been happy to live out our meetings with our broth-ers and sisters from East Africa. The future vice-province will have some sizeable challenges to face: pursuing a unity, the avail-ability to serve the Church, put-ting together an economic life based on work and sharing, and

solidarity with the congregation. We will be there to assist the 1st Vice-Provincial, whom we will welcome into our council in June of 2019.

I have loved our exchange on the “crisis of the Church”. We are not pessimistic, or resigned. We know that the Lord will not aban-don us. However, it is clear that there is certainly a profound crisis. It is not the first, nor will it be the last. We are at the end of a world, but not at the end of the world. (…)

I wish you a safe return to your Provinces. I pray for you; please pray for me. I declare the 2nd Ple-nary General Council closed. n

«We don’t have any need for lukewarm and mediocre religious, but rather men of passion”In his closing remarks for the 2nd session of the CGP, Fr. Benoît Grière, Superior General, recalled certain weaknesses that had been raised. Excerpts..

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A Letter from the PGC to all religious and Lay Alliance members regarding our presence in Turkey

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

The Plenary General Coun-cil meeting in Arusha, Tanzania, experienced the joy of validat-ing the status of the future of the Vice-Province of East Africa. Three countries---Kenya, Ugan-da, and Tanzania---will benefit from a new organization. This taking place 30 years after the first community was established in Nairobi, Kenya. The Assump-tion is expanding in this part of the world and assumes its mis-sion for the coming of the King-dom.

At the same time, we have re-flected on our older foundations, notably on our fragile presence in the Mission of the Orient and, in particular, in Istanbul, Turkey. Will the long history of the As-sumption on Turkish soil have a future? After our departure from Ankara in 2000---with the trans-fer of our house to the Compag-nie de Jésus---the community of Istanbul was the ultimate witness of our presence in Turkey. The community is very fragile and by next fall it risks being reduced to one active religious.

What are we to do? Do we have the will and the capacity to follow-through in our mission on Islamic soil? Do we have the concern to cultivate our relations with the Ecumenical Patriarch? Are we ready to respond to the needs of the men and women of Turkey who seek in Christianity a reason for their existence?

The PGC launches an appeal to all the religious and lay of the Assumption to heed the call of

the Spirit and discern the pos-sibility of responding to our de-mand.

In the short term, is it possible to free one person, a religious or a member of the Alliance, to maintain our presence for one year? This would give us a little time to study new options for the future, in the Assumption or with other congregations or move-ments in the Church.

For a longer time, is there a brother or several who would ac-cept to work specifically in the Turkish world in the service of an interreligious dialogue and that of a modest Christian pres-ence?

We ask you to reflect on these demands and to communicate your reflections to those respon-sible parties. The Council will

take into account your remarks, propositions and suggestions to advance the discernment at the time of the December 2018 ses-sion.

Today the Assumption is clear on its ability to maintain a presence in this or that part of the world. We take into account the evolution of the world and of the Church and we understand that we must adapt to modern times. However, Father d’Alzon asked us to be bold. We must seek to-gether where God wants us to work toward his Kingdom.

Fraternally,

The members of the Plenary

General Council

Arusha, June 11, 2018

Feast of St. Barnabas

Apostle and Missionary

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The agenda of the Very Reverend Father Benoît Grière, Superior general,

during the last week of April, has been occupied by the visit of our brothers and sisters of the Region of Kinshasa in DR- Congo. He was accompanied by father Thi-erry Kahongya, assistant general, with the presence of Father Pro-tais Kabila, Provincial of Africa. The aim was to evaluate the con-ditions for starting the installation process of the future vicariate as decided at the last general Chap-ter. A visit marked by a fraternal welcome as usual at the Assump-tion: important delegation at the aeport, stopover with festive meal at Divin Maitre Parish, instal-lation at Ngaliema, visit of the communauties, meeting of com-missions, reception of the com-mitment of the laity of the Alli-ance…

It has been more than twenty-five years since Assumption is present in the Congolese capital city. Coming to train young re-

A Visit to the Region of Kinshasa

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ligious recruits in North Kivu, his first concern was to provide them with adequate framework for theological studies. Second-arily, the congregation has been in charge of a Parish in the neigh-borhood of Masina, which is to-day our only local pastoral estab-lishment. Despite this long pres-ence, the Assumption has not yet succeeded in becoming deeply embedded in the social and eccle-siastical fabric of Kinshasa. It re-mains less known and sorely lacks apostolic opportunities for her young priests. The assumptionist presence at Kinshasa include two communities of Masina which are over croweded and have trouble occupying the religious: the pos-tulancy Bienheureux Josaphat and the parish of Divin Maître. A community is being installed on the site of Bibwa where a build-ing is ready to accommodate re-ligious and a school is being fin-ished, with three classes to start. The Assumptionist international formation community (CIFA) of

Ngaliema is a particular reality of the Region because it directly depends on the Provincial and the Superior general in his counsel.

In his interviews with vari-ous groups of religious and laity, the Superior general has insisted on the primacy of religious life, to strengthen by a fraternal and spiritual life more responsible and a high sense of belonging. The effectiveness and the vital-ity of the future vicariate depends enormously on it « Without com-munities worthy of this name, the vicariate cannot be erected within the prescribed time. Indeed, this structure of organization and ani-mation depends already on the solidity of the constituent com-munities. »

At the Regional Assembly, the Superior general has recalled the reasons for the creation of the Vicariate of Kinshasa: give a new apostolic and community impetus to the region, and introduce to the leadership new leaders. To enable this necessary evolution, a road-map will provide for the forth-coming opening of a community at Bibwa, the elaboration of an apostolic project (2018-2023) for the Vicariate, regular regional meetings to allow the religious to exchange on the progress of the program.

The Superior general has con-cluded the visit by promising to come back within a year to see the progress made with the pro-vincial follow-up to give.

Fr. Thierry Kambale Kahongya

From 22 to 30 April, the Superior general has performed the canonical visitation of Kinshasa Region (DR-Congo). Father Thierry Kahongya, Assistant general accompanied him.

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The Courage to Begin Anew!

From March 2nd to the 29th, the Superior general made a canonical visit to the Andean Province. He was accompanied by Fr. Marcelo Marciel, Assistant and Vicar general, who, in fact, authored this account.

A canonical visit is always a time of fraternity, lis-tening, and renewal in

the life of each religious. The Superior general, Fr. Benoit Gri-ere, and the Vicar general, Fr. Marcelo Marciel, undertook this time of grace with a firm desire to strengthen the basics of Assump-tionist religious life in a context of rapid secularization, where religious are called to bear wit-ness to their commitment with as much fidelity as possible.

The Andean Province is made up of four countries. The first in order of foundation is Chile (1890), then Argentina (1910), Colombia (1946) and the young-est, Ecuador (1996). According the latest statistics (on December 31, 2017) there were 59 religious, 1 novice and 3 postulants.

So, who are these religious liv-ing in the Southern Hemisphere? They have a common language (Spanish); the major apostolic commitment is in parishes, then popular piety, shrine ministry, a presence in blue-collar neighbor-hoods, and education.

ChileIn Chile there are 5 communi-

ties, all of them attached to a par-ish, one of which is also respon-sible for two schools with 1500 students, more or less. Currently Chile has no houses of formation, since the Latin American novi-tiate is located in Brazil and the house of theology in Argentina.

Chileans are proud of their traditions, deeply rooted in the

land and in family bonds, a peo-ple with a Catholic background and with an admirable capacity to withstand natural catastrophes that afflict the country, especially earthquakes. Moreover, it is never possible to forget a painful past of military dictatorships in Latin America, which also affected Chile. The Assumption in Chile did not turn its back on the suf-fering of its people and founded communities in poorer neighbor-hoods in order to be able to ac-company and support them in the toughest of times.

Chilean society is changing and religios there are facing new challenges both in their parishes and their schools. But these social changes have not always been supportive of a stronger fidelity to our religious consecration; to the contrary, they are often expres-sions of a society that is quickly abandoning their Christian points of reference.

Engaging in a little history, we quote the first superior of the As-sumptionist mission in Chile, Fr. Stéphane Chaboud, who, when asked by the Assumptionists in France, to drop them a line, re-plied saying, “The five of us are on horseback… reins in hand, the faith in our hearts, the Word in our mouths and filled with zeal to convert many” (May 15, 1892)…..this is the apostolic pas-sion of the sons of Fr. d’Alzon.

Almost 130 years have gone by since that foundation. Where are the men spoken of in this let-ter?

The Superior general is the guarantor of fidelity to the As-sumptionist charism and as the successor of our founder is re-sponsible to assure that day in and day out all the religious in every province live it and follow it with enthusiasm and that they love the Rule of Life they received on the day of their religious profession. In this regard, the canonical visit to the Andean Province served as a call to personal conversion, a call to have the courage to be-gin anew. That is what faith is all about….placing oneself in God’s hands even though we may not see clearly where the road is tak-ing us.

ArgentinaLike a refreshing breeze, the

visit with our brothers in Bue-nos Aires filled us with great joy. For many years our presence had been marked by a reduced num-ber of religious in spite of many pastoral demands, a shrine that receives frequent daily visitors and two grammar school/high schools. A few years ago the Ple-nary General Council decided the creation of an international house of formation in Argentina, that to-day houses brothers from Mexi-co, Brazil, DRC, Madagascar and the Philippines, an adventure that has opened us up to the challenge of internationality and intercul-turality.

Another powerful moment was the final profession of three brothers, two Congolese and one Malagasi, more than 40 years af-

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ter our brothers who disappeared, Raúl Rodriguez and Carlos Anto-nio, made their profession at the same shrine. Another highlight was the meeting of all the young religious of the Province (some twenty or so) who had an oppor-tunity to share with the Superior general their hopes for the future and to talk about the demands of Assumptionist religious life.

We hope that these young As-sumptionists will be able to get involved in vocation ministry, especially with those who share and live our charism…in the par-ish, in our schools, and with the young ‘missionaries’ of the Insti-tuto San Román.

ColombiaThe visit to Bogotá (Colom-

bia) formed part of a long process of accompaniment that the entire Congregation has undertaken over the past 6 years. The As-sumption there has been in crisis, but refuses to abandon its mis-sion which remains relevant and urgent. Currently, the religious run Colegio Emmanuel d’Alzon which is under reconstruction with the admission of girls to the school a year ago. There are two

older religious stationed at the Colegio; there is also a postulan-cy house with two Assumption-ists and two candidates, one from Colombia and the other from Ec-uador.

EcuadorThe visit to Ecuador also went

smoothly. There are only two re-ligious in the community, one Chilean and one Congolese, at the service of a parish dating back to colonial times, thoroughly steeped in the popular religious traditions of the region and fea-turing a considerable indigenous population. Our meeting with the bishop confirmed the challenges our ministry there will require. The bishop promised to send us some assistance shortly in this work. Currently the Congregation has two Ecuadorian religious and one postulant …after 22 years of presence.

AllianceOne essential aspect of the

visit in each country was a meet-ing with the lay members of the Assumptionist Lay Alliance. We were pleasantly surprised to see the preparation they have under-

taken to study the Superior gen-eral’s last letter. These meetings were simple and afforded us the opportunity to share with them their love of the Assumption and to see how the charism has mo-bilized them to get involved, especially in social action with street people, unwed mothers, after-school programs, and other initiatives. I’d like to mention here a touching moment when parishioners in the parish of Calpi in Ecuador pleaded with us not to abandon them. We give thanks to the Lord for the life of every one of our lay brothers and sisters and their families who, together with religious, are committed to ex-tending the Kingdom of God.

The Andean Province, togeth-er with the entire Congregation, is going through a period of trans-formation during which breaks with the past are necessary and an opening to the international mission is proving to be essential.

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Learning to give out of our own poverty is a prophetic sign for the generations to come. Today there is one Chilean who is completing his studies at the Gregorian Uni-versity in Rome and who will be returning to work at the interna-tional house of formation in Ar-gentina, an Ecuadorian religious who is working on a doctorate in Patrology, and another Chilean who is about to begin a mission experience in Florence, concrete signs of a body that needs to rally its forces to go beyond its own borders.

It is important to remem-ber that vocation ministry in the Church forms part of our mis-sion as Assumptionists, but that means that in every country of the Province there be a well-es-tablished program with someone in charge who is able to respond to the needs of young people who knock at our door and who can or-

ganize activities where questions about Assumptionist religious life can be raised. Vocation ministry requires patience and persever-ance, but basically it must show young people how we live every day in fraternal and prayerful communities. Vocation ministry is everyone’s business……with-out exception.

Everybody in the province is gearing up to implement a deci-sion taken at the Provincial Chap-ter. In a nutshell, it is not a ques-tion of some new initiative or new documents, but a commitment on the part of all religious to adopt a new way of evaluating, discern-ing and moving forward. It is a question of attitude… how every-one will adopt so many decisions that have been made in the past, implement so many texts that al-ready exist, including the Rule of Life and the General Chapter acts. The key is regular evaluation of

the progress being made so as to avoid falling into the temptation of thinking that such texts have no value except to gather dust on our bookshelves.

The Superior general insisted that loving the Church, loving the Congregation, loving the re-ligious of the Andean Province means taking a serious look at oneself in truth because only the truth will set us free. We hope that the greatest fruit of this visit will be a return to the essentials of our religious consecration, a sign of which took place in the transfor-mation of the chapel of the pro-vincial house from a museum into a place of prayer and celebration for all religious once again.

“That is why I am going to lure her and lead her out into the wilderness, and speak to her heart” (Hosea 2:16).

Fr. Marcelo Marciel

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Yesterday and today coming together

The third apostolic exhortation of Pope Francis, dated March

2018, did not have the same ex-posure and reactions than the two previous ones. Yet Gaudete et exsultate dealing with ‘the call to holiness in the world of today’ deserves much of attention. It suggests a mode of thinking quite in parallel with the intuition of our founder about holiness.

Gaudete et exsultate: these two priorities which conclude the text of the Beatitudes, as much for Pope Francis as for Fr. D’Alzon, sound like a conviction: ‘Here is a sure reward, abundant reward... eternal reward since it is awaiting for you where eter-nity dwells’, Fr. D’Alzon writes. So, go towards God, ask him to be your whole and, in a hope that will never be lost, despise what is from earth and work for what will earn you in heaven the one that will make you whole.’ (1)

Gaudete et exsultate (1 / 2) The publication of the apostolic exhortation Gaudete et exsultate brings together the intuition of both Fr. D’Alzon and Pope Francis about the urgent quest for holiness in the heart of every single Christian.

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In his writings like in the ex-hortation of Pope Francis, the call to holiness is foremost similar to the call given to Abraham: ‘Walk in my presence and be perfect.’ (Gen 17, 1) This is an important idea for Fr. D’Alzon. It comes back under the form of a prayer in the Directory (2) and holds a central place in the fifth circular letter about meditation. If we are leaning towards God, it is most naturally like by instinct, in or-der to bring people towards him: ‘It is with zeal that we ought to walk in front of him, but it is out of love and tenderness that we ought to act out for our Father in front of his presence.’(3) The idea of the presence of God must become permanent: ‘The one who has always the presence of God in mind will live perfectly.’(4) He is still insisting in his spiri-tual direction with Mother Ma-rie-Eugénie (5), just like in the instructions that he gives to the

teachers at the college, as a means of education to promote, which calls for a certain reserve: ‘Not so much a formal and offi-cial restraint but the one

that brings respect for the others,

1) Ecrits Spirituels, p. 10512) In chapter Vll Sur le sentiment de la presence

de Dieu: ‘Lord, make me walk always in the presence

of God so that I can attain perfection.’3) ES, p. 2234) ES, p. 291, 618, 627-6285) Letter of October 1858, quoted in ES, p. 8306) ES, p. 13437) ES, p. 1124-1126

just like a self-respect, a restraint that speaks by itself and proves that one is walking in the pres-ence of God.’ (6)

His call to holiness is also an echo to the thought of Paul quot-ed by Pope Francis (Ep 1, 4). At that time, our founder is preoccu-pied with giving his congregation a specific character: the fourth vow and the particular exam. This is the opportunity for him to give a wide commentary on the epistle to the Ephesians, quoted also in the apostolic exhortation. (7) These are the two quotations that are put forward in the intro-duction of the document of Pope Francis.

We will try to bring together the elements of the exhortation that we can find also in the intu-ition of Fr. D’Alzon on holiness, but also these specific elements that can be explained by the his-torical and spiritual context of that time and by the traits of his personality. Finally, we will call to mind on which basis d’Alzon had become a model of holiness for his contemporaries.

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An approach to holinessThe pontifical document has

five chapters where it is easy to find references in Fr. D’Alzon: the call for holiness, the enemies that want to prevent it, a com-mentary of the Beatitudes with the expressions that derive from them, and last, the fight, the vigi-lance and the discernment that the Gospel presupposes.

The call to holiness has been clear for all the witnesses that have preceded us. Fr. D’Alzon invites us to run following them: ‘The road is open toward heav-en; let us run in that direction.’ (8) He writes in the magazine La Croix an article that introduces a new column dealing with the lives of the saints: ‘The life of the saints is one of the greatest and most peaceful teachings that can be found.’ (9) ‘The knowledge of the life of the saints carries you into a new world, the world of kindness.’ (10) ‘May a greater love for the saints produce a greater zeal for holiness and the hope to attain such a high peak, God willing, is not impossible for the Christians.’ (11) The call to holiness is intended for each one of us, everyone on his own road, as the Council says (Lumen Gen-tium 11). What the Pope quali-fies as ‘the next door holiness’, and adding ‘Let the grace of your baptism bear fruit in a process of holiness’ (no. 15). Fr. D’Alzon understands this fruit as the one of Incarnation, quoting the ser-mon of Saint Leo for the feast of Christmas: ‘Being born in me, he calls me to be born again in the supernatural order.’ (12)

The two enemies of holiness are designated by Pope Francis are those Saint Augustine was fighting against. ‘The perfec-tion of a person is the one that can be measured by the degree

of charity and not by the quan-tity of data and knowledge that they accumulate’ what is usu-ally called gnoticism. And there are those who trust only in their own merit and will, the pela-gians to whom Saint Augustine would answer: ‘God invites you to do whatever you can and to ask for whatever you cannot do’ (Nature and Grace, XLlll, 50) or else to say simply to the Lord: ‘Give what you order and order what you want’ (Confessions X, XXlX, 40).

Under the title ‘Under the light of the master’, Pope Fran-cis presents a commentary of the Beatitudes which constitute the very heart of his apostolic exhortation and equals the great commentators of the Sermon on the Mount. Fr. D’Alzon uses the commentary of Saint Jerome for his meditation on that subject in a course given on the Sermon on the Mount at the beginning of his ministry. He has no rest in encouraging the people he writes to to read over and over again the Beatitudes and makes often reference to it in his groups of Third Order. Some kind of a synthesis of his thinking is found in the instruction he gives to the Religious of the Assumption in a retreat on the Beatitudes, at Au-teuil in August 1872. (13)

In the fourth chapter of Gaud-ete et exsultate, Pope Francis lists five essential characteristics to win this fight for holiness. The first one is to be focused on God and to build an inner strength which allows us to resist vio-lence: ‘The grace of God cannot be grasped without resisting.’ (14) ‘When it will be a matter of your cause, I want to accept ev-erything, even death, rather than failing to resist when necessary.’ (15)

Postulator’s brief news…

* The diocesan secretariate for the Beatification of Venerable Fr. Em-manuel d’Alzon hold its quarterly meetings for the year 2018. The first one took place on 15 Febru-ary at Institut Emmanuel d’Alzon in Nîmes and the second one on 11 June at Le Vigan. Anne and Pierre Chevrot presented the booklet Le lion des Cévennes vu du Vigan. It was again tabled the thinking about the means to put forward in order to sensitize clergy and laity to the cause of Beatification of the Vener-able Fr. Emmanuel d’Alzon: ‘Make known, better known’ Fr. Emmanuel d’Alzon, ‘encourage to imitate his Christian and apostolic virtues’, pray in order to obtain graces through his intercession’. A new novena will soon be launched.* The team dealing with the Cause of Beatification of Fr. Etienne Per-net met in Paris, Violet Street, on 5 June. The meeting delt with the dossier of Sidonie (Madagascar) that could be recognized as an ‘un-explainable healing’. Other subjects on the table were: Echoes from the 160th anniversary of the ordina-tion of Fr. Pernet, the means to be carried out in case of Beatification, the publication of a biography of Fr. Pernet in Italian, with a foreword by Pope Francis, the latest bulletin on the postulation and the preparation in April 2019 of the 120th anniver-sary of the death of Fr. Pernet (6 April 1899).

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This permanent quest for what is good is characterized next by the patience which is patterned by self-giving and the logic of the cross: two constitu-tive elements of the spirituality of Fr. D’Alzon. (16) The third characteristic is named patience and is translated by humility which, in the Assumption, is linked to faith along with obe-dience which, for Fr. D’Alzon, cannot be separated from mink-ness, abnegation and self-deni-al. (17)

The Pope adds then two last characteristics: ‘The saint is able to live happily and with a sense of humour.’ (no. 122-128) In the latest presentation of our charism by the last General Chapter, joy is also mentioned, calling to mind the recommen-dations of Fr. D’Alzon: ‘The first condition to go forward at the service of God is joy.’ (18) It would not be difficult to find humour in him. D’Alzon, the Southerner, was gifted with a sense of humour sometimes spirited and sometimes harsh. (19) The Pope adds then three elements which parallel with

Fr. D’Alzon cannot be silenced. Indeed, he says that holiness is boldness and fervor. For Fr. D’Alzon, one do not become a saint with his arms crossed, and prayer, he adds ‘must take a peculiar touch of fervor for the souls’ (20) The Pope says final-ly that ‘sanctification is a com-munity process’. (no. 140-146)

The last chapter has to do with fight, vigilance and dis-cernment. These also have an echo in Fr. D’Alzon and would justify a more profound study. On the account of vigilance: ‘We are naturally so poor, mis-erable that we need a great vigi-lance to escape from ourselves’, he says to the Third Order members of the Assumption, in June 1851. So there are the art and the manner. This mirrored exam between the thinking of Fr. D’Alzon and the apostolic exhortation of Pope Francis in-vites us to be disciples of Fr. D’Alzon in order to answer in our own way the call to holiness in the world of today.

Fr. Bernard Le Léannec,

postulator

8) ES, p. 407, 4099) ES, p. 105210) ES, p. 105311) ES, p. 105612) ES, p.170, 319. 13) Cahiers d’Alzon, Vlll, p. 41-5014) Méditations sur la Perfection Religieuse pour les Augustins de l’Assomption, Paris, 1925, l, p. 14415) Ibidem, p. 313-31616) For self-giving see ES, p. 681-683 and for the spirit of the cross, see Instruction aux Territoires de l’Assomption 1878-1879, Paris, Maison de la Bonne Presse, 1930, p. 70-7417) Retreat to the Oblates on the Imitation of Jesus Christ (1-8 September 1874) (text conserved by notes)18) Cahiers d’Alzon, Vll, p. 4319) See: Le Père d’Alzon par lui-même, Anthologie alzonienne by Fr. Jean-Paul Perrier-Muzet, tome l, Parabole communautaire, p. 165-16820) ES, p. 19

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THE NOVITIATES IN THE NETHERLANDS

It is in 1940 that the war novi-tiates of the Vicariate of Hol-land start. Up until then, the

common novitiate with Belgium was done in Taintignies, with Fr. Domitien Meuwissen as master of novices.

Bergeyk. In 1940, Fr. Domi-tien becomes the master of novic-es for the novitiate of the Vicari-ate which is hosted at the scolasti-cate of Bergeyk for one year.

Boxtel. In 1941-1942, it finds a refuge in Boxtel-Stapelen (le ‘château’, NDLR), still with Fr. Domitien.

Moergestel. Villa ‘Hoogen Huizen’. In 1942-1943, the novi-tiate finds another home: it moves to Moergestel. But in 1943-1944, when Fr. Domitien becomes the Superior of the Alumnate in Box-

tel, it is Fr. Aloysius Roy who takes charge of the novitiate.

Berkel Enschol. ‘Temporary installed novitiate’, quotes the Di-rectory in 1944-1945. In order to quote Fr. Vincent de Paul Bailly, the pilgrim novitiate continues its pilgrimage, including the novices and the master of novices. Then, it returns to Villa ‘Hoogen Hui-zen’, for the years 1945-1946. As the war ends, the Province of Holland is created. From then on, the novitiate will find a more quiet moment.

Halsteren. The novitiate is called Stella Maris, with Fr. Ae-gidius Beckers as Superior and master of novices. There were no novices in 1947-1948 since the military occupation of the Alum-nate of Boxtel caused the lost of one school year. In 1948-1949, Fr. Domitien is again the master

of novices until 1952. Thereafter, Fr. Aegidius will take over until 1955.

Steenbergen. The loca-tion has changed but it is always the same master of novices un-til 1962. From 1962-1963 un-til 1966, Fr. Theodoor Weijs is responsible of the novitiate. (1) The Ephemerides (2) writes that, from 4 June1966, the novices will have their novitiate in Leuven (Belgium) under the leadership of Fr. Harry Lemmens.

IN FRANCE, THE THREE WAR NOVITIATES

The 1939-1945 war obliged the Assumption in France to re-organize its houses of formation because of the war. Only the no-vitiate of Pont-L’Abbé was able to function all through the war. On the contrary, Les Essarts was obliged to close and Nozeroy be-came an Alumnate. These are the circumstances why it was neces-sary to open a novitiate in Vér-argues, in this Alumnate of the southern part of the Province of Paris.

Verargues. It is written in the ephemerides of the novitiate of Our Lady of the Assumption of Vérargues: ‘Two English novices of the Province of the Center had chosen to leave the occupied ter-ritory to reach Vérargues in 1940. There was then an attempt for a war novitiate with the permission of the Superiors in the rectory of Vérargues. Then, in September, three postulants, former alumni of

The novitiates of the Augustinians of the Assumption (Fourth part: 1940 – 1969)We continue here the complete history of the novitiates of our Congregation as presented by Fr. Patrick Zago, archivist of the Province of Europe. This section goes from the Second World War to the Vatican ll Council.

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Verargues, came along.’ The no-vitiate could fly on its own under the leadership of Fr. Marie-Al-bert Devynck. With very simple means, the regular life of a novi-tiate resumed. Manual work was keeping everyone busy because meals had to be prepared for ev-eryone. ‘Since we are hungry, the master of novices sends us out to pick berries (3) for our snack.’ A visit to the place of Fr. D’Alzon is also on the program: ‘In Nîmes, we enter the church of St-Perpétue and, since Fr. D’Alzon preached there quite often, all climb up to the pulpit!’ And a last note in the archives: ‘At noon, Deo gratias is granted to us and the ten verses of the novum (4) are suppressed; the master of novices accepts to offer to each one a cigarette.’ The no-vitiate lasted until October 1942.

Cavalerie. The castle of Cavalerie, in the town of Prigon-rieux (Dordogne), is the Alum-nate of the Province of the West. This is where will land another war novitiate. It opens in Septem-ber 1941 with a group of 21 nov-ices, a majority of whom belong to the Province of Lyon, under the responsibility of Fr. Casimir Romanet; but the Superior of the house is Fr. Marie-Rogatien Bahuaut, almost already blind. Fr. Léon Merklen, the director of La Croix, sought-after by the Germans, is hidden in the com-munity. .. In the same community, Fr. Clément Brunet is a member of the Resistance and he is in contact with the network of the camouflage of equipment: piles of weapons and ammunitions are hidden in the outbuildings of the Alumnate and the woods nearby. .. Everybody knows that it is a dangerous game. Like for the community of the Alumnate, the novices are also threatened by the anguish of proceedings. (5) The novitiate will close in 1944 and

will become a scolasticate of phi-losophy until August 1945.

Miribel-Les-Echelles. Since the novitiate of Cavalerie had become a house of studies, the novitiate moved to the premises of the Alumnate of Miribel in August 1944, where it will stay until November 1945.The mas-ter of novices is Fr. Eleuthère Elsen. The ephemerides written by the novices, even during war time, give us interesting details. When there is a long outing or some special feasts, ‘the novices join the alumni, which brings joy in everyone’s heart.’ There is also a rare event for the life of a novitiate: ‘On 15 July 1945, Fr. Eleuthère calls in the novices in order to read to them a letter from the Provincial Superior.’ They are perplexed, curious and with some anguish for something that does not happen everyday... ‘I am granting the novices 15 days of visit to their families.’ An extraor-dinary event! Unfortunately, he goes on reading: ‘Three brothers, for various reasons, will not enjoy the same privilege, and these are their names...’ We will not learn anything else about the motiva-tions but the archives reveal that

Cavalerie

1) He is the author of a thesis on Fr. D’Alzon, presented at the Gregorianum in Rome (1966) about ‘The aspects of the incarnation in the thoughts of Father d’Alzon, on the apostolate and spiritual life until the writing of the Directory in 1859’.2) Ephémérides, p. 1563) Small red berry, round and fleshy, growing on bushes around the Mediterranean Sea.4) The old religious still remember: each ordinary day, the novices were obliged to learn by heart 10 verses of the Gospel in Latin (Novum testamentum) or 5 in Greek. The Deo gratias in the refectory was the signal given by the Superior that it was then possible to talk. Fr. Jérôme Beckaert, a teacher of philosophy at Layrac, was saying to Fr. Picot, the Superior: ‘Give the Deo gratias and I will take care of the conversation.’5) Fr. Bahuaut was energetic; he was not afraid of death. The Germans saw that when, in 1944, at Cavalerie, during a search,they hold him for two hours with their machine guns. He was asked later: ‘Weren’t you afraid?’ ‘How would that affect me? Don’t you know that I am blind? The Germans? I haven’t seen them.’ (Voulez-vous?, the bulletin of Layrac, no. 12, July-September 1949, p. 6).

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these ‘excluded’ will compensate with beautiful holidays inside the novitiate, organized by Fr. Marie-Anthelme Bugnard, a teacher at the Alumnate and assistant to the master of novices. Let us add a fact which is very present in any war novitiate: the novices put a lot of efforts gardening in order to bring food on the table: ‘After the breakfast, the Superior warns us to put on our working clothes. We must go and harvest the potatoes. Dragging two chariots containing bags and tools, we leave joyfully to the fields belonging to the com-munity at La Grassetière, near the football field. At noon, our lunch is brought. We come back home at 7:30 pm with our load.’ On 11 November 1945, the novitiate comes to a close with the vows of the brothers who can then leave for Layrac to start their studies in philosophy.

ELSEWHERE IN EUROPEFirenze (Italy) in 1946-1947,

with Fr. Ferréol Poux-Berthe. It is a glorious year since there are nine Italian novices. (6)

Naxos (Greece) in 1949, with Fr. Athanase Raymoundos. Among the novices, the future bishop, Mgr. Antoine Varthalitis, archbishop of Corfou. (7)

Elorio (Spain) was at first, in 1907, an Alumnate in exile of France before becoming a Span-ish Alumnate. At the end of 1941, four postulants, dispersed by the civil war, were able to reach the novitiate in Cavalerie via Barce-lona. But in 1944, it becomes im-possible to cross to France. A no-vitiate must be opened in Spain. The Congregation obtains from Rome an indult to establish a no-vitiate in Madrid, in one of our student residences, with Fr. Pedro Frias as master of novices. But the project will not be realized and the novitiate will be created

in Elorio under the leadership of Fr. Fernando Moisen who is at the same time Superior and master of novices. On 18 October 1944, 14 novices take the Assumptionist habit, among them two lay broth-ers. (9) It is only in December 1946 that the newly professed brothers will arrive at Layrac to continue their studies in philoso-phy that they had started in Elorio after their first vows.

Barcelona A residence for students and a novitiate are cre-ated on 10 October 1968.(10)IN ENGLAND

England was a Vicariate of the Province of Paris from 1923 to 1946, before becoming a Prov-ince.

Taunton (GB) Bindon House. The Saint-Monica novi-tiate was the first one in England. It was opened before the end of the War, in 1944-1945, with Fr. Gabriel Slater. ‘It is a house built next to a small copse; it is in front of a small park set at the head of a large meadow. An inscription carved on a notice panel express-es the satisfaction of the former owner: ‘I feel good here!”

But it will not last long and the novitiate is moved to Langford Budville where Fr. Gabriel hand-ed the responsibility to Fr. Austin Treamer, a former missionary of

Mission d’Orient who was for a long time master of novices in Romania. He will be in charge from 1947 until 1952, the year when he becomes the Provincial of England. In the meantime, the novitiate moves again to another place, Capenor.

Capenor (12) was the novi-tiate for England between 1948 and 1956. It is described as ‘a huge property with a fertile gar-den and spacious buildings, which for the moment is home for just a few novices, but the fervor keeps alive firm hopes.’ It is Fr. Malachy Corbett who succeeded Fr. Austin until 1955. He handed later the responsibility to Fr. Hil-ary Carter who remained until 1965, but not in the same location since in 1956 the novitiate moves to Heathfield, the last novitiate to be organized in England.

IN NORTH AMERICAA novitiate for the Vicariate of

North America (sometimes called Vicariate of the New World) and later for that Province is opened. Canada and the USA had formed this Vicariate, under the Province of Paris, from 1923 to 1946. From then on, Mexico will be added to it.

Bergerville (In the neigh-bourhood of Québec; the Direc-

Saugerties

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tory speaks later about Sillery and, eventually about Québec). It is in Canada, in Bergerville that the first novitiate is established. The master of novices was Fr. Marie-Alexis Gaudefroy from 1929 to 1932, and then Fr. Yvon Le Floch until 1949. Starting with the Second World War (1939-145), Bergerville is also a house of studies like Assumption Col-lege in Worcester for the scolas-tics.The Province of North Amer-ica, created in 1946, keeps its novitiate there until 1963 with the following masters of novices: Fr. André Godbout (1949-1954), Fr. Xavier Vandermerschen (1954-1959) and Fr. Théodore Lussier (1959-1963). From then on, the Canadian novices will be sent to the USA.

Hyattsville (14) 1953. First created novitiate in the USA, in the neighbourhood of Washington DC. The house was at the same time a novitiate and a scolasticate for theology, under the direction of Fr. Frédéric Richard.

Saugerties Starting in 1954, the novitiate moves to Saugerties, 100 miles North of New York, with as master of novices Fr. Fré-déric Richard until 1956, then Fr. Ulric Charpentier until 1964 and finally Fr. Oliver Blanchette until 1967. Then, the novitiate moves to the area of Boston.

Dedham The house is at the same time novitiate and scolasti-cate, under the responsibility of Fr. Edgar Bourque, from 1967 to 1969.

IN SOUTH AMERICAIt was a Vicariate of the Prov-

ince of Bordeaux from 1923 to 1953.

Santos Lugares (Argentina) was the first Assumptionist novi-tiate for South America. Founded on 21 November 1926 (16), in the community of this great shrine,

under the responsibility of Fr. Stanislas Piton and Fr. François de Paule Blachère; it lasted until 1940.

Santiago (Chile) After Ar-gentina, it was in Chile, in the community of El Golf, with Fr. Isidore Gayraud, from 1942 to 1944, and then Fr. Jean de Dieu Danset until 1954, and Fr. Stan-islas Pytko.

After that, the novitiate moved to Los Andes, from 1957 to 1964. A storm pulls up the roof of the novitiate house in 1958, as re-called by a novice of that time. . In 1960, the first Brazilian brothers come to Chile for their novitiate, one of them is Br. José Geraldo da Cruz who will later become our first Brazilian bishop. During this whole period, the master of nov-ices is still Fr. Stanislas Pytko.

At Yumbo, near Cali (Colom-bia), between 1959 and 1961, a novitiate is established (17), with Fr. Régis Escoubas.

As for Brazil, it was made up of two different administrations of the Assumption: a Vice-Prov-ince in Sao Paulo, under the Prov-ince of Holland, and a Region in Rio de Janeiro, under the Prov-ince of Bordeaux.

Eugenopolis (18) (State of Minas Gerais). It is a parish and a novitiate, under Fr. Bernardin Le Goff (1956-1957). This first novitiate in Brazil was temporary since Fr. Timothée Labialle, ap-pointed master of novices, holds simultaneously the positions of Superior and treasurer of the community, teacher and more-over in charge of the construction of the new Alumnate. There will be three novices, among whom two will finish their novitiate at Los Andes (Chile), but none of them persevered.

Governador Portela (State of Rio de Janeiro). It is a parish and a novitiate at the same time,

under the responsibility of Fr. Bernardin Le Goff (1965-1966). It is a beautiful group of eleven novices. After their first vows, they leave for the new scolasti-cate of Belo Horizonte to undergo their philosophy studies. Unfor-tunately, the military coup and the repression that followed, with four of our brothers put in prison (read page 26), caused a great tur-moil. At the end of 1968, none of these brothers was left.

(to be followed)

6) Directory 1946-1947, p. 137) Directory 1949-1950, p. 178) This information is taken from l’Histoire de Elorio, typed edition of 15 pages, written in 1949 by Fr. Protais Jaïn, who composed many short stories about the communities of the Province of Bordeaux.9) From a letter of Fr. Luis Madina to the Provincial of Bordeaux: ‘I was a witness to the beginning of the novitiate that took place at Elorio, on 18 October 1944. You can imagine the joy and the enthusiasm of the novices.’ (Lettre à la famille, no. 2, New series, 15 February 1945, p. 8)10) Information taken from Ephémérides, p. 284. For the years 1968-1969, the Directory was not published.11) Lettre à la famille, no. 35, New series, 15 October 1947, p. 16112) Lettre à la famille, no. 163, New series, 1-15 February 1954, p. 1613) Ephémérides, p. 319. The creation of a novitiate is indicated without any precision.14)Ephémérides, p. 8915) I summarize here a note from Fr. Julio Navarro.16) According to the Directory, the novitiate is mentioned only in 1932.17) Ephémérides, p. 268. Bulletin Officiel, December 195718) Ephémérides, p. 259. A novitiate is mentioned; Bulletin Officiel, December 1957

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50 years ago, Assumptionists were imprisoned in Brazil It is a dramatic episode of the life of our congregation, even though it is less known by young generations: in 1968, the military dictatorship that had taken power in Brazil willed to put the Church in solidarity with the poor. First target: the assumptionists.

The book, written in Portuguese, is entitled “Living memories of 1968. The imprisonment of the French

priests and the Brazilian deacon”. It is a book for more than 300 pages, with am-ple evidences, published in2017 by the house of publication of Catholic Univer-sity (PUC) of Minas Gerais. Its autors are Michel Marie Le Ven and Rosely Carlos Augusto, with the participation of our as-sumptionist brother Mgr José Geraldo da Cruz, retired bishop of Juazeiro da Ba-hia, and the collaboration of many mili-tants. All have participated at the events which, since almost 50 years ago, caused the imprisonment of French assumption-ist fathers namely Michel Le Ven, Xavier Berthou, and Hervé Croguennec, together with a Brazilian deacon José Geraldo da Cruz.

The events of November 1968 marked a turning point in the history of the Church of Brazil. This country lived its first years of military intervention in the national life. The Catholic Church was suspected to in-clude several resisting movements to the new regime, but the dictatorial power had not yet had much the opportunity to take important decisions. Well, there had been the issue of the French deacon at Volta Redonda (an international company of steel) few months earlier, and the choc for the whole Church had been the arrest and imprisonment of the four assumptionists named above, three French priests and one Brazilian deacon on November 28th 1968.

The archdiocese of Belo Horizonte had by then Mgr João Resende Costa as the

head and as auxiliary Mgr Sérafim Fer-nandes of Araújo, future cardinal who was also the Head Chancellor of the Catholic University of Minas. The bishops decided to take the defense of their priests and the commitments that were held by the members of the Catholic Action. In fact, through the accusations done against priests and the commit-ted laity, the pastoral action of the Church as a whole was put into question. There were other priests (mainly of religious) and commit-ted lay in this work. The trial of those persons will be called the “procès des 34” (the trial of 34). The media of the time contrib-uted greatly to make the events known. Many newspapers clip-pings are kept at the archives of the Con-gregation.

The book that has just been published is a collection of written contributions by people who have lived those great mo-ments, in the light of the reflection more than 20 years later, mainly from the year 2008. The main interest is exactly this po-sition: to rethink, to interpret, to analyze in a new look what these people had lived.

It contains also much of the documents, the photos, and the texts of the time, which allow to understand better what has hap-pened and most importantly to analyze the way the media broadcasted the news. This media helps us perceive clearly the divided opinions.

Fr. Jean Bosco Dubot, a.a

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Sr Georgette-Marie Fayolle, the smile and missionary zealThe older Superior General of the Oblates of the Assumption, who died last May 5th, has marked by his finger print not only our sister-congregation, but also the whole family of the Assumption.

Hommage <<

Sr Georgette-Marie was born on November 30th, 1928 in the Mounts of Lyon-

nais (France), from the Christian family background. Since her childhood, the desire for the mis-sionary religious life grew in her. After acquiring a Master’s degree in Mathematics and Physic-Sci-ences towards 1950, the moment of making choice rose in her. It is this period the dogma of the As-sumption was proclaimed and the influence of Couturier (a diocesan priest) about unity of the churches was manifest. She discovers Fr. D’Alzon and the congregations of the Assumption through a link with the Institute of Valpre and an assumptionist who accompanies her. She chooses the oblates for their identity that is fundamental-ly missionary, their focus towards the unity of the Church, their mul-tifaceted apostolic project and their concern to the poorest peo-ple. After her religious profession on May 12th 1957, she is sent as a teacher at Saint-Elizabeth (Paris 15th) where she will be quickly associated to the leading team re-sponsibilities.

At the general chapter held in 1975, Sister Georgette-Marie is elected as Superior General. It is a surprise considering her little experience related to the respon-sibilities of the congregation. Nevertheless, her interventions and capacity of making syntheses impressed the participants. She renewed twice her term in the of-fice.

Faithful to the orientations of the council, she led the congrega-tion with the ambition of taking it back to its sources; this was marked by:

- the centenary of the death of Father d’Alzon (1980) and the ac-knowledgement by the Church of the “heroicity” of his virtues (1991), occasions, for many, to know him better and to read his writings;

- the publications of Monogra-phies (History of the Provinces) and the pages on oblation (notice on each deceased sister).

During the first term of Sr Georgette-Marie, the intense work of actualization of the Rule of life continues until it is en-dorsed by Rome in 1983.

During her leadership, the congregation made an important missionary step through diverse foundations in Africa (Ivory Cost, Rwanda), in Latin America (Chile) and the first foundation in Extreme East (Korea). How-ever, in the Eastern Europe, the decline is noticed by the fall of ‘the rideau de fer’ (the iron cur-tain). Sister Georgette-Marie who so far strived to meet secretly, at the time of her “tour journeys”, sisters who were scattered will accompany bit by bit their com-ing together and the rebirth of the Province.

Her passion for Unity will be a good turning point for this Orien-tal Mission. She will find also an-other improvement in the work of

closeness with the Augustines of Notre-Dame of Consolation, gen-erated from the separation with the Oblates in 1912. Ten years of dialogue and small gestures led to the reunion in 1991.

After these 18 years as Supe-rior General, which were marked by the creation of the trust-sheep of the school establishments, Sis-ter Georgette-Marie will be re-quested to accompany areas that she holds at her heart:

- the Orient Mission where she spent 9 years in Roumenia, 6 years as Provincial;

- the progress the “sisters of Bordeaux” (old Augustines of Notre-Dame of Consolation) as Superior at the Bouscat;

- the presence in the world of teaching at Segré.

At the sunset of her life, when her spirit is by then less awake and what remains from her were thoughtfulness, sense of service accompanied by a sincere smile until the “meeting hour” n

3 Editorial

In solidarity with Jesus Christ2 official

Agenda4 Calls, Nominations, Changes...5 PlEnary GEnEral council

Assumption on mission track Solidarity campaign at Assumption in 2019 Follow the Mobilizing Works First apostolic appointments Fr. Yvez Nzuva Kaghoma, New Provincial of Africa East African Assumption in emergence We don’t have any need for lukewarm and

mediocre religious, but rather men of passion A Letter from the PGC to all religious and Lay

Alliance members regarding our presence in Turkey15 afrca

A Visit to the Region of Kinshasa16 thE andEan ProvincE

The Courage of Begin Anew!19 Postulation

Gaudete et exsultate(1/2)22 archivEs linEs

The novitiates of the Augustinians of the Assumption (Fourth part: 1940-1959)

26 history

50 years ago, Assumptionists were imprisoned in Brazil

27 hommaGE

Sr Georgette-Marie Fayolle, the smile and missionary zeal

28 our dEPartEd brothErs

† Br. André Hillaireau of the community at Albertville (Province of Europe), has died on 1st of May 2018 at Albertville (France). His funeral was celebrated on 3 May in the chapel of the community, before his burial in the cemetery of Albertville. He was 84 years old.

† Fr. Jan Weijnen of the community of Boxtel (Province of Europe), has died on 5 May 2018 at Boxtel (Netherlands). The ceremony of his funeral was celebrated on 15 May at Kasteel Stapelen (Boxtel), before his burial in the cemetery of the community. He was 94 years old.

† Fr. Christian Rouat, of the community of Layrac (Province of Europe), has died on 19 May 2018 at Layrac (France). His funeral was celebrated on 22 May in the chapel of the Priory, before his burial in the cemetery of Layrac. He was 84 years old.

† Fr. Cornelis (Cor) Winder, of the community of Boxtel (Province of Europe), has died on 23 May 2018 at Alkmaar (Netherlands). His ashes were spilled on 30 May in the cemetery of the community of Boxtel. He was 82 years old.

† Fr. Jozef Bergmans, of the community of Leuven (Province of Europe), has died on 7 June 2018 at Leuven (Belgium). His funeral was celebrated on 13 June in the chapel of the community, before his burial in the cemetery of Leuven. He was 77

years old.

† Father Georges-Marie VERGER (Province of Europe), died on June 10th 2018 at Villevaudé (France). His funeral ceremonies were celebrated on June 18th at Villevaudé. He was 95 years old.

Agostiniani dell’Assunzione - Via San Pio V, 55 - I - 00165 Roma Tel. : 06 66013727 - Fax : 06 6630814 - E-mail : assunzione@mclink.it

Our departed brothers

Agostiniani dell’Assunzione - Via San Pio V, 55 - I - 00165 Roma Tel. : 06 66013727 - Fax : 06 6630814 - E-mail : assunzione@mclink.it

TranslatorPatricia Haggerty and Gilles Blouin, English;José Antonio Echaniz, Spanish

Model and laid outLoredana Giannetti

Composed in June 30, 2018This no 05 of AA- info is printed in 220 copies:160 in French30 in English30 in SpanishAnd 350 electronic shipments.

So that AA Newscan “talk” about you,

please send information about the life

of the Assumption in your countries

to the General Secretariat

michel.kubler@gmail.com

before the end of each General Council. Thanks especially

for sending photos and illustrations.

Assunzione@mclink.it

Editor

Michel KUBLER, General Secretary