April, 2014 n no 12

ligious and lai News Re ty

th AAof the Assumption e same mission

EDITORIAL A New World Is Already Born The Assumption is imbued with a force That it receives from God.

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Agenda

Ordinary General Councils Marcelo ● June 19-28 ● April 10-15: Visit to Istanbul ● September 11-22 : Local Chapter of the ● May 8-22: Session of the Masters of Novices Community, September 14 or 22 ● July 10-20: Session on Eastern Europe at Bucharest ● November 10-14 (Rumania)

Plenary General Councils John ● June 7-16 at Saint Lambert () ● May 1-4: Centennial of the Basilica of Hippo (Algeria) ● November 30 to December 10 or December 1-11 ● May 8-22: Session of the Masters of Novices (December 5: Wenger Colloquium) ● May 28 to June 2: Chaplaincy of a university group from Worcester in Rome Benoît ● June 3: Preparatory Commission for the Education Congress in Paris ● Turkey : Canonical Visitation in Istanbul : April 10-15 ● July 7 to September 4: United States (retreat for ● Lyons: First Chapter of the Province of Europe: April the Novices, 8-15 August and three week-ends 22 to May 1 preaching for the solidarity fund) ● USA: Canonical Visitation: May 2 to June 1 ● August 15: National Pilgrimage to Lourdes Didier ● Vietnam: Canonical Visitation: August 21 to September 3 ● March 17 to May 12: in the Americas (Colombia, ● Meeting of the USG on November 21: Opening of Ecuador, Argentina, Chile, Mexico, USA) the Year of Consecrated Life ● May 30: Meeting of the General Treasurers of the ● Meeting of the Superiors General of the Assumption: Assumption Family in Paris December 22 ● July 1-2: in Paris: Council of Consultors and Council of Bayard Emmanuel ● July 3 to August 10: visit to Vietnam and the Philippines ● April 21 to May 4: Chapter of Europe (Valpré) ● September 23: Council of Bayard (Paris) ● May 8-22: Session of the Masters of Novices ● September 24 and 25: Board of Trustees of ● July 22 to September 4: Africa Assumption College

Struggling against despair

Our three brothers, Edmond, Jean-Pierre and Anselme, are still missing. It is 18 months already that they were kidnapped and we are without any news. Lately, the Congolese armed forces began the long work of securing the zones that had been controlled by the rebels, notably in the region of Béni. Unfortunately, the searches have not resulted in freeing the numerous persons kidnapped. Mass graves have been found and a cruel uncertainty remains. Our religious family must continue to pray and to hope. We must not resign ourselves to silence. Lately a verse of Apollinaire came to my mind: “As life is slow, and as Hope is violent.” The faith of the Chris- tian is to hope despite everything. As we approach the feast of Easter, let us continue to struggle against forgetting. Let us also pray that the Congo finds anew peace and stability in its recognized borders. Let us ask the Lord of justice that the Congolese people might live in tranquility. Father Benoît Grière

2 April 2014 n no 12 Editorial <<

A New World Is Already Born.

he feast of Easter reminds us countries of the continent of Europe that the olden times are over must be re-thought in new ways. Tand that a new world is already The Assumption, modest and fragile, born. The Resurrection of Christ must mobilize itself for this grand is the burst of energy that renews project. D’Alzon had no more than everything, beginning with us, who 60 religious at his death and yet he are believers. I wish with all my heart succeeded in mobilizing them for a that each Assumptionist in the world grand project. We must follow their might benefit from this overflowing example. energy that makes new creatures stand The Assumption is imbued with a up. Thanks to death and resurrection, force that comes to it from God. We we become sons of the Father in the can be confident and go forward one Spirit. We are re-created. in peace. I have returned from the The Assumption is old with a Philippines where the annual meeting history of more than 150 years, but of the Inter-Asian Coordination took P. Benoît Grière it continues as it can on its way place. Progressively our Congregation General Superior through the trials of the times. Soon is taking root in countries where even of the Augustinians of a new province will see the day: recently it was absent. Young people the Assumption the Province of Europe. Fruit of the are joining us and we are setting up union of three old provinces – those our apostolic project: the press, social of Spain, North Europe and France – commitments and formation. We are the Assumptionist Europe will in fact looking towards China and towards be a new creation: “For new wine, India. Will God give us a sign so new wineskins!” The religious of this that we have the courage to advance province will have the important task towards these immense countries of building an unprecedented reality. where some two and a half billion We must pass over old habits and people live? abandon fears to look forward with The force of the Resurrection must faith and hope. work in each of us in the first place. Jacques Delors, a profoundly Christian We have a great challenge that French politician, said that Europe consists in each of us changing. is in need of a soul. The political We must allow ourselves to be Europe is marking time because of transformed by the life that gushes national egoisms and the primacy from the side of Christ on the Cross. of finance. The politicians do not It is important that we be new succeed in giving a breath of life to creatures, renewed to give witness the European project that too often to the Kingdom. The Assumptionist appears to be without an ideal. The brotherhood exists to proclaim God. Assumptionist Province of Europe The force of the Resurrection is to will need a soul in order to answer contest the values of the world and it the call of God who asks that we transforms hearts. I believe that we are be intrepid and audacious apostles. all capable of this transformation to The proclamation of faith in the answer the call of the Spirit. n

3 >> Official(continued)

The nomination of the

Provincial of Europe. reacted with humor saying that the ambition was too strong and «I have the joy of announcing to you the nomination that only one man could have all of Father Benoît Gschwind to the responsibility of the qualities mentioned: Jesus Provincial of Europe.» Christ. That was said humorously of course but that reflects a goodly part of the truth. If the Provincial named and each of the religious does not leave the whole place to our Lord, his mission will be marked by fra- gility and will risk becoming a failure. Benoît Gschwind is a man who for many years has displayed his love for the Assumption. He is a religious who assumes with sincerity his commitment in re- ligious life and loves Christ. He has an astounding dynamism and a remarkable apostolic zeal. During his mandate as Provin- cial he has showed a true open- n a letter dated on February make place for a new creation. ness to the diverse realities of 8 addressed to the brothers “The old world has disappeared, the Province as well as to those Iof the Provinces of Spain, a new world is already born” of the Congregation. He weaved North Europe and France, and (2Cor 5, 17). I thank you for amicable ties with his brothers to the lay friends of the As- the strong participation in the of the Plenary General Council. sumption, after having obtained consultation. Some among you Of course, Benoît does not have the consent of his Ordinary were perplexed. all the qualities foreseen in the Council, Fr. Benoît Grière made “How can we answer when we consultation. He knows that and public the nomination of Father do not know the other provincial is ready to improve certain as- Benoît Gschwind (see picture in realities? pects of his personality to listen AA-News of July 2011, p. 5). How can we choose a man when better to one and all. Here is the text: the responsibility he receives Before making his nomination “I have the joy of announcing will be so important?` official, at the request of the to you the nomination of Fa- You expressed many questions, Ordinary General Council, Ben- ther Benoît Gschwind to the and with my Council, I was at- oît was able to present to it his responsibility of Provincial of tentive to study them well. hopes for the new Province. He Europe.” The profound desire that comes knows that he will have to be at- He will begin his functions at out of the consultation is the tentive to the cultural diversity the Provincial Chapter that will necessity of constituting a new and to the various sensitivities be held at Valpré at the end of foundation open to the future that are expressed in the com- April-beginning of May. It is an and marked by a strong apos- munities and the countries of important event since it begins tolic and spiritual dynamism. the Province. Benoît is very a new chapter in the life of the Some among you in reading conscious that he will work with Assumption in Europe. The his- the profile that I gave for the a team and that a part of his re- toric realities will disappear to choice of the future Provincial sponsibilities will be delegated

4 April 2014 n no 12 Official(continued) <<

Calls... to his collaborators. Finally he knows that the new Province is a reality in search of itself and that it will take time and patience to put into practice the ambition that presides over its creation. 1 2 3 4 I would like to insist on the need for each re- ligious to be committed in an active and res- olute way in the process of the new founda- tion. Yes, each of you must consider himself 5 6 7 8 a founder. The Province of Europe does not yet exist. It is therefore desirable that all be committed to make it live and succeed in its creation. 9 10 11 Benoît will have to accompany this birth but he will need to have the collaboration of each of you in order to succeed. Father Benoît Grière, Superior General The whole of the Congregation is paying at- With his Council has called tention to what you are living. You are being watched and the brothers of the other prov- ■ TO PERPETUAL PROFESSION inces are waiting to see this new Assumption- 1) Bro. LATA RIVERA, José-Luis ist reality being realized. It is primordial that (Andean Province) (02-05-2014) Province of Europe be a success, for in great 2) Bro. MUMBERE MUSUNGIRA, Roger part, this success will condition the evolution (Andean Province) (02-04-2014) of the whole Congregation. With the help of my Councils, I will be atten- 3) Bro. GODOY VASQUEZ, Manuel Alejandro tive in accompanying the Provincial and his (Andean Province) (02-05-2014) team. Also, Benoît will count on the Coun- 4) Bro. KASONDOLI SIHAYA, Isidore cil of Europe to prepare the next Provincial (Andean Province) (02-06-2014) Chapter. 5) Bro. ROJAS GARCES, Jorge Benoît will also take to heart working with (Andean Province) (02-06-2014) the Lay Alliance. They have a great diversity of collaboration with the Assumption in the ■ To ordination as Deacons three Provinces but they have a strong desire to contribute actively with the religious to the 6) Bro. SIBUGAN, Ronald coming of the Kingdom of God. I know that I (Province of North America-Philippines) (02-04-2014) can count on the support of the laity to put in 7) Bro. BERRACHED, Philippe motion our European ambition. (Province of France) (02-05-2014) Dear Brothers, the Assumption has a future in 8) Bro. KAKULE KAMABU, Jean Claude the Province of Europe. It has a mission and (Province of Spain) (02-06-2014) that mission belongs to you. As Pope Francis invites us, we need to be prophets of the new 9) Bro. NGUYEN VAN, Hieu Pierre times. We need to explore the parameters to (Province of France) (03-05-2014) proclaim the Good News. The Assumptionist religious life is still able to surprise the men ■ To ordination to the Priesthood and women of good will by the richness of its Bro. GROSPERRIN, Régis tradition and by its apostolic zeal. I invite you 10) (Province of France) (02-04-2014) all to welcome your Provincial. I assure you of my prayers and my fraternal devotedness.” 11) Bro. BARBOSA DIAS, Wellington n (Province of Brazil) (03-05-2014)

5 >> Jubilee

In the footsteps of Father d’Alzon A group of Oblate Sisters, assembled in Rome to finalize the new continental organization of their Congregation, made a pilgrimage in the Footsteps of Father d’Alzon and made a detour to our house at Due Pini. Their itinerary The 50 years of priest- led them also to the chapel of the Confession hood of Father Rospide where a Mass ‘ad caput’ was celebrated by Fathers Julio, Marcelo, n February 22, the feast of joined the novitiate community Pierre-Emmanuel and Othe Chair of St. Peter, while at Pont-l’Abbé- d’Arnoult for Louis-Martin. Pope Francis was giving the car- two years. After that, his entire dinals’ biretta to 18 new cardinals, mission in the service of the Con- the community celebrated the gregation will take place in three golden jubilee of Father Pierre- blocks: from 1969 to 1984 as Emmanuel Rospide, ordained on assistant and Provincial of Bor- that day in Rome in 1964 in the deaux and of France, then from chapel of the German-Hungarian 1984 to 1999 as Director Gen- Pontifical College on via San eral in the Directoire of Bayard Nicola da Tolentino by Presse and from 1999 to 2013 Philippe Pocci, as assistant and treasurer of the of Jericho and auxiliary of the two Provincials of France. In the Vicar of Rome, Cardinal Micara. homily he gave, Pierre-Emmanu- Pierre-Emmanuel remembered el recalled the thought line of his the presence at his side of his life as expressed by Saint Augus- mother and his sister, of his pas- tine in his Soliloquies, “Noverin tor and of his four cousins. At the me, noverim Te! “Me connaître, same time as him, two other As- Te connaître!” (Soliloquies II, 1, sumptionists were ordained: an 1). In order to know himself, man American, Normand Paulhus and must first turn inwards, to the in- a Spaniard, Francisco José Guil- teriority of his heart, to receive larte Saez who have both left the from God the double knowledge: Congregation, one in 1975 and that of oneself and that of God, the other in 1969. Father Fran- the Interior Master. The broth- çois Neusch, who was ordained a ers and sisters present in Rome week later along with his brother thanked God for the all the years Marcel and Jean-Yves Le Guen of priesthood, the faithful service in Valpré, was part of the same to the Assumption and wished for group of students at Tor di Nona. him many more and fruitful years After two years of complemen- in the service of the Lord. Ad tary formation, Pierre-Emmanuel multos annos ! n

6 April 2014 n no 12 Madagascar <<

60 years of Assumptionist Presence in Madagascar A new rebirth

The event marks a rebirth. The of the Assumption, lay people, session of the first Provincial and aspiring Assumptionists. Chapter of Madagascar which Let us retain first of all that, took place (December 16-21, as Fr. Benoît underscored in 2013 at Fianarantsoa), with its his homily, we were assisting 18 Chapter members and Fa- at a birth. In 60 years what a ther General, Fr. Benoît Grière, long way has been traveled! allowed us to measure the im- Despite the doubts and fears: portance of the occasion. “the Malagasies are able to Fr. Étienne Ratalata, the first preside over the destiny of the Provincial Superior of Mada- Assumption in Madagascar… gascar traced the three axes Today Madagascar needs a for the future by showing the sign that shows that God does strong points, the weak points not abandon it… The people and the perspectives for tomor- of the Island await witnesses row. During the assembly, there of the Kingdom who manifest were the obligatory measures the tenderness of God. Men are Some numbers taken: the vote on the statutes committing themselves for the 1953: 25 October: Date of and the apostolic orientations alphabetization, the education, foundation as the Assumption celebrates the promotion of health and for 1959: Fr. Michel Canonne, first the 60 years of its presence on justice and peace. The Assump- Bishop of Tuléar the Big Island. tion must be able to be present 1989: ordination of the first To the “hopes and challenges to face the challenges of our Malagasy Assumptionist of religious life today in Mada- times.” He concluded with this 1998: the territory is erected in a Vice-Province gascar” to “propositions for affirmation: “The Assumption 2013: the Vice-Province formation” and to “apostolic is missionary, the Malagasy becomes a Province orientations of the Province Assumption thanks God for all Number of religious living in of Madagascar” were added his kindnesses… It is small and Madagascar: 66 (34 priests and the intervention of the Lay As- fragile, but it is full of hope and 32 brothers) sumptionists and the Eucha- confidence.” n Novices: 7 ristic celebration presided by Zacharie WASUKUNDI Religious outside the Province: Father Benoît Grière, in the 12 presence of the Little Sisters

7 >> Dossier

AA-News opens a dossier consecrated to St. Augustine and the Assumption. It includes an article on the relationship of Father d’Alzon with Augustine. A visit to the places of his baptismal rebirth and of his burial: Pavia and Milan. The Assumption seeks to promote the study of the writings and the ideas of the Bishop of Hippo and that was done particularly under the aegis of the Institut des Etudes Augustiniennes of Paris. Still today the Augustinian spirit is kept alive in an original way through notably the Augustinian federations of Brazil and Pacific Asia. We do not forget that Augustine was a son of Africa. On May 2 and 3, Fr. John Franck will represent Father General at the celebrations that will mark in Hippo (Annaba, Algeria) the centennial of the elevation to the rank of basilica the Shrine dedicated to Augustine in the city where he was the bishop.

Father d’Alzon on familiar terms with Augustine

Confessions! That man had such a beauti- by Jean Paul PÉRIER-MUZET ful soul! He was, however, weak, he had sowed his wild oats; but also what regrets! A lifelong relationship… And then his friendship for his friends! He It does not take long for an experienced read- speaks of them in a charming manner,” (Let- er of the writings of Fr. d’Alzon to smell, ter of August 31, 1830). In 1833, after his page after page, an Augustinian perfume. first months at the Seminary of Montpellier, Often his pen transcribes freely ideas drawn he relapses: “My dear, if you want to have from reading the books of Augustine and al- an idea of what I am telling you, take up lows himself long Latin quotations without the City of God, or the Institutions of Lac- any other precisions that show a sure knowl- tantius, or some book of Saint John Chryso- edge, in a somewhat biblical manner. A stome, or the treatise of Origen against Cel- simple consultation of the word index of the sius, or finally any other and read. But do not Ecrits Spirituels leaves no be content to read once. doubt as to that: the name Emmanuel d’Alzon, You have to, as I said, re- of Augustine is found 41 read and meditate, to find times. Titles as varied as a continual and out what these men were. the “Confessions”, the assiduous reader of Once we are accustomed “City of God”, as well as to them, we can enjoy all other known works such Augustine their beauty…” (Letter of as the “De ordine”, the August 9, 1833). Or yet, “De Trinitate” or the “Homilies on the Gos- in 1868, when he makes himself the study- pel of Saint John are largely used. That is guide for the religious of his Congregation, not literary coquetry but an inspiration and he instinctively finds again the one who ac- communion of thought fruit of familiarity companied him from the beginning of his with his writings. theological and spiritual formation: “Saint Augustine, our patriarch, will be our prin- …that left traces cipal guide. His treatise on the Trinity and A few examples, borrowed from differ- his admirable books that brought him to be ent eras, easily illustrate that fact. In 1830, called by the entire Church the doctor of he writes to his friend d’Esgrigny: “I read grace, are the great trailblazers of our stud- the Bible, Tertullian, the Confessions of ies on these important questions…” (E.S. Saint Augustine. What a cute book is these 140).

8 April 2014 n no 12 firmation is from 1878, when >> Dossier two years before his death, he preaches a retreat to the Reli- gious of the Assumption: it is again from Saint Augustine that he borrows this way of forma- tion that has become the way of conversion to lead the hearts to- wards God by the “divesting of oneself”, by the joy of allowing oneself to be “filled with God”, by the way of “exquisite obedi- ence” and by the “disinterested love of souls” (E.S. 1170-1177). Let us leave the audience to the words of the preacher who ef- faces himself before those of Augustine who borrows it from the Apostle: “Ipsa est ergo lex Christi, ut onera invicem por- temus”, a masterful example of this mirror of portraits and of voices that dig the sound of the unique Word through the chain of witnesses. Augustine on the lips of Fr. d’Alzon becomes for us the reader of the Scriptures. Interior of the Saint Augustine of Hippo Basilica at Annaba (Algeria) Emmanuel d’Alzon, son of Augustine We know that Fr. D’Alzon had tion to plunge into the direct and founder of in his personal library the re- knowledge of the Fathers of the Augustinians cent, in his time, edition of the Church among whom the Bish- There is another reality in the Patrology of Migne. Dispersed op of Hippo is the uncontested life of Fr. d’Alzon who met in and undoubtedly impoverished leader in the West. The almost his heart the memory of Au- because of the changes of resi- daily witness on this subject that gustine, that of his religious dences and various sorts of ex- the reading of the correspon- foundations. From that point pulsions after his death (1880), dence of Fr. d’Alzon already in of view the entire family of the that library would also give us 1822 would have the value of a Assumption benefits from the more than one indication of his pedagogical incitement in our wide patronage of Augustine, Augustinian readings, even if times if classical formation had intellectually and spiritually. as a perfect Latinist, he had the not for a long time now ceded The official names of the Con- habit and the means of going its place to the hegemony of the gregations may vary, but one is directly to the source, the text, sciences! His numerous study the source of inspiration. more than to the commentaries. plans refer almost automati- cally and simultaneously “to The choice of the A way of continued the Bible and to the Fathers” as name formation the inseparable sources of the A joining of historical influenc- Very early on, Emmanuel faith because, he will later tell es, that is very Augustinian be- d’Alzon developed a taste for his religious, “the Fathers are cause the accidental fuses with reading the works of Augustine. the best commentators of the the supernatural, explains the In him it is a strong preoccupa- Bible” (E.S. 636). A final con- choice of the name of the Con- 

9 >> Dossier

 gregation of men that in faith The choice of a Fr. d’Alzon decides on Christ- Rule of Life mas night 1845. On the other hand, the choice of Involuntary buyer of a board- a religious rule in the Assump- ing school in Nîmes at the end tion did not cause any problems of 1843, he inherits the name to the men or to the institutions popularly given by the inhab- or to history, just as it did not itants “Assumption School”. have any variation. Fr. d’Alzon When he chose to make it truly pronounced in his heart, one his home that is, his residence, day in July 1845, in the Parisian in September 1845, and the cra- and Marian shrine of Our Lady dle of his religious family, Fr. of Victories “private vows of re- d’Alzon does not feel obliged to ligion” according to the conse- keep the designated patronage. crated expression, before being By temperament he is won over able to put into reality the desire by the strength of the traditions: of a foundation that the Bishop Assumption and Augustine of Nîmes will put a brake on for are the two names that impose five years (1845-1850), that is, themselves to him: the first by “by letting it happen without its first designation finds itself authorizing” Fr. d’Alzon will evangelically placed in second comment. position and the second, by the The choice of the Rule of Saint choice of an affirmed paternity Augustine, one of the five rules finds the place that a matured that the 4th Council of the Lat- decision always end by impos- eran (1215) will allow to remain ing itself even to the habits born of the prolific multiplication in stone and strewn about in un- that the earlier legislation al- intelligible scribbles. lowed, is mentioned in the pref- Augustinians of the Assump- ace and in the form of a simple Vittore Carpaccio, Vision of Saint tion, that is the family sign, that mention in the second Consti- Augustine, 1502, School of San 150 years of history have not tutions of the Assumption in Giorgio degli Schiavoni, Venice. erased because it is etched in 1865, a recasting of the first the cornerstone that is the faith of 1855, remodeled in seeking of a Founder. It is true that in the approbation of the Institute the official texts it will have to in 1879. In effect, if the text of The voluntary wait for the Roman decree of the Rule of Saint Augustine is choice of the October 20, 1981 to ratify the not literally transcribed in the Augustinian initial choice, submitted to the different original manuscripts doctrine and tribulations of the pen, of the that does not imply any kind of spirituality vox populi, of forgetfulness and infidelity of the Founder to the The Founder always wanted for of Canon Law. Without a doubt Augustinian paternity which is the Assumption an Augustin- our Father Augustine, with his evoked, displayed, and stud- ian birthmark. There is no lack longevity of centuries, smiled ied widely. It is in effect stated of significant texts pointing at these inky ups and downs, precisely that the chosen text is to it right from the beginning, whose voice amplified through that of the Hermits of Saint Au- nor initiatives in that sense all the centuries did not fear giv- gustine in Rome. Another ex- through the Assumptionist his- ing to scribes the good and pressed confirmation is a letter tory. Without wanting to quote bad of his thoughts… As to the of Fr. d’Alzon, dated June 18, too many, let us take two direc- Founder, his life was fraught 1855, assuring the correspon- tives of Fr. d’Alzon to the reli- with such agitations that he did dent that he “will do all he can gious that illustrate perfectly, if not doubt that one day his good to re-establish the Augustinians not his motivations, at least his faith would be able to establish in France”. demands. the proofs of his choice. In a note, dated from 1874 and

10 April 2014 n no 12 consecrated to the question by Saint Thomas, the most glo- the Institute and to stimulate of higher education for the re- rious disciple of Saint Augus- the intellectual work of all. ligious, he indicates in point tine…” (E.S. 720). Fr. d’Alzon, already before 9: “Saint Augustine and Saint 1870 had conceived a project Thomas will be in Philosophy From an abandoned of founding in his college the and Theology our specific mas- project to a living embryo of a Saint Augustine ters to whom we will always go reality University. The Philosophy and back to for the solution of the We do not have a copy of the Theology program gave a lion`s problems they tackle” (quoted discussions of the various chap- share to the Doctor of Hippo. in the E.S. 1096). Words suited ters held in the Assumption But the time and the means to for the occasion? No, a word of beginning in 1850, but just a make it a reality were not avail- life and of experience for which laconic summary of their deci- able during his lifetime. he gives himself, two years lat- sions written in Nîmes by Fr. Even, when in 1872, it became er, and explanation and an inter- Charles Laurent for the period possible to look to the creation pretation: “If the Assumption is of 1850-1876); yet we know of a University for the to be a doctrinal Congregation, that the members of the chap- Midi, Nîmes did not have the its doctrine will be very simple, ter took care at various times, support that Fr. d’Alzon had the doctrine of the Church com- to structure more the formation counted on. History had its part mented by Saint Augustine and of the novices and students of of revenge when after 1902 his 

11 >> Dossier

 future second successor, Fr. Emmanuel the parvulus grex of the Augustinian In- Bailly was able to launch from Louvain stitute, the teaching chairs when the Au- the Revue Augustinienne. If not a Univer- gustinian call enlightens their intelligence sity, the Assumption, thanks to this quali- of the faith. But only God can and will be ty magazine, would inaugurate a return to able to count the sons and daughters of the sources that other sons of Fr. d’Alzon the Assumption who have found and will would in turn widen. find the Augustinian spiritual way that, through Fr. d’Alzon, convert their heart to From the spirit to the Love: has not Fr. d’Alzon tasted the joy of heart loving and being loved, according to the Lacking an official chair from which Fr. saying of Augustine? d’Alzon already saw his sons taught by For this man, Founder at 35 years-old, Augustine to teach his doctrine, the As- impassioned by truth and unity, the Au- sumption with him entered Augustinian- gustinian way is the royal road, for it de- ism by way of a spiritual birth. The inher- termines the central axis of all his life, itance bathed the heart. Father d’Alzon that of charity. But especially it gives the in making Augustine his interior master, means to realize end embody the passion presented him thus: “The more I read of Love, thanks to common life that the Saint Augustine, the more I am struck by Rule makes precise. It opens to the love the truth of this word that religious life is of the Church through this “obsession” of founded on the practice of the counsels, the apostolate that is its prolongation and the counsels on charity, the charity on daily construction. n God, to whom charity binds us and that religious life is the means to unite us more perfectly to God by charity. The rest are Some dates the means to perfection” (E.S. 305). Benozzo Gozzoli, The inclination that Fr. d’Alzon feels for - November 13, 354: birth at Thagaste Augustine arrives the Master, after having seized his intel- - 371: death of his father Patricius in Milan and lectual faculties and transformed them - 371: begins living with a young woman presents himself to without marriage into power for apostolic action, all his the notables and - 372: birth of his son Adeodatus to Ambrose, 1464- life becomes meditation as a prayer that - 372-373: with the Manicheans 1465, Church of Saint by the spirit warms the heart. His sons until 383 Augustine of San will not forget the lesson in its integrality: - 383: departure for Rome () to teach, Gimignano. they will not desert, solitary vocations or then named professor at Milan where his mother Monica joins him. - 386: ends living with his concubine and resides at Cassiciacum (northern Italy) - April 24/25, 387: baptized by Ambrose in Milan - 388: death of Monica at Ostia and return to Thagaste where he founds a community of laymen - 389: death of his son Adeodatus - 391: foundation of a community of laymen in Hippo and ordained a priest - 395-396: Bishop of Hippo and foundation of a community of clerics - 397: begins writing the Confessions - 413: begins writing the City of God - 429: invasion of North Africa by the Vandals - August 28, 430: death of Augustine at Hippo during the siege by the Vandals

12 April 2014 n no 12 Sunday Mass after a moment of meditation to hear him tell >> Dossier us: “Become what you receive and receive what you are.” Time passes and we measure how much of a durable boost this experience has given us to undertake our mission in the footsteps of Augustine. From this moment of meditation we received the feeling of such closeness with Augustine. The discovery of the beauty of his spiritual experience and the gift of his friendship helped us to understand better that our vocation depends on Him who lives in us (Rm. 5/5) and leads us to the fullness of the truth (cf. John, 16/13). When we go into ourselves, Pilgrims to Pavia we still walk towards the lumi- nous summit of the crucified o arrive for the first time ing we became walkers who love and the strength of a Pres- on the Old Continent, in advance to the “City of God” ence is given to us. Our steps TItaly, to be initiated to under the ceiling of the Basil- become assured in faith and we the joys of the tongue of Dante ica San Pietro in Cielo d’Oro. carry more easily the trials of and for a formation in spiritu- It there in fact that since the the road insofar as we begin ality and to begin this trip near time of the Vandals (720) re- to walks in God’s cadence: “It the tomb of our Father Au- poses the body of Augustine. belongs to the perfection of the gustine, is a dream come true. Bede the Venerable reports in voyager to remain conscious And yet, it was the privilege his martyrology for August that the end to which he tends we were given, myself and my 28 that the corpse of Augus- is not yet attained. He realizes two Congolese brothers Au- tine was brought to this place the distance already covered; gustin and Jackson. On Sunday by Peter, Bishop of Pavia and he sees how much more re- September 1, just a few days uncle of Liutprand, King of the mains to be done.” That is the after the feast of Saint Au- Lombards. After the death of program that Augustine invites gustine, we became pilgrims Augustine at Hippo, Huneric, us to follow. n to Pavia under the guidance King of the Vandals (430-484) João Gomes da Silva of Father Giuliano. The warm expelled the Catholic and perfumed air of Lombardy of North Africa. They brought awoke in us a unique fervor with them the remains of the carrying in it like a murmur holy and venerable bishop and of the words of the patriarch: found refuge at Cagliari in Sar- “The one who enters this life, dinia. Since 1327, the Augus- the fleeting time obliges to go tinians were chosen by John forward. He cannot lazy on XXII as guardians of the white the way. Forward, forward, or marble tomb before the apse you will be carried” (Sermons and its gold dome on which we Morin, 265). “Our country is discover the mosaic of Saint beyond space and time,” he Peter guiding Augustine and also said. “for here below we his mother Monica to the feet are but strangers.” That morn- of Jesus. We participated in the

13 >> Dossier

Milán, where everything began

The site of Augustine’s baptism

ay the saints hasten here; let all the saints experience these waters.” That is the phrase that Augustine was able to read “Mgoing into the baptismal fountain. In that spring of 387 with his friends, he registered as a catechumen and so participated with Adeodatus and Alypius in the Lenten meetings in which Ambrose himself gave some of the instructions. In the night of April 24 t0 25, they went into the waters that introduced them to their spiritual “rebirth”. That ex- perience will forever be engraved in the heart of Augustine. It was only in 1961, on the occasion of excavations for the Milan subway that the remains of the baptistery of San Giovanni alle Fonti in which Augustine was baptized at the hands of Ambrose were brought to light under the Cathedral Square. An inscription testifies to that: “In fontibus qui beati Iohannis ascribuntur, Deo opitulante a beato Ambrosio, cunctis fidelibus adstantibus et videntibus, in nomine sanctae et individuae Trinitatis (Au- gustinus) baptizatus et confirmatus” (In the baptismal font named Saint John, with the help of God, in the presence and watched by all the faithful, Augustine was baptized and confirmed by Saint Ambrose in the name of the holy and undivided Trinity”). This baptistery, abuts the vestiges of the old basilica dedicated to Saint Thecla, virgin and martyr, and is situated about four meters under the square accessible by the cathedral. The digs done in October 1996 furnished irrefutable elements as to the date and authenticity that prove that this is the site of the baptism of Augustine. The epigraphic composition of Ambrose, transcribed in the 8th century was then preserved in the Codex Palatinus Latinus 833 (fol. 41 r-v) an anony- mous text of the 9th or beginning of the 10th century, conserved in the Vatican Apostolic Library. The text was published in various epigraphic collections of the 19th and 20th centuries. Even if the specialists do not all agree on the authenticity of these epi- graphic texts attributed to Ambrose, the composition is certainly in his . For the construction of the baptistery, Ambrose selected the imperial architectural scheme, already used in Milan for the imperial mausoleum of San Vittore al Corpo: a building with an octagonal exterior, but for which he gives a new symbolic interpretation. At the entrance of the dig space under the square, on the left, the verses composed by Ambrose for the construction of the edifice were inscribed. To understand the insistence with which Ambrose returns to the number eight, one must consider that this number in the symbolism of the Father of Benozzo Gozzoli, the Church, indicates the day of the Lord, the dies dominica, that follows Baptism of the seventh, that is the Saturday. The eight refers to the New Testament, Augustine, 1464- that is, the coming of Jesus, to the rebirth that works through baptism, that 1465. Church of frees from sin through Jesus Christ resurrected from the dead and who Saint Augustine of opens the gates of salvation for all. The structure of that space wants to San Gimignano. make visible to the eyes and to the spirit of the faithful new life in Christ to which we accede through the sacrament of baptism.

14 April 2014 n no 12 Here is the text of this inscription: >> Dossier Versus Ambrosii ad fontem eiusdem ecclesiae [sanctae Tecle]

OCTACHORVM SANCTOS TEMPLVM SVRREXIT IN VSVS OCTAGONVS FONS EST MVNERE DIGNVS EO HOC NVMERO DECVIT SACRI BAPTISMATIS AVLAM SVRGERE QVO POPVLIS VERA SALVS REDIIT LVCE RESVRGENTIS CHRISTI QVI CLAVSTRA RESOLVIT MORTIS ET E TVMVLIS SVSCITAT EXANIMES CONFESSOSQVE REOS MACVLOSO CRIMINE SOLVENS FONTIS PVRIFLVI DILVIT INRIGVO HIC QVICVMQVE VOLVNT PROBROSA[E] CRIMINA VITAE PONERE CORDA LAVENT PECTORA MVNDA GERANT HVC VENIANT ALACRES QVAMVIS TENEBROSVS ADIRE AVDEAT ABSCEDET CANDIDIOR NIVIBVS HVC SANCTI PROPERENT NON EXPERS VLLVS AQ- VARVM SANCTVS IN HIS REGNVM EST CONSILIVMQVE DEI GLORIA IVSTITIAE NAM QVID DIVINIVS ISTO VT PVNCTO EXIGVO CVLPA CADAT POPVLI

The verses of Ambrose near the source of the same church (Saint Thecla)

The edifice with eight recesses for sacred uses, The octagonal fountain is worthy of this gift. It was meet that on this number the rise the room of holy baptism Through which the true salvation was re-given to the peoples In the light of Christ resurrecting Christ, he who opens The prison of death and awakens from their tombs the inanimate men And, freeing those who admit guilt from the stain of sin, Washes them in the current of the source of pure water. Here may all who want to abandon the faults of a life of opprobrium, Wash their heart, keep their soul sheltered from stains. May they come here quickly; and if one of them, as filled as he might be with darkness, has the courage to approach, he will leave purer than snow. May the saints hasten to come here: may all the saints experience these waters. In them are found the kingdom and the plan of God. Oh glory of justice! In effect what is there more divine than the fact That in an instant the sin of a people disappears?

15 >> Dossier

The Augustinian Institute: A summit for research

ince its departure from rue the IEA will be situated before tutions that would François Ier in 1978, the the end of 2014 in the former make motivated re- SInstitut d’Etudes Augusti- library of the Lazarists, 95 rue quests for them. niennes (IEA) was sheltered at de Sèvres in Paris, in a com- The IEA remains a the Institut Catholique de Paris, pletely renovated locale. That summit of research in the Abbatial Palace at 3 rue operation was made necessary and publications de l’Abbaye, near the church for various reasons and should on Saint Augustine of Saint-Germain des Prés. The give a greater vitality and vis- and the patristic prestigious site attracted great ibility for a specialized public. and mediaeval period. The eco- number of students and high Also, it is foreseen to reinforce nomic times are, however, deli- level researchers, so much so the spread of the research to a cate for university institutions. that the specifically religious vaster audience. With its more That is seen by the lowering of vocation that was at the origin than 50,000 volumes and 150 public subsidies. The patronage of the Center of Augustinian periodicals, the IEA is man- and invitations to membership Studies of the Assumptionist aged, in the form of an asso- would need to be reinforced. scholasticate of Lormoy, near ciation, linked by contracts The task remains as difficult Paris, was greatly developed. with the Institut Catholique de as in the times of the founders Publications and colloquia suc- Paris, the Paris-Sorbonne Uni- but also remains no less thrill- ceeded each other steadily, as versity, and the Centre National ing. It requires today new spe- much as the study of the texts of de la Recherche Scientifique cialized competencies, notably Antiquity the Fathers as well as (CNRS) The Assumption con- in the digital domain. Young of the mediaeval period. Scien- tinues to play a non-negligible researchers freshly graduated tific collaborations with similar role. Father Benoît Grière is the from the Sorbonne find much organisms throughout the world Vice-President of the Associa- to work on. Two new volumes were numerous. tion and an Assumptionist is an of the Augustinian Library have Following a vast reorganization ex-officio member of the Board been published, one on the of the buildings of the “Catho” of Trustees. The memory of its commentaries of Augustine on called operation “Campus 2018” former directors, Fathers Fol- the psalms. With this new step liet and Madec is still forward, the IEA hopes to re- greatly honored. The inforce its presence in lay and Assumption also has ecclesiastical institutions. The old copies of the col- site www.etudes-augustini- lections of the IEA. ennes.paris-sorbonne.fr gives These are destined regularly the latest news of the to equip the persons IEA n and specialized insti- Jean-François Petit

The Institut d’Etudes Augustiniennes is moving in 2014 to be installed at 95, rue de Sèvres, Paris, 6e. The transfer of the collections will close the library for a period of time.

16 April 2014 n no 12 A quarter- century federation

wenty-six years ago, on February 25, 1988, the FABRA was born: the Federation of TBrazilian Augustinians. Among its objec- tives, the Federation aims to promote common activities, enhance among its members a common spirit that of the Augustinian family, thanks to mu- tual aid and facing the public authorities, facilitate discussions and act in concert among its members. The APAC: a tool At the moment, the FABRA meets twice a year to plan projects and evaluate the results. It now con- for the Augustinian sists of 17 Congregations among which are those of the Family of the Assumption present on Brazil- Asia ian territory. Today it is organized in various com- missions: PAC (Asia-Pacific Augustinian Conference) 1 – Commissions of schools and education was created by the Order of Saint Augustine 2 – Commission on publications and translations Ain 1977 for a better collaboration among the 3 – Commission on spirituality communities established in Asia and in the Pacific. 4 – Commission on youth Very early on the Augustinians opened this platform 5 – Commission of the Congress to all the Congregations that follow the Rule of Saint A Congress of the Augustinians takes place every Augustine. three years and is considered by all as the strong On arrival in the Philippines, in January 2006, the As- point of the life of the Federation. All this year of sumption of the Philippines asked to become a member 2014 will take place the preparation of the Con- on the recommendation of our brothers in Korea. Six gress that will be held in January 2015. The Family years later, Father Bernard Holzer was elected Presi- of the Assumption takes a very active role in these dent of the APAC. It was the first time that this respon- reunions and meetings, and according to the needs, sibility was given to a religious who was not a member collaborates in the work of the commissions. of the Order of Saint Augustine. In October 2013, Fr. Luiz Carlos was elected Pres- The APAC works in various commissions. The most ident of the Federation for two years. n active is the Commission on Formation and Spiritual- Luiz Carlos De Oliveira ity. Essentially it organizes meetings for the formation of formators, but also seminars on formation for the youth in formation. The other commissions are those of Communication (with a website being built to share our experiences and our resources), Vocations and Youth, Education for those working in schools, col- leges and universities, and the Commission of Justice and Peace. One of the stakes of this platform is to promote col- laboration on the continental level as well as in each of the countries of Asia and the Pacific. The next General Assembly of the APAC will take place in Indonesia in October 2014. The Inter-Asiatic Coordination of the Assumption hopes to send three members one from each country of Asia to share its experience and espe- cially receive that of others. n Bernard Holzer

17 >> Dossier

Saint Augustine, An African?

e say and we re- ents were Berbers and that Au- peat often: Saint gustine owes to his Amaziho- WAugustine is an Kabylo Berber the best of his African. Catherine Salles, a human qualities. He contem- specialist on Roman Antiq- plated the African landscapes, uity and the Christianity of breathed the African air and the first centuries, has cho- shared the preoccupations of sen as the title of one of her his brother Africans. Yet Saint books, “Saint Augustin, un Augustine is not only African. destin africain” (DDB, Par- He is also a Roman of Africa. is, 2009). In this work, she Surely the country where he seeks to give a new biogra- was born and where he will phy of Augustine, anchored spend the essential part of his geographically in his origins: life lives under Roman domi- Hippo (today Annaba, in Al- nation. The Romanization of geria). As for René Pottier, in North Africa was strong to 1945 he wrote a book titled: the point that it fashioned the Saint Augustin le Berbère. life of Augustine. Augustine Finally Jean-Marc Bastière is thus the product of this cul- writes: “Too often we forget tural crossbreeding. It remains that Saint Augustine is an Af- that even totally Latinized as rican. Because he is a pillar of it was, the Africa of this end the Roman Church, a Roman of the 4th century, conserved himself, formed in classical its peculiarities that was said culture, we root him (…) in to be then “so big, beautiful Western culture and not with- and good”. It is probably not out reason either. Yet, by his for nothing that after having origins, his temperament, and remained five years in Italy, even his religion, the Bishop Augustine became homesick of Hippo is really a child of and returned to his native the ancient Numidia, born at city of Thagaste towards 388. Thagaste (today Souk Arhas, Celebrated in the West as the in Algeria), a small city situ- greatest thinker of Antiquity, ated on a plateau some three Augustine is truly this son of hundred kilometers from the African soil, he is truly the sea .” The conclusion seems one who lived and died in the evident to all: Augustine is heart of the territory that we an African. And yet on this call today the Maghreb. question, historians still have Jean-Paul SAGADOU work to clarify the African Saint Augustine. Surely, born on November 13, 354, son of Patricius and Monica, Au- gustine was fashioned by this African land at the borders of 1) Jean-Marc Bastière, Cf. the present-day Algeria and Historama spécial Afrique du Nord, 33, June 1993, p. 40. Tunisia. It is said that his par-

18 April 2014 n no 12 New Zealand <<

A brotherly visit to New Zealand January 10-20, 2014

by Bernard Holzer

t the request of Father Guy Leroy, Provincial Aof North Europe, Fa- ther Bernard Holzer spent ten days in New Zealand, from Jan- uary 10 to 20, with Mart Lem- mens from Boxtel (he stayed in New Zealand till January 29). His mission: meet and listen to our brothers there, report on the present situation of the As- sumption in New Zealand, sug- gest measures for the short term and envision, eventually, a “re- foundation” with new personnel in a more or less distant future. ligious live in New Zealand: Fa- dation. For we cannot today en- ther Jan Heijnen (86), John van visage sending a young isolated Here are some excerpts from der Kaa (74) and Paul O’Connor religious living with our elders. his report: (66). Father Chris Penders died The implantation would rather The presence of the Assump- a few days after our visit. be in Auckland, the biggest city tionists in New Zealand dates Their base is Tawa, in the sub- of the country in population back some sixty years. Twenty urbs of Wellington, where the and dynamism, a city more and Dutch religious have worked entrusted to them more Asian and of the Pacific, there and recruited a New Zea- the of Our Lady of Fati- with a Catholic community in land brother. They had also wel- ma. expansion (through immigra- comed a group of young Kore- Father Paul O’Connor gives tion), a university city, the only ans who wanted to enter the courses at the Major Seminary one that has a seminary. Assumption. Five of our Dutch of Auckland one semester a In this society and Church, brothers rest in New Zealand year. Father Jan Heijnen lives multicultural, multiracial and soil. in a nursing home in Porirua. secularized (but with a strong The Assumptionist mission in The brothers show interest in popular religiosity), the wit- New Zealand can be summa- the life of the Congregation but ness of a multicultural religious rized in three stages: feel isolated, without ties to the community anchored in Jesus - The spiritual accompanying of closest communities. The visits Christ is essential. Here then is Dutch immigrants are rare. They appreciated our a laboratory of tomorrow’s liv- - Commitment to Catholic edu- visit “elbow to elbow around a ing together. In this context, vo- cation (at the Viard College) good table”. Our three brothers cations are not excluded, since - Commitment to parishes wish to remain in New Zealand most of the present-day can- (Porirua and Tawa) where they do their ministry didates come from Asia or the The presence and work of our and have their friends. Pacific. This possibility is to be brothers is appreciated and A more long term future can be reviewed in the larger cadre of gives a good image of the As- envisaged undoubtedly in the the priorities of the new map of sumption. context of an Asia-Pacific en- the Congregation in the frame- Today, three Assumptionists re- tity, in a perspective of re-foun- work of continentalization. n

19 >> Eastern Europe

Rumania : Spirituality and Mission

work and pray together. In the Assumption, by Marcelo MARCIEL we have chosen to “be present where God is threatened in man and man is threatened as ather Alberto Hurtado, a Chilean Je- an image of God” (RV 4) an aspect of our suit, wrote a book called: « Un coup Rule of Life that allows us to put in practice Fpour l’éternité” in which he stipu- the acts of our last General Chapter of 2011. lates: “We must live in view of eternity, and In the East European Mission, our presence remember that as a concept of consolation. is fragile, but very real, committed, demand- War, pain: everything passes and we must re- ing. The brothers who consecrate their lives member the words of Saint Theresa of Avila: to it contribute with generosity and origi- let nothing trouble you, let nothing frighten nality to give a new face to the Church, all you. God does not change. The teaching of the while being, as we say elsewhere in the Christ is full of the idea of eternity.” Congregation: “We are founders” in Bu- My first visit to charest and Margineni despite our modest Rumania certainly personnel. Father Emmanuel d’Alzon said: made me think of “One of the missions of the Assumption is that, in the midst of to promote the unity of the Church, unity in a people that built love, faith, aspirations and hopes…” What itself in the midst remains most necessary is above all to live of suffering and “in a household of perfect harmony, having strenuous work, a but one mind and one heart intent on God,” profound search for as Augustine states in the Rule. meaning of which it Our presence in Rumania is intimately is impossible to ig- linked to that of our Oblate Sisters; we can nore the historical only appreciate their proximity and their realities. collaboration. The fall of the ide- May each one be thanked for his availabil- ologies made room ity and generosity during this visit during for the profound which I measured the value of the daily life spirituality of the to build bridges of communion as much in people and this idea Bucharest as in Margineni. of eternity remains engraved on the walls of Dialogue is the first step towards unity, In the various monasteries of the country, but spite of the difficulties, that is what allows the idea is reflected especially in the nature us to advance on the path of faith, to not be of each or its inhabitants. afraid to take risks and initiatives, to expose Progress, the market economy, the crisis in more than to protect ourselves. The Good the world of youth, the search for jobs in News is contagious and during this Lent foreign lands are elements that touch us and, to allow the entire Congregation to have a without warning, as so many challenges to better knowledge of what makes it a family, take up. How can we preserve the Chris- quick to respond to the various calls because tian idea of eternity when everything seems knowing better means loving better. As Fa- to aim at the immediate satisfaction of our ther d’Alzon said, we can only love when needs? we know and “a meditation without a practi- Our community in the center of Bucharest cal resolve is a vain meditation.” is a good example of this joint search, to May the strength of the oriental lung of the openness to dialogue and to a significant Assumption be for each and every one a presence of closeness without proselytism. source of riches and of purification. n This community shares time with young Orthodox and Catholic students who live,

20 April 2014 n no 12 Spain <<

● Elorrio, 1 community, 4 religious

● Madrid, 3 community, 13 religious

● Elche, 1 community, 3 religious

Spain turns the page

After 45 years of life as a Province, Spain jumps into the construction of the Province of Europe

or twelve days, right af- disposal. In 1904, there are nu- Spanish Assumption in its histo- ter making official the merous vocations and the Alum- ry has witnessed to a great gen- Fnomination of the Provin- nate was opened at Calahorra erous and missionary spirit with cial of Europe, Father Benoît and transferred to Elorrio in a concern for vocations. Still Grière made a canonical visita- 1907. The Assumption will not today “like a tree planted near tion or the five communities of arrive in the capital until 1940. running waters… still bearing Spain. It was a visit of rich sig- Spain was till 1964 a Vicariate fruit in old age, still remaining nificance and brought hope. The of the Province of Bordeaux, fresh and green” (Ps. 92, 15). ties of the Assumption with the then became a Vice-Province It is evident that after the Chap- Iberian Peninsula are very old. and in 1969 a Province. ter of Valpré the work will have They go back to the origins in After 45 years as a Province, a to go on, that is, accompany our Nîmes of the Congregation. The page is being turned and a new ageing brothers, assure a voca- Nîmes college welcomed Span- one opened with the European tional policy and strengthen our ish religious expelled from their unification of the Assumption. youth ministry. That will neces- country. After the death of the That needed to be underscored sitate a reorganization of our Founder, in December 1880, be- by a very special gesture by Fa- communities and our implanta- cause of the expulsions, the As- ther General for the brothers of tions to regroup our forces and sumptionist novices landed in Spain to show them how much make them more operational Barcelona having set out from the future of our presence in by defining the parameters of a Sète. Guided by Fr. Emmanuel Spain is considered. Today our new project of the Assumption Baillie, they arrived at the for- presence remains certainly frag- for Spain. n mer convent of the Carmelites ile and getting older, but it ben- in Osma in Old Castile that the efits from the reinforcements Bishop of city placed at their by our Congolese brothers. The

21 >> Rome

Hello? Don’t hang up…

by Didier Remiot make contact for an RDV with a chartered society of BT Ita- f course some people lia. Towards February 2012, will certainly say “but I sign a new Internet contract Owhat are they doing that should increase the band- with their telephone at the width and cost 30 Euros per General House?” Before judg- month. Super! However, the ing too rapidly, read what fol- weeks passed without imple- lows… mentation of the contract that On my arrival in Rome after had been duly signed: the nu- the General Chapter of 2011, merous telephone calls, mail, my predecessor, Father J-D faxes to BT Italia and the rep- Gullung, had explained to me resentative who signed the that during his mandate, he contract have no results. Yet in had wanted to change phone June 2012, the BT Italia repre- companies. He told me that sentative who signed the con- the negotiations for the change tract comes back to Due Pini Second step: an had remained stuck mid-way and declares that the contract uncontrolled skid… and that he had finally stopped signed in February has to be After having made certain by them and retreated and had re- remade (Why? Mystery…) I telephone a few times with BT turned to the initial company then sign a new contract with Italia that we could end our In- BT Italia. the same conditions. That one ternet contract without touch- I decided not to begin the same will not be implemented either. ing our telephone contract, we modifications for the tele- Once again in autumn 2012 we sent them (towards April 2013) phone… For the telephone as waste an infinite time trying to a registered letter to tell them for the Internet we would re- resolve the problem: our repre- that we desired to end out In- main under contract with BT sentative has vanished; BT Ita- ternet contract with them all Italia. lia is pulling our leg! the while strongly specifying During that time, the trans- that we wanted to continue the formation of the old archives telephone contract. BT Italia First step: the Internet building into a residence for the never acknowledged receiving connection. Assumption College students our letter. That said, quickly enough, I is going well. The architect had But all was going well… noticed that we paid more than hired a company he knew well The new Internet connection 250 Euros per month for the to install the Internet connec- was functioning (26 Euros a Internet connection, also as- tion in the building. Profiting month…) and the telephone sured by BT Italia while the from that contact, we ask that too. bandwidth was not great. same society to install a new Towards July 2013, suddenly One must know something Internet connection on the fax we have no more telephone! important: in Italy the service line which, exceptionally, was A week of intense contacts providers (gas, oil, electric- a Telecom Italia line. It was with BT Italia followed… But ity, telephone…) do not have done: the whole house enjoyed each call was taken by a differ- customer service. They give a correct Internet connection ent person at the Call Center, the client contacts to chartered from this new purveyor. we get all kinds of different commercialization societies. I answers:

22 April 2014 n no 12 >> Rome

- It is an outage and they are effectively given a number: it therefore it has been taken taking care of it (we even saw was supposed to be the (+39) away from us!!! The (+39) 06 a technician come who con- 06 66 35 017. We delayed the 66 35 017 is no longer in op- firmed that it was a technical printing of the Directory of eration. problem.) Religious to be able to give As I write these lines, a bit dis- - It is an administrative cutting this new number. The Provin- oriented, we use the number of off’ cial Superiors who came to the second line for outgoing - It’s an outage; the PGC would not be able to calls. But we hesitate to send - It’s an administrative cut- bring the Directories with their it out… our telephone system ting off because of a letter we baggage since they had not yet is no longer operational since would have sent… in 2004! arrived from the printer. we lost our new number. And - And besides, they tell us, we In the following weeks another we ask ourselves how we can owe you 22,000 Euros. technician comes to install the get a stable number for the first - Etc… second line. He leaves without line… Just a huge “whatever”! Since telling us that he did not install What a waste of energy and after a few weeks, despite our the new cable because the one time! I used the telephone as calls, our letters, our faxes, he had brought was too short an example, but we have the registered letters, nothing was (the problem would not be same kind of absence of client moving, we decided to profit solved until weeks later.) service for gas and electricity, of this cutoff to change our Then more technicians began without mentioning the public telephone provider and to go to to appear to install a 3rd then services… Telecom Italia, even if we had a 4th and finally a 5th line that I have only one solution to pro- to change the phone number. we had not asked for and there- pose: sell Due Pini and move the fore refused. General House to the Cayman Then we had a technician come Islands! n Third step: towards a not so to program our telephone sys- glorious future. tem to allow calls to be trans- The unavoidable use of an in- ferred to the rooms. termediary commercialization At last everything works… for society brings us to sign two at least 15 days. contracts: one for each of the In the middle of January 2014, two lines that we want. fin find out from Telecom Ita- A technician even comes to lia that the new number we had install the first line (why not just sent out urbi et orbi should both?) and promises us a de- not have been given to us, that finitive number within 9 days. it belonged to another who is At the end of nine days, we are tardy in his payments and that

23 >> General Treasury

The Office of Development and Solidarity in 2013

The Office of Development and Solidarity continued its search for funds in 2013. Basing our report on what we placed in banks during the year, we received the following funds: • Private gifts: - Gifts from families and individuals: $5,428 and 450 Euros - Spain (through Father Niceto Calle): 13,000 Euros • Aid to the Church in Distress - Masses for Africa: 22,250 Euros - Buying a pick-up truck in Kinshasa: 11,200 Euros • Little Way - Masses for Africa: 2,873 Euros - For the Bush Schools in Madagascar: 4,350 BP • An Austrian diocese: 5,000 Euros for the construction of the school of Kindugu (Butembo) • Missio: - Masses for Africa: 5,000 Euros Volunteers at To these numbers we have to add the gifts for the Assumption Solidarity Campagne 2012 for the the ODS completion of the micro power plant of Palmba: $29,754. ince mid-January until mid-May the And finally we can mention a gift that arrived late for Office of Development and Soli- the Assumption Solidarity Campagne 2012 for the Sdarity enjoys the help- of a French construction of the church roof of the Kyabakade parish volunteer, Mrs. Nathalie Whyte d’Alzon. (Uganda): 342.89 BP Yes, “d’Alzon”! If we go back a few gen- erations, we come to the brother of Em- In total, for 2013, the Office of Development and manuel d’Alzon’s father (Jean-Louis Daudé Solidarity deposited the following: d’Alzon, 1768-1835). • In Euros: 75,927 Euros • In USD: $10,674 Nathalie is creating a data base. Access to • In BP: 4,350 BP this data will allow us to gather all the facts For a grand total of $122,382 accumulated on the various organisms to This total is inferior to the amount received in 2012. which we can appeal to support financially One of the principal reasons is that, in 2012, the OBS the projects of the Assumption. She also aids had obtained a few very important gifts for our mission Father Luc Martel in setting up dossiers for in the Philippines. These requests in 2013 do not go requesting funds. Her presence helps us go through the ODS. more quickly in the work of the ODS. We It must also be noted that at the end of 2013 it was announced that certain big gifts that would be given thank her for the time she has given in ser- only in 2014. vice of the Assumption. • 18,000 USD received in February 2014 from an American foundation for our scholasticates in East Africa. • 40,000 USD from KinderMIssions Werk for a car for our Bush Schools in Madagascar. Attention, construction work! • A promise from the same organism to contribute 26,000 Euros for the construction of the elementary ecause of the refitting work being done school of Kindugu in Butembo on condition that we find Bon the 3rd and 4th floors of the house, the rest of the necessary monies. We still need to find particularly the guest rooms, the General 22,000 USD for that budget. House cannot receive guests from May to We also hope to “open” new organisms this year, October 2014. that is, to contact these organisms who have not yet contributed to Assumption projects.

24 April 2014 n no 12 Solidarity campaigns In the Assumption

he solidarity campaign in the As- humaine et pastorale), that has an impor- sumption for 2013 was dedicated to tant role in the ministry of the Province of Tthe completion of the micro power Brazil. The CIAP, former alumnate of the station for the plantation of Palmba in the Assumptionists aims to develop activities Kivu. for justice and peace. Its commitment to It picked up a grand total of 18,154.00 Eu- the life of the local church is recognized ros and $5,246, that is, about $29,754. We thanks to its varied initiatives, notable to wish to warmly thank all the communities promote the formation of lay leaders for and the lay people who contributed to that the towns and rural communities of the di- result! ocese of Leopoldina-MG. The CIAP build- The turbine that constitutes the principal, ing receives also meetings and sessions for and most costly, element to complete the rural youth and opens its doors to various electrical power station was built in Italy in lay social and spiritual movements of the the first semester of 2013. It was paid for by Church of the area. It is important to note an association of the local population who that the center is the only such community will benefit from the electricity produced. center in a 100km area that is in the service The turbine was supposed to be shipped of the inhabitants of the diocese of Leop- to Kivu by container at the beginning of oldina, in the Minas Gerais and Campos 2014. Besides, we learned very recently (State of Rio). that the region of Mbau where Palmba is There remains to find 42,000 Euros to fi- situated has been “liberated” from armed nance the renovation. The Office of De- gangs who terrorized the population. This velopment and Solidarity has found an easing of the situation allows the hope that organization that will contribute 20,000 the finishing work at Palmba will be com- Euros. The Campaign of Solidarity of the pleted well. There remains some $70,000 Assumption of 2014 needs to find the other of financing to be found. But we are trying 42,000 Euros! Each community and group to lessen the costs… of lay people of the Alliance should have We take this occasion to remind our read- received a complete folder describing the ers that the Solidarity Campaign of the As- project. Beyond Lent, we hope that each sumption 2014 is to finance the work of community will be mobilized to contribute renovation of the Assumptionist Welcome to this campaign. Center of Eugenopolis in Brazil, the CIAP Didier Remiot (Centre intégré d’accueil et de promotion

25 >> Religious poverty

The second letter of Father General, Fr. Benoît Grière is on religious poverty. Its aim is to help us to live our evangelical gin to praise the Lord. While poverty in the context of the economic crisis, “the rich work to fill their cof- of individualism and to encourage us to change fers… the poor think only of our behavior according to the expression of filling their heart” (p. 14). Pope Francis. Augustine and Emmanuel d’Alzon 2- Almsgiving always remain our meaningful guides. lmsgiving is a traditional Ameans of sanctification and a commandment ties it to the love of neighbor (pp. 14- 16; cf. Sermons 137 and 389). Reading Guide for The particular accent that Fr. d’Alzon places on voluntary the Letter to The poverty reminds us of the un- avoidable requirements of re- Congregation on nunciation by work and gener- osity (solidarity with the poor). Religious Poverty “The (economic) crisis can be salutary if it allows us to be more faithful to religious con- 1- In the footsteps of Saint name of this that Augustine secration” (p. 18). Augustine “did not make a will because n the footsteps of Saint Au- as a poor man of God, he had 3- Voluntary poverty Igustine let us become “com- nothing to leave” (Possidius, hat is it? It is contesting panions of poverty” (p. 7), “the Vie d’Augustin, p. 31). In Wthe values of the present poor of God” (p. 8) with the abandoning ourselves to God, world, the virtue of hope that noble requirement of the “put- our only and true richness, permitted d’Alzon to leave ev- ting in common of goods”, in we should not forget “the ne- erything (his family, his aristo- the manner of the first Christian cessity of work” (p. 11). We cratic status, his relations, his community (Acts 4:32), and see need to “abandon ourselves to easy life) with a view of giving how to live this “spiritual com- God” and “work ‘like four’” everything to the Church and munism” (Fr. Goulven Madec) (d’Alzon) “to grow in faith” to his Congregations (P. J.-P. that is the “basic virtue of com- (pp. 12-13). This double di- Périer-Muzet, in a preached munity life” (Saint Augustine). mension in effect “praises retreat, 1994). Thus stipulating Poverty finds its foundation God in truth” because poverty voluntary poverty leads to the and its finality in the Gospel: in Augustine is the necessary necessity of work to be done to “Blessed are the poor in spirit, condition for true praise (pp. realize in a spirit of zeal and of because theirs is the Kingdom 13-14). Once God, “the only passion to make us ever more of God.” (p. 10). It is in the treasure is found”, the poor be- responsible for the `material functioning of the houses in which we live (p. 21). It is not enough to look on the material For further study: references things we must “be configured . Fiches d’Alzon 80, n. 66, Father d’Alzon and the poor by Justin Munsch in the poor Christ”. How can • Cahiers d’Alzon, n. 15, Lord, What Do You Want from Me? P. 113 ff. we understand that “He who • Castles in Spain: John, the Millioinaire, by J.P. Périer-Muzet, Alzonian was rich, abased himself unto Anthology, t. 1, no. 39. death and to death on a cross”? • The Rule of Saint Augustine, commented by A. Trapé, Chap. VII, p. The more we are configured in 183-193. Christ “the more we become capable of the new life, the

26 April 2014 n no 12 THIS POOR ONE CRIED OUT AND THE LORD HEARD Psalm 34 :7

eternal life” (pp. 22-23). tion of the Kingdom of God”.

While having care to work

4- Poverty in our Rule of for more “Justice and Peace

poverty >> Religious Life and Integrity of the Creation”

he Rule of Life reminds (JPIC), the lay associates need us that poverty is the re- to be sensitized to questions of T sponsibility of each religious: poverty with a view to a com- putting in common goods and mitment in society and a great- talents, solidarity with the little er solidarity with our commu- ones and the poor, work, sobri- nities (a network of benefac- Letter to the Congregation on Religious ety, etc. We need to examine tors of the Assumption for our Poverty our behavior: no wasting food, houses of formation and for sharing with the needy, reason- our elder religious). able travel expenses, regulat- ing means of communication 6- Evangelization and (Internet and telephone) and poverty To reflect on and discuss the expenses for relaxation, the It is because we are the in community: questions material care of our houses, ““poor of God” that we can seriousness in our studies, our faithfully proclaim the King- . What use do we make of medical needs. If we change dom of God”. Since God is our the means of communica- our behavior, we will become only richness, are we ready to tion to grow humanly, spiri- men “of sharing, in solidarity renounce everything to pro- tually, intellectually and in community? with the poor.” claim his Kingdom? Cf. Final • Are we attentive to not be- message of the Synod on the ing excessive in our eating? 5- Poverty, Justice and New Evangelization, n. 12, What is the share of alcohol Peace and Integrity of The Rome, 2012. This prophetic in our community budget? Creation (JPIC) commitment is to be lived in • Do we have the care to not To struggle against injus- hope in the person of Christ cut ourselves off from the “tice and inequality and the because he is the poor man of rest of the population… to defense of creation” is urgent God who shows us the way”, be poor religious in poor communities? (pp. 36-39).Faithful to the so- and because the Kingdom of • The investments in studies cial teachings of the popes we God is our priority, the renewal suppose an obligation of must combat the injustices and of our lives is to be poor people results for the apostolate: the inequalities that menace of God, men committed to jus- have we the care to form the societies of today. Where tice, to peace and the defense ourselves “to be good the societies forget the poor of creation. apostles of the Kingdom” and exclude them, the religious May the Holy Spirit help us to and not make our studies must commit themselves to be “the poor of God”, “com- an end in themselves? • Do we spend too much for build a world more in confor- panions of poverty”, “spiritual our travels? For vacations mity with the Gospel, a world communists”, “poor in spirit” and leisure activities taken of brothers and sisters where and “brothers in poverty”, without care for sobriety the respect of creation will be “men of sharing”, “in solidar- and community life? wholly integrated in their wit- ity with the poor”, “work like • Health: what do we do to ness: “a sober life is an ex- four”, “generous, sober and protect our health and to ample; it contributes to reduce responsible” and “new men”: avoid certain disastrous the inequalities created by the ten names to better live our As- behaviors that hurt our health? grabbing of riches”. sumptionist religious poverty The Assumption is a family today. where religious and lay people Zacharie WASUKUNDI are the actors in the proclama-

27 >> The Assumption

by Bernard Le Léannec

n April 27, 2014, Pope Francis will canonize two popes at the same O (1) time: John XXIII , (1881-1963) Italian from Bergamo and John Paul II (1920-2005), the first Polish Pope(2). At the time of his beatification in 2000, the name of Pius IX(3) was associated to that of John XXIII. These two popes had had had a particular relationship with the Assumption, the first was closely tied to the Founder and to the origins of the Congregation in the Orient(4), and Good Pope John, as he was often Roncalli called, had intimate links to the Congregation in the Orient while and the Assumption he was the Apostolic Visitor in Bulgaria (1925-1934) and later Apostolic Delegate to Turkey on August 10, 1904 and the mission. He is ordained a and Greece (1935-1944) That following year became the private bishop(9) on March 19, 1925 by relationship continued when he secretary of his Bishop, Giacomo Cardinal Tacci, Secretary of the became in Paris (1944- Radini-Tedeschi (1857-1914), Congregation for the Church of 1952)(5). a friend of Frs. F. Picard (1831- the Orient and arrives in Sophia Angelo Giuseppe Roncalli was 1903) and E. Bailly (1842-1917), on April 25. Immediately on his born in a peasant family of the two Generals who succeeded arrival he wants to evaluate the Sotto-il-Monte in the Province Fr. d’Alzon from 1880 to 1917. situation some 400,000 refugees of Bergamo, on November 25, During World War I, during from Macedonia and Thrace(10) 1881. He was ordained a priest which five of his brothers were and tries to organize the killed(6) Roncalli is mobilized religious life of the Bulgarian and assigned to the medical Catholics. Assumptionists will 1) Angelo RONCALLI. corps and then chaplain to the be his guides. In order to visit 2) Karol WOJTYLA. 3) Giovanni MASTAÏ FERRETTI medical corps in the hospitals of the farthest villages and hamlets 4) La sollecitudine ecclesiale de Bergamo. After his service, he of the isolated mountains of Roncalli in Bulgaria becomes spiritual director of the the Turkish border, Fr. Privat (1925-1934), Kiril P. Kartaloff, Librería (11) editrice vaticana, 2014, 330 pp. (Atti diocesan seminary. 1n 1922, he Bélard , who had replaced e documenti, 36). goes to Rome where Benedict Father Gervais Quenard(12) at 5) Etienne FOUILLOUX began (7) publishing his remembrance booklets XV (1854-1922) assigns the head of the Saint Augustine of his time as Nuncio, quite spicy at him to the High Council of the College of Philipopoli(13) times in 2006. Propagation of the Faith, through accompanies him everywhere in 6) Of the 13 children in the family, Angelo Giuseppe was the 3rd. Cardinal Willem Marinus Van his expedition. After the death of 7) Giacomo della CHIESA. Rossum (1854-1932). Fr. Kondoff in 1924, the Uniate 8) Achille RATTI. 9) He chose as his motto: Obedientia On his return from a trip to Bulgarian Church was without et Pax. Bulgaria in 1924, the future a pastor(14). It was the Visitor 10) The two provinces desired by Cardinal Eugene Tisserand who was to present to Rome the Bulgaria since 1912, apportioned after 1918 between Greece (a (1884-1972) suggested to Pope candidate who was to take the major part of European Thrace) and Pius XI(8) to send an Apostolic position, and Bishop Roncalli Yugoslavia (Macedonia). 11) Biographical Notices of the Visitor to that country. Mgr. chose Kiril Kourtev, a young Religious of the Assumption. Roncalli is assigned to that 35 year-old priest (1891-1971)

28 April 2014 n no 12 former student of the Assumptionists this occasion that he will tell the at the minor seminary of Karaagaç Assumptionists present there: “I and then the major seminary of saw what you were doing for the Kadi-Köi. He was ordained a bishop good God and for the Holy Church, in Rome on December 5, 1926 in the and I loved you immediately.” The church of Saint Clement. In 1927, Assumptionists also remember the >> The Assumption Roncalli obtained the services of Fr. vacations that he spent with them Méthode Oustichkov(15) as his private in the country house of the college secretary who goes to Sophia at his of Boïkovo where he went camping side from January 1927 to the end with the fathers. of 1931. Precious because of his To solve the problem of a lack of knowledge of languages (Bulgarian, priests, the Assumptionists open a Turk, Greek, French, Latin, and minor seminary at Yamboli in 1928 12) He became Superior General of the Assumption in German) and the local customs, Fr. for 14 students. Bishop Roncalli 1923, named by the . Méthode is also greatly appreciated accompanies this foundation with all 13) Founded in 1884. Cf. the for the warmth of his relationships. possible encouragement and visits book by Alain Fleury. 14) In 1883, Rome had Fr. Méthode will be for him a great them during almost a week in May created for the Uniate help practically until his death in 1929. Bulgarians of the Oriental Rite two ecclesiastical Lyons, for besides the fact that he In May 1934, he presides at the jurisdictions that did not is the translator of an “Imitation of 50th anniversary celebrations of have heads beginning in Jesus Christ” in Bulgarian and is the Saint Augustine School that are like 1924. In 1926 the Apostolic Exarchate of Sophia: author of a work on “religion”, he is an organ fermata of his mission in successively, Cyrille Kourtev especially familiar with the traditions Bulgaria. (1926-1941;Ivan Garoufalov (1942-1951); Cyrille Kourtev of the local culture. Roncalli wrote On November 15, 1934 he is named (1951-1971); Méthode about him to Fr. Quenard, on Apostolic Delegate in Turkey and Stratiev (1971-1995); Christo March 3, 1927, to thank him for Greece(18) and arrives in Istanbul on Proykov, since 1995. 15) Biographical Notices the excellent companionship of Fr. January 5, 1935. He suggested to of the Religious of the Méthode: “He helps me, instructs Pope Pius XI the choice of Father Assumption, t. IV, 2309- (19) 22310. me, edifies me and rejoices me”. At Gregorios Vuccino as Bishop of 16) Biographical Notices the same time, the Vicar Provincial Syra and will confer on him, on July of the Religious of the of the Mission, Fr. Saturnin AUBE(16) 25, 1938, the episcopal ordination Assumption, t. I. 17) Biographical Notices reports all the affectionate and in the Church of the Holy Spirit of of the Religious of the sincere sympathy Bishop Roncalli Istanbul – the church that is still Assumption, t. III 18) With the title of holds for the entire Assumptionist today the cathedral of Bishop Louis- Archbishop of Mesembria. family. “I love the Assumptionists Armel PELATRE, the Assumptionist 19) Biographical Notices very much because I know them and who succeeds him since 1992. It is of the Religious of the Assumption, t. V. I have seen them at work.” During from Istanbul, as World War II begins his visit to Old Byzantium, it was Fr. that he continues his charitable David Lathoud(17) who will also serve works. Turkey is officially neutral  as his guide. His actions and his support encouraged the development of our missions in the East, notably in the area of the formation of the clergy. In the summer of 1945, finding himself in Lyons to preside the celebration of the 7th centennial of the 1st Council of Lyons (1245), the faithful friend, having become Nuncio in Paris, insisted on visiting the Procure of the Missions in the East and visit the tomb of his friend and close collaborator, Fr. Méthode, at the cemetery of Loyasse. It is on

29 >> The Assumption

 but all his goings and comings are four government ministers and watched. That will not prevent him numerous personalities. The visits to from organizing his protection of the Assumptionists of France were the Jewish population threatened numerous and were not limited to with extermination. The war was the capital. Twice he went to Lormoy 20) He replaced Mgr. (1883-1963) not yet over when he is stupefied to (Essone) for ordinations in 1947 and Nuncio to Vichy, declared hear that he has been named Nuncio 1950. He spent two days with the persona non grata. Roncalli (20) was named on December to Paris . He arrives in the French Fathers at Lorgues (Var) who made 22, 1944. capital before the armistice of him discover the beauties of the 21) Biographical Notices December 31, 1944 to express the Abbey of Thoronet (Var) in December of the Religious of the Assumption, t. VI. good wishes of the diplomatic corps, 1951, after the celebrations in honor 22) Their names: Roncalli of which he is by tradition the Dean, of Sainte Emilie de Vialar that he had (1944-1953), Paolo Marella (1953-1959), Paolo Bertoli to the president of the provisional presided at Marseilles. His visit to (1960-1969), Righi- government, . Notre-Dame de Grâce in the Grenelle Lambertini (1969-1979), He hires the services of Father and Javel quarters on June 20, 1948, Angelo Felici (1979-1988), Antonetti (1988-1995), Marie-Vincent Delouf (1909-2008) on the occasion of the centennial in Mario Tagliaferri (1995- (21), named secretary at the Vatican the presence of Fr. Quenard(28) and 1999). 23) Biographical Notices Embassy in June 1946 (he will stay his Council, has remained as an of the Religious of the there for 50 years and will serve invitation to joy and optimism by Assumption, t. III. nine (22)). He will be among declaring: “Whatever one might say, 24) Some thorny questions: the removal of the pro- those who will testify at beatification the present is better than the past and Vichy bishops, the question process of John XXIII. the future will surpass the promises of the worker-priests… 25) Roncalli was named the 1945 is also the moment when Fr. of the present.” All that attention first permanent observer of Léon Merklen(23) comes out of the witnesses to the close ties that linked the Holy See to UNESCO in shadows where he had been relegated him to the Congregation, even when June 1952. (29) 26) Named cardinal on because of the occupiers to take up he occupied the Chair of Peter . The January 12, 1953, Roncalli again the editorship of La Croix. Pope of the Fioretti left traces and received the biretta at the Elysée from the Radical Until his death in September 1949, perfume through a thousand and one Vincent Auriol on January Father Merklen continued a close anecdotes that many Assumptionists 15. 27) Biographical Notices relationship with the Nuncio through have remembered. Here is one that of the Religious of the numerous visits and correspondence merits being retained. Fr. Joachim Assumption, t. II. to follow numerous dossiers(24). His Hervio(30) professor at the college 28) Biographical Notices of the Religious of the friendly relations with the Bonne of Plovdiv predicted that one day Assumption, t. III. Press and the community of François he would become Pope(31). Roncalli 29) Contrary to his predecessor, Pius XII, Ier will continue during the entire answered: If that happens, I will (25) Eugenio Pacelli, he named time of his mission in Paris . A few make you a bishop.” Roncalli Secretaries of State: days before his departure for Venice became Pope at 77 years-old, but Fr. Domenico Tardini (1888- 1961), Amleto Cicognani and the elevation of Roncalli to the Joachim became a missionary in the (1961-1969) and named cardinal`s red hat(26), Father Gabel(27) Congo without miter or crozier… more than the symbolic n number of cardinals and organized a dinner that regrouped until his death in 1986. for the first time in history a Japanese, a Tanganyikan and a Filipino. 30) Biographical Notices of the Religious of the Assumption, t. III. 31) Elected pope after more than ten ballots by the College of 51 Cardinals present among which were 17 , he was crowned with the tiara on November 4, feast of Saint Charles Borromeo, one of the great pastors of the Church.

30 April 2014 n no 12 Galabert third tome >> Publications

The time for sowing: of this faith capable of transforming Galabert (1865-1867) the trials of the path undertaken? As regards Father d’Alzon to whom he The publication of the third tome of addresses 81 letters (33 in 1865; 28 in the correspondence of Father Victorin 1866; 30 in 1867) it is an unalterable Galabert opens the page of the implan- and unbroken fidelity. Galabert is a gi- tation of the Assumption in East Eu- ant in the shadows, considering him- rope during three years. To speak of self “as a foundation stone thrown into sowing, means speaking at the same the substructure of a yet hidden work.” time of death and The opus is ac- birth. Death: Father companied by a Galabert suffered preamble by Sister at the same time Felicia Ghiorghies, from the indescrib- Superior General able behavior of of the Oblates, Father Gallois until which shows how his recall to France this third volume and also the uncer- intends to be a ma- tainty provoked by jor, and needed, the death of Bishop contribution to the Canova. On the study of the origins other hand there of the foundation was a birth when of the Oblates and he is honored by marks its 150th an- becoming the theo- niversary. We also logical consultant note that the work of Bishop Popov already announces which obliged him the publication of to transfer his residence to Andrinopo- the fourth tome: that of the years 1868- lis and care for the Byzantine Rite Bul- 1870 about the rich developments of garians. In 1867, Father Galabert has the East European Mission. the great joy of traveling to the West Bernard Le Léannec (Rome and France) to accompany his bishop to the bi-millennial of the Apostles Peter and Paul. He profits of the occasion to meet at Rochebelle the first Oblates in formation and prom- ised to his mission. Unfortunately no A tip of the hat traces have been found of the discus- After 25 years, the « Itinéraires augustiniens » magazine, created, sions that took place with the young thought out, and coordinated by Marcel Neusch has been renewed. Foundress, Marie Correnson, still in Since its 51st issue “Miroir des Psaumes”, it is Nicolas Potteau who formation. heads the editorial team of the magazine. We give a tip of the hat This group of 239 letters (65 in 1863; to Father Marcel, who had animated the magazine for a quarter 99 in 1866 and 30 in 1867), reveal of a century, for having foreseen the succession for years to come. the greatness of the pioneer mission- The magazine, born in 1989 had replaced “Alype”, the magazine founded by Sister Douceline, Or.A., to offer a simple and practical ary that was Victorin Galabert. What aide to all the friends of Augustine who want to follow in the foots- should we admire most in him: the teps of the God seeker. We hope that that effort will continue. modesty, the patience and the depth

31 Editor in chief 3 Editorial Bernard Le Léannec, General Secretary  A new world is already born 2 Agenda 4 Official 6 Jubilee So that AA News  The 50 years of priesthood of Father Rospide can “talk” about you, please send information about the life 7 Madagascar of the Assumption in your countries  The 60 year presence of the Assumption in to the General Secretariat Madagascar

[email protected] 9 Dossier: Saint Augustine and the Assumption before the end of each  Father d’Alzon on familiar terms with Auguatine General Council.  Thanks especially Pilgrims to Pavia  for sending photos and Milan, where everything began illustrations.  The Institut Augustinien: a summit of research  A twenty-five year-old federation  The APAC: a tool for the Asian Augustinians  Saint Augustine, an African? [email protected] 19 New Zealand  A brotherly visit to New Zealand 20 Eastern Europe Composed on  Translators: Rumania: Spirituality and Mission 03/30/14. Eugene LaPlante, English 21 Spain This no. 12 of AA-News  Spain turns the page José Antònio Echaniz, has 220 copies: Spanish 130 in French 22 Rome Kees Krijnsen, Dutch 30 in English  Hello? Don`t hang up… 30 in Spanish 24 General Treasury Mock-up and page 30 in Dutch  The Office of Development and Solidarity in 2013 design: And 350 electronic  The Solidarity Campaign in the Assumption Loredana Giannetti copies 26 Religious Poverty  Reading Guide for the Letter to the Congregation Agostiniani dell’Assunzione - Via San Pio V, 55 - I - 00165 Roma Tel. : 06 6623998 - Fax : 06 6635924 - E-mail : [email protected] 28 The Assumption Roncalli and the Assumption 31 Publications Insert: Signs of God, no. 10 32 Our Deceased Brothers

Our Deceased Brothers

 Father Xavier at Louette-Saint- was held in the cemetery of Layrac.  Father Christ  Brother Damian TRIAIRE died on Denis (Belgium). His church of Saint He was 82. PENDERS died on CLEMAS died on January 3, 2014 at funeral took place in Joachim in Fiskdale. March 7, 2014 at March 15, 2014 in Beauvais. His funeral Louette-Saint-Denis He was buried  Father the hospital of London. His funeral was celebrated on on January 27 and in Saint Anne`s Christopher Wellington (New was celebrated Thursday, January 9, he was buried in Cemetery in BURGESS died at Zealand). His funeral on March 25, 2014 in the church the cemetery of the Fiskdale. He was 85. Hitchin (England) took place in the 2014 at 12:15 at of Saint-Etienne de parish of Louette- on March 2, 2014. parish Church of the Assumption Beauvais (Oise). Saint-Denis. He was  Father Marcel His funeral was Our Lady of Fatima Priory, Victoria Park He was buried in 90. BIZIEN died on celebrated on where he was Square, Bethnal the cemetery of February 15, 2014 at March 18, 2014 at pastor. He was Green, London Beauvais. He was  Father John Layrac. His funeral the Church of Our buried the next day (England). He was 74. MARTIN died on was celebrated Lady Immaculate in the cemetery of 81. February 7, 2014 on Wednesday, and Saint Andrew Tawa. He was 83.  Father Samuel in Worcester February 19, 2014 at in Hitchin where BAIJOT died on (Massachusetts, the Priory of Layrac. he was buried. He January 23, 2014 USA). His funeral He was buried in the was 87.