October 2013 N No 10

October 2013 n no 10

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EDITORIAL Prophets for today We are prophets when we live fully religious poverty. >> Official

Calls, nominations, arrangements...

Father Benoît Grière, Superior General ■ EXTENSION OF THE MANDATE OF With his council has called THE PROVINCIAL OF SPAIN ■ To Perpetual Profession Fr. Benoît Grière, Superior General, in his ordinary 1. Bro. ANDRIAMAHENINARIVO, Richard council, has extended the (Africa) (09/10/2013) second mandate of the 2. Bro. NKWER, Valentin-Junior Provincial of Spain, Fr. (Africa) ( 09/10/2013) Niceto Calle. It will finish 3. Bro. KASEREKA MASUMBUKO-KOMBI, Jérôme at the end of the Chapter (Africa) (09/11/2013) of the Province of Europe foreseen for May 4, 2014 and the establishment ■ TO ORDINATION TO THE DIACONATE of the sole Province of 4. Bro. MUTULIRANO LWAYIVWEKKA, Jean-Marie Europe. (Africa) (09/11/2013) 5. Bro. BARASA Jacob WELIKHA (Africa) (09/12/2013) 6. Bro. KAKULE MBOKANI, Jean-Marie (Africa) (09/12/2013) 7. Bro. KAMBALE MASINGO, Isidore (Africa) (09/13/2013) 8. Bro. MASTAKI BUTANA, Deogratias (Africa) (09/13/2013) 9. Bro. SEKERAVITI KAMBALE, Willibrord 1 2 3 4 (Africa) (09/14/2013) 10. Bro. TSHIAMALA KATALAYI, François (Africa) (09/14/2013) 5 6 7 8 ■ TO ORDINATION TO THE PRIESTHOOD 11. Bro. KAKULE KOMANDA, Gaston (Africa) (09/16/2013) 12. Bro. KATEMBO VUSEGHESA, Floribert 9 10 11 12 (Africa) (09/16/2013) 13. Bro. DIADIA MAYOKO, Fabien (Africa) (09/16/2013) Bro. KAKULE PAKA, Moïse 14. 13 14 15 16 (Africa) (09é17é2013) 15. Bro. KAMBALE KATSYOTO, André (Africa) (09/17/2013) 16. Bro. KAMBALE TASI, Augustin (Africa) (09/17/2013) 17 18 19 20 17. Bro. MBUSAKATUSI, Joseph (Africa) (09/18/2013) 18. Bro. MUMBERE KANZIRA, Jackson (Africa) (09/18/2013) 19. Bro. Cezar ANDREI (France) (09/19/2013) 20. Bro. Duc Long (Pierre) TRAN (Africa) (09/19/2013)

2 Octobre 2013 n no 10 Editorial <<

Prophets For today

n Rome we are living in the joy of ourselves to be stripped to become a having a pope who stimulates us new man. There is still in us to much Iand pushes us to be more faithful of the old man that paralyzes us and to our Christian vocation. There is a prevents us from living in the fidelity perceptible change of atmosphere in to the spirit of Emmanuel d’Alzon. The the wings of the Roman administration. re-foundation is thus a way of allowing The clerics who are at the service of ourselves to be called upon by the the papacy get closer to the people and Spirit of God to go forward towards the are more attentive to their requests. new world that awaits us. The clear will not to favor careerism In this effort of re-foundation, there that the pope insists on very forcefully is in the first place the work the has begun to show in Vatican City. congregation has undertaken many Pope Francis, with his habitual modesty years ago already to improve the quality and gentleness, plows his furrow and of Assumptionist formation. We have a P. Benoît Grière moves the Church. We have in him beautiful Ratio Institutionis and many General Superior a determined pope who leads the texts on religious life that were written of the Augustinians of Catholic community in a return to the by my predecessors. We must resolutely the Assumption essentials of the Gospel. put them into practice. This summer, In his interview with La Civiltà at the General House, was held a Cattolica, the pope broaches the formation session for formators. Even question of religious life. He says “the if it is a modest enterprise, its ambition religious are prophets”. In the Church is important. It concerned giving to “the religious are called in particular to those in charge of formation or who be prophets who witness to the manner will be shortly, to acquire the essential in which Jesus lived on this earth, and elements of our charism to transmit who announce how the Kingdom of them to the younger religious. God will be in its perfection.” The experience was international and The effort that the whole of the it allowed us to build an understanding congregation is beginning is an beyond the linguistic and cultural effort of re-foundation. As I wrote barriers. The stakes are high: we have in the preceding bulletin, we are a challenge to face so that the religious called to work to fashion in a new be always more faithful and rooted in way our religious family. We have a Christ. Soon you will receive the letter Founder and it is our venerated Father that I wrote on religious poverty. Pope Emmanuel d’Alzon. He is the source Francis will very shortly publish and of our inspiration and his life defines encyclical on the subject. My letter will us yet today in our fidelity and our therefore be modest, but it seeks to be a action. But the times have changed and contribution to allow each one to place we must face other challenges. The oneself in conscience before this vow. Assumption is not done and we can, as We are prophets when we live fully Pope Francis invites us, live as prophets religious poverty. n to proclaim the spirit of the Gospel. To be prophet is to accept to allow

3 >> Official(continued)

Agenda ● 26 October Preparation for the General Councils of Ordinary General Councils the Assumptionist Family in Paris ● 28 October-2 November International Commission ● 11-16 November 2013 on Formation in Paris ● 11 and 12 December, 2013 ● 27-30 January, 2014, Commission on Europe ● 3-7 February, 2014 ● 3-7 March, 2014 ● 19-28 June, 2014 Didier ● 27- September-20 October, 2013, Didier and Benoît Agenda of the Plenary General Councils in East Africa ● 25-27 October, 2013 Board of Trustees at ● 30 November-9 December, 2013 Assumption College (Worcester-USA) ● 7-16 June, 2014 ● 7-8 November Council of Consultors (Paris) ● 16 March-1 May, 2014, In Latin America Travels ● 9-10 May, 2014, Board of Trustees at Assumption College (Worcester-USA) ● Meeting of the General Councils of the Assumption 20-22+23 January, 2014 (Paris) for the Superiors General John ● 9 October-22 November 2013, in Latin America Benoît ● 27 September-October 20, 2013, Didier and Benoît Marcelo in East Africa ● 27-29 November, 2013, USG (Rome) ● 14-21 November, 2013, in Moscow, Russia ● 14, December to the end of the month: Chapter of the Province of Madagascar Other Meetings

Emmanuel ● Session of the Masters of Novices, May, 2014 ● Chapter of Europe, 27April-2 May (Valpré) ● 12-17 October, Commission on Europe at Leuven (Belgium)

Letter of the General on religious poverty

The second letter of the works of charity. This cries, the Lord hears” (Ps. THIS POOR ONE CRIED OUT AND THE LORD HEARD that Father Benoît letter is intended to be modest 33/7) has six parts: a reflection Psalm 34 :7

addresses to the because of the expectation of on poverty in our Fathers

Congregation is on the imminent publication of Augustine and d’Alzon, a recall

religious poverty. an Encyclical on the subject of the Rule of Life and of the

This 41 page by Pope Francis. Besides General Chapter of 2011, and

document is ready. this encyclical that is being the last three sections aim

For the moment it prepared, the Pope will also to be practical and concrete

is being translated. undoubtedly publish a post- propositions to change our

It has the symbolic synodal exhortation on the behaviors and set us in the

date of September new evangelization for the school of the Beatitudes to

27, the feast day transmission of the Christian grow the Kingdom.

Letter to the Congregation on Religious Poverty of Saint Vincent faith. The document of Father de Paul, patron General entitled “The poor

4 October 2013 n no 10 Spirituality <<

John reveals the freshness of the meditations of Father d’Alzon to the novices of the United States

t was in the atmosphere of a value. That was verified in In North American society tol- great forest that surrounds the reflection of those retreat erance has been set up as a na- Ithe Benedictine commu- days. When we speak today of tional virtue, yet there exists a nities monasteries of Saint the eclipse of God, we find in legitimate intolerance, that of Mary’s that the retreat of the d’Alzon a similar expression: wanting to defend the rights novices of Augustine House “the immense obscurity of the of God… This retreat was an of Worcester took place. The faith” nourished by indiffer- occasion to re-appropriate the communities of monks and ence, ignorance and unbelief texts that are part of our genet- nuns supported the meditative (2). It is the result of relativ- ic heritage in the Assumption atmosphere of these days of ism. Today aggressive indiffer- and to discover the essential retreat with their liturgy and ence seems to have given way freedom that fosters living the Gregorian chant. to a generational indifference obligations of religious life to- All retreats are a return to the of the “whatever” and a com- day. n essentials. Profiting from his monplace “lowest common de- contributions to the translation nominator”. of the writings of Fr. d’Alzon, it was obvious that the preacher chose to start from the texts of Father d’Alzon to nour- ish his talks and which he of- fered to his listeners the scoop on his translation.(1) Of the eight meditations he had se- lected, there was the one on the solitude necessary to enter a retreat and on the attitudes of Christ that can inspire, those on prayer and meditation, on the evils of the present times to be fought against and the remedies for them, those on the vows and the dispositions one must have to enter into religious life and in the observance of the Rule. That reflection was for the preacher a true rediscovery of the founder that he shared enthusiastically with these new disciples from (1) Father John is at the moment translating an essential part of the the four corners of the world. Écrits Spirituels. That is the Part 5 consecrated to the meditations The present day value of the destined for the Augustinians of the Assumption (ES, pages 307- reflection of Father d’Alzon 636). seems not to have lost any of (2) Cf. Letter 3, November 1988, un monde sans Dieu: the défi de its freshness, pertinence and l’indifférence. Documents Assomption, 1988, p. 25-53.

5 >> Spirituality

t the end of July the novices of Juvisy found Athemselves for an end of novitiate retreat with Father. General at the Abbey of Saint Mary of the Mont des Cats, a Cistercian abbey founded in 1826 in the North Department. It is a monastic community of some thirty monks. This retreat had a particular and unusual character. It was taking place after the novices had already written their letters re- questing to make their first vows and had received the answer. The discernment had already been made, and the decision tak- At the Abbey of Mont des Cats en. Father Benoît had the great idea to elaborate a retreat not of A Symbolic Retreat the end of novitiate but a retreat of the start of religious life that was rich in symbolism. Dialogue with the brother rist are the foundations of our A great importance was given to life together. As good disciples Father Benoît himself personal conversations. Father of Augustine, we need to be al- The first symbol was Father Benoît took the time to meet ways turned towards God with Benoît himself. each novice. In the course of one heart and soul. Naturally the As Superior General of the Con- these conversations, questions atmosphere of the monastic life gregation, he was a concrete were asked not only about the and the prayer of the monks sup- symbol of this Community to personal spiritual life of each ported us to unity in prayer. which the novices had tied their novice, but also on the present Surely this retreat was a good way to Christ. day life of the congregation. Fa- preparation for our first profes- ther Benoît showed a particular sion but it was especially a door The Word of God attention to our aspirations for opening into our new life, a Secondly this retreat was punctu- apostolic life and personal proj- breath of silence and prayer, and ated by biblical and Augustinian ects. a space of fraternal communion texts. Each day a text asked us: in the simplicity we had lived Why did you choose religious Prayer as a foundation and of which we will have to be life? Why are you ready to pro- Prayer needs be a priority in life. an example. fess the vows of poverty, chas- Father Benoît underscored that Br. Pavel Tinyakov tity and obedience? Why choose many times: personal and com- the Assumption and brotherly munity prayer and the Eucha- life? It was not only a questions of giving answers, we had done that many times before during the novitiate year, Father Benoît “The imposing Cistercian abbe rises on one of the rare hills of Flanders. The life of the monks is based on contemplative prayer wanted to help us confront more and manual labor. If fifteen years ago there were 60 Brothers, there concrete aspects of life in the remain only 25 today.” Congregation.

6 Octobre 2013 n no 10 Meditativeness in the Assumption >> Spirituality Silence is golden

s silence a part of our spirituality? Is it a char- gossip and judgments. These times of silence are acteristic reserved for the Benedictine, Cister- raised up by God, as he brings forth in us the mo- Ician or Franciscan spirituality? We know that ments of speaking. Let us not forget that peace ex- well: silence does not exist in a pure state neither ists only in interior silence. It is in the heart of this on the seashore, or in our hearts. There had to be silence that God will tell Himself, without words. a divine intervention for it (Mt. 8/18 and 23-27); A Touareg love song says: “Speak only if your Mk. 4/35-41; Luke 8/22-25). Silence is the means word is more beautiful than silence.” for us to be present to ourselves, to God and to the In consecrating a whole chapter in his Directory others. It is only when we go into ourselves, to our to silence, Father d’Alzon chose it as “one of the deepest sincerity that we can make silence before great strengths of the religious soul”, one of the God. It is not a virtue in itself, but a necessary pas- most effective means with prayer for sanctifica- sage to go from human noises to listen to the Word tion: “Without silence,” he writes, “there is no of God. meditativeness, without meditativeness, there is This approach demands an effort on our part. Si- no interior life.” In his principles of education, he lence requires hard work that confronts undoubt- describes it as “the greatest strength of the mas- edly man in his need to measure up to useless ter”. His remark on the subject is clear and without appeal: “Without the habit of silence, there will never be interior life.” To invite us to deep interiority, he speaks of the “eloquent and harmonious silence” of Saint Augustine, “that falls into our souls” (ES, 1160). For him, we do not become men of prayer outside of silence. For that he refers to the three virtues of Saint Joseph: silence, obedience and work (March 19, 1858). He proclaims it to ev- ery formator as an unavoidable principle to be transmitted: “Insofar as we speak less to men, we can speak more to God” (ES 383). Keep silence; wait far from human speech so that God may condescend to speak to us… Such is the invitation he sends us. Do we want to find the lode that leads to God, the nugget that enriches our relation- ship with God? : “Let us resemble Jesus Christ. Let us be what he is in silence, hidden in the tabernacle.” (CA 5, 149, 2) “You will give him silence and he will give you himself through hope”. (CA 8, 25, 1) “Without the habit of silence, there will never be an interior life.” (ES, 256) Speech is silver, but silence is golden. In the noise of the world we would tend to forget that the lode is also Assumptionist. BLL

7 >> Asia

The Assumption in Asia: The beginning of a long march

Bernard Holzer members of the team of anima- taken up, especially concerning Delegate of the Superior General for Asia tors: Miguel Diaz (Provincial of formation North America and the Philip- • See how we can advance to- pines, François-Xavier Nguyen gether in union with the entire he religious from Asia had Tien Dung (Delegate of the Pro- Congregation already met a first time in vincial of France for Vietnam and TNîmes, in August 2004, Korea), Bernard Holzer (Del- A Pentecost and also in the form of an Asian egate of the Superior General for Right from the first day, Friday Forum in Manila in 2008, but it is Asia) and Marcelo Marciel (As- July 26, the tone had been set: a the first time that the CAFI (Com- sistant General) as well as Juan Pentecost where everyone tried to munauté Assomptionniste pour Carlos Marzola (Argentina) who know and understand each other, la Formation à l’Internationalité had participated in the RIAD. each at the service of the other to - Assumptionist Community for Father Jacques Leclerc du Sa- understand one another. Indeed, Formation in Internationality) blon (Mission de France) was our even if the two working languages met in Asia. guide. were French and English, much Beginning on July 25, 2013, was translated into Vietnamese, in brothers from Asia or living in The objectives of the Koran and in Spanish… for a bet- Asia found themselves at the Pas- Asian CAFI ter comprehension by all. toral Center of the Camillians in • That the religious know each The CAFI opened with a warm Bangkok where the RIAD had other better whether living in or message from Father Benoît taken place: fifteen religious: originally from Asia Grière, Superior, who traced the two from Korea, five from Viet- • Know the realities of Asia bet- broad lines of the program. Then nam, four from the Philippines, ter, the situation of the societies there was a moment to get to two Vietnamese brothers from and the Church know one another, a presentation France and one from the United • Share about our ministries and of the broad outline of the meet- States and a brother from Mexico define our priorities for Asia ing and an opening Eucharistic named to the Philippines and the • Reflect on the challenges to be celebration.

8 Octobre 2013 n no 10 The four broad stages of The political, cultural and reli- our meeting gious realities are very different Getting to know each other and from one country to the next, seize the presence of the As- just as the collaboration with sumption in Asia today with its the laity in the service of the strengths and weaknesses, the works of the Assumption, the opportunities and the challeng- international composition of the es that present themselves. The communities, the ties between participants of the CAFI shared the dioceses and the Congrega- about the similarities and differ- tion and financial stability. ences among the countries and The culture of Confucian- also the challenges and oppor- ism strongly marks Asian cul- darity and financial collabora- tunities for a greater inter-Asian ture, especially in Korea and tion among three countries in collaboration. Vietnam, a little less so in the the future, the study of foreign The moments of prayer and Philippines. Family values are languages, sharing on the voca- relaxation (sports, festive eve- a strong points but also a chal- tion ministry, visits to reinforce nings, and the discovery of lenge. community life, and collabora- Bangkok) greatly contributed to In the three countries, the As- tion in the various stages of for- knowing one another. sumption has a concern for so- mation. The new weight of Asia in the cial action and solidarity with (With notably the workshops world. With the help of the two the little ones. It would seem on “Traditional Culture and Re- people knowledgeable about that the Assumptionist charism ligious Life – Authority/Fam- Asia, Father Jacques Leclerc is well adapted to those coun- ily/Tradition, “Individualism du Sablon (Mission de France, tries. and Money”, “New Technolo- who spent many years in China The participants noted some gies and Communication”), the and the journalist Arnaud Du- common weaknesses: the fra- possibility of an international bus, correspondent for “Libéra- gility of the formation, the lack house of formation in Asia and tion” and “Le Temps”, and of of formators and of “servant- new foundations in Asia, the Radio France International in leaders”, weakness in the study sending of brothers in the ser- Bangkok, we sought to under- and practice of languages, the vice of Vietnamese Filipino stand the recent evolution of the lack of financial independence, migrants in Korea, apostolic in- continent and look at its future a sometimes weak international ternships and summer work, an in which the work of the As- openness, and fewer vocations inter-Asian formation for broth- sumption will be implicated. to consecrated life in Korea. ers preparing for final vows and The challenges of the Catholic On the other hand, there are op- ordination, and finally a partici- Church in Asia were presented portunities for the development pation in the Asian Youth Days by the Secretary General of the of the Assumption in Asia: very (August 13-172014) in Dae- Federation of the Bishops of diverse ministries are possible, jeon, South Korea. Asia, Bishop Orlando Quevedo, notably with the youth and the We spoke about a better com- Archbishop of Cotabato (Phil- laity. Consecrated religious life munication between us and ippines). is held in esteem. Interreligious the Congregation, the Alliance “Servant-Leadership” and As- dialog offers interesting per- with the laity, of youth and vo- sumptionist formation in Asia. spectives even if the situation is cations, of internationality and In various workshops we sought very different from one country continentalization… Suffice to identify the `challenges of an to another and from one Church it to say that the Assumption- Assumptionist religious life in to another. ists in Asia will not lack work Asia and make proposals, espe- in the months ahead and that cially for formation. Possible fields of priorities will have to be estab- collaboration lished. That will be the work of A final synthesis A few fields of collaboration the next meeting of the Inter- In a final synthesis, the partici- for the Assumption in Asia Asiatic Coordination that will pants of this Asian CAFI, the were explored with more or take place in Manila in March following points were retained: less depth and pertinence: soli- 2014. n

9 >> Our Bishops

The Bishop of Juazeiro comes to Rome The Golden Jubilee of the diocese of Dom José Geraldo celebrating his ten years of episcopacy

om José Geraldo Da Cruz celebrates this year his tenth year by Thierry Randrianarison as bishop and that was worth a detour through Rome where Treasurer of Madagascar Dwe had not seen him for a few years. If he is the first Bra- zilian Assumptionist bishop, he is the second to become a residential bishop in Brazil. In effect, Dom Arthur Horst- ome was a meeting huis (1912-1979), a Dutch religious, had been Bishop of center during the Jales from 1960-1968). Rsummer. After the PGC This 10th anniversary coincides with the 50th anniver- in mid-June, the formators sary of the diocese, its golden jubilee. Dom José Ger- met in the Eternal City for a aldo is the 3rd bishop of the diocese of Juazeiro in the month (June 23 to July 23). ecclesiastical province of Feira de Santana, situated in August 25-31, was the turn of the Northeast of the country. On the occasion of the Provincial Treasurers: from the world days of the catechists that were held in Brazil, the Province of Chile- Rome September26-29 and gathered no less than Argentina, North America, 1,600 participants from all over the world. Dom France, Spain, North Europe, José Geraldo was in Rome accompanied by the Africa and Madagascar. Three person in charge of catechesis in his diocese. brothers are starting in that During his visit in Rome, he presented his dio- post and profited from the cese to us that covers some 60,000 square KM, experience of the elders. and has 14 parishes. There are some 30 priests This meeting answered the among whom 23 are Brazilian and 7 foreigners. request of the last General The 8 seminarians are a promise for tomorrow. Chapter. “The aim,” wrote The laity is active animate a network of 1,200 the General Treasurer in his communities with 3,000 catechists that are letter of convocation “is to formed in the biblical school of catechists of reinforce the cohesion of the diocese. The statistics alone of this church the body of the Assumption, are far from revealing the dynamism of its pas- certainly especially through tor who has as a priority evangelization, fam- the financial aspects. […] ily ministry, companioning a popular religion Each of the members of the that permeates a population that directly faces Plenary General Council carry recurrent droughts, unemployment and all the the concern for the life of the consequences from that: immigration, insecurity, Assumption everywhere it is prostitution, etc. He counts on the education of present. It is for us, members youth, catechesis and the family: “Great hope of the Financial Council of is there.” he says with a joyful enthusiasm and the Congregation, to give our a communicative simplicity. His diocese had support to the PGC to find never seen such a growth of the Catholic popu- better solutions that allow us lation. The day of the feast of Our Lady of the to make optimal use of the Grottos, the Patroness of the diocese, a crowd limited material resources of of 60,000 walked in the procession around the the Congregation to support its cathedral, full of fervor and devotion. It is a sign apostolic missions.” that does not deceive! It was a time to share and know

10 Octobre 2013 n no 10 Economy <<

An Economic Summit in Rome The Provincial Treasurers in Session the brothers. And as Bro Didier Remiot reminded and Salvator (USA) are members with him. He us it was also a moment to support one another indicated the projects that had found financing in the economic problems of other provinces and and the current searches… They always ask for effectively that of the Provincial Treasurer faced photos of the completed projects that must respect with the financial crises that affect the world. what was described at the time of the request to Each Provincial Treasurer presented the financial respect the intentions of the donor. Two external situation of his Province: the organization, the experts spoke: Mr. Sylvain Sachelli, operational functioning. The practice of another province that and development director of the EMI to present appears to be effective could inspire others. to us the covering of health insurance and after We did not only reflect on how or where to find a good introduction by Didier of the concepts money, but firstly and especially how to administer in the financial economy that was quite useful what we have, how to save. That concerns each for some, Mr. Gilles Bransbourg, expert on the province and each community. That touches our financial markets and financial counselor for the practice of the vow of poverty individually and General Treasurer presented the present economic in community. During the session, there were situation. reminders of the texts of the Rule of Life and the These moments were an occasion for us to carry Capitular Rules concerning the vow of poverty. in a particular manner our donors and their The idea of working better together to optimize respective intentions. the income from our investments was worked Thanks to Jean Baptiste and Anastasio for the over. Effectively that would require much from translations! n those who would assure the continuity, but we could be more demanding for the more we work together, the more weight we carry! On the level of economic self-sufficiency, beyond what already exists, at the request of the PGC, we reflected on the creation of geographic “Procures” For the moment they exist only in France, North America, and in Spain (for Africa). The Province of Spain is starting one with Fr. Niceto Calle. North America has a “Guild” in the USA and Canada. “Little by little, the little brooks will produce great rivers!” There was a time of sharing (and learning) budgetary techniques: the elaboration of a budget, its approval and then a regular verification (each semester to correct ‘in case’); the establishment of real accounts and the analysis of those on the community level, by the local treasurer and on the provincial level by the Provincial Treasurer). Father Luc Martel presented the work Brother Didier Remiot, Assistant and General Treasurer: done by the Bureau of Development “Little by little, small brooks become great rivers!” and Solidarity (BDS), of which Didier

11 >> Witnesses

I saw this “old” man on his knees cleaning the toilets An interview with Brother Joseph Zhang

Brother Joseph recently made his religious profession. At the moment he is one of the two Chinese of the Congregation. He resides in the Parish of St. Ann and St. Joachim in Sturbridge in the State of Massachusetts in the United States.

Interview impressed when I finally went. by Claude Grenache Then as I was getting ready to leave the Philippines and return We know that you came to to China, I went once more to us a diocesan priest. Can you visit the community. I saw this speak to us about your minis- “old” man on his knees washing try in China? the toilets. Later I realized that For four years I was superior it was Father Bernard Holzer, at a minor seminary and pastor A.A. the Superior of the com- of three parishes. At the same munity… I was shocked… and time I was responsible for the I began to ask myself what kind catechesis in the diocese. I was of spirituality animated these also at the origin of a group of people who could live such a young people and I was chap- simple life. Father Bernard told lain of a convent of nuns where me that he was planning a trip I taught music. to Peking and would like to visit me there. He gave me books to That seems to be quite a busy read. It was really a providen- life! tial invitation and the seed of Surely I was very busy. I fell my call to religious life. As we sick in 2007 and I had to stop read in Psalm 139: “It is you for a year. I abandoned all my who created my inmost self, and activities and rented a room who formed me in my mother’s where I retired to read and to womb”. (Psalm 139, 13). pray. I decided to learn English to fill my time. I did not yet Did you continue your minis- know that God was preparing try on your return to China? me. No, in fact I fell ill again and needed hospital care. It was There are no Assumptionists then that I read the biography of in China, so how did you get Father d’Alzon, “Ma vie, c’est to know them? le Christ”. I needed a diction- The stele from the X1th tells the 150 It is a rather long and com- ary at hand for I did not under- years of the first Christian adventure in China from 635 to 781 in its expression plex story. I had the chance to stand much. But I could not in the “Religion of Light” or Nestorians, study English in Manila. There erase from my mind the image of the community that was formed after I met Father Juan Carlos, A.A. of that “old” man on his knees the condemnation of Nestorius (381-451) who invited me to visit the cleaning the toilets. I was very at the Council of Ephesus (431) and that community. I must say that I curious to know more about the developed in Persia before spreading hesitated to accept the invita- functioning of that person. I more to the East. tion and I was not particularly wanted to know more about the

12 Octobre 2013 n no 10 quire it before sharing it with others. So I opened my heart to the Congregation and to Christ. He brought the Kingdom of God into my heart thanks to daily prayer, community life and the observance of the vows. That allowed me to offer my- Congregation and the spiritual- other activities. I began to bet- self entirely to Christ until I ity of the Assumption. On that ter understand the spirituality of was formed in him. I studied subject another psalm comes to the Congregation, and little by the history of the Assumption mind: “for the honor of your little I began to perceive what in China and I dream of a com- name, you guide me and you “simplicity” could mean. I then munity foundation in the future. lead me.” (Ps. 30/4) understood that it was the result of efforts to become frank and For the moment you are here But you were still far from open with the other. in the United States working any Assumptionist commu- Was it then that you decided to in a parish. How is it going in nity. How did you remain in join the community? this new posting? contact? Yes. After receiving the autho- Allow me to cite another Psalm: Well, as he had promised me, rization of my diocese, I began “I will instruct you, show you Father Bernard called me from the procedures that finally led to the path to follow and give you Peking about two months later. my first profession on April 28, counsel while watching over It was Pentecost Sunday. And 2012. you.” (Ps. 31/8) I am here to I traveled seven hours to meet discover the life of an apostolic him... He invited me to return to Is it important that we do not community in the service of the the Philippines and continue to have communities in China? people. The Congregation of- study English there. It took me My dream is to bring the spiri- fers me a very particular cadre a month to decide and to obtain tualty of the Assumption to my to integrate my formation and the permission of the diocesan country. I tried earlier to do so my mission in the service of Je- authorities. I arrived in Manila but I realized I needed to ac- sus Christ.n on the last day of August 2009.

I believe I know that this sec- Father d’Alzon, who saw far and wide, fixed humorously during his life- time, the missionary horizons of the Oblates at the “Great Wall of China”. ond experience with the As- The Assumptionists were present in China from November 1935 to May sumptionists consolidated 1954. Father Périer-Muzet wrote: “One day, by the grace of God, the As- your vocation. sumption will again find the road to China. Man has his view of history, but Absolutely! I then live at the the ways of the Lord have their secret.” (Cahiers du Bicentenaire d’Alzon Martin Yen House, the Asian 2010, no. 1, p. 74). Today China has 1,351 billion inhabitants and it is Assumptionist student resi- estimated that 40 to 54 million are Christian among which are 39 million dence and I would join the Protestants and 14 million Catholics. community for the meals and >> Witnesses

“I am an Assumptionist that has come would give me that possibility. From India” One of my friends was in contact with Father Gilles Blouin, A long road led Renju to the Assumption. He tells us of A.A… I so not remember how his pathway, what attracted him to make his choice: a or why that happened… But he community life where we support one another and an suggested that I contact Father ardent love the unity of Christians. Gilles who answered rapidly and gave me some general information on the Assumption- ists. We corresponded for about eight months, until the day that Father Gilles came to India. He was invited in my family and invited me to visit the community in the Philippines. I was impressed by the community life even if I was not without noticing some problems. I also worked with the poor in Marystown. Finally Father Richard Brunelle encouraged me to postulate for the Congre- gation. I am very grateful to the Fathers in the Philippines for their support and their example. I found in the Assumption a form of balanced life and a family spirit where all support one Interview done by Claude years in the Carmelite Order, another. Grenache and Sister Clare but finally I discovered that I The ecumenical aspect of the Bertero, OFM was not called to a contempla- charism of the Assumption is tive and ascetic life. very attractive to me since I was raised in the Syro-Malabar Rite. You are the first Assumption- There are no Assumptionist To join a Latin Rite Congrega- ist from India. Tell us about communities in India. So how tion I need the authorization yourself, your family, your did you get to know we exist- of my bishop but I believe that religious experience. ed and decide to join us? my experience can be useful for I come from a very old Indian That is true. There have never a work for the unity of Chris- Catholic family. We have many been Assumptionists in India tians... priests and nuns in the family. even though the Religious of We belong the Syro-Malabar the Assumption have a flourish- In mentioning our charism, Rite that has its origin in the ing province there. I discovered could you tell us what touches evangelization of the Apostle them only when I went to the you in it? Thomas. My parents were both Philippines. Father d’Alzon’s spirituality civil servants. I have a sister I was never attracted to the life impressed me for like me it is who is a professor. We were as pastor of a parish. I wanted turned facing the others, engag- raised in the respect of the Sy- to be a missionary. So I began es itself in multiple tasks, but ro-Malabar Rite. I spent seven to look for religious order that is also very engaged in prayer.

14 Octobre 2013 n no 10 I appreciate his filial obedience to the Pope, since that is one of the characteristics of the spirituality of the Syro-Malabar Church. I would like to imitate Father d’Alzon and bring others to have the courage of his decisions like those he made in the difficult circumstance of his life. Cardinal George Alencherry is the Major Archbishop of Ernaculam- Angamaly. His Church is the Syro-Malabar branch of the Chaldean How do you see your future as Rite of the Roman Catholic Church. He is the first Major Archbishop an Assumptionist? elected of the Syro-Malabar Church and his Church has about 4.5 I hope that one day we could million faithful. establish a community in India. Statistics on India: On a population of 1,237 billion and of 56,408,000 Christians, there are: 18,500,000 Catholics among which 4,500,000 For me it is not for me to found are Catholic Syro-Malabars, 450,000 Syro-Malabar Catholics, an Assumptionist community in 6,424,000 Latin Catholics and I,061,940 Mar Thoma. India, but rather see the opening of an Assumptionist community in India. And I see it as the im- plantation of an international community composed of religious from all the regions of the world. n

15 >> European Forum

he meeting was waited for and did take place. TSharing and prayers were the two motors that start- ed the strong moment that as- sembled some 150 participants, religious men and women and Assumptionist laity. During all these days, the communion among religious and laity of the Assumption was palpable. Was this meeting an ascent of Mount Tabor with its aspects of a great church square with ideas and projects or an unavoidable challenge that had to be met? Is it a question of building a unity on bad premises or of widen- ing our field of evangelization? Far from clichés and common notions that would imply that the congregations if getting old and in decline, it was particu- The Meeting larly significant to ascertain the abundance of apostolic ac- The train is moving and is going Prayer of the Watchman tivities of one and all next to forward to its destination. The the more modest realities and statutes are already adopted, “God our Father, even poverty that challenge us. in conformity with the orienta- You give us life, The work in groups on differ- tions of the General Chapter of You give us brothers to love, ent themes: solidarity, voca- 2011. Already on September 9, You want to gather your tion, youth and evangelization, the Superior General convoked children in unity media, Christian unity, living the first chapter of the Province Make us Watchmen, children of the ageing process, prepared of Europe which will take place the same Father the mission of tomorrow to be at Valpré from April 27 to May Jesus, beloved Son, our Lord, sketched and the future prov- 4. A consultation will soon take You call us to walk in your ince to find its face. place among all the religious footsteps, For all, the day consecrated to to choose a Provincial. In the You gather us in a people of the visit to Taizé was appreci- meantime the European Com- brothers, ated, undoubtedly because this mission will continue its work You entrust to us your Gospel corner of Burgundy is the sym- and will prepare the implemen- of Love, bolic area of this spirit that is tation of this future historic Make us Watchmen, witnesses to give birth to the Assumption meeting. The metamorphosis is to your Love, of Europe: a spirit of commu- working. How can we support Holy Spirit, consoler, nion, of faith and solidarity as and accompany such a trans- Fill our hearts with compassion, Inspire us with the fitting word Brother Aloys, the Prior of the formation to make of it an ex- or gesture, community emphasized. perience of transfiguration that Make us cross the fences of Other marking moments were goes well beyond our human indifference, the renewal of vows of 13 hopes to attain our most ardent Make of us Watchmen, humble young religious in formation desires to build the Kingdom. and ardent in service. and the first vows of the six That is the challenge. Each of novices of Juvisy. us has to take it up. n

16 Octobre 2013 n no 10 Make Nationalisms Disappear

At the end of the Valpré Forum, as a conclusion, the Superior General, Father Benoît Grière, accepted to answer a question: From Rome, how do you see the Assumption in Europe? Here is his answer:

e look at everything ment of opportunity. Right from arrive at almost the end of the that is lived with in- the beginning the Assumption process of unifying provinces. It Wterest. The Assump- saw far and wide. But the As- is a question of unifying and not tion was born French. It must be sumption was born with the Ori- of assembling disparate elements said and we are not to be ashamed ent tied to its heart. Already in and of making a new creation. of it. Frenchmen here present, do 1862, Victorin Galabert left for “The ancient world has gone not be ashamed of being French. the Eastern European countries. away, and a new world is al- It was in the ambience of Divine Straight off we were in two tradi- ready born”, (2Cor. 5/17b). That Providence that it was decided: a tions: a Western tradition and an is what we want to live in the man was chosen; he could have Eastern tradition. Let us cultivate European Assumption. We are been Spanish, Italian or Pol- our roots; they belong to each of men of God and we should not ish: it was a Frenchman, Em- us. Make the nationalisms disap- be ashamed of that. In a world manuel d’Alzon. Let us not be pear. Personally I regret that the marked by secularism, the little afraid of your roots. Whether European Assumption appears so music of the Assumption must you are French, Belgians, Ital- late. We missed certain opportu- be able to play its partition. My ians, cultivate this pride of your nities. We must all make our mea conviction, bolted to my body, origins. The Assumption was culpa; all of us are responsible is that the Assumption has not born French, but very quickly for the certain slow movement. said its last word. We are only at became European. The European God is pushing us to go further. the beginning of our history; we Assumption was born from the We are headed for a continental- still have a role to play, includ- anticlerical climate of the end of ization of our structures so that ing Europe. Daring must be one the 19th century. An unfortunate perhaps tomorrow there will be of the key words of the Assump- event was transformed into a mo- no more provinces. Today we tion in Europe. n

17 >> Formation of the Formators

The transmission: Pedagogy and not a Demagogy

n organizing a session for If we peruse the analytical index d’Escures: “Who is opposed to the formators in Rome from of the Écrits Spirituels of Father your supporting your life on a IJune 24 to July 24, 2013, the Emmanuel d’Alzon, we see that very serious thought: the love of Congregation wanted to affirm the word “charism” is not there. Our Lord, of the Blessed Virgin its priorities. The last session of Father d’Alzon did not use the and of the Church, for example, the sort had taken place in Nai- word. He does not speak of the that is the foundation of the robi in July 2002. At the end of “charism of the Assumption” spirit of the Assumption. With the session, we were able to see but of the “spirit of the Assump- Our Lord, you have the com- that the aim was first of all to tion”. That is why, speaking of munion, the social reign of the help the formators to appropri- the stakes in the transmission of Divine Master, the truth. With ate the spiritual heritage of the our charism, it is a question of the Blessed Virgin, you have the Assumption so as to transmit it communicating the spirit of our model of all the human perfec- to the younger religious, to be- Congregation. tions. And in devoting yourself come the heirs of today and be- We often ask what this spirit to the Church, you accomplish come the formators of tomorrow consists in. It is a question of the great duty of the Christians and thus propose a formation distinguishing the works such of our day. If this triple thought capable of taking into consider- as education, the press, the par- which can be summarized into ation the cultural diversity and ishes and all the other apostolic one can be acceptable to you, to initiate or reinforce in all for- endeavors. It is good to recall who can stop you from ponder- mators an esprit de corps and of that it is a question of the triple ing on it and translating it into family. If we speak of the trans- love: love of our Lord, of His practice” (ES 723-724)? mission of our charism, we need Mother the Virgin Mary, and of According to Father d’Alzon to realize that Father d’Alzon the Church, His Spouse. then, the spirit of the Assump- left us a spiritual heritage that As he wrote, in a letter of Au- tion founded on this triple touches all generations. gust 17, 1875 to the Countess thought, is summarized in one

18 Octobre 2013 n no 10 >> Formation of the Formators of >> Formation

idea, that is, “unity”. He also basis of the spirit of the As- sharing of what we have and of tells us: “Let us now speak of sumption, there is unity, more what we are. your form, of the spirit of the precisely brotherly communion. To guide the young religious Assumption. I cannot consider That is why the last General in formation is to five them a it under all its aspects, I would Chapter invites us to be men true witness of communion and go on infinitely; I want to hold of faith, of communion and of brotherly life built on cordiality, on to only one to meditate on solidarity with the poor. In ef- sincerity and charity, In an edu- it with you. Jesus Christ at the fect this trilogy was at the heart cator, the example of life is pri- moment he was going to Calva- of this session. So the stake of mordial. If we give them a bad ry ended his sublime discourse the transmission of the charism example, we deform in them after the last supper by these consists above all in witnessing the concept of religious life and words addressed to his Father, to our unity in the faith, in com- we transmit it cheapened and as a last prayer: Ut sint consum- munion and fraternal solidarity. deformed. If we truly live fra- mati in unum! May they be con- If we want to transmit the spirit ternal communion as formators, sumed in one, in unity…” (ES of the Assumption to the young the young religious will be in 701. religious, we must reinforce our communion among themselves Through these texts of Father fraternal ties in dialogue and and with us and will in turn be d’Alzon, we can say that at the in fraternal correction: a true witnesses of the brotherly communion everywhere they will go. The stakes of the transmis- Three great axes of our Assumptionist heritage Men of faith sion of the charism is thus to Men of communion give the witness to unity that is Solidarity with the poor and the little ones the basis of the spirit of the As- sumption. It is not a case of be- For each axis, three major stages A sharing of experiences of the participants ing demagogic but giving peda- A communication of the director gogy that is lived in practice as A dialogue between the director and the participants Father d’Alzon thought it. Louis Martin Rakotoarilala

19 >> Formation of the Formators

In the footsteps of those who risked their lives for the Kingdom

he experience lived by Christian life that keeps in bal- the Minims close to the Basili- the participants of this ance at the same time fidelity to ca of Sant’Andrea delle Fratte Tsession will have been the charism, a spirit of audac- where Father d’Alzon lodged undoubtedly characterized by ity and initiative, thus form- during his studies in Rome; the unique richness of the sharing men of faith who assure a • The church of Saint Augustine ing that took place during these strong witness in our world of and the Casa del Clero, via del- days from June 24 to July 24, today? la Scrofa, in the center of Rome 2013, in Rome. Animated by where Father d’Alzon was or- the triple orientation of the Thus with the brotherly help dained a priest on December General Chapter of 2011 (men and intelligence of our elder 26, 1834 in the private chapel of faith, of communion and sol- brother Assumptionists, we of the Cardinal-Vicar of Rome, idarity with the poor) these days plunged into the foundational Cardinal Carlo Odescalchi; helped one and all to deepen the texts searching for what con- • The catacombs of San Callis- fraternity that characterizes us stitutes the basis for the forma- to, perhaps the biggest funerary and to reflect on the common tion according to the intuitions complex in the Christian world; mission that we are called to proper to Saint Augustine and • Saint Peter’s Square where we develop in the renewed service to Father Emmanuel d’Alzon. attended the general audience of formation to the religious Being careful to avoid any of Pope Francis during which life in the Congregation and the untoward haste that character- he told us: “All together we Church. izes the ambient culture, we are the temple of God. We are adopted a very Assumption- the Church, the People of God. Welcomed at the heart of the ist attitude: we gathered in the In its bosom, the Holy Spirit Catholic world, and in this case truth of life itself. That was re- paints the truth of the Church the General House, we formed alized through many moments that unites all in all.” Insisting together a mosaic of colors, of sharing in small groups and on the vital role of Christ, “cor- races, cultures and languages. in plenary assembly, a true ex- nerstone” he asked that each How better to contemplate the ercise in patience and listening person be a “living stone of present face that the Assump- to our personal experiences as the Church.” Speaking against tion has acquired? It is an inter- men of faith, of communion a “tired, boring Christianity” national face that it had never and of solidarity with the poor. because the believer has to be had in the course of its history. “alive and joyful”. We realized that we will soon Thanks to the organizers of the be confronted with a question of session who gave us the possi- Yes, for us it is a question of capital importance: how are we bility of such diverse activities, going forward together. For- going to transmit the charism some of them unforgettable: mators and young religious in that we inherited; how are we • The visit to the famous port of formation in the Assumption, going to become re-founders Ostia, where, according to the we have to place ourselves in in the different realities of our information given in Book IX the school of Saint Augustine present world, where we must of the Confessions, while wait- and in the footsteps of Father exercise our activities? That is ing for a boat for Africa, Au- d’Alzon. Our predecessors going to be our challenge in gustine and Monica his mother drank at the same sources and the mission that is entrusted had that long conversation on we have to face the same risks to us. In other words, how can God, light and truth and had the in their footsteps and work in we attract to the Assumption experience of the sweet pres- the same direction: the building new generations and propose to ence of the Lord; up of the Kingdom. them an authentic experience of • The visit to the old convent of João Gomes da Silva a.a.

20 Octobre 2013 n no 10 Augustin Kambale Tasi Jackson Mumbere Kanzira Louis-Martin Rakotoarilala >> Formation of the Formators of >> Formation

Jean-Guillaume Kavusa Kasoko João Gomes da Silva Marcos Bento de Souza The House of Rome : New faces

The House of Rome has changed to maintain peace according to titled “Formation to the priest- its face and gets younger. There Canon 287 § 1.” hood and consecrated life”. are now eleven members with • Father Marcos Bento de This one year program in Rome six religious students, as numer- Souza is finishing his License fulfills the needs of Institutes ous as the members of the Gen- at the Pontifical Biblical Insti- in the matter of formation of eral Curia. It has just held its tute of Rome, the Biblicum, and the formators of candidates to local chapter from September is preparing his memoire for the priestly ministry and consecrat- 20-22, 2013 under the direction License in exegesis and biblical ed life. This interdisciplinary of Father Emmanuel Kahindo, sciences on the account of the formation is given in conjunc- its Superior, and elected its lo- healing of the demoniac of the tion with the Faculty of Theol- cal council, Father Emmanuel Decapolis in Marc 5/ 1-20. ogy and the Institutes of Spiri- Rospide, manager of the house • Father Jean-Guillaume Ka- tuality and Psychology of the and sub-prior as well as Fathers vusa Kasoko will pursue a for- University. Louis Martin Rakotorilala and mation in computer science. In • Father Augustin Kambale Augustin Tasi. Bro. Didier Re- the first semester, he will attend Tasi is in a two year program miot, treasurer and Assistant the CEFI (Center of Formation at the Claretianum, an Institute General is a de jure member. in Computer Science) where attached to the Lateran Pon- This particular attention given he will become familiar with tifical University, a course that to formation in our community the PHP a computer language deepens his knowledge of the is significant and for that reason that permits one to accede to theology of consecrated life in we want to present here the reli- the basic data of the web sites. the Church. gious who form the group in the In the second semester he will • Father Jackson Mumbere House of Rome. get a formation at the European Kanzira is registered for the Institute of Design in Rome on first year for a License in Sa- • Father Louis Martin Ra- Web Design. It is a formation cred Scripture at the Pontifi- kotoaarilala is studying Canon on the creation of professional cal Biblical Institute of Rome. Law at the Faculty of Canon web sites. “Verbum Domini manet in ae- Law of the Gregorian Universi- • Father Joao Gomes da Silva ternum” as the motto of this ty. He is preparing his doctorate is registered at the Gregorian prestigious establishment pro- on “the commitment of clerics University for a formation en- claims. n

21 >> Publications

The Unpublished Texts of Bruno Chenu

It already makes six years. Fa- ther Bruno Chenu died on May 23, 2003. His departure gave [*] to many people the impression La prière à l’école de Jésus that there was still a great field to harvest, of a vine that had not his small book on prayer finished ripening. The man who Tis meant to be a simple a few days before he died had tool within reach of all. This published a work in the footsteps presentation wants to reach of the disciple the daily reader and reveals of Emmaus had to him that prayer is the met on the road breath of the soul. Fr. Vincent the one who had Kambere has had the experi- warmed his heart. ence and shares it with us. It He left to poster- is unfortunate that the editor ity a work that [*] La prière à l’école de Jésus. did not sufficiently reread the we have not yet Des conseils pratiques, by Vincent manuscript before publishing. Kambere Kaghaniryo, Vol. ! Édi- finished discover- tions Saint Augustin, Afrique, We await the second volume ing. Thanks to a August 15, 2013, 70 pages. already announced. patient and thor- ough labor, young colleagues were able to publish his unpublished texts (*) in strict relation to the multiple facets that part presents his theology of the all our religious family in all lat- characterized Bruno Chenu: the Church putting in evidence his itudes. And the vision that con- observer and the actor, the peda- ecumenical and conciliar vision. cludes the work is an illustration gogue of the mysteries of the The third part is presented as a where we discover finally that Church as at the same time ec- triptych: conversion, dialogue the secret of all work is in labor clesiologist and ecumenist, and and communion. We will find in and constancy. in the end the watchman who an annex to this third part a beau- A few days after Bruno’s death, scans the horizon of the Church tiful biography of Nicolas Tar- Fr. Michel Kubler quoted from as a high seas navigator. alle and a precious bibliography his last commentary of the In the first part of the work, we of Bruno Chenu. This work is Gospel published in a newspa- find his texts observing the life of like an archeological site finally per: “Jesus considers us as his the Church, a panorama of four restored and open to the public. friends, for he has entrusted to us decades of the after-Council and May those who had this initiative what he learned from his Father; the evolution of the life of the receive our thanks! Beyond the the greatest act of love, giving Church beginning with the par- “Bruno Chenu Days” held annu- his life.” It is now for us to give ticularly significant and marking ally at Valpré, the remembrance of ourselves. Day after day, it is moments of his life. The second of Bruno Chenu remains alive in a question of deepening, digging into this giving ourselves to God, to the Church and to mankind. The relay baton has been passed on to us; it is for us to seize it.

(*) Bruno Chenu, Au service de la vérité : Dialogue, Conversion, Communion, Bayard, 2013, 679 pages.

22 Octobre 2013 n no 10 Galabert Tome Two >> Publications

The pivotal years of the sist an order or a desire of Pius IX. pioneer This Tome II of the letters of Galabert corresponds to his journal3) that begins The second tome of the corres- precisely on November 30, 1862, the pondence of Father Victorin Galabert1) day of his departure from Nîmes with covers the 1863-1864 period, a pivotal a few telegraphic notes, but in which time in the life of this courageous pio- we feel in a palpable way the emotion neer of the Eastern European Mission, of the departure for this great adven- since he arrives in Constantinople on ture that are well expressed in these December 20, 1862. Of the seven vo- letters in which we really feel the ex- lumes that will comprise the publica- pectations and the explorations. Little tion of his abundant correspondence, by little, he has to accept to become this work can be considered the cen- the rock placed in the foundations in tral kernel, the heart, where the story his own terms on the apostolic path of the great adventure of the Eastern followed by the Apostles: “You are European Mission is truly born. Here on the road that many saints followed, is our “apostolic mis- the apostolic path; sionary” at work. And become a great ser- the reading of this vant of the Lord,” Fr. second tome is joined d’Alzon writes to him to the fascinating rea- on June 12, 1963. We ding of the minutes discover also through of the foundation of these letters how the Eastern European much the foundation Mission that we read of the Oblates only 1) Lettres du P. in his journal. This saw the day because Victorien Galabert, volume is also to be of the pressures of T. II, edited by Fr. read in regard to the the events and found Jean-Paul Périer- fourth and fifth tomes in Eastern Europe its Muzet, General House, of the correspondence missionary field of Rome 2013, 500 pages. in the Lettres d’Em- choice. 2) Lettres du P. 2) Emmanuel d’Alzon, manuel d’Alzon covering the same The work comprises a prologue by Fa- T. IV (1862-1864), T. period. With historical perspective, ther Michel Kubler, Director of the St. V (1964-1865), General we see how Fr. d’Alzon allows him- Peter and St. Andrew Center of Bu- House, Rome, 1992, self to be carried by this tidal wave charest and Delegate of the Provincial 437 and 494 pages. that was for him the call of Pope Pius of France for the Eastern European 3) Victorin Galabert, IX on June 3, 1862 to always see fur- Mission, that expresses the raison Vingt-deux années ther and wider. How could the Pope d’être of this mission: to work for the parmi les Bulgares. speak to him then about a mission that unity of Christians and in particular Tome premier (1862- 1866) Editions de did not exist? It was for Fr. d’Alzon the dialogue with the Orthodox. But it l’Université Sv. an Annunciation that will call him to is especially in the introduction of its Kliment Okhridski, pronounce his “Fiat”. Father Galabert editor, Fr. Jean-Paul Périer-Muzet (for Sofia, 1998, 602 pages; was the chosen fruit and the providen- 1863, pp. 1-18 and for 1864, pp. 255- Tome deuxième, tial instrument for its realization. Six 256) that we find the keys that allow Sofia, 2000, 350 pages months did not pass that the volunteer us to decipher this correspondence (bilingual French- pioneer boarded ship for Constanti- with all its nuances and its subtleties. Bulgarian edition). nople. Was it folly or extravagance? Bernard Le Léannec Father d’Alzon was never able to re-

23 3 editorial  Prophets for today Editor in chief 2 Official, Agenda Bernard Le Léannec, General Secretary 6 spirituality  John reveals to the novices of the United States the freshness of the meditations of Father d’Alzon So that AA News  At the Abbey of the Mont des Cats. A symbolic retreat can “talk” about you,  Meditativeness in the Assumption please send information about the life of the Assumption in your countries 9 asia to the General Secretariat  The Assumption in Asia: the beginning of the long [email protected] march before the end of each 10 Our Bishops General Council. Thanks especially  The Bishop of Juazeiro visits Rome for sending photos and 11 Finances illustrations.  An economic summit in Rome: the Provincial Treasurers in session

12 Testimonies I [email protected]  I saw this “old” man on his knees cleaning the toilets  I am an Assumptionist from India

16 European Forum Composed on  Translators: The meeting 09/30/13.  Eugene LaPlante, English Make nationalisms disappear This no. 10 of AA-News José Antònio Echaniz, Has 220 copies: 18 Formation of the Formators Spanish 130 in French  The transmission: a pedagogy not a demagogy Kees Krijnsen, Dutch 30 in English  In the footsteps of those who risked their lives for the 30 in Spanish Kingdom Mock-up and page 30 in Dutch  The House of Rome: new faces design: And 350 electronic Loredana Giannetti 22 Publications copies 24 Our deceased Brothers

Agostiniani dell’Assunzione - Via San Pio V, 55 - I - 00165 Roma Tel. : 06 6623998 - Fax : 06 6635924 - E-mail : [email protected] Inserts: Signs of God no. 8

Our Deceased Brothers

 Father Frans Boxtel. He was 85  Father Luis  Father Emile the burial vault of September 16 in ANDRIESSEN died years-old. Enrique CORTES BLEUZEN died on the community Albertville in the on Wednesday MUNOZ died on August 20, 2013 in the Albertville Assumptionist July 31, 2013 at  Father Louis Tuesday August 6, at Albertville. Cemetery. He community chapel Boxtel. A service AUGUSTIJNS died 2013 in Santiago, His funeral was would have been Notre-Dame was celebrated on on Wednesday Chile. His funeral celebrated on 94 years-old on des Vignes. He Monday, August July 31, 2013 in was celebrated in Thursday August September 4. was buried in 5, in Nijmegen Louvain (Belgium). the Our Lady of 22, 2013 at the community his birthplace His funeral was Lourdes Basilica Albertville in the  Father François- Burial Vault in and on Tuesday celebrated on on Wednesday, Assumptionist Xavier NUSS died the Albertville August 6, he was Wednesday, August 7. He was community on Thursday Cemetery. He was buried in the August 7 at buried in the crypt chapel, Notre- September 12, 97 years-old. Kasteel Stapelen Louvain. He was of the Shrine. He Dame des Vignes. 2013. His funeral Cemetery of 84 years-old. was 84 years-old. He was buried in was on Monday