JANUARY 2020  No 11

JANUARY 2020  no 11

ligious and lai News Re ty

th AAof the Assumption e same mission

Enter into the joy of the Lord!

175 years of assumptionists in the world 1845-2020

EDITORIAL That I may never be separated from you! « I dream of an Assumption retrieving the dynamism of the early times and where each one of us would resolutely engage in carrying the Good News to the ends of the Earth. » >> Official

Letter from the Superior General Agenda to the Orantes of the Assumption Plenary General Council Fr. Benoît Grière, Superior General, wrote the following • n° 6 : June 2-10, 2020 Worcester letter on December 17, 2019, to Sr. Anne Huyhgebaert, • n° 7 : , Nîmes. December 3-12, 2020 Superior General of the Orantes of the Assumption, on Ordinary General Councils the occasion of the transferal of the remains of the Very Reverend Father Francois Picard and of Mother Isabelle • n° 18 : February 10-14, 2020. de Clermont-Tonnerre, their founders, from their ancient • n° 19 : March 18-19, 2020. convent of Bonnelles (Yveline) to the motherhouse of the • n° 20 : April 20-24, 2020. Religious of the Assumption in Paris: • n° 21 : May 18-22, 2020. • n° 22 : June11, 2020. General Councils of the Assumption family • March 13-15: (Paris) Benoît • January 9-30: East Africa. • February 23-March10: Mexico. • March 23-April 18: Andean Province. Marcelo • January 2-30: DR-Congo (Kivu). • February 17-March 1: Angola. • March 3-7: Education Commission. Dear Anne, • March 23-April 18: Andean Province. On December 27th you will proceed to inter the bodies Didier of your founders, Mother Isabelle de Gethsémani and the Reverend Father François Picard. Therefore, I wanted to express • January 3-13: Belgium and France. to you in the name of the Augustinians of the Assumption, • February 4-5: Ireland. our fraternal bond. The Orantes of the Assumption, who • February 18-March 5: Brazil. were founded in 1896, embody in the Assumption family a • March 16-17: London. permanent presence of prayer at the heart of our world. We • March 23-April 10: Andean Province. all benefit from your daily support and we appreciate it. Thank you for continuing this mission that is so important for us. Thierry Your founders receive the hospitality of our sisters, the • January 2-30: DR-Congo (Kivu). Religious of the Assumption, from which a long history unites • March 4-7: International Commission of Lay you. From now on, we will be able to come to pray to Saint Assumptionists. Marie-Eugénie of Jesus and also honor Mother Isabelle and Miguel Father François Picard in the same pilgrimage. Thanks to our sisters, the Religious of the Assumption, for having permitted • January 2-13: Korea. this connection. • January 22-28: Paris. • February 20-March 10: Mexico We look to the future with confidence and we ask Our Lord • April 28-May 15: Asia. to support the Orantes in their journey toward the Kingdom. Your Assumptionist brothers will be at your side, as they have been in the past. I pray that the celebration on December 27th On front page brings to the Orantes the grace of renewal. The grain planted "Enter into the joy of the Lord! 175 years in the ground will bear fruit. of Assumptionists in the world 1845-2020" I assure you of my fraternal friendship and of my religious This is the logo created for our jubilee year devotion. by Brother Blair Nuyda: intended for the North American Province, we propose it Fr. Benoît GRIÈRE a.a. here to the whole Congregation. Superior General

2 n JANUARY 2020 n no 11 Editorial <<

That I may never be separated from you!

ur jubilee year will be, I hope, the invitation to serve. Pope Francis a time of joy and renewal as regularly insists on missionary work and Omuch personal as communal. he asks of the Church, that is of each The Assumptionist can be defined as a of us, to resolutely engage in the new man who has confidence in the grace of evangelization. Therefore we must serve God, a man who surrenders totally to the and serve in the presence of the Lord. Holy Spirit. With him we can realize much more than we could hope. The first place of our engagement is naturally the community to which we The beginning of the year is traditionally belong. It is there that the Assumptionist marked by an exchange of wishes, but should make of himself a servant for all. also by resolutions that we make for a The Rule of Life is a constant call that there better life, for better health or for a better are no elevated positions in community self-image. I leave it to everyone to make life, each is called to serve his brother these decisions in hopes that they will according to his function. The second lead one to greater holiness. But without place of service touches upon ministry, my insisting, during this jubilee year, on that is to say all that we are asked to do Fr. Benoît Grière an elementary truth: the more we open for others. There is a social dimension Superior General ourselves to sanctity, the more will the to our religious lives. In my opinion, of the Augustinians of holiness of Fr. Emmanuel d’Alzon be clear one must remember that social issues the Assumption and evident. are a place where one must resonate the announcement of the Good News. As for myself, I make my prayer the one said by the priest at the Eucharist: “That I Pope Francis has clearly underlined in his may never be separated from you.” I love apostolic exhortation Evangelii Gaudium, this, because in its simplicity, it says much where he evokes the social dimension about the desire that animates the heart of of evangelization: “To evangelize is to the believer: that one never be separated render present in the world the Kingdom of from the love of the one who gave God.” The work for the Kingdom of God everything for us. Often, I allow myself to is made in a multitude of “services” that broaden my prayer and to include in my we render to others and to our brothers. petitions the totality of the Assumption The jubilee year of our foundation has religious: young and not so young, in called this to be a time of renewal and formation or immersed in pastoral work. this calls for a doubling of our efforts for I wish that each of us becomes totally a the Kingdom of God and the cause of companion of the Lord throughout this the Gospel. I dream of an Assumption New Year. May we be profoundly rooted retrieving the dynamism of the early times in the life of God. To become a saint, is to and where each one of us would resolutely be in the presence of the Lord all the days engage in carrying the Good News to the of one’s life. ends of the Earth. Let us never forget that There is another prayer that I like that is we are in the presence of the Lord and it is in the Canon of the Mass, it says: “serve he who acts in us. in your presence”. We are servants and we work in the presence of the Lord. Happy and holy 2020, good jubilee! This resonates with the first prayer that n I referred to above. But there is more:

3 >> Official Calls, nominations, changes...

Father Benoît Grière, Superior General, • DEPARTURE FROM THE CONGREGATION with the consent of his Council, has called : The Superior General, with the consent of his Council, has ■ to PERPETUAL PROFESSION given an indult to leave the Congregation to Br. Honoré Bassagou WINIGA (Europe), November 12, 2019. 1) SANTIAGO MARTINEZ Irving (Andean Province) (11/11/2019) • DEPARTURE DUE TO INCARDINATION ■ to the DEACONATE The Holy See has granted an indult to leave the 2) KIM Simon Taeho Congregation toFr. Willian AQUIJE MATTA (Europe) (11/11/2019) (Europe), because of his incardination “ad experimentum” in the diocese of Versailles (France), November 19, 2019. 3) NGUYEN VAN Truyen Paul (Europe) (11/11/2019) 4) RANDRIANANDRASANA William Johnes • AUTHORIZATION FOR THE NOMINATION (Madagascar) (12/11/2019) OF A SUPERIOR ■ to the PRIESTHOOD The Holy See gave its approval for the nomination, as Superior of the community of Madrid—Dulce Nombre 5) FAWIE Armand Lidaou (Europe) (12/11/2019) (Europe), to Br. Pedro FUENTES BAÑOS, November 25, 2019. 6) PHAN VAN Duong François-Xavier (Europe) (12/11/2019) 7) JEONG Christopher Seong Jo • OPENING & CLOSING OF HOUSES (Europe) (13/11/2019) Fr. Benoît Grière, Superior General, with the consent of 8) AHOLOU MESSAN Thomas his Plenary General Council, gave his approval for: (Europe) (13/11/2019) 9) KAKULE SIKULISIMWA Heshima a) the opening of a 2nd community in Goma (DR-Congo, (Africa) (11/12/2019) Province of Africa); 10) KAMBALE MOWAVINGI Erasme (Africa) (11/12/2019) b) The closing of the community in Toulouse (France, Province of Europe). 11) KASEREKA SAFARI Gerlace (Africa) (11/12/2019) • APPROVAL OF FORMATORS Fr. Benoît Grière, Superior General, with the consent of his Plenary General Council, gave his approval for the nomination of the following:

1 2 3 4 a) Fr. Nicolas POTTEAU as Master of Novices at St. Lambert-des-Bois (France, Province of Europe);

b) Fr. Wilson GICHUKI WAWERU as Master of Novices at 5 6 7 8 Arusha (Tanzania, Vice-Province of East Africa);

c) Fr. Erick RAHARIVELO responsible for formation for the Province of Madagascar

9 10 11

P. Potteau P. Waweru P. Raharivelo

4 n JANUARY 2020 n no 11 Plenary General Council << Synodality, a challenge for the Assumption

Among the many issues addressed by the 5th session of the CGP, held in Rome from 2 to 10 December, synodality is a reality already present in our functioning, but also a challenge at all levels.

The participants in the 5th session of the Plenary General Council, at the Generalate.

t was a clear desire on the on the Amazon) or diocesan syn- up and developed this idea (cf. in part of the Superior General ods; one also thinks of the many particular Lumen gentium) of the Ito introduce this theme into collegial bodies involved in the inerrancy of the People of God the reflection of our Congrega- government of the Church... But in matters of faith and morals, tion. We know how much syno- what can be said and done within thanks to the Holy Spirit. Not to dality is constantly put forward the framework of our religious mention the institutions already by Pope Francis: conceived for family? mentioned, born of the Council to ecclesial life in general, this fun- implement this co-responsibility damental intuition of Vatican II Opening the CGP’s reflection between «all» and «some» (the must be adapted to consecrated on this theme, Fr Benoît Grière ministers), both universally and life. According to the ancient ad- first of all recalled the biblical locally. age, “Quod omnes tangit ab om- anchoring of the notion of syno- nibus tractari et approbari debet. dality, with multiple references to Unlike collegiality, which What concerns everyone must be the People of God and its capacity presupposes equality among par- approved by everyone». Every- for discernment by sensus fidei. ticipants and a common decision, one knows the Synod of Bishops The teaching of the Magisterium synodality tends towards a con- (which recently held an assembly has, since the Middle Ages, taken sensus among all, followed by a 

5 >> Plenary General Council

Deploying congregational communion

«Our goal is to promote and grow unity between us and the whole body of the Assumption. There is a missionary dimension to this communion: we are called to carry the Word of God, to proclaim it, to celebrate it and to live it.

- Speaking and listening to one another The Plenary General Council is a privileged place of synodality. Speaking and talking to each other is a community act, decision by one. in groups and then together, on because language is a community Father General referred in par- ways to improve this synodality. reality. We talk to each other, we ticular to two documents of Pope Many avenues were evoked, con- exchange, we talk to each other, Francis: the Apostolic Exhorta- cerning communication, the prep- it’s making social connections. tion Evangelii gaudium (2013), aration of the CGP, its working We must also want to talk to a true programme of the present methods... It is indeed difficult each other, beyond all rivalry and without any desire to dominate. pontificate which insists on de- to feel concerned by decisions We must therefore overcome centralisation and the personal concerning the other side of the a certain violence and have a encounter with Christ by each world. Subsidiarity and decen- minimal openness to others. one, and his declaration for the tralization require a better mutual We have to move from rivalry to 50th anniversary of the Synod of knowledge within the body. The partnership. Bishops (17 October 2015). quantity and variety of subjects to be dealt with in the Council - Consulting and advice What, then, can be said in the can be detrimental to the involve- It is necessary to listen to the People of God, to our brothers of context of the Assumption? Col- ment of everyone. The role of communities, to the lay people legiality focuses on the General the laity must also be taken into who journey with us. In view of Chapter, while synodality, under account, especially in our mobi- a decision to be taken, we must the responsibility of the Superior lizing works, where synodality consult widely to have the various General, is the responsibility of could also be developed. Without opinions of the body. Even if the the Plenary General Council in forgetting, through all these pro- superior who seeks the opinion particular. It is therefore a ques- cesses, to always remain attentive of all remains free to follow it or tion of «deliberating in Church», to the Holy Spirit! not, he must listen beforehand. in order to spread ecclesial com- - Discern and decide munion, before the decision is P. Michel KUBLER Diversity must be at the meeting taken by whomever has the right Secretary-General point of the exchanges in order to do so. And it is clear, as we go to have the opinion of as many around the Provinces, how much Noteworthy: The Interna- people as possible. The criterion, unity among such diversities is a tional Theological Commission as Pope Francis says, is «the challenge! It is necessary, there- has recently published a refer- renewal of evangelization». » fore, to speak and listen to each ence work, Synodality in the Life (excerpt from the presentation other, to consult and advise, to and Mission of the Church, avail- of Fr. Benoit Grière, Superior discern and decide. able online in several languages: General, to the CGP) http://www.vatican.va/roman_cu- The members of the CGP, thus ria/congregations/cfaith/cti_doc- directly involved in the exercise uments/rc_cti_index-doc-pubbl_ of synodality, took time to reflect, it.html#Documenti.

6 n JANUARY 2020 n no 11 A new feature: the Real Estate Medium Term Plan

The CGP has put into action a device, unprecedented up to now, which allows for a better planning and coordination of the building efforts in the Provinces in the field of real estate. >> Plenary General Council >> Plenary General

Real estate projects selected by the PMC

- For 2020: ▪ The extension of Austin House The Austin House philosophat in Arusha, Tanzania. (Philosophers’ Study House in Arusha ,Tanzania - Vice- Province of East Africa); hile often the various a straitjacket, but a dashboard ▪ A provision to participate in Provinces of the Con- to help the projects move for- the costs of the next foundation Wgregation launched ward». Published one year later in Angola (Provinces of Africa works according to their own than planned, it covers the years and Brazil); agenda and possibilities, the Gen- 2020-2023 and will be updated ▪ The purchase of land to build eral Bursar stressed the need for every three years. The aim is to a school in Kinshasa-Masina better coordination of projects make it a tool at the service of (Province of Africa). and efforts. Brother Didier Re- financial coordination and soli- - The Plenary General Council miot reminded the CGP of the darity within the Congregation. also welcomed the following purpose of the «Medium Term Each Provincial Council has been projects, while deciding that Real Estate Plan»: requested by able to study it since September. they could be implemented in the Chapter of 2017 (cf. Acts of It does not cover all the needs, but the following years of the MTP : the 33rd General Chapter, n. 135), those that have been sufficiently ▪ Extension of the Kizito House this plan was prepared with the defined and evaluated in terms of Novitiate in Arusha (Tanzania - Economic Council of the Congre- costs to be taken into account. Vice-Province of East Africa) ; ▪ Construction of a community gation (CEC), which participated It is specified that the projects residence at Mahamba College - as is now customary - in the first thus selected do not become «un- in Butembo (Province of Africa); two days of work of the CGP. touchable», but remain adaptable ▪ Construction of a community This absolutely new docu- according to the evolution of situ- residence on the Vulamba ment that gathers together an im- ations. Finally, the inclusion of a site of the UAC in Butembo pressive number of information project in the MTP does not guar- (Province of Africa). constitute, according to Benoit antee that it will be retained by Grière, Superior General, «not the Plenary General Council. The 

7 >> Plenary General Council

MTP is only a tool at the disposal of the CGP, which retains some of 44% of active Assumptionists the projects presented according to the priorities of the congrega- work in parishes tion and the means available. The General Treasurerpre- sented the details of this Plan, as the Provinces went through the process, with a description of each real estate project, the apostolic project that justifies it, the financing foreseen (local contribution, expected help from BDS, Interprovincial Solidarity), a commentary from the CEC, etc. The General Treasurer presented the details of this Plan, as the Provinces went through the process. The total cost of the projects An exhaustive survey conducted by the Provincial treasurers included over the 4 years in the and presented by the CEC to the CGP enables us to measure the medium-term plan would amount numbers of religious working in parishes for a significant time in to €2.85 million, of which local their apostolates: there is a total of 206, that is, 24% of the con- funding will provide €1.17 mil- gregation (879 religious in all, of whom there are currently 297 lion, BDS €500,000 and Interpro- students). If only the active religious are taken into account, this vincial Solidarity €943,000. proportion rises to 44 %. As Father General pointed out, this work is indeed unprecedent- This proportion varies according to regions: out of the total, ed as such: whereas in the past, 67% of the religious in Brazil practice a parish ministry, 47% in buildings could be financed from East Africa, 36% in the Andean Province, 34% in Madagascar, time to time by the Congregation, 31% in North America, 20% in the Province of Africa and 14% we now have only one interlocu- in that of Europe. n tor. Such a plan implies the common commitment of all: everyone - and not only Europe! - has to see how concretely he commits Reminder : Campaign of « Solidarity in Assumption » himself, and at what level; the 2020 share of BDS is also important. Finally, these real estate projects Each year, the CGP launches for all the Congregation a call to are meaningless without apostolic solidarity for one or another of Assumptionist projects in the world. projects: schools, pastoral works, This mobilization often takes place during Lent. etc. Now, these are cruelly lack- ing in some Provinces, and so Remember that the “Campaign for Solidarity in Assumption” for they must be given absolute pri- 2020 has as its objective the construction of a bridge at Bibwa (DR- ority. Apostolic projects, conclud- Congo): the community established on the periphery of Kinshasa is, in effect, among other missions. The community is responsible for a ed the Superior General, are more primary school to which the students have great difficulty reaching important than novitiates and because of a natural obstacle. A replacement of the actual fragile scholasticates: the raison d’être of passageway with a bridge would facilitate and secure access to the the Assumption is not formation, school. but mission! n All the communities, but also the works and the parishes dependent on the Congregation are invited to contribute, to the extent of their possibilities, to make this gesture of fraternal solidarity.

8 n JANUARY 2020 n no 11 various reports. I want to thank “Let us be more Vincent Leclercq for the contribution that he provided us thanks relevant in our work” to his dynamism and seriousness in the study of the files. The CGP n his closing remarks of the 5th session of also proceeds through example with the modus operandi relat- the CGP, on December 10, 2019, in Rome, ing to the 1st apostolic nomina- Fr. Benoît Grière, Superior General, insisted tions. We have simplified the on the reference to “fundamentals” of the process and that will allow us, I Assumption. Excerpts hope, to be more relevant with the nominations. I reiterate that I we all have to make an effort in the “management of our human resources” and that means by a better identification of the available positions and the training to be provided for them. (. . .) Tak- Council >> Plenary General ing into account specialized studies should be a breakthrough for our Institution that requires men seriously formed in ecclesiastical and secular disciplines. (. . .)

Our reflection on the crite- ria for discernment of vocations points to the urgency of making a significant effort to be more ju- dicious in our work. The young « We are happy to have portance to better determine our men who come to us have the welcomed for the first time the apostolic choices. (. . .) The study right to an accompaniment of Vice Provincial of the East. of international solidarity and of quality based on truth, charity, Kizito has adapted well and I the budget in Rome show us that patience and freedom. It’s useless hope he was happy with his Ro- we have a regular increase in our to postpone to later the respon- man discoveries and of the CGP. expenditures. sibility of refusing a candidate if We are also very pleased that we the perceived limitations are too were joined by Fr. Yves, who was This is due to formation and great: we, too often, leave to oth- also absent last June. Sadly, this the increase in the number of ers the responsibility of deciding, time, it was Fr. Dennis who had young men, but also because of which is not the right thing for an to miss the meetings because of an emphasis on certain expenses. Assumptionist. Truth is the condi- pneumonia, but, thank God, he is I invite the Provincials and the tion of true freedom of the young improving. (. . .) Provincial Treasurers to be atten- person in his journey. It is also the tive from now on to the budgets price to pay to promote a genuine We began with our Provin- of the houses of study that they religious fidelity. (. . .) cial Treasurers who, for a week, conform to our call for modesty worked under the direction of and simplicity: it is up to them to The jubilee of our 175th anni- Br. Didier. They were very dili- evaluate what is necessary and versary will begin in a few days. I gent and their work enabled us what is incidental. (. . .) wish that we can live it in joy, as to move forward toward a clari- I wrote in my letter of indiction. fication of our economic realities. The CGP also worked on for- Joy is also the feeling that should The two days that we worked mation. The presence of the Sec- animate us despite the difficulties with them gave us access to quite retary General for Formation re- that confront us.” n a bit of information of prime im- ally helped us in understanding

9 >> Portraits The first Vicars of East Africa and Asia-Oceania

Fr. Benoît Bigard, Provincial of Europe, has named as of January 1, 2020, the two religious who will pilot the establishment of the newly created Vicariates.

he Vicariates of Asia-Oceania and East Africa will be launched as of January 1, 2020. TAfter consultation with the religious concerned, with the approval and agreement of the Superior General in his ordinary council, and according to the statutes of the two vicariates, the Province of Europe has named:

▪ Fr. Pierre TRAN VAN Khuê, Vicar of the Vicariate of Asia-Oceania, ▪ Fr. Georges Komla Demenya HOUSSOU, Vicar of the Vicariate of East Africa,

for three years beginning on January 2, 2020.

Fr. Pierre TRẦN VĂN Fr. Georges Komla Deme- Khuê, a 46 year old Vietnamese, nya HOUSSOU, a 38 year old is originally from the diocese of Togolese, is originally from the Vinh, province of Nghê An. Be- diocese of Atakpamé. Before en- fore entering the Assumption, tering the congregation, Georges Pierre obtained a license in Eng- received a license in anthropol- lish from the University of Sai- ogy and educational sciences and gon. He was among the first Viet- gained much work experience in namese brothers in the Congrega- this area. tion. He made his postulancy in His faith journey is marked by France and made his first vows his commitment to Charismatic in 2000 at Juvisy sur Orge. He Renewal, of the JEC and of the received his canonical license in university parish of Lomé. He moral theology from the Catho- pronounced his first vows in 2011 lic Institute of Paris in 2005. Af- at Sokodé (Togo) and continued ter one year of pastoral work in his studies at Ouagadougou (phi- London, he was ordained there in losophy), then in Kinshasa for June 2006. He returned to Saigon theology, where he completed his where he assisted in establish- studies. After one year of pastoral ing a foundation. He returned to work in Sokodé and his ordina- France in 2012 until 2014. After tion in June 2017, he was sent to this he was sent to Vinh where he Rome where he completed a li- became pastor of a parish until cense in Islamology at the PISAI, this time. Pierre has undertaken the Pontifical Institute in Arabic many responsibilities throughout and Islamic Studies, conducted his religious life. He has been a by the White Fathers. local treasurer, a superior, a member of various councils and, nota- (from the letter in “A.A. News” bly, with the inter-Asiatic coordi- of the Province of Europe) nation working on the establishment of the Vicariate.

10 n JANUARY 2020 n no 11 Jubilee << The Assumption is jubilant for its 175th anniversary! As the Congregation’s jubilee year opens, several Provinces have set up programs at all levels. Here are some of the projects that have been reported to us.

▪ A provincial proposal for a jubilee retreat is being prepared for regions, communities and even individuals. That of the Emmanuel House community at the Trappistine house in Wrentham, MA, in July will be open to brothers from other communities. ▪ A list of themes for prayer and reflection will be proposed for each month of the jubilee year.

Europe :

▪ January 1: Launch of the Asia- Oceania and West Africa Vi- cariates with local Forums in the summer of 2020. ▪ Provincial Retreat (16-22 Feb- ruary 2020): «Being a missionary disciple listening to the evangelist Matthew», preached by Fr. Marc Leroy in connection with the Superior Gener- al’s letter on mission. At the Congregation level : ▪ Communication: Jubilee color- ing of the Advent and Lenten - International Lay-Religious Session in Nîmes (27 July - 1 August). Newsletter; Facebook filter ▪ Participation in the National Pilgrimage of the Assumption in for the 175th anniversary; set- Lourdes (12-17 August). ting up of the new Province ▪ In the second half of the year, possible foundation of the mission in website; short videos with wit- Angola. nesses (religious and lay) on ▪ Session of the CGP in Nîmes from December 3-12, with the solemn our charism for today (for so- celebration of the Jubilee Year. cial networks and websites); relaunch of the collection «As- sumptionist Memory», gather- North America : ing outstanding testimonies of the life of the Congregation in ▪ In addition to local celebrations in Mexico and Quebec City, the recent decades. Jubilee was inaugurated in the United States at the Christmas Mass ▪ Provincial meetings: Alzo- at the Chapel of Assumption College. nian Day on July 4 in ND 

11 >> Jubilee

des Victoires (Paris) on «Love of The Jubilee... in the the Church»; Provincial Forum in Lourdes (August 18-22), prepared land of Fr. d’Alzon by a year-long animation in the communities. ▪ Inaugurations of the church of So- The 175th anniversary of the founding of the Augus- kodé-Komah (Togo) and possibly of tinians of the Assumption should be marked by various the new orphanage in Saigon (Viet- initiatives in his native region. For example: nam). ▪ In the church of Sainte-Perpétue, in the heart of Nîmes, a side chapel of the sanctuary should be dedicated to the evocation of Fr. d’Alzon. Brazil: ▪ At the shrine of Notre-Dame de Grâce in Rochefort du Gard, a commemorative plaque could come to recall ▪ Opening of the Jubilee Year with a the pilgrimage that Fr. d’Alzon made there on 6 Octo- solemn celebration in Rio de Janeiro ber 1872 at the head of 5,000 men and which was at in February, presided over by Cardi- the origin of the National Pilgrimage («Pilgrimage of nal Orani Tempesta. the Banners») to Lourdes the following year. ▪ In Campinas, a grotto of Our Lady of Lourdes will be built and blessed in the house of formation on February 2. ▪ Missionary Week in Cerro Azul from July 19 to 26, to make the Congrega- tion known in the most recent foundation of the Province. ▪ Prayer Triduum in each of our parishes from November 18 to 20.

Madagascar :

▪ Celebrations: August 15 or 30 (St. Augustine) in our parish of ND de ▪ The alumni of the Ste-Odile alumnate in Scherwiller l’Assomption, in union with the dio- (whose centenary will also be marked in 2020) will go cese, with a prayer triduum; the dif- on a pilgrimage in the footsteps of Fr. d’Alzon from 7 ferent posts served by the Province to 10 May, together with Fr. Marie-Bernard Kientz. (parishes, districts, college, chap- laincy) are encouraged to organize themselves to celebrate the jubilee; ordinations and perpetual vows will be made during a jubilee celebration. ▪ Animation through the media: Radio Don Bosco in Antananarivo, as well as the radios of the diocese. ▪ Exhibition planned on the foundation with the Oblates: the novitiate is responsible for making a demonstra- tive painting on the beginning of the Assumption. ▪ Making T-shirts or polo shirts with an Assumptionist or Alzonian character.

12 n JANUARY 2020 n no 11 The Assumption of Africa celebrates a twofold anniversary >> Jubilee

The year 2019 saw the celebration of the 90 years of the presence of our Congregation on the African continent, at the same time the 50 years of the Province of Africa.

n September 9, 1929, six Assump- the Vicariate by 800 km with dense forest: tionists from the Province of Bel- Bishop Gabriel Grison (1860-1942), apos- Ogium-Holland left Marseille for tolic vicar, took 45 days to walk from his the Belgian Congo: four Belgian Fathers bishopric of Stanleyville (today Kisangani) (Conrad Groenen, Henri Piérad, Marie Jules to Beni. Celis, Baudouin Ponsaerts) and two Dutch The mission where the Assumptionists Brothers, Ignace Nelissen and Antoine ended up is a vast territory almost twice the Sanders. The team arrived in Beni on Sun- size of Belgium, located in the east of the day 14 October in the afternoon, at the end Congo, crossed by the Equator. Mountain- of a five-week journey through Kenya and ous in the Southeast, low in the West, it has Uganda. several climates and, in 1929, was covered Since 1906, the Sacred Heart Fathers with dense forest. The Wanande, mainly had already founded two large posts in farmers, make up the largest part of the pop- Beni and Kimbulu. Work in the area, part ulation, along with Pygmies, who live by of their Vicariate, was not flourishing and hunting and gathering and whose survival the Dehonians could no longer replace the is today in danger because of the anarchic religious who were succumbing to sleeping destruction of their ecosystem. sickness caused by the tsetse fly. Moreover, When the Assumptionists took over this the region was separated from the heart of part of the Vicariate of the Dehonians, every- 

13 >> Jubilee

thing seemed already conquered This double event, the 90 Besides the large and flour- by the Belgians. The missionar- years of presence and the gold- ishing diocese of Butembo-Beni, ies move around quite freely, en jubilee of the Province, was Bishop Henri Pierard, the first without fear of being attacked celebrated on August 28, 2019. bishop, founded two diocesan by the population. They arrive in In the immense church of Kita- congregations: the Brothers of an animist country attached to its tumba, around the bishop sur- the Assumption (F.A.) and the ancestral culture, with its beliefs rounded by the Provincial and Little Sisters of the Presentation and practices. The first contact dozens of priests, brothers, sis- (P.S.P.); the latter are already on of these peoples with the Gospel ters and the faithful who had mission in other dioceses of the is not easy, because of the diffi- come in great numbers, thanks Congo, as well as in Uganda and culties of the language, the ad- were given to God and to the Sicily (Italy). The good collabo- aptations necessary for evange- whole Assumption for the sac- ration between the Assumption lisation, the diversity of cultures rifices made; 17 novices took and the diocese contributes to the and the harshness of the environ- their vows while other brothers evangelical witness and the very ment. Like their predecessors celebrated their silver jubilee. pride of the faithful. We implore Dahonians, many of our Fathers The numerous presence of our Our Lady of the Assumption to had health problems, due to the Oblate Sisters, the first mission- continue to pray for the Assump- climate and the mountain walks, ary women in our region, testi- tion and for Africa so that the causing heart problems. fied to the fraternity that has Reign of God may take root in The Assumptionists, moved always existed between our two our hearts. by faith and the passion of the religious families. P. Victor NDAKASI Reign, faced all difficulties so that the Good News could pen- etrate to the heart of the great Af- The last "founders" rican continent. One by one, parishes, schools and chapels grew Of the 133 Assumptionist missionaries who have worked in the diocese like mushrooms on the hills, since the origins, eight are still alive: Frs. Louis and André Nagels (Belgians), Joseph Delvordre and Lucas Chuffart (French), Henri Schilder fruit of their courage and sacri- (Dutch), Giuliano Riccadonna (Italian), Theodore Fortier and John fice. Baptisms and marriages, Franck (USA). Nine are buried in Africa lands: Father Leopold who was later ordinations and professions beaten to death by thunder while confessing, Henri Beaudouin, Adam, made the local Church grow, to Edgard, Simon, Cyrille and Gilbert (Ouganda). the point of speaking of "African miracle". After 90 years of presence in the Congo, we can say with gratitude that the Gospel is truly rooted in the hearts of Africans. The main concern is now on the side of the natives to inculturate the Good News. The Assumption can be proud of this with vocations and works that are the fruit of the pioneers whom we honor like our ancestors. At 90 years of age, we have grown up... but we are still young. This is not without its challenges. Solid and varied formation, fidelity, the study of Augustine and Em- manuel d'Alzon, interculturality, Henri Pierard, a.a., one of the founders of the Congo mission, and his the socio-political context of the successor as Bishop of Butembo-Beni, Emmanuel Kataliko. Congo are our current questions.

14 n JANUARY 2020 n no 11 Life of the Provinces << Foundations on African soil

Two new communities have just been born, in Tanzania and Togo, while a third is being planned in Angola: Africa shows itself to be decidedly welcoming to the Assumption!

In the coastal town of Mwanza, Tanzania

The Vice-Province of East Africa has just had a new birth: the parish community of Mwan- za, in the diocese of the same name in Tanzania. This diocese, the new land of our mission, is located in the northern part of the country, on the left bank of Lake Victoria. Erected in 1987, it currently has 44 parishes. The Assumptionist missionary adventure in this part of Tanzania began with an official trip in August 2019 to concret- ize the founding steps undertaken by the Assumptionist leaders of East Africa. Two religious priests then left our Kijenge Parish of Saint Paul Apostle Mwananchi in Mwanza (Tanzania). parish in Arusha for Mwanza to found this new one. The choice had already been made for the of now having their own pas- As with any foundation, it out-post station of Mwananchi, tors for a pastoral outreach, and takes patience and self-denial to a sector of the parish of Jesus committed themselves to col- be able to establish a religious the Good Shepherd of Buzuru- laborate with them in all aspects community with the boldness, ga, entrusted to the Claretian of pastoral life. generosity and selflessness that missionaries. Situated some 6 Our foundation in Mwanza is are characteristic of the As- km from the city centre, Mwa- essentially pastoral in its begin- sumption. Mutual support and nanchi is a well-located district, nings: to implant the Assump- encouragement to bring this not far from the bus station on tionist charism and spirituality, new foundation to fruition are the way to the neighbouring parish animation of proximity more than necessary. We now countries as well as to the inte- in mutual collaboration between await the official opening of rior of Tanzania. priests, the faithful and the bish- the parish by our Archbishop, We were presented to the op. Mgr Renatus Nkwande. The As- faithful of our future parish on Most of the faithful of Mwa- sumptionist community already September 22, 2019 by the vicar nanchi come from the stone hills exists and pastoral services have general of the diocese, in the overlooking the city. To reach begun. The collaboration be- presence of the parish priest of their homes, often inaccessible tween priests and faithful looks Buzuruga. Our parish of Mwa- to vehicles, they have to climb promising in what will soon be nanchi will be dedicated to Saint these stone hills, a real «rock our 5th parish in Tanzania. Paul, apostle of the nations. The city» as some inhabitants like to P. François NZANZU faithful then expressed the joy say. 

15 >> Life of the Provinces

in dialogue with the Provincial Council.

The Small Christian Commu- nity of Saint John the Baptist, on which the Assumptionists are called to collaborate for the mission, has about 2,000 faithful, with a youth that is quite dynamic and well committed. Also noteworthy is the presence of women congregations, such as the Little Sisters of the Holy Family and the Sisters of Divine Providence of Ribeauvillé, who have also recently settled in the parish territory. This Yokoè Christian community is under the responsibility of two diocesan priests: Frs Jean-Noël Akpabie (in charge) and Narcisse Wonyo. It is a small and growing church in need of pastors. The presence of the Assumptionists will certain- ly be a new breath of fresh air to The new community of Lomé (Togo). accompany the pastoral activities in this area of the archdiocese of Lomé, where the Com- In the capital of Togo, The community is located boni missionaries have invested Lomé in the deanery of West Lomé, much in evangelisation. in a district called Adidogomé, It will be a fair opportunity It was at the Ordinary Gen- between the Christian commu- for the Augustinians of the As- eral Council of June 2019 that nities Sacred Heart of Jesus of sumption to mark their presence the Superior General, with the Wonyomé and that of Saint John with a beautiful pastoral care agreement of his council, gave the Baptist of Yokoé to which inspired by the charism of the the approval for the opening of the community of brothers is at- congregation. While waiting for a new Assumptionist commu- tached. the opening of the pastoral year nity in Lomé, in the capital of In the clauses of the agree- at the level of the Christian com- Togo. This decision brings the ment signed between the local munity of Yokoè, which will or- number of communities in West Ordinary, Mgr Denis Komivi ganise the pastoral activities, the Africa to four. The new commu- Amuzu-Dzakpa, and the As- brothers will provide occasional nity of the Augustinians of the sumptionists, the new com- services in the parishes and out- Assumption therefore opened munity will invest itself in the post stations, in collaboration its doors on September 1, 2019 apostolates of inter-religious with the priests responsible for in the archdiocese of Lomé. It dialogue, ecumenism, youth the Christian community. is composed of Brothers Lu- ministry, including vocational P. Yves ATIDEPE cas Sezouhlon (superior), Yves animation, and the Lay-Reli- (article taken from ATLPE Atidepe (bursar) and Thomas gious Alliance. The pastoral ac- Bulletin No. 24, October 2019) Aholou. tivities will be set up gradually,

16 n JANUARY 2020 n no 11 Testimony <<

Angola’s trail gets clearer My Experience in

During the December CGP Ecuador in Rome, the Superior General announced that he had received An African religious on mission in Chile the formal invitation from the Bishop of Benguela to found tells of his discovery of the Assumptionist a community in his diocese: presence in Ecuador: in praise of «If we accept it, we will go to diversity! Angola for a new foundation». The question now is how to support this project on both a human and economic level, in order to decide whether or not the foundation will take place. This will be the objective of a third preparatory trip, which will take place in February 2020 with Fr. Marcelo Mar- ciel, Vicar General, and two concerned Provincials from Africa and Brazil. Our future location is planned for Luongo, in the district of Catumbela, in the Beginning of the Mass in honor of Saint Peter on June 29, 2019 parish of St. Francis of As- sisi, very close to the Catholic University and the new inter- n June 18, I left Chile for Ecuador, at the request of Fa- national airport (5 minutes ther Provincial, Juan Carlos Marzolla, so I could share by car). The planned number Ocommunity life with the community of Riobamba and of religious is three, coming take part in the novena preceding the celebration of the feast of from Brazil and Butembo. A San Pedro de Licán. The Novena was preached by Fr. Jean-Aimé community of Brazilian Sis- Kakule Virivusigha. As in previous years, the parish community ters of Our Lady of Mercy will had numerous commitments in terms of masses and various cel- be our pastoral partner with ebrations; the presence of at least one more religious priest was the project of a school. therefore necessary to lend a hand in whatever needed to be done. So we are not yet at the So, we formed a wonderful community of three priests during stage of foundation for the mo- this time of preparation for the great celebration of San Pedro ment: it will be up to the CGP de Licán: Fr. Mauricio Riquelme (parish priest), Fr. Jean-Aimé to take stock next June. But, if (treasurer) and me. The novena began on June 19 and finished on all goes well, the implementa- June 28 with Vespers of the solemnity of Saint Peter and Saint tion could begin around Octo- Paul. By tradition, however, at the parish of San Pedro de Licán ber. That is why this dossier only Saint Peter, the patron saint of the parish, is honored. was presented as a «jubilee My main task during the novena was to hear the confession year project» for the 175th an- of parishioners who wanted to renew their relationship with God niversary of the Congregation. through the Sacrament of Reconciliation, while Fr. Jean-Aimé M. K. celebrated the Eucharist; to have spontaneous meetings with the faithful who came from all parts of the Province of Chimborazo, of which Riobamba is the capital city, and listen to their problems and concerns; to enhance the sense of fraternity among the brothers in the religious community; and to cooperate as far as 

17 >> Testimony

possible in all of the community this, and made aware of the fact cio Riquelme and Jean-Aimé, for activities and the parish or dioc- that Chile, where I have lived for their welcome, for the fraternal esan programs. seven years, does not represent all sharing and for making me feel of Latin America. I must say that at home. I thank the lay-religious My experience in Ecuador for I am happy to have had the op- Alliance for receiving me and three weeks was very beautiful: portunity to get acquainted with for the opportunities we had to- magnificent landscapes, a pleas- this other Latin American coun- gether to proclaim the Kingdom. ant and healthy climate, a society try. I wasn’t able to get to know, May you persevere in spite of “not yet secularized” that main- either on a cultural or religious the difficulties. We have in com- tains its cultural, human and reli- level, the coastal and Amazonian mon only one Master and Lord: gious values, honoring them with Regions, or the Islands (Galapa- Jesus Christ; one Mother: the pride; a society where the priest is gos); but I feel happy with my Virgin Mary; only one Church; loved and greatly respected as a new knowledge of a large part of one founder: Father Emmanuel man of God, and where churches the Inter-Andean Region (La Si- d’Alzon. Thank you for respond- are still regarded as sacred places; erra), its people, its mentality, its ing to the call of the Spirit. We an Assumptionist community that spirituality. need you for the task of evange- is very hospitable and concerned I am grateful to Fr. Juan Car- lizing this our world. Don’t let that a visitor feels welcomed and los Marzolla who allowed me anything discourage you. lacks nothing; a community of to travel to Ecuador, not only to Fr. Isidore Bakanja KASONDOLI lay Assumptionists eager to know meet the religious community SIHAYA and live out the charism and spiri- of Riobamba, but also to get to Community of Rengo tuality of our congregation; a know the culture and the popu- (artícle taken from the newslet- population where young people lar religiosity of that part of the ter or the Andean Province and children still go to Mass, etc. country. Many thanks to the reli- [Boletín de la Provincia Andina] I was very impressed by all of gious community, Fathers Mauri- Nº 240, May-June 2019)

18 n JANUARY 2020 n no 11 Holiness as rebirth

It is no coincidence that our congregation was founded on December 25, 175 years ago in 2020. This date marks the journey of Fr. d’Alzon, who lived an intense bond with the mystery of the Nativity.

ince Christmas Eve 2019, we have entered into a Sjubilee year. The feast of Christmas takes on a special character in the congregation in more than one way. First of all, it is because it is the feast day of our founder.(1) This day of the

birth of the child of Bethlehem desk the postulator’s >> From is also the day of the foundation of the congregation. Whether one chooses the date of Fr. d’Alzon’s entry into the novitiate with his first companions in 1845,(2) or that of his first public vows in 1950,(3) or his perpetual vows in 1851,(4) it is always Christ- mas which marks these founding moments. During all the first years of foundation, the brothers made sure that the entry into the novitiate, first profession or perpetual profession coincided with the feast of Christmas. This was the case at Mireman at Christmas 1853, The importance of this date is Emmanuel, the southern where Fr. d’Alzon established also due to the fact that Mother Moreover, Emmanuel will never the novitiate for the first five lay Marie Eugénie pronounced her forget his Cévennes and Proven- brothers. At the college in Nîmes, perpetual vows on December 25, çal roots, especially on Christmas Christmas 1854 was celebrated 1844 with the first four nuns of Eve when we used to do «Christ- with particular enthusiasm be- the Assumption.(5) And that is mas Eve dinner» - in Provençal, cause of the dogma of the Imma- why Fr. d’Alzon wrote to Mother calendo. This big supper served culate Conception proclaimed in Marie Eugénie: «Behold then, on Christmas Eve, before mid- Rome a few days earlier. It was the first four stones are going night mass, was full of symbols: also the occasion that year to see to be placed on the crib of the a table covered with three white the formation of the first tertia- Infant Jesus.»Ten years earlier, tablecloths - to designate the Tri- ries within the college and the while in Rome, he wrote to his nity - with three lit white cand- launching of the work of Saint mother and his friend Luglien: lesticks and the three saucers of Francis de Sales. This tradition (6)»I will say my first Mass on wheat germinated from Sainte- would continue in the founda- Christmas Day.»We know that Barbe. The supper consisted of tions of the Assumption as in Cli- this was not the case because he seven lean dishes, in remem- chy (1858) or later in Andrinople was not ordained a priest until brance of Mary’s seven pains, (1870). the next day. served with 13 rolls followed by 

19 >> From the postulator’s desk

13 desserts representing the Last nativity scene where villagers in Alès, the capital of the Cévennes Supper with the twelve Apostles costume represented the Holy and a stronghold of the Hugue- and Jesus. These 13 desserts were Family (Jesus, Mary, Joseph), the not resistance, keeps the traces eaten on the return from Mass Magi and the shepherds. Some of these traditions so dear to the and remained on the table for the villages maintained the tradi- heart of Fr. d’Alzon. We find them next three days, until December tion of the «pastrage»: during in the paintings of the Venetian 27th. These Christmas traditions the midnight mass, a newborn school preserved in the Colom- were very much alive in Nîmes lamb was brought either on a cart bier d’Alès museum, works on and dear to Fr. d’Alzon’s heart decorated with straw and leaves, the theme of Christmas: Bernar- when he wrote to Mother Marie or in the arms of the shepherds dino Gatti’s Flight into Egypt, Fra Eugénie: «What is traditional in who came to the church in pro- Paolini da Pistoia’s Holy Family, Nîmes is the nougat, to spend cession. Sometimes a «pastoral» the Adoration of the Magi and the Christmas without nougat would accompanied the mass, a theatri- Adoration of the Shepherds from be for a Nîmois a misfortune wit- cal representation of the Nativity Francesco Bassano’s workshop. hout consolation. » (7) sung and spoken in Provençal Provence has kept this culture of by characters in traditional cos- the crib and the santons (santoun, Alès, capital of the tumes. There was not a place wit- «little saints») created so that the Cévennes hout a nativity scene, essential crib can flourish in the intimacy Provençal Christmas carols were to the festival. Fr. d’Alzon was of each Provençal family. heard everywhere, to celebrate penetrated from a very young age the sacred moment, some accom- by these traditions so well descri- The perpetual incarnation panied by the flute or tambourine. bed by Frédéric Mistral, who was But it would be wrong to limit Fr. In some villages, the mass was in received at the college in March d’Alzon’s perception of Christ- Provençal accompanied by a live 1959.(8) mas to a simple nostalgic and

20 n JANUARY 2020 n no 11 sentimental attachment to local d’Alzon’s house is an opportuni- 1. Letter to Luglien d’Espigny of traditions or to calendar coin- ty to renew this incarnation, to be 24 December 1830, in Lettres du cidences. His overall reflection reborn to a new life of holiness. Père d’Alzon, vol. 1, pp.178-180. on time left nothing to chance. (13) 2. François Surrel (1806-1857), It was a question for him of dis- To Marie Correnson, on Decem- Paul-Elphège Tissot (1801- covering in it the traces of God ber 17, 1874, he wrote: «May the 1895), Eugène Henri (1815- and the means of reaching him in feast of Christmas be for you a 1874), Charles Laurent (1821- humility, poverty and obedience. time of renewal. Try to be born 1895) and René Cusse (1822- For this, he spoke of «preparing to a new life with the child Jesus, 1866). 3. Fr. d’Alzon pronouces his to bring Our Lord into the world, wrap yourself in his swaddling vows in the chapter room of the like the Blessed Virgin in Bethle- clothes, lose yourself in his little- community at the Collège de hem.»(9) And he explains: «Our ness and let him live at ease in the l’Assomption followed by those Lord became incarnate once in midst of your heart to purify it, to of the brothers: Henri Brun the Blessed Virgin; a second set it ablaze it, to make it fruit- (1821-1895), Victor Cardenne time through the Eucharist (the ful. «A few days later, he wrote (1821-1851), Hippolyte Saugrain first time in the Upper Room and to her from Nice on December (1822-1905), Etienne Pernet since then every day); there is a 22nd: «I ask the Child Jesus to (1824-1899). 4. Fr. D’Alzon pronounced his third and perpetual incarnation give birth to you on Christmas perpetual vows during the of Jesus Christ in the regenera- night to a brand new life of ho- midnight mass in the chapel of desk the postulator’s >> From ted humanity, in that portion of liness, patience, humility and Collège de l’Assomption and re- the elect which is the Church; love.» A few days earlier, in an ceived those of Fr. Brun, Brs Sau- and finally, there will be another instruction to the Oblate Sisters, grain and Pernet and Fr. François incarnation in glory.»(10) It is a he had said: «Let us prepare our- Picard pronounced his first vows question of being «humble, poor, selves seriously for the feast of and his final vows at Chistmas obedient like Our Lord and the Christmas, so that Our Lord may 1852. 5. Letter to Mother Marie-Eu- Blessed Virgin in Bethlehem», be born in us; our hearts must be génie of Jesus of 20 December by ridding oneself of selfcentere- so well disposed that the divine 1844 in Lettres du P. D’Alzon, vol. dness. He wanted the first quality child will find his delights there; B, p. 210. of the Assumption to be reco- does not a mother prepare her 6. Letters of 18 November 1834 gnized was «the simplicity of layette for the son she is expec- to Madame d’Alzon and to his mean s.”(11) During a retreat in ting? It is an immense work that friend Luglien d’Espigny, in the chapel of François Ier Street I am giving you to do; see the Lettres du . d’Alzon, vol. A, pp. at the beginning of April 1873, he exquisite delicacy that you must 734-740. 7. Letter to Marie-Eugénie of 20 declared: «The Incarnation is the bring in the acquisition of the December 1845, in Lettres du P. union of a God with humanity. I virtues that you lack. Delicacy in D’Alzon, vol. B, pp.413-414. will be happy to come in you,» sincere humility, delicacy in cha- 8. See: Frédéric Mistral, Mes ori- said Our Lord Jesus Christ. Just rity, delicacy in poverty, etc., etc., gins, mémoires et récits. as he became incarnate, just as he etc. » (14) 9. Letter to Louis Chabert of 17 came into the world in a stable November 1871, in Lettres du P. in Bethlehem, so he wants to be “Go to humility” D’Alzon, vol. 1X, pp. 212-213. born in the stable of our hearts. Couldn’t he have thought of this 10. To the Religious of the As- sumption in Auteuil, August Let us imitate the shepherds who when he saw the work of God 1861, in Cahiers d’Alzon. X1, pp. came to worship him in his swad- being carried out by his hands 9-10. dling clothes. Let us carry within and the work of the Incarnation 11. Closing instructions of the us the Child God, we must be the being repeated in this way? «God General Chapter of 1868, Ecrits fathers of Jesus Christ when he wanted his Son to be born in a spirituels, pp. 130-132. comes into us. We must cry out: manger, to spend his first year 12. Unpublished notes, Org. Ms «I live, it is no longer I, it is J.C. in Egypt, and then to hide his ACR DA 6, pp. 16-18. who lives and reigns in me». The life in Nazareth, just as he wants 13. It is pleasant to see the same accents in the Apostolic Letter life of the Christian is the per- this or that disposition of life Admirabile signum of Pope Fran- petual incarnation of God in his from you, and you only have to cis on the meaning and value of heart, until at the end he becomes submit to it.” (15) According to the crib, signed at Greccio, on 2 one with God. «(12) Christmas at him, «To take pleasure only in 

21 >> From the postulator’s desk

God, to rely only on his strength child, your God, who became December 2019. 14. Fourth instruction to the and perfection, to live only by man to save you? Examine and Oblates, on 4 December 1874 his life, these must be the moda- know how to make an effective (unpublished text). lities of this incarnation, quoting resolution... to make your life the 15. Les instructions du samedi, St Augustine: «Ecce habemus means to glorify God? Do you Paris Maison de la Bonne Presse, infantem Christum, crescamus want to? Go to Bethlehem, go to 1932, pp. 118-133. cum illo.»(15) Who is he, this the Saviour, go to the humility of 16. ‘Nous l’avons ce divin Enfant, child of the manger, he asks him- his manger, and, contemplating grandissons avec lui.’, Saint Au- self - and he immediately replies: the annihilation of a God who gustine, Sermon 196, 3. 17. Prêtre et Apôtre, X, no. 111, «He is the one who is going to made himself a little child to save May 1928, pp. 139-143. give all spiritual riches; he is the you, cry out in your turn: Glory 18. In Cahiers d’Alzon, 11 : The father of the poor, and he wants to God who treats me with such Eucharist, light of life, p. 23. to establish true charity on earth. great kindness that he wants to 19. Ecrits spirituels, pp. 892-895. All the poor are relieved by Jesus put this glory into becoming my 20. To the Assumptionists of Christ.» (17) And the culmina- Saviour! « (19) We are, thanks Nîmes in September 1879, in tion of this un-inhabitation of to our character as religious and ombard, notes of Br. Matthieu L God made man is accomplished priests, [called to] realize this unpublished. 21. On 24 February 1861, Len- in the Eucharist: «God takes my incarnation in other souls like St. ten sermon at Saint-Charles of heart for a manger and he puts Paul: Filioli quos iterum parturio Nîmes church, in Ecrits du P. himself into it, after coming donec formetur Christus in vobis BAilly, 18, pp. 187-194. down from the altar.» (18) And (Gal 4:19). But then it is necessa- Fr. d’Alzon concluded: «Will ry to prepare oneself in advance you offer this heart to this little for the pains of childbirth. In the same way, we should not be surprised to encounter sadness and pain in our apostolate, and the magnificent spectacle of the work we do should make us overcome them with ease and joy. » (20) God wishes that one day we may celebrate, more than the anniversary of our foundation, the Dies natalis of Father d’Alzon with the whole Church which will have recognized how much he had in- carnated during his life on earth the face of the Emmanuel: “The king of the saints must live in us: In Brazil, the opening of the beatification Vivo,jam non ego, sed Christus proceedings of Fr. Matheus vivit in me (Gal 2:20), he said, and therefore all my thoughts, all my aspirations, I take them into The diocesan proceeding for beatification of the Servant of the bosom of God; this is the doc- God Matheus Van Herkhuizen, a Dutch Assumptionist, who died trine of holiness in the Church! in Pinhal (Brazil) in 1973, was opened on 7 December 2019, To This holiness resides in her head this effect, a diocesan tribunal was created. The first step was to and that head is Jesus Christ, recognize the body during a Eucharistic celebration presided by from whom holiness flows in the Bishop Emilio Vilar, of the diocese of Sao Joao da Boa Vista. His members as well as life in our remains were then transferred to Saint John the Baptist church bodies. » (21) where they now lay in a sarcophagus. P. Bernard LE LÉANNEC General Postulator

22 n JANUARY 2020 n no 11 Emmanuel d’Alzon and the Youth Work in Nîmes (2/2) >> History pages >> History

All the buildings and the property of Mont Duplan today. A real estate operation is planning to build an apartment building there.

This is the second part of Jean-Michel about; Victor Cry, a philosopher in Bourges, Brochec’s historical research on this little- who made a poor impression on Fr. V[incent] known and eventful work, taken up by de P[aul], warmly supported by Mgr. de Sé- Fr. d’Alzon in the context of his diocesan gur, Mme de Gouy, his protector from child- ministry, not without impact on his young hood, and the superior of the seminary of congregation. Bourges; Victor, a domestic, very intelligent, warmly protected by your brother; Théophile Fr. d’Alzon’s correspondence testifies that Durafour pour les Châteaux, a charming there is no lack of ideas on how to make the child who comes to read to our Fathers in the best use of this new location in the interest refectory; an Irishman, he arrives this eve- of the young congregation, but there is little ning to be a lay Brother; Collin, a pupil of mention of the first project of the work. He M. V[incent] de P[aul], who is a very intel- speaks of establishing the novitiate there, ligent man, warmly protected by your broth- installed on the premises of the College; an- er; and, of course, the young people we will other time he wants to reserve this place for soon have: Noël arrived; Ménétrier, from novices with greater intellectual capacity, the Franche-Comté, of whom Noël will speak to novitiate at Le Vigan, run by Fr. Saugrain, you; Victor Cry, a philosopher in Bourges, becoming a kind of superior alumnate; then who made a poor impression on Fr. Collin, a he thinks of establishing a scholasticate there student of M. Roussel, will be able to attend and of making this place the «mother house». the humanities alumnate, at least I hope so; In a letter to Fr. Emmanuel Bailly (April 2, plus two teachers from the minor seminary in 1874), Fr. d’Alzon rejoices at the imminent Paris for the month of October. arrival of future novices: You see that things are taking a good turn, “Here is the list of the young men we will if we are saints. But you have to come. The have shortly: Noël arrived; Ménétrier, from big question for me is to know whether since Franche-Comté, whom Noël will tell you the alumnate is done at the Oblate house, the 

23 >> History pages

real novitiate should not be done offering a derisory means, that the price of the premises for the near me, at the Windmills, at least of having me give so much from youth work» (letter to Bishop for a while. That is a very big each house. It was the certainty Plantier, 30 September 1872) so question. Something drives me to of having nothing. Fr. Picard said that there would not be too much consecrate myself to this novitiate that it was better to live on alms. disproportion in relation to the from May 8 [18]74 to February I preferred it too, and I will start neighbouring land that could be 1 [18]75. Pray and have others begging when I have nothing left. sold to the army to establish an pray in this regard. » The general bursar will have the artillery barracks there. The prospect that he himself 30,000 francs of income from In his reply to the minis- will take care of the novitiate at Montmau or Le Vigan. Finally, ter (October 8, 1872), Bishop Mont Duplan worries Mother we must do things for God alone. Plantier justified the sale on the Marie-Eugénie (letter of 16 April These little humiliations are good grounds of the disastrous state to Fr. Picard). Alexis Dumazer, foundation stones of the work and of the diocese’s finances (obeyed who wrote to Fr. Emmanuel Bail- detach the heart from human at- by the construction of churches ly on 6 April: tachments. “(to Marie Eugénie, in Nîmes) and the needs of the “It seems to me danger- December 10, 1872). seminary «whose indigence is ous that Fr. d’Alzon should take extreme. He concedes a slight fa- charge of this work alone as he A disputed sale vour to the Vicar General, but it seems to have resolved to do. He But things aren’t going as would be justified by the obliga- will never be able to reside there planned. As soon as the As- tion to maintain the work in this sufficiently and he needs as socius sumptionists took over the work, house. In another letter to the a former religious [understand: a D’Alzon had to face a double prefect of the Gard (27 December former religious] and not just one challenge that reflected an oppo- 1872), the bishop added an argu- of his novices.... I am still afraid sition, if not to his person, then ment: public opinion would not on this side an arrangement that at least to the way in which the accept that the work should move will soon unravel and bring about work, buildings and direction away, and if it were to leave the a new abortion. You know what would be appropriated. premises, this could lead to dread- the attempt at Mount Duplan has In September 1872, a group ful discontent and unrest. cost the Congregation as a reli- of five Nîmois who did not seem Finally, after other events, gious; I tremble to see the Father to belong to the Work wrote to political interventions (including settling there only with novices Jules Simon, Minister of Justice, that of Numa Baragnon, deputy and it seems to me that it is our Worship and Public Instruction, and former student of the As- duty to tell him these things while to contest the procedure for sell- sumption), the proposal of pur- accepting that he will take them ing the property and its price. The chase by a group of elders, an into account as he wishes”. (to E. sale took place amicably, between administrative inquiry..., a decree Bailly, April 6). the bishop and his vicar general, of the administration of cults of 8 Hippolyte Saugrain, the gen- whereas the law would have re- June 1873 authorized the sale of eral bursar, for his part, fears an quired an auction. They also the Prophette property to Father increase in expenses. Fr. d’Alzon judged the price, 20,000 francs, d’Alzon, for 20,000 francs and himself remarks on this: excessively low in relation to under the terms and conditions of “Fr. Hippolyte is sulking. He the buildings and the situation (it the deed of 22 June 1872. says he is ill. It is possible, but had been envisaged, for a while, above all he is unhappy” (to Fr. to establish the prefecture of the Internal tensions Picard, 10 January 1873). Gard). The authors of the pro- In October 1872, Fr. d’Alzon “This small foundation, to cedure estimate the real price at and the novices from Assump- which I attach the greatest hopes, 38,000 or 40,000 francs. tion College moved into the has not been without bitterness. D’Alzon points out that, with new premises. Brother Norbert In a meeting of the principal re- one exception, the authors of the Mathieu had been sent there in ligious where the accounts were protest are all unknown. He won- July to replace Abbé Argaud as settled, I had thought that out of dered whether they were «Protes- a matter of urgency. But he was the income of Montmau (1) they tants with little interest in Catho- not well received by the young would give me 3,000 or 4,000 lic works,» or whether it was not people of the Work and left the francs. Fr. Hippolyte opposed it, a manoeuvre aimed at «raising congregation. He was replaced by

24 n JANUARY 2020 n no 11 What does d’Alzon want? It seems that he wished to re- orient the Youth Work towards a more explicit and strongly Catho- lic, even vocational, formation. Added to this was the idea that to do this he needed to address young people from a higher social milieu. >> History pages >> History As early as December 1872, in a letter to Fr. Picard (December 21, 1872), he spoke of establishing «a kind of Third Order among the youngest. They are the most pliable... The old will go away, the young will arrive and perhaps in this way we will do them good and decide to give themselves to God». Vincent de Paul Bailly The property of the Argaud Work today. (June 2, 1876), he mentions «a Above, on the left, the buildings and the garden planted with trees of the adjoining Assumptionist community. Above, on the right, an unbuilt square Catholic propaganda work». He located in the extension of the property, land acquired by the d'Alzon wants the older people to cooper- Institute. ate with «a group of distinguished young people at the head», and Fr Dumazer, himself giving way could not get more involved in he appeals to the children of the in October to Fr Blanc, just out of the running of the Work. The ab- large families of Nîmes. Accord- the novitiate. sence of spiritual direction (we ing to Abbé Argaud’s «histori- After a time of «furious op- would speak today of «pastoral cal notes», «agreement with the position» (letter to Fr. V from Fr. animation») was felt. The reli- members of the Work was impos- Bailly, October 2, 1872), life re- gious exercises are less well at- sible». The «distinguished young sumed its usual course. Fr. Blanc tended. Games are less success- men» did not want to mingle leads with the support of the com- ful. A bad spirit is settling in, the «with the present members of the mission of the elders. He cele- relationship between the older Work who were of a much infe- brated services, preached, and or- boys and the «middle age boys» rior condition to their own». ganized times of prayer. D’Alzon is deteriorating, the latter envying A group of former mem- also intervened: he renewed the the «privileges» of the elders. It bers addressed a letter to Bishop offices, accompanied a pilgrim- is even said that «some even en- Besson on his arrival in Nîmes, age of young people to Notre- joy destroying games or personal speaking of «vexations» they Dame de Rochefort, preached for belongings that fall into their had suffered. D’Alzon is said to All Saints’ Day... The feasts were hands» (Gazette de L’Œuvre, Au- have discredited the work, for celebrated (Christmas Eve, Mardi gust 17, 1873). example, by putting at its head -Gras...), games and sports ac- The commission, which em- «ridiculous directors, young men tivities were maintained and even bodies authority, is criticized of 20 years of age, brothers of renewed. Thus the young people and has difficulty enforcing the the Assumption, who, since then, of the advisory board bring from regulations. It is, however, the ap- have thrown their trousers down Paris equipment for the gym- plication of the rules that makes and are the first to laugh at hav- nasium: rope ladders, trapeze, the Work more than just a patron- ing found themselves, without swings... Everything seems to be age. At the beginning of 1874, the knowing it, directors of a Work going well. commission, weary of criticism for Youth» (letter not dated). But in March 1873, Fr Blanc and in opposition to the orienta- The facts prove them right: also left the congregation and tions that Fr. d’Alzon wanted to named in turn, Bro. Norbert Ma- joined the diocesan clergy. Fr. promote, resigned. He re-estab- thieu, Fr. Blanc, Bro. Eugène, d’Alzon, who was also very busy, lishes it with authority. Bro. Désiré left the work and the 

25 >> History pages

congregation. The latter, replaced priest for the Work of Youth (let- over the direction and animation by Fr. Francesco Chichkov (2), ter to Fr. Picard, July 29, 1877). of the Work, which thus regained left without warning, leaving at The elders set out in search of new its institutional independence the station a note addressed to Fr. premises, but the old ones, find- from the diocese. Emmanuel Bailly who, in a letter ing the process «without manner In the 1930s, the Assumption- to Fr. d'Alzon, did not go quietly: and even brutal,» decided to re- ists acquired a piece of land at 3 very severe judgment at first and a sist legally. They refused to give Route d’Arles, near the Argaud little scornful: "This poor brother, Fr. d’Alzon the keys to the house. work located at No. 5 of the same good but foolish... a foolishness Fr. d’Alzon asked them not to road. They built a College there that has often pierced through", oblige him to employ «the town and transferred the one on the etc. Then he comes to the real sergeants and to take advantage Rue de la République. When the question: "What is the virtue, in- of the opportunity to take over establishment closed in 1967 and telligent or unintelligent, that can the whole house». He wanted the Assumptionists sold the build- resist such a solitude and such the Work to continue, «but with ing to the Chamber of Commerce an independent life prolonged in- people with whom I will be able of Nîmes, they kept the land ad- definitely without usual support, to have discussions” (Gazette de joining the Argaud Work, on without rule, without commu- l’Œuvre, October 1888, «Eleven which the primary school was lo- nity, without superior? Brother Years Back»). cated, and installed the Assump- Eugene had done the same; the On December 2, 1877, the tionist community of Nîmes, thus departures of so many others end Gazette wrote: «A retrocession keeping close, at least geographi- up constituting traditions that the would have been made by the cally, to one of the works initiated weak and the foolish imitate as a Reverend Father d’Alzon to the by their founder! simple and natural thing." (Sep- Bishop of the Work’s building, In 2012, the Fathers of Timon- tember 1, 1875) by notarial act.» The latter was David will retire. The two asso- Finally, the authors of the let- in fact transferred from Assump- ciations made up of elders, one ter to the bishop think that Fr. tionist tutelage to that of the dio- of whom is the owner and the d'Alzon does not know how to cese. After a period of transition other the manager, expressed ver- address young people from work- which saw the appointment of a bally for a while the wish that the ing class backgrounds. Thus, his priest director assisted by two neighboring Assumptionists get All Saints' Day speech of 1872 other priests, a trio which did not involved in the pastoral anima- is judged by them to be "of real seem to have functioned, Bishop tion of the Work, but the request importance, but much too long Besson entrusted the direction to was never officially formulated. for young people", and he speaks, Father Camille Ferry, a former The diocese itself, while wish- they say, "in a dialect" ! member of Assumption College, ing to have a look at the pastoral who settled on the spot in No- development and the future of the The withdrawal of Fr. vember 1878. He brought in the premises that could be the object d’Alzon mastery of the cathedral. He was of real estate covetousness, has As soon as the Mount Duplan able to straighten out the situa- not responded to this need. One premises were purchased and tion, to recover the spirit and or- of the pillars of the educational Canon Argaud abruptly with- ganisation of the Youth Work of project - Christian formation - has drew, suspicion reigned. «What the German priests, Daudet and been weakened as a result. It has was Father d’Alzon’s need to buy Argaud. become difficult to find pastoral the premises if he wanted to con- In 1893, it moved and settled responses to the growing diver- tinue the Work? We were not so on route d’Arles (now avenue sity of origin, culture and religion naive as not to understand that Leclerc), on a large piece of land of the young people who frequent Fr. d’Alzon had other plans.» acquired by the association of the the work. At the same time, the (Letter from the elders to Bishop elders. It is probably at this time way of life of the families and Besson) The follow-up seems to that it took the name of Argaud. the leisure activities of the young prove them right. In 1919, at the request of the same people have changed a great deal. In 1877, probably weary of alumni, the Fathers of Timon-Da- In January 2018, Oeuvre Argaud the difficulties of organization vid (named after the founder of had to cease its activities. The fu- and the resistance encountered, the Congregation of the Sacred ture destination of the premises is Fr. d’Alzon no longer provided a Heart of Jesus in Marseilles) took currently under discussion.

26 n JANUARY 2020 n no 11 During its 180 years of exis- His first discourse, after having entrusted Father Daudet with the tence, it has left its mark on many taken up the work of youth on animation of the Saint-Stanislas generations of people in Nîmes Mount Duplan in 1872, is consid- Society, which brings together who are still very attached to it ered important but not very acces- young people from working class and it has formed generations sible to young people. backgrounds. of Christians committed to the With his friend Canon Sibour Through the events recount- Church and society. (future archbishop of Paris), he ed above, we perceive another had also organized in the years source of difficulty, linked to the Conclusion 1836-1839 evenings of conferenc- very identity of the Work: the >> History pages >> History At the end of this historical es and debates for educated young place of the elders, the role of the overview, we can sketch out an- people. They took place on Thurs- elders and, globally, the mode of swers to the following two ques- days at Sibour’s home (rue de la operation strongly involving the tions: why did Fr. d’Alzon want to Madeleine) on subjects related to young (board of directors, superi- take control of this work of which literature, and on Mondays at his or, advisory board, widely distrib- he was the initiator in 1872? For home, rue de l’Arc Dugras, on uted charges). This involvement, what reasons, five years later, did questions of philosophy and re- which has marked the identity of he withdraw from it? ligion. They were also moments the Work up to the present day, By acquiring ownership of of conviviality (he sometimes of- presupposed participatory modes Mont Duplan in 1872 and by tak- fered cigars and punch!). It was of decision-making, necessarily ing responsibility for the youth within this framework that he at- slower than the active and ener- work, D’Alzon seems to have pur- tached himself to some academics getic personality of Fr. d’Alzon. sued several objectives: to have a such as Germer-Durand and Mon- It is not surprising that the elders more appropriate living environ- nier, whom he would employ at and senior citizens came into con- ment for the novitiate and for him- the Collège de l’Assomption with flict with him. self than the College, to improve the explicit project of working to Finally, driven by his active the level of Christian formation of reconstitute a Christian elite. He temperament and his apostolic the young people welcomed for clearly thought that the religious intuitions, he did not sufficiently leisure activities and to encour- formation of the young people of anticipate the human resources age vocations (one of his great and the Work should be of better qual- he would need to find to pursue permanent concerns). He no doubt ity. On this point, one only has to the educational project of the thought he could easily find a di- look at the level of his instructions work and to give it the impetus he rector among the religious. But in and conferences to the students of wished for. some thirty-five years of existence, Assumption College! However, even his detractors the work launched in rue de l’Arc D’Alzon was not uninter- acknowledge that he supported Dugras had developed its own ested in popular circles: he had the Youth Work, helping it finan- identity, around an educational a strong social action in Nîmes, cially, supporting it with the bish- project formalised and implement- which cannot be detailed here. op and a reserved local clergy. ed by Fr. Allemand in Marseilles, But his origins, his formation, in The chapel of the Argaud applied in Nîmes by the Fr. Daudet short, his personality, meant that Work. The wall on the right is and more adapted to young people he did not know how to address adjoining the property of the As- from working class backgrounds. young people without much edu- sumptionist community. n By receiving young people in cation. It is for this reason that he his apartment in the rue de l’Arc Dugras, by his instruction in the catechism of perseverance, by cre- ating the St-Louis de Gonzague association, D’Alzon addressed 1) Wine property, close to Lavagnac, which Fr. D’Alzon received as young people from the middle and an heritage. The revenues from that land, like that of the farm of La upper classes, with a certain level Valette, in Le Vigan, were used to finance the initiatives of the founder. of education. Fr. Vailhé points out, 2) One of the thwo first Bulgarian Assumptionists who arrived in France moreover, that he is reproached for in 1866 with Luigi Dimitrov, He is ordained a priest in 1874. After only one year at the Youth ministry, he leaves and joins Fr. Galabert at not having enough of the popular Mission d’Orient, in September1876. genre (Biography, T. 1, p. 227).

27 Editor 2 Official Michel KUBLER, General Secretary  Agenda  Letter from the Superior General to the Orantes of the Assumption

So that AA News 3 Éditorial can “talk” about you,  That I may never be separated from you! please send information about the life 4  Calls, nominations, changes... of the Assumption in your countries 5 Plenary General Council to the General Secretariat  Synodality, a challenge for the Assumption [email protected]  before the end of each A new feature: the Real Estate Medium Term Plan General Council.  “Let us be more relevant in our work” Thanks especially 10 Portraits for sending photos and  The first Vicars of East Africa and Asia-Oceania illustrations. 11 Jubilee  The Assumption is jubilant for its 175th anniversary!  The Jubilee... in the land of Fr. d’Alzon [email protected]  The Assumption of Africa celebrates a twofold anniversary 15 Life of the Provinces Translator Composed in  Foundations on African soil Patricia Haggerty and January 30, 2020 17 Testimony Gilles Blouin, English This no 11 of AA- info  José Antonio Echaniz ; is printed in 220 My Experience in Ecuador Spanish copies: 19 From the postulator’s desk 160 in French  Holiness as rebirth ... and the help of 30 in English DeepL 30 in Spanish 23 History pages Model and laid out And 350 electronic  Emmanuel d’Alzon and the Youth Work in Nîmes Loredana Giannetti shipments. (2/2) 28 Our Deceased Brothers Agostiniani dell’Assunzione - Via San Pio V, 55 - I - 00165 Roma Tel. : 06 66013727 - Fax : 06 6630814 - E-mail : [email protected]

Our Deceased Brothers

† Father Alexandre † Brother Alain de † Father Gustaaf (Herman) † Father Robert † Father Anicet KAHINDO BEAUDET, from the BOISSON, from the VAN DE SANDE, from the BROCHIER, from the MUNYENZE, from the community in Québec community of Albertville community of Leuven community of Albertvile community of Kindugu (North American Province), (European Province), died (European Province), died (European Province), died (Province of Africa), died died October 26, 2019, on October 28, 2019, in on November 8, 2019, on November 11, 2019, on November 12, 2019, in in Québec (Canada). His Albertville (France). His at Kapelle-op-den-Bos in Albertville (France). His Butembo (DR-Congo). His funeral was celebrated on funeral was celebrated on (Belgium). His funeral was funeral was celebrated on funeral was celebrated the October 31 in the chapel of October 30 in the chapel celebrated on November November 13 in the chapel same day. He was 57 years the Center of Culture and of Notre-Dame des Vignes, 16 in the parish church of Notre-Dame des Vignes, of age. Faith of Montmartre. He followed by internment in of St. Lambert of Muizen- followed by internment in was 97 years of age. the cemetery of Albertville. Dorp. He was 85 years of the cemetery of Albertville. He was 87 years of age. age. He was 93 years of age.