2010 Bicentennial Newsletter, No 5

Thirty years after the centennial celebration of the death of Fr. d’Alzon, we are now being invited to celebrate the 200th anniversary of his birth. After “rediscovering” our father at that time, we are now growing in appreciation of his particular way of holiness. We would like the celebrations we are organizing for this coming October to be occasions to give thanks to God for the graces he has given us. So that the event might be as striking as the preceding one, we want to encourage as many members as possible of the Assumption family to gather for these celebrations.

− They will begin in Paris, on Thursday, October 7, 2010 with the celebration of the Eucharist, at 7 p.m., presided by the Archbishop of Paris, Cardinal André Vingt-Trois, at the Basilica of Notre Dame des Victoires.

 − In Nîmes, on Friday evening, October 8, after the evening meal, we will gather for a prayer vigil at the tomb of Father d’Alzon in the chapel on rue Séguier. Also, a visit of the d’Alzon Memorial.

− On Saturday morning, October 9, we will travel by bus to Lavagnac (château) and Montagnac (church, school, cemetery), in the footsteps of Fr. d’Alzon. We will return to Nîmes to celebrate the Eucharist around 6 p.m. in the cathedral. This celebration will be presided by the bishop of Nîmes, Bishop Robert Wattebled.

− On Sunday, October 10, we will go to Le Vigan by bus to celebrate the Eucharist in the parish church of Saint Pierre, where Father d’Alzon was baptized. This celebration will likewise be presided by Bishop Wattebled. After a meal together, we will attend a stage performance in 5 acts, each of the acts prepared by the students from one of the five schools run by the Oblate Sisters of the Assumption in France. There will also be time to visit Father d’Alzon’s birthplace before returning to Nîmes for the evening meal.

 − On Monday morning, October 11, a Mass may be celebrated around 8 a.m. in the chapel on rue Séguier for those who would like to come together again before leaving.

We hope that many will participate in all of these scheduled events. Lodging and meals have been foreseen in Nîmes from Friday evening until Monday morning. The travel costs will be at your own expense; and any voluntary contribution to the expenses would help relieve our budget!

 P.S. To facilitate planning for meals, transportation and lodging (specify if you would accept to share a room with another person), please contact me as soon as you have made your decision.