Superior General in attendance

Mexican Tradition

Dear friends,

As we prepare to celebrate the 160th anniversary of our founding on Christmas in 1845, when Fr. d’Alzon and five companions (one layman and four priests) began their life together as Assumptionist novices, I’ve been thinking about our novices in six different novitiates around the world and about you as well.  Without lay people like yourselves, very likely there would not have been a founding at all.

Assumptionists and friends

Close to a hundred people gathered around the tomb of Fr. Emmanuel d’Alzon on the morning of 21 November, the 125th anniversary of Fr. d’Alzon’s death.  Mass was presided by Fr. Richard Lamoureux, Superior General, who concelebrated with some twenty-five Assumptionists and priest friends, including the Episcopal Vicar of the Diocese of Nîmes, Fr. Bernard Fougères, members of the General Council and religious from communities in Nîmes and nearby Montpellier.  In addition to the Assumptionists, the other four Congregations of the Assumption family were represented:  the Oblate sisters (also founded by Fr. d’Alzon), the Religious of the Assumption, the Little Sisters, and the Orantes.  A good number of lay friends joined in the celebration.  After Mass in the chapel of the Oblate Sisters, all gathered for lunch at the Diocesan Center.