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Christmas is an important time for Assumptionists |
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Written by Administrator
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Sunday, 23 December 2007 |
 TO LAY ASSUMPTIONISTS
Dear sisters and brothers,
Christmas is an important time for Assumptionists. We consider it our birthday.
On the 25th of December 1845, Father d’Alzon, a layman and four other priests started a formal year of preparation to become the first Assumptionist religious, and two days later two priests and two lay men began their own formation as members of what Father d’Alzon had already launched some two months earlier, namely the Assumption Association.
From the outset, the members of the Association foresaw that in the world in which they were living, the witness of lay people and religious sharing a common spirit and mission could be even more powerful than the witness of the old religious Orders. The ideals they shared were clear: a genuine community based on fraternal love and a shared commitment to following Jesus Christ and working for the coming of his Kingdom. The distinction between lay people and religious would be respected, but all would be “true friends, faithful and devoted, helping one another, in love, to live virtuous lives… The goal is none other than bringing about Christ’s reign.” (Father d’Alzon, in a talk to members of the Association on 27 December 1845)
At this time of year I generally write to the brothers, to wish them a blessed Christmas. This year I wanted to write to lay Assumptionists, in communion with Assumptionist brothers all over the world. Since the General Chapter of 2005, I have made formal visits in more than ten different countries (Congo, Kenya, Tanzania, Canada, Mexico, the United States, Spain, Madagascar, Vietnam, the Philippines, and Korea). In every country, and in each city, my Assistants and I spent time with lay Assumptionists, who not only received us well, but insisted that we meet with them! I could recount many moving moments:
• in Nairobi (Kenya), a young husband and father, a member of the Parish Council, after explaining how happy he was to be working with the Assumptionists, said with a tear in his eye: “You know, Father, I’m an Assumptionist too!”
• in Butembo (R.D. Congo), a mother explained that for a number of years she’d been friendly with the Assumptionists and volunteered on a number of projects, but now she said she wanted to know more about the spirit of the family. She’s one of a large group called “D’Alzon Moms”.
• in Mexico, I saw young men interested in becoming religious listening intently to lay Assumptionists instructing them in the spirit of the family. I thought, how times have changed!
• In Manila (Philippines), where the Assumptionists arrived only a year ago, we celebrated with over two-hundred “new” friends the inauguration of the community’s new residence.
There have been many experiences like these. Signs of the times since Vatican Council II, but also the fruit of an insight of Emmanuel d’Alzon back in December of 1845: “…true friends, faithful and devoted, helping one another…to bring about Christ’s reign.” Such experiences are also the fruit of a good deal of hard work by many people, in so many places around the world. Such a vision of the Church and of the Assumption will not be realized overnight. May the hope inspired by this year’s celebration of God’s coming among us in Jesus His Son sustain each one of you in your Assumptionist vocation. Be assured of my fraternal prayers now and in the new year to come.
Richard E. Lamoureux, a.a.,
Superior General
25 December 2007 - Rome
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Last Updated ( Sunday, 17 February 2008 )
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