ASSUMPTION SISTERS UNITE TO MAINTAIN PRESENCE IN TUNISIA
by Sr. Françoise Audebrand, L.S.A.

(Editor’s note: The Little Sisters of the Assumption (LSA) are celebrating their 80th anniversary of presence in Tunisia. Tunisia has had only two presidents since it obtained independence in 1957. The most recent of those presidents fled on Friday, January 17, after more than two decades in power, and now Tunisia is trying something new. A coalition government was recently formed there, and opposition figures have been included in the leadership for the first time. Sr. Françoise traces the history of Assumption’s presence in this land of St. Augustine’s birth and the signs of new hope for its future. This article was written BEFORE the fall of President Ben Ali )

FR. MORAND KLEIBER, AA - professor, philosopher, and still a missionary at 88

(editor's note: Fr. Morand came to the United States in the early 80s to take refresher courses in philosophy at Boston University. He currently lives at the Assumptionist retirement community in Albertville, France, in the foothills of the Alps and site of the 1992 Winter Olympics.)

Many ask themselves what impression one might have at arriving in retirement in the Albertville residence. I can give an answer in complete simplicity and truth, after four months at the residence. I believe that it depends on the previous life of each person: the experiences he might have had in his life of ministry, his health, or difficulties he might have to face, and of course the deepening of his religious life. As for me, I was marked by a long period of teaching philosophy at the scholasticate, then by responsibilities in the provincial community, and finally by 22 years of mission in Africa (the Democratic Republic of Congo, the former Zaire).

Fr. Julio Navarro, A.A., Vicar General and Postulator for the Cause of Fr. d’Alzon, talks about the Status of the Beatification Process, Rome - February, 2011

You were asked to be the postulator for the cause of Fr. d’Alzon beatification. How has this experience affected you personally?

This experience has been extremely rich for me. That is true in at least three ways. First, it has allowed me to know Fr. d’Alzon much better, his personality, his spirituality, the example of his holiness, and in addition to knowing him better, I believe I admire him and love him much more. Another aspect has to do with the task of being the postulator itself which has forced me to learn, study, go to courses, especially in the area of canon law, in order to understand the juridical steps required by the Church.

Assumption College in Worcester, MA is very happy to be able to take a contingent of students and other members of the Assumption community to World Youth Day this summer in Madrid, Spain, August 16-21st. This will provide a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for our students not only to attend World Youth Day, but also to gain a much broader, global perspective of the Assumption family and the Catholic Church.