Rehabilitation by the Bulgarian Parliament of those condemned during the trial of 1952.

Wednesday, the 28^th of July 2010, will remain a historic date in the Bulgarian Catholic church and for our Assumptionist family. On this day, the Bulgarian Parliament passed a decree correcting and completing the law that rehabilitates politically and civically those victimized by the repression. This was the initiative of Lacezar Roshev, Catholic deputy of the north of Bulgaria, in the context of the parliamentary commission responsible for human rights, religious confessions, and the requests and complaints lodged by private citizens.

This year again, for the 137^th time, men and women religious of the Assumption accompanied thousands of pilgrims to celebrate the feast of the Assumption in Lourdes, among whom there were some 900 sick or handicapped participants. A more than 100-year-old tradition, the National Pilgrimage continues to draw crowds to the feet of the Virgin of Massabielle, to the school of the humble visionary, Bernadette.

Since 1873, the date of the first pilgrimage to Lourdes organized by the Assumptionists, this annual rendez-vous has taken place except during the two World Wars. But to what may we attribute this attachment, so long-standing and so persevering, to the great Marian city, Our Lady of Lourdes?

“Our little family” is the way that Father d’Alzon used to refer to the Assumptionists of his time.  From our earliest days, this family has included both vowed religious and lay people … and that vision continues today.  The religious are at the center of this reality but they make little or no sense alone.  Called by God, with Father d’Alzon as our Guide, we all become Assumptionists and together we devote our lives and energy to the Assumptionist mission.  We are partners for God’s Kingdom! 

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On Sunday, August 15, some 25 alumni, staff, and friends of Our Lady of Lourdes Seminary gathered in Worcester, Massachusetts, to mark the 50th anniversary of the establishment (1960-2010) of this Assumptionist minor seminary located in Cassadaga, New York, about 60 miles southwest of Buffalo. The meeting was held at Augustine House, next to the campus of Assumption College.