Here in Mexico for the priestly ordination of two of our Assumptionist brothers. I expect the Church to be filled to overflowing on Thursday, not only with the parishioners of the main Church in Tlilapan, but with busloads of indigenous folks from the mountains surrounding the parish. Our two brothers have served those communities faithfully for the past two years, and our brother Chano himself comes from an indigenous background. 

I kidded with the two of them at breakfast this morning, saying that the best thing about arriving at this day is no longer having to submit themselves to annual evaluations, a staple of the lengthy years of formation. In fact, this can only be a brief respite given the scrutiny to which the priesthood is subject these days. And I want to say that’s fair enough on more than one count. In a time of laxity, of moral failure, a corresponding vigilance is required. More essentially, the texts of the ordination rite make clear the awesomeness of the vocation to which Chano and Rodel are being called. To be configured to Jesus Christ, offering the daily sacrifice at the altar, puts the priest on the front lines with a visibility, like it or not, that cannot be taken away.

Almighty ever-lasting God, who assumed the Immaculate Virgin Mary, the Mother of your Son, body and soul into heavenly glory, grant, we pray, that, always attentive to the things that are above, we may merit to be sharers of her glory.
(Collect from the Mass During the Day, Feast of the Assumption)

On Monday, July 1, the Assumptionist region of Kinshasa was honored to receive the visit of Lynne BROUILLETTE, a lay Assumptionist from the USA, responsible for the NGO known as « Kids in the Congo ». It was her first visit to the Kinshasa area. She was met at the N’djili international airport by Fathers Michael TSONGO, superior of the house of theology, a number of other Assumptionists stationed in Kinshasa, Zacharie WASUKUNDI who came from Kenya to serve as a translator, and Fabien DIADIA, director of the Emmanuel d’Alzon school complex in Bibwa.

In fact, for some years now, the Assumptionist region of Kinshasa has been collaborating with this lady through the intermediary of Fr. Luc MARTEL, at the time, director of the International Development Office of the Assumptionists, in view of supporting this school complex and its students. That is why she came to get a first-hand view of the realities of this newly built school, situated in the « suburbs » of Kinshasa, where the Assumptionists maintain this institution.