- In your speeches in Europe, you refer to the “roots” of the continent without ever describing them as Christian. Rather, you define “European identity” as “dynamic and multicultural.” In your view, is the expression “Christian roots” inappropriate for Europe?

Pope Francis: We need to speak of roots in the plural because there are so many. In this sense, when I hear talk of the Christian roots of Europe, I sometimes dread the tone, which can seem triumphalist or even vengeful. It then takes on colonialist overtones. John Paul II, however, spoke about it in a tranquil manner.

Yes, Europe has Christian roots and it is Christianity’s responsibility to water those roots. But this must be done in a spirit of service as in the washing of the feet. Christianity’s duty to Europe is one of service. As Erich Przywara, the great master of Romano Guardini and Hans Urs von Balthasar, teaches us, Christianity’s contribution to a culture is that of Christ in the washing of the feet. In other words, service and the gift of life. It must not become a colonial enterprise.

– On April 16, you made a powerful gesture by bringing back the refugees from Lesbos to Rome. However, does Europe have the capacity to accept so many migrants?

Assumption’s oldest alumnus celebrated his 100^th birthday in March

- How/why did you attend Assumption Prep and Assumption College?

- God wanted me to. After graduating from high school in 1934, I wanted to further my education. I was persuaded by Fr. Antonio Dufault, a diocesan priest and the brother of Fr. Wilfrid, A.A. ’29, who later became Superior General of the Assumptionists. I agreed to go only if no one would pressure me to become a priest. As a sophomore, I freely chose to become an Assumptionist priest. Limited knowledge of French and Latin obliged me to do a P.G. (pre-graduate) year at the high school (which later became Assumption Prep).

- What do you recall about your days as a student?

- I recall almost losing my identity when as a P.G. student my classmates called me “Minsky,” because I was often with a fellow student who had been dubbed “Pinsky.” The nickname stayed with me through college. These names probably helped us to not take ourselves too seriously and said something about the familiarity, informality and mischievousness that then characterized student life and that helpedus face the challenge of a disciplined, studious and prayerful life.

For the first time since its creation on July 10, 1953, the Andean province (formerly known as the South American Province and the Chile-Argentina Province) has an Argentinian at its helm, yes, the same nationality as Pope Francis! Fr. Juan Carlos MARZOLLA LAIUS was named provincial of the Andean Province for a three-year term that begins on June 1, 2016. The first Assumptionists arrived on the South American continent in 1890 at Mendoza, Chile, in view of propagating Marian devotion in country.

Fr. Juan Carlos was born on February 12, 1973 in Junin (Argentina) to Jorge and d’Ana Maria Marzolla. He was baptized on November 24 of the same year in the Orthodox cathedral of St. George in Buenos Aires. After studies in education (1992-1995) and philosophy at the diocesan seminary of Mendoza (1997-1999), he began his novitiate in Pomaire (Chile) where he pronounced his first vows on January 14, 2001. Residing at the Emmanuel d'Alzon community, he undertook his theology studies at the Pontifical University of Santiago (2001-2003). After making his final vows at Our Lady of Lourdes Basilica in Santiago on March 27, 2004, he was ordained a deacon the following year at the shrine of Our Lady of Lourdes near Buenos Aires, Argentina, and a priest on May 13, 2006, in Mendoza, Argentina by the city's archbishop, Most Rev. José María Arancibia. His first assignment took place in the Assumptionist parish and schools in Lota, Chile until 2008, at which time he returned to his native Argentina to become local treasurer and director of the two Assumptionist schools in Buenos Aires, Our Lady of Lourdes in Santo Lugares and San Román in Belgrano. He was appointed assistant provincial in 2011.

As outlined in the agreement signed between CRS and Assumption on May 6, the goals of the partnership are to promote global solidarity through an institutional partnership between the College and CRS that engages the three core constituencies of the College: institutional, faculty and students. Assumption students can participate as CRS Student Ambassadors on campus and the CRS Faculty Learning Commons program provides numerous educational resources for faculty and student engagement. Finally, an interdisciplinary CRS advisory group is tasked with sustaining the partnership and supporting broad engagement with CRS on campus, including during major global emergencies.

“As a Catholic Relief Services Global Campus, Assumption College joins a worldwide effort to call attention to, and serve, those in the greatest of need,” said President Cesareo. “Through this new opportunity, students and faculty will have access to significant resources such as experts who are addressing pressing humanitarian matters throughout the developed and underdeveloped world. Assumption students are challenged to discover their gifts and talents and use what they have learned in the classroom to improve the world in which they live. I am hopeful that many students will be inspired by the work of CRS and use their knowledge in service to the least among us.”