(from left to right)

Nicodème INANDJO, Togolese, appointed to Kinshasa, Dem. Rep. of the Congo to study theology

Justin TIENDREBEOGO, from Burkina Faso, appointed to Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso, for philosophy

Augustin AKPO, Togolese, appointed to Ouagadougou for philosophy

Honoré DAMIBA, from Burkina Faso, appointed to Ouagadougou for philosophy

Pierre GNOM, Togolese, appointed to Ouagadougou for philosophy

Martin ADANDOGOU, Togolese, appointed to Ouagadougou for philosophy

Gérard HOUEDANOU, Togolese, appointed to Antananarivo, Madagascar for philosophy

Yvon AKPABIE, Togolese, appointed to Kinshasa for theology

August 5, 2015 - Democratic Republic of the Congo

Congratulations in particular to the first two Togolese Assumptionists, Georges Houssou and Lucas Sezouhlon, who made final vows this past July 26 in Kinshasa and who will now continue their theological studies in view of priesthood. In recent years since our foundation in 2006, West Africa has become a rich source of vocations, with some 47 young men in formation from a wide variety of countries; in addition to Togo, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, and Benin, young men from the Ivory Coast and Nigeria have joined their number.

We pray that Lucas and Georges may continue to draw more young men from West Africa and help the Assumption to expand there and to become more inculturated in this dynamic, ever-growing Church.

Rev. Robert J. Fortin, A.A., 82

WORCESTER - Rev. Robert J. Fortin, AA, 82, died Thursday, August 13, 2015 in Saint Vincent Hospital after a long illness.

Besides his fellow Assumptionist priests and brothers, he leaves 2 brothers: Rev. Richard Fortin, retired pastor of Our Lady of the Assumption Parish in Millbury, of Leicester and Roger Fortin of Worcester; several nephews and nieces. His brother Ronald Fortin died in 2011.

He was born and raised in Worcester, the oldest son of Jules F. and R. Blanche (Reed) Fortin. He graduated from Assumption Preparatory School in 1950 and earned his Bachelor of Arts Degree from Assumption College in 1955. He also received a Master of Arts in English Literature from the Catholic University of America, Washington, DC in 1965.

He completed his novitiate in Quebec, Canada and professed his first vows to Rev. Andre Godbout, AA, Master of Novices, on September 8, 1953. He then studied at the Assumptionist Seminary in Layrac, France and was ordained to the priesthood on October 19, 1958 by Bishop Roger Johan, Bishop of Agen. He also studied pastoral theology in Worcester and completed further study at the Center of Biblical Formation in Jerusalem from 1982 to 1983.

In his long and varied priestly ministry, Fr. Fortin taught English and liturgy at Our Lady of Lourdes Seminary in Cassadaga, NY from 1960 to 1963, and then taught English at Assumption Preparatory School here. He was superior of the community in New York and provincial treasurer for 10 years. He was again superior of the community at Assumption College as well as trustee at the college from 1977 to 1982. He was then assigned to be the Catholic chaplain at the US Embassy in Moscow, a post he held for 3 years followed by a stint as a project director for the Assumptionist publications of Bayard Press in Paris, France.

From July 27-31,  2015, thirty Assumptionist religious are meeting at the shrine of Lourdes here in Santiago and reflecting on the theme, "Consecrated Life and Assumptionist Life Today". These religious belong to the Andean Province which includes Argentina, Chile, Colombia and Ecuador. Within the group, many nationalities are represented (Argentinians, Chileans, Colombians, and Ecuadorians, to be sure, but also others from France and Mexico. There is also a large contingent from the Democratic Republic of the Congo involved both in pastoral work and theological studies.

Two assistants general traveled to Chile specifically to participate in this encounter, Fr. John Franck (American), who has particular responsibility for South America, and Marcel Marciel (Chilean), whose responsibilities include Madagascar and the Near Eastern Mission. Both reside in Rome.

In what does the reflection of this assembly consist? Observing, reflecting, and seeking out new or renewed ways to live the consecrated life in Latin America today. Then, there will be an opportunity to recommend detailed ways to adapt these reflections in the four countries of the province within the Assumptionist charism. The reflection will consist in judging what it is we wish to keep or initiate and what we do not.  The Assumptionists of the Andean Province are responsible for many parishes, five schools, two Marian shrines, and two religious publications of a popular nature (“Auras de Lourdes” in Buenos Aires and “El Eco de Lourdes” in Chile).