From Yesterday to Today

On Christmas day 1845, in his modest boarding school in Nimes, France, Fr. D’Alzon founded the Congregation of the Augustinians of the Assumption (The Assumptionists) and launched his dream of “penetrating society with a Christian idea”, in the midst of a France still reeling under the influence of the French Revolution that had rejected God.  Two days later he started a Third Order of laymen.  In the latter were two married men he had persuaded to leave their positions as professors in the secular University System of the day to join his daring adventure, Jules Monnier and Eugene-Germer Durand.  Both were competent teachers but also very committed Catholics.

For the Coming of the Kingdom of God, out of Love for Jesus Christ

This Newsletter wishes to offer and spread information and formation to help us

Create an Alliance between the Laity and Assumptionists, a Lay Assumption.

Writing about our meeting of November 12, Dennis said: “…The conversation was situated between two important events:  the address of our Superior General Richard Lamoureux at the August gathering of lay friends in Worcester and the upcoming Provincial and General Chapters, both of which will again include the participation of lay associates… Recognizing that the charism of the Assumptionists is a gift to the whole Church and the desire on the part of an increasing number of lay people to share that charism more deeply, the conversation turned on the most promising and effective ways to build partnerships for the extension of God’s Kingdom in our time and place.

Recently you were invited to make a presentation to the provincial chapter of the Assumptionists of North America as they prepared for the general chapter scheduled to take place in Rome in May 2011. Could you share with us the main points of your remarks?

I was honored by the invitation to join lay and religious Assumptionists to discuss Bayard and its efforts to cooperate with the mission of the congregation.  I presented an overview of the company and our operations in the United States and discussed four key principles that direct our efforts and are firmly rooted in the words and charism of Emmanuel d’Alzon.  In particular I observed that Bayard publishes with a definite purpose, with a pronounced boldness, in service to the people of God and in a spirit of collaboration.

As stated in the recent issue of our Newsletter, Beth Fleming, Co-Director of the Associate Missionaries of the Assumption said, “The Religious of the Assumption and the Assumptionists have a long history of working together with the laity to bring about God’s Kingdom here on earth.” The founders of both communities, Sr. Marie Eugenie Millert and Fr. Emmanuel d’Alzon were committed to partnering with the laity to respond to the needs of the day, especially to the poor and marginalized.