On February 10, 2012 the two Assumptionist communities of Sokodé, Togo gathered in the new chapel of the novitiate to give thanks to God for the official entry of seven postulants.

During Vespers, Fr. Rene, their director, solemnly welcomed them and encouraged them to put into practice the advice they had received from the provincial, Fr. Benoît Gschwind. Each postulant in turn had an opportunity to express his joy. Here are a few extracts:

At the recent Opening Convocation for the 2012-2013 Academic Year at Assumption College, Fr. Donat Lamothe, A.A. received a Presidential Award for Excellence in Service and Contribution to the Mission. In addition, this ceremony also recognized the achievements of Professor Joseph Foley and  welcomed new members to the Assumption College community.

Congratulations from all in the Assumption Family!

A reception followed in Hagan Hall.

On Sunday, August 25, the university students living in our residence in Saigon hardly had time to sleep as they usually do on Sundays. Instead, they had to get up early in order to accompany their chaplain, Fr. Pierre-Jean Le Viet Thang, by minibus to the novitiate in Ba Ria.

In another section of Saigon, a large bus with 45 seats was waiting for candidates and postulants of the Assumptionists, the Little Sisters of the Assumption, and the Oblates of the Assumption. They were accompanied by the provincial's delegate in Vietnam, Fr. François Xavier Nguyen Tien Dung, Sr. Marie-Paulette Thanh Khanh, OA, and Sr. Diep, LSA. Fr. Provincial, after the long trip to Vietnam from France, was already resting in Ba Ria, spending a little time with the three novices who were about to make their first vows, and taking the opportunity to meet the local bishop.

Having arrived in the Democratic Republic of the Congo in December 1968, Fr. Joseph, an Assumptionist missionary, loves the media and keeping up with the latest technology. In spite of his advanced age, he's always getting involved in new projects.

Born in France in 1931, Fr. Joseph has lived the last 44 years in the Congo. Son of a blacksmith, he learned how to work hard and without complaint in order to earn a decent life. Already as a child, he showed an interest in religious life. “Next to our house there was a school run by the Sacred Heart brothers. They were filled with joy and worked as a team. I think my vocation took root in the admiration I had for them”, he said. He took his first steps with the Assumptionists in an isolated château near Montreuil by the sea. At the time life was not easy. He slowly became haunted by the idea of working in Africa.