The martyrdom of our three Assumptionist Bulgarian Martyrs was remembered and honored at a recent prayer day by our two lay Assumptionist groups, representing about twenty members, in Worcester, MA, thanks to the hospitality of our retirement community on Old English Road.

The day was facilitated by Fr. Claude Grenache, A.A. who presented the  rich and long standing history of the congregation in Eastern Europe and the circumstances of the events that led up to the execution of Fathers Kamen Vitchev, Pavel Djidjov and Josaphat Chichkov during the communist regime on November 11, 1952. Their death sentence was the result of a trumped-up trial wherein these priests were accused of spying for the Vatican, plotting an uprising and being agents of capitalism. Along with them was the execution of a Passionist, Bishop Bossilkov. All four martyrs were buried in a common grave. Their bodies have never been found.

The presence of Assumptionists in Bulgaria since 1863 reflects the keen interest of Fr. d’Alzon in Church unity. He was passionate about doing all he could to heal the schism between the East and West.

Posted By The Catholic Free Press November 6, 2015

(As movie theaters across the country feature the recently released film "Spotlight" which depicts the story of the Boston Globe investigative team that uncovered widespread child abuse by priests in the Archdiocese of Boston, Dr. Francesco Cesareo, president of Assumption College and chairman of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops National Review Board on the Protection of Children and Vulnerable Adults, reflects on the issue of child sexual abuse and the progress the Catholic Church has made in this area.)

By Francesco C. Cesareo, Ph.D.
Chairman, National Review Board, USCCB

Sexual abuse of minors is a problem that affects many institutions in our society. A study by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and Kaiser Permanente’s Health Appraisal Clinic in San Diego found that 24.7 percent of women and 16 percent of men experienced sexual abuse during their childhoods. In 2002, the Catholic Church recognized that it was not immune to this issue, and since then, has developed a comprehensive program to respond to the crisis, including efforts to help victims and survivors begin the healing process.

This past September 29, on the feast of the archangels Michael, Gabriel, and Raphael, the Province of Madagascar welcomed nine new members who made their first vows, Armain RAKOTONOMENJANAHARY, Rantovolanandriana RAKOTOMALALA, Sambevoatse Jean Félix TONGASOA, Justin RAKOTONIAINA, Falimanana Elisé RAZAFIARISOA, Jean Patrick RANDRIANARIMALALA, Simon Jean Richard RAFANOMEZANTSOA,  Julien RAZANAJATOVO and  Mahonjo Laurent  SOANANAMBINA (not pictured below, because he professed his vows later for health reasons). At the same time four others began their novitiate: Jean Pierrot, Nathanaël, Orlando and Denis, under the able guidance of a new novice-master, Fr. Lucien Telolahy.

In recent years the Assumptionists in Madagascar have seen the results of a reinvigorated vocation outreach program. Twenty young men are currently in the pre-novitiate program.

Assumptionists gathered for 125^th anniversary with concelebrating bishops

On Thursday, November 5, 2015,  Assumptionists and friends gathered in the village of Mendoza near Rengo to commemorate 125 years of presence in Chile. The archbishop at the time, Most Rev. Casanova, had encountered them in France during a trip he made to Lourdes. While in France he became aware of their missionary zeal as well as their commitment to the Catholic press and so invited them to Chile. According to letters he wrote at the time, it is easy to see that he wanted them to get involved in preaching the gospel in rural areas, in vocation ministry, and in spreading a devotion to the Blessed Mother.

On September 20, 1890, ten Assumptionists left the port of Bordeaux (France) for Chile: Frs. Stéphane Chaboud (superior), Géry Delalleau, Adrien Buisson, Thomas Darbois, Marius Peysson and Bros. Santiago Cornelias, Carlos Andrés Ropero, Gregorio, Pascal Claudet and Manuel.