The magazine, Auras de Lourdes, published by the Assumptionists who run the shrine of Our Lady of Lourdes in the Santo Lugares section of Buenos Aires, celebrated its 100th birthday on January 1 of this year --- 100 years without interruption. To commemorate the event, the religious of the shrine produced a special centennial issue. At present the magazine appears four times a year.

The centennial issue, 54 pages in all, gives a short history of the magazine which was launched on January 1, 1914, at the original chapel under the direction of Fr. Godofredo Pierson AA, the superior of the community at the time. Only in 1920 was this community established as a parish.

We recently heard from former Cassadagan Ron Gaulin who met up with a friend in Rome. He wishes to share this joyous experience with the Assumption family.

“I really enjoy the newsletter and the photos because I look for people I know. So when I knew I was going to Rome, I contacted fellow Cassadagan John Franck and we started e-mailing back and forth.

On the evening of December 30, the first Congolese Assumptionists arrived at the São Paulo airport to begin their new mission in Brazil: Fr. Jules Mumbere Paluku, 37 years old, and Fr. Roger Wasukundi Sivakwirivutwa, 36 years old.