From January 9-11, the general councils of the Assumption Family held their regular meeting in Paris which occurs every eighteen months. The congregations represented include the Religious Sisters of the Assumption, the Augustinians of the Assumption, the Oblates of the Assumption, the Little Sisters of the Assumption, and the Orants of the Assumption.

Each meeting consists of three parts: a sharing of major news of each institute, a discussion of a topic of common spirituality, and planning and evaluation of common projects. The principal news item for four of the congregations (all but the Religious Sisters of the Assumption) dealt with the preparation for general chapters which will be held in the spring and summer of 2017.

For the last three meetings of the general councils, participants addressed the three vows as the theme of common spirituality. Each congregation presented the founders/foundresses’  thinking on the theme and how it developed over history. Finally, a document is produced that can be used for the formation of young people or for the continuing education of religious in the various institutes.

During the third part of this session, three topics were addressed: an evaluation of the formation session held last year in Nairobi for formators focusing on common elements of the Assumption spirituality; collaboration on matters of Justice, Peace, and the Integrity of Creation; and collaboration currently underway among the general treasurers of the five institutes.

It was recommended that in future sessions the group focus on the implications of the growing internationality and interculturality of our congregations.