From August 25-29, over 300 lay-people and religious gathered at the Assumptionist conference center near Lyon, France, to participate in the sixth session of the Assumptionist Summer "University" series (dating back to 2001). This year's topic was of particular relevance to world events: "The Mediterranean: Mother of Humanity - from one shore to the other." Does this vast sea, home to great religions and cultures (Jerusalem, Athens, Rome, Alexandria, Istanbul) act as a link or as an impassable abyss?

The Mediterranean basin, which was the cradle of Western civilization, is today one of the places where a lasting peace is being sought. "Here it is that the future of Europe is being built, one which depends on the ability of the two shores to cooperate in this effort," remarked Robert Migliorini, A.A., one of the principal organizers of the conference.

Reflecting on cities from Cordoba to Alexandria, from Marseilles to Beirut, participants engaged in a variety of formats to steep themselves in various aspects of the topic at hand: plenary sessions, round-table discussions, workshops, concerts, prayer, and moments for free exchange. Three reports filmed at Cordoba, Marseilles, and Alexandria presented participants with a look at the original atmosphere of these three cities.

On August 26, the actor Michael Lonsdale, who gives an outstanding performance in the upcoming film on the Trappist monks of Tibhirine murdered in Algeria, Des hommes et des dieux (Of men and of gods), featured at the Cannes Film Festival this year and slated to appear in theaters on September 8, recounted his experience in making this film.

Actor Michael Londsdale and
Assumptionist Robert Migliorini

Throughout the session, any number of high profile speakers addressed those gathered, such as Mr. Jacques Barrot, European Commissioner for Justice, professors Jean-Robert Henry, of the Maison méditerranéenne des sciences de l’homme and Fabrice Bernard of Conservatoire du littoral.  

  Fr. John L. Franck, A.A.
Vocation Director
Emmanuel House
512 Salisbury Street
Worcester, MA 01609