By Matthew T. Brennan
Assumption College, Class of 2012

Introduction

What is wrong with the world? “They say the world is evil,” Fr. Emmanuel d’Alzon wrote, summarizing the answers of the world’s diagnosticians (d’Alzon 74). “No doubt,” he concurred, “passion turns it away from what is good” (d’Alzon 74). “But,” he countered, “I believe most of all that the world is ignorant” (d’Alzon 74). So afflicted, the world’s treatment rests upon its education “in words it can understand” (d’Alzon 74). “The most intimate thought of my soul,”

Pope Benedict XVI announced a "Year of Faith" in his Apostolic Letter, "The Door of Faith." He declared it to begin on October 11, 2012 and end on November 24^th, 2013. It coincides with the 50^th Anniversary of the Opening of the Second Vatican Council. The Holy Father is calling us to "a renewed conversion to the Lord, the Savior of the World."

Fr. General just completed his canonical visit of West Africa where our brothers are present in Togo and Burkina-Faso. From May 18 to May 30, 2012, almost two weeks, he was able to meet and talk to all the brothers in order to encourage them and accompany them in their religious and apostolic common life. What were the highlights of this visit?

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: