As we celebrate the Renewal of Vows of four of our Assumptionist Brothers here in the United States, we are united in prayer with our Brothers who are also part of the North American Province and are also renewing their vows:

Bro. Rafael Huerta Ramos, A.A.: Livestream of the Renewal in Mexico will begin at 6:00PM (Eastern Time)
https://www.facebook.com/tuparroquia/

Bro. Dagoberto Rodriguez, A.A. (a native of Mexico, currently studying in Argentina) Livestream of the Renewal in Argentina will begin at 4:00PM (Eastern Time) Santuario Lourdes
https://www.facebook.com/Santuario-Lourdes-849011375134551/?ref=page_internal

Bro. Elmer Vergara, A.A. has also renewed his vows at the Adveniat House Chapel with our Assumptionist community in the Philippines.

The Renewal of Vows Mass will be livestreamed on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AugustiniansoftheAssumption/

"On the feast of our Father, St. Augustine, Brothers Brian, Daniele, Hugo and Matthew-Mary are renewing their commitment to Assumptionist religious life.

“Ever ancient, ever new” is how Augustine described the beauty of the God to whom he had surrendered himself after years of searching. Each of our brothers has his own itinerary marked by repeated signs of God’s faithfulness. Their profession of vows is a response to this fidelity on God’s part, this firm anchor in an uncertain world.

In renewing their vows, they teach us about the true nature of freedom. They choose once again to bind themselves to Jesus Christ and to the evangelical counsels of poverty, chastity and obedience. In doing so and with God’s grace, they are attacking at the root the possessiveness and egoism that bind us so tightly to ourselves. Faithfully observed, the vows are the royal road to loving freely and generously.

It is the special mark of human beings that in one moment in time they can speak words that give definitive form to an unknown future. In professing these vows, our four brothers set out once more to place their lives in the service of God’’s kingdom. We thank them for their courage and assure them of our prayers for the journey that lies ahead."

- Fr. Dennis Gallagher, Provincial Superior

We invite you to join us this Friday for the renewal of vows of our brothers. The Mass will be live-streamed on our Facebook page, https://www.facebook.com/AugustiniansoftheAssumption/

Today’s guest post is written by Fr. Peter Precourt, A.A. He is currently living in El Paso, Texas, the site of our newest foundation in the United States.

New Mission in El Paso, Texas

We recently committed ourselves to a new apostolic project at St. Francis Xavier Parish in El Paso, TX. Our efforts at the parish will be focused on meeting the spiritual and material needs of migrants. Our presence along the U.S./Mexico border will allow us to carry out this work that is at the heart of our Assumptionist charism "to go wherever God is threatened in man and man threatened as the image of God."

Letter from the Desert

I am no longer a hermit. Fr. Ron has arrived to be with me. He appeared on July 23 and went into a separate building until results came back from his COVID-19 tests. After almost two weeks, he was able to move in with me in the casita at the diocesan center. We have already set our schedule for the community. We have morning and evening prayer together and celebrate televised Mass, Monday through Friday, with the Bishop. We celebrate Mass in the casita on the weekend. When it comes to cooking, Fr. Ron does the majority of the meals. A welcome relief from my cooking over these last months. It is certainly a major shift in my diet as I am now getting accustomed again to Filipino style food. Fr. Ron is making good use of his farewell present from Emmanuel House Community. That rice cooker is never going to gather dust. As you may know, we will be moving in September to St. Francis Xavier Parish to begin our ministry in El Paso.

Read more...