By Guillaume Goubert and Sébastien Maillard (Rome), May 5, 2016

Pope Francis granted the Assumptionist-run daily newspaper in Paris, an exclusive one-hour interview at his residence inside the Vatican at St. Martha House. Numerous themes were covered: Europe’s Christian roots, the migrant crisis, Islam, his opinion of France, the sex abuse scandal.

Photo: L'Osservatore Romano

– In your speeches in Europe, you refer to the “roots” of the continent without ever describing them as Christian. Rather, you define “European identity” as “dynamic and multicultural.” In your view, is the expression “Christian roots” inappropriate for Europe ?

Pope Francis : We need to speak of roots in the plural because there are so many. In this sense, when I hear talk of the Christian roots of Europe, I sometimes dread the tone, which can seem triumphalist or even vengeful. It then takes on colonialist overtones. John Paul II, however, spoke about it in a tranquil manner.

Yes, Europe has Christian roots and it is Christianity’s responsibility to water those roots. But this must be done in a spirit of service as in the washing of the feet. Christianity’s duty to Europe is one of service. As Erich Przywara, the great teacher of Romano Guardini and Hans Urs von Balthasar, teaches us, Christianity’s contribution to a culture is that of Christ in the washing of the feet. In other  words, service and the gift of life. It must not become a colonial enterprise.

The last Sunday “Conversations…” for the semester took place on the Second Sunday of Advent at the Assumptionist Center in Brighton. The topic was, “We Are All Missionary Disciples: A Conversation on Mission to the Poor.”

The community, residents and guests were most fortunate to have two presenters who have had most significant and blessed first hand experiences ministering among God’s poor.

Bro. Sagar Gundigna, A.A., a native of India, is presently pursuing his M. Div. at St. John’s Seminary in Brighton. He shared with us his ministry of this past summer working among many culturally diverse migrants who are homeless and seeking refuge as ‘boat people’ on the Seine in Paris, with a community of Assumptionists.  Coming from a poor village in India, Bro. Sagar eagerly reached out to these families worked alongside them in the kitchen, prepared food, did laundry with them and at times slept on the streets with them, always listening with his heart as they gradually opened up to him for comfort and God’s love. As Bro. Sagar said, “Only through Church can I help and work with the poor with love!”

It was a beautiful and sunny Sunday morning at St. Peter’s Square! I thought that concelebrating at the Papal Mass for the Marian Jubilee on the 9th of October was already a privilege, kissing the hand of Pope Francis, and even embracing him was such as blessing!

We were at the end of our two-week stay in Rome for the Retreat of the Board of Trustees of Assumption College. It so happened that the weekend of October 8th and 9th was designated as the Marian Jubilee for the Year of Mercy so we, the Assumptionist group, signed up for the celebration. The group included Fr. Claude, Fr. Peter, Fr. Dinh and myself. Fortunately, we were seated two rows away from the altar during the Mass; that was already a privilege. At the end of the Mass, Pope Francis greeted the concelebrants; and since we were close enough, we were able to hold his hand, talk to him, and I was able to embrace him! That was an unexpected but a grace-filled moment. After that experience I felt so stunned, and my knees were shaking, and all I can was WOW!

Fr. Alex Castro, A.A.

As an institution deeply rooted in the Catholic intellectual tradition, Assumption College offers an array of celebrations as the community prepares for Christmas Day. Two of the College’s most popular Christmas traditions—Lessons and Carols and the Assumption College Band Christmas Concert—are scheduled for  December 7 and 8 in the Chapel of the Holy Spirit, located on campus. All events are free and the general public is invited to attend.

Advent Lessons and Carols
7:30 p.m.
Wednesday, December 7, 2016
Chapel of the Holy Spirit

The Festival of Lessons and Carols, a tradition originating in 19^th century England, has been celebrated at Assumption College as a worship service for the Advent/Christmas Season and features both biblical readings and sung carols. This year, the theme of Lessons and Carols is “Ancient to Modern,” a celebration of the season of advent through the ages.  Songs and music will range from Ancient Gregorian chant to Matt Maher’s contemporary music and multilingual readings of Scripture and prose will be represented as well.  Music will be led by the Assumption College Music Ministry and readers from the Assumption community.  Come celebrate this beautiful season with a long-standing and beloved Assumption tradition.