Originals were destroyed by the 1953 tornado that ripped through Assumption’s Greendale Campus.

On June 1, Assumption College dedicated three stained-glass windows that were once part of the College and Preparatory School’s Greendale campus chapel, which was damaged 60 years ago by a tornado. One of the restored windows to be unveiled is called “The Tornado Window,” in remembrance of the three Assumption community members who perished in the June 9, 1953, storm.

Fr.  Benoît Grière, Superior General of the Augustinians of the Assumption, was invited by the International Union of Superiors General (UISG) to celebrate Mass this past Monday, May 6, 2013. Their international session went from May 3 to May 7 and brought together some 800 of the 1900 mothers general from around the world. The theme of this encounter was : « It will not be so among you (Mt 20 :26) : The Service of Leadership according to the Gospel. » Here is the text of Fr. Benoît’s homily in its entirety.

My sisters, you have been reflecting for several days on the exercise of authority according to the Gospel. I believe that you have already received many insights on the way to lead the congregations entrusted to you so that you might be disciples consistent with the will of Jesus Christ. Today the Scripture readings of the Mass can help us complement these ongoing reflections.

(From August 11 to 16 the 140th National Pilgrimage to Lourdes will take place organized by the Our Lady of Salvation Association and animated by the Assumptionists. For families this pilgrimage to the city of Mary is always a high-point.)

- Have you noticed an increased interest on the part of families to get involved in an experience of faith during the vacation period?

- Fr. Fabien Lejeusne : I have been the director of the Assumptionist-sponsored National Pilgrimage to Lourdes for the past two years. This event takes place around the feast of the Assumption in August. We have noticed that the participants are getting younger, especially as a result of many more families taking part. What we have seen is that different generations of a single family, living in different parts of the country, meet in Lourdes. Traditionally the families of the those (known as hospitallers) who care for our sick and handicapped pilgrims are accompanied by their families, including their children. For the latter we have set up a program beginning with children 6 months old; they are divided in various age groups. The program is adapted to their age so that they can fully experience the pilgrimage to Lourdes --- with games, skits, prayer, classes, and other events.

It’s 5 PM. Crowds are filling up St. Peter’s Square. Not a hint of a smile, but all eyes are fixed on the huge outdoor screens that have been installed on the square. Is the Pope dead ? No ! But he has stepped down as pope. He is leaving the Vatican because in three hours his renunciation of the Petrine ministry will take effect.

On the screen one can see Benedict XVI leaving and greeting those who have gathered in the Vatican courtyard. He is brought to a car with tinted windows. Three cars accompany him to a waiting helicopter. Smiling, but visibly worn out, he boards the helicopter. It is the end of his papacy at the Vatican.

Interviewer – Fr. Leo, would you share a bit about your background, family and early education?

Fr. Leo – My family came from Berlin, NH and was of French Canadian ancestry. I was one of five children, three boys and two girls. I have a brother in California, a sister in Indiana and another one in Connecticut. My other brother is deceased. We belonged to St. Joseph’s parish where my father, a grocer, was very active and supportive of the parish priests. We children attended the parish school. My mother had been a religious and remained close to the sisters after she left the community.

By Pat Haggerty

I have no sense of direction when it comes to driving.  It’s always been my downfall.  I can never figure out if I should go north or south or east or west.  I am a terrible map reader as well.  I think that had to have been a deficit in my education.  I don’t recall doing much with maps except for coloring them and making land forms with salt, water and flour.  That has been no help to me in my adulthood when looking for a specific route or exit.

With great hope, the Augustinians of the Assumption together with their lay associates in Chile are preparing for the canonical visit that Fr. Benoît Grière will begin on March 13.

Already the members of the Lay-Religious Alliance have held a meeting to organize their rendezvous with Fr. Benoît.

On this site you have read about the kidnapping of three Assumptionists priests, Jean-Pierre Mumbere Ndulani, 50, superior, Anselme Kakule Wasukundi, 41, pastor, and Edmond Bamtupe Kisughu, 53, pastoral associate, in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, abducted from their rectory on October 19, 2012, nearly six months ago. No reliable contact has been made with their kidnapers since.

(This article first appeared in the April/May/June issue of the Assumptionist magazine, L’Assomption et ses oeuvres. Br. Gwenaël Petton spent forty years as a missionary in Brazil. He speaks here about “his” Brazil: the initial difficulties in learning Portuguese and adapting to a new culture and then his pastoral work in a favela, the experience of living through a military regime, and finally the renaissance of Assumptionists vocations in the 80s.)

I arrived in Rio on October 8, 1963, after a thirteen-day transatlantic voyage on the Louis Lumière of the Chargeurs Réunis line out of the port of Le Havre. Four religious were waiting for me on the dock. The welcome was warm and fraternal. I was only 29 years old and timidly began to know this community that awaited me.