News

Dear friends near and far,
May is a very special month. It is filled with fresh breezes, colorful blossoms, warm weather, and signs in abundance of new beginnings. The landscape is changing each day with different kinds of green and a variety of floral colors. It is a perfect time to celebrate life and all the beauty of the earth that spring brings.

The Foundations, 20 Years Later
When I was a novice, I remember attending a celebration in Paris sending- off ceremony for three groups of founders, who were leaving to establish the congregation in the Philippines, Vietnam, and Togo.

At the Assumptionist General House in Rome, a special gathering brought together Filipino men and women religious from across different congregations. Around 65 members from 26 communities came together in one place — not simply to attend an event, but to reconnect with one another in a meaningful way.

Hello Hounds,
We have a number of updates to share on this fifth Sunday of Easter. This will be our second to last newsletter of the year before the Summer break. Please be on the lookout for a survey about the Campus Ministry Newsletter. Your feedback is helpful for us as we consider this format for the next school year.

A Story That Began with One Response
During the celebration of the 20th anniversary of the Assumptionist presence in the Philippines at Adveniat House in Quezon City, Fr. Alex Castro reflected on how this mission did not begin with a plan or institutional strategy. Instead, it began with a simple but courageous response to God’s call.

A Mission Begins in Faith
In 2006, the Assumptionists opened three important foundations in Vietnam, the Philippines, and Togo. These foundations marked a new step in the life of the Congregation, strengthening our presence in Asia–Oceania and West Africa. In Vietnam, the mission began quietly, with trust in God and a strong desire to serve the Church and accompany young people discerning their vocation.

During spring break, Assumption University students traveled to the Dominican Republic through Campus Ministry’s SEND Trip program. The experience invited them to step outside their usual routines and spend time listening to communities whose stories are often hidden. Rather than focusing on service alone, the trip centered on learning from local people and understanding daily life more closely.

On the cover
From January 20 to 31, 2026, a group of 35 pilgrims from France and Belgium set out to explore Vietnam. This trip, led by Fr. Joseph Dũng and organized by Bipel (a subsidiary of Bayard), provided a profoundly memorable experience on both a human and spiritual level: a way to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the Assumptionist mission in this country (see pages 5 and following).

Dear brothers, sisters, and friends in the Assumption family:
The Artemis 2 crew is set to return to Earth this evening after 10 days of discovery. It has made history by surpassing the record for the farthest distance human beings have traveled from Earth. Besides a marvelous success in its mission, the launch shows the unity of the human race through the diversity of the crew members. It also shows the greatness of the human mind.