We will strive to know Jesus as God, as man, and as the author of the supernatural gifts which unite us to the Father. Saint Augustine, our patriarch, will be our principal guide. Study his treatise on the Blessed Trinity - study the wonderful writings for which the Church has given him the title of "Doctor of Grace" - let these form the substance of our theology.
 

Emmanuel d'Alzon

Given by Bishop F. Eduardo Cervantes Merino

Ordinands: Rodel Cervantes Sapalo and Marciano López Solís

We gather today on the Solemnity of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary, on which the Church celebrates her triumph in Christ by being raised in body and soul to heaven and exalted above the choirs of angels. We, disciples of Christ and still pilgrims on this earth, encouraged by this hope, gather together in this parish community for the priestly ordination of our brothers Rodel Cervantes Sapalo and Marciano López Solís. As we know well, these brothers are part of the Congregation of the Augustinians of the Assumption, who we lovingly call the “Assumptionists.”

It is cause for profound joy that these brothers of ours will receive sacred orders in our Diocese of Orizaba on this feast that fills us with joy in God our savior. May this celebration encourage us to imitate the missionary drive of Mary by being a Church that brings the joy of the Gospel wherever we go, that communicates and brings those we encounter closer to the Lord Jesus, especially the poor, needy and marginalized. Adopting the attitude of the Blessed Virgin is important for every Christian, and in a particular way for the Augustinians of the Assumption.

Here in Mexico for the priestly ordination of two of our Assumptionist brothers. I expect the Church to be filled to overflowing on Thursday, not only with the parishioners of the main Church in Tlilapan, but with busloads of indigenous folks from the mountains surrounding the parish. Our two brothers have served those communities faithfully for the past two years, and our brother Chano himself comes from an indigenous background. 

I kidded with the two of them at breakfast this morning, saying that the best thing about arriving at this day is no longer having to submit themselves to annual evaluations, a staple of the lengthy years of formation. In fact, this can only be a brief respite given the scrutiny to which the priesthood is subject these days. And I want to say that’s fair enough on more than one count. In a time of laxity, of moral failure, a corresponding vigilance is required. More essentially, the texts of the ordination rite make clear the awesomeness of the vocation to which Chano and Rodel are being called. To be configured to Jesus Christ, offering the daily sacrifice at the altar, puts the priest on the front lines with a visibility, like it or not, that cannot be taken away.

Almighty ever-lasting God, who assumed the Immaculate Virgin Mary, the Mother of your Son, body and soul into heavenly glory, grant, we pray, that, always attentive to the things that are above, we may merit to be sharers of her glory.
(Collect from the Mass During the Day, Feast of the Assumption)

On Monday, July 1, the Assumptionist region of Kinshasa was honored to receive the visit of Lynne BROUILLETTE, a lay Assumptionist from the USA, responsible for the NGO known as « Kids in the Congo ». It was her first visit to the Kinshasa area. She was met at the N’djili international airport by Fathers Michael TSONGO, superior of the house of theology, a number of other Assumptionists stationed in Kinshasa, Zacharie WASUKUNDI who came from Kenya to serve as a translator, and Fabien DIADIA, director of the Emmanuel d’Alzon school complex in Bibwa.

In fact, for some years now, the Assumptionist region of Kinshasa has been collaborating with this lady through the intermediary of Fr. Luc MARTEL, at the time, director of the International Development Office of the Assumptionists, in view of supporting this school complex and its students. That is why she came to get a first-hand view of the realities of this newly built school, situated in the « suburbs » of Kinshasa, where the Assumptionists maintain this institution.

Along with the heat, the number of young people is a strong first impression of Vietnam.  In fact, the median age of the country is 34, so appearances do not deceive.  The motor scooter is still the favored means of getting around, although there are many more cars on the road since I visited the country with Fr. Dinh seven years ago.  The scooters dart in and out in, somehow squeezing through spaces that look impassible.  An unaccustomed Westerner has his heart in his throat.

Assumption in Vietnam is also young.  Our meetings coincided with an annual workshop for young religious and candidates of the Assumption family.  They spent three days together, learning about the city of Jerusalem in sessions led by Jean-Luc Eckert, AA.   One of the highlights of our  meetings was the chance for each of us provincials to address this large group of young people about the life of Assumption in our countries.  A more informal and even more enjoyable moment was joining some of the young brothers later in the evening for grilled fish and shrimp on the beach, with some Tiger beer to wash it down.

Allow me to linger on the seafood.  Our meetings were held at a diocesan facility in the coastal city of Vung Tau, about a hundred miles from Saigon.  Right on the coast, the seafood was fresh, varied, and plentiful.  One casualty of the trip were singed fingers from peeling the shells off the grilled shrimp that kept on coming.  Such a hardship.

Bless our beautiful land, O Lord, with its wonderful variety of people, of races, cultures, and languages. May we be a nation of laughter and joy, of justice and reconciliation, of peace and unity, of compassion, caring and sharing. We pray this prayer for a true patriotism, in the powerful name of Jesus our Lord. Amen.

Archbishop Desmond Tutu