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Saint Marie Eugenie's Feast, March 10, 2008

Today, March 10th, we celebrate the feast of Saint Marie Eugenie of Jesus, Foundress of the Religious of the Assumption. Let us give thanks for this remarkable woman whose life, marked by love for our Lord and passion for His Kingdom, has touched so many persons and communities around the world since the congregation was founded in 1839.

As Pope Benedict XVI said at her canonization last June, "May the example of our new saint, foundress of the Religious of the Assumption, help you focus your spiritual life in Christ and in the mystery of the Incarnation, and move you to make a firm and courageous apostolic commitment, transmitting Gospel values to the culture of today...."

St. Marie Eugenie, pray for us!

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Reprinted below is the message of Sr. Diana, Superior General, on the occasion of our saint's feastday.

TO SISTERS AND FRIENDS OF THE ASSUMPTION

March 4, 2008

Dearest Sisters and Friends,

This is a first! Our first celebration of the Feast of St. Marie Eugenie. Let us rejoice and be glad! The feast comes at a time when the call of the PGC in still so fresh in our hearts: The Canonization of Marie Eugenie, a grace to be used!

Symbolically I see the congregation, a sea-worthy sailing ship, 168 years old, setting out once again into the deep. It won’t be an easy crossing. An anonymous author wrote: The safest place for ships is in the harbor, but that’s not why ships were built……or why congregations were founded, I would add.

During the PGC (Plenary General Council), we felt the life-giving Spirit, chief protagonist of the vitality of our founding grace, pushing us forward. We were all struck by the agility which was ours in our discernment – each provincial/regional took her place with humility and commitment. We were disciples learning together and working together. I believe we received a deeper recognition and understanding of our founding grace. We grasped a little more of its richness and identity for today. Our internationality, our communities as places where we learn to live in just and peaceful relationships, our call to solidarity within and outside of the Congregation, and our conviction that Assumption Together offers the possibility of a new way of being church are all prophetic statements showing that “another world is possible.” You will be hearing more about this during the transmission of the PGC.

Deep calls to deep in the roar of mighty waters. (42:7) If we truly live our charism in depth, our life can shed light on the complex questions which our contemporaries carry in their hearts. It will take a Faith and Zeal akin to that of St. Marie Eugenie’s. May she intercede for us as we launch out and extend our sails in honor of her first feast day as Saint!

With all my affection and prayer for each one,

Sr. Diana
Superior General

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Saint Marie Eugenie's tomb at the Religious of the Assumption Motherhouse, Paris

St. Marie Eugenie's icon hanging from St. Peter's Basilica the day of her canonization

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