100 Years of Unity: Commemorating the Unification of the Oblates of Nîmes and Paris 💬 0 👁 281

On May 24th , the Oblate Sisters of the Assumption gathered at their General House (15th arrondissement of Paris), together with other members of the Assumption Family (Religious Sisters, Augustinians, Little Sisters, Orantes, and Assumption lay members), to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the union of the Oblates of Nîmes and the Oblates of Paris. The date was carefully chosen, as it also coincided with the 161st anniversary of their Foundation.

What exactly was this event commemorating?

After the death of their Founder, Father Emmanuel d’Alzon, in 1880, a disagreement arose between Mother Emmanuel-Marie Correnson, co-founder of the Oblate Sisters of the Assumption, and Father François Picard, the second Superior General of the Augustinians of the Assumption, concerning the governance of the Congregation. This disagreement led, in 1882, to the separation of the Congregation into two autonomous branches: the Nîmes branch and the Paris branch. The Nîmes branch became a diocesan congregation, while the Paris branch developed under the leadership of Father Picard, in connection with the growth of La Bonne Presse (known today as the Bayard Group). The sisters who had been sent as missionaries to the Eastern Europe (Bulgaria and Turkey) joined the Paris branch. For forty-four years, the Nîmes and Paris branches worked separately, yet with the same zeal and Assumptionist spirit.

In 1926, thanks to the efforts of Father Gervais Quenard, the new Superior General of the Augustinians of the Assumption, and with the approval of the Holy See, the two branches were reconciled and the Oblates regained their unity. On August 12th 1926, at the Mother House (now the General House), they signed a declaration of union, making the Oblate Sisters of the Assumption one single congregation of pontifical right.

It was to commemorate this historic event that, on Sunday, May 24, a Mass was celebrated in the Oblates’ chapel, presided over by Father Nicolas Potteau, Provincial Superior of the Augustinians of the Assumption in Europe. Joyful and lively hymns sung in several languages gave the celebration a festive atmosphere, all the more meaningful as it was also the feast of Pentecost.

The Mass was followed by a family-style buffet featuring a variety of Flavors from different cultures, culminating in the blowing out of the 100th-anniversary candles by all the Oblates present. Sister Léa Kavugho Paluku, General Councillor and member of the archives team, then gave a presentation on the union of the Oblates. Finally, a commemorative plaque was unveiled and blessed in the room where the union had been signed, in thanksgiving for the restored unity. On this Pentecost day, Providence gave us a sign: it is the Holy Spirit who creates unity in diversity.

Original text in French by Sr Zoe Vandermerch, Superior General

Translated by Sr Marlyn Nganzali