In order to prepare for the annual Assumptionist pilgrimage to Lourdes, known simply in French as "Le National," a meeting was held in Lourdes from January 20 to 22 under the supervision of the new director, Fr. Fabien Lejeusne, A.A.

Fr. William (Willy) AQUIJE-MATTA, A.A., was ordained on September 11, 2011. He is currently living with the Assumptionist community which serves the neediest and is located on a string of barges in the Seine River near Paris. Here he is "in his own words."

When I was 6 years old, I used to be an altar boy always ready to open the doors of the church. Already at that young age·I had a desire to become a priest. But such a desire needed to be concretized.

Thanks to the sabbatical year I'm enjoying, here I am, after visiting Athens and Plovdiv, in another of our Near Eastern missions, Istanbul-Kadiköy.

In spite of the political tensions perceptible in the country (above all, questions concerning the Armenian genocide), the economic and social activity in Turkey is surprising, especially for one who comes from a country like France where there are crises of every order taking place.

By Pat Haggerty

Every morning I retreat to my study to start my day with prayer and reflection.  It is my quiet time with the Lord.  As I told you, I have a favorite chair that serves as a wonderful spot for my daily ritual.

I also have an end-table next to the chair that holds everything I need---especially my books and coffee cup!  One can tell a lot about an individual by looking at their desk.  I wonder if the same holds true for an end-table.