Religious of the Assumption facts for kids

The Religious of the Assumption, also known as the Sisters of the Assumption, is a worldwide group of Catholic nuns. They were started by Saint Marie-Eugénie Milleret in 1839. Their main goal is to make society better through education. They are a "pontifical right" group, which means they are directly connected to the Pope and the Catholic Church.

Marie Eugénie de Jésus Milleret de Brou, who founded the Religious of the Assumption.

How the Sisters of the Assumption Started

On April 30, 1839, a special group of Catholic nuns began in Paris, France. A woman named Anne-Eugénie Milleret de Brou, who later became known as Marie-Eugénie de Jésus, founded the group. She was guided by a priest named Abbé Combalot. He was a famous speaker who wanted to create a religious group dedicated to Mary, the mother of Jesus, and her Assumption into heaven.

Growing the Congregation

The group grew quickly, opening new communities and schools in France and other countries.

• In 1850, they opened in England.
• By 1865, they had expanded to Spain.
• Later, in 1892, they reached countries like Nicaragua and the Philippines.

In 1857, the main house for the sisters was set up in Auteuil, a village near Paris.

Rules and Recognition

As the leader of a fast-growing group, Marie-Eugénie wrote the rules for the sisters. These rules were inspired by the Rule of St Augustine, a guide for religious life. In 1867, the group received special approval from the Pope, called a decretum laudis. Their final rules were approved in 1888.

Marie-Eugénie stepped down from her leadership role in 1894. She passed away on March 10, 1898. She was later recognized as a saint by the Catholic Church. Pope Paul VI declared her "blessed" in 1975, and Pope Benedict XVI made her a saint in 2007.

The Sisters' Habit

The original clothing, or habit, worn by the sisters was purple with a white cross on the chest, along with a white veil. Today, the habits look different in various parts of the world. However, they all keep some part of the original purple, which stands for reflection, and white, which symbolizes joy.

The Sisters Today

The Religious of the Assumption is a group that focuses on both prayer and active work in the world. Their life is centered on the idea of Jesus Christ becoming human.

They spend time in prayer, including the Divine Office and Adoration. They also live together in communities. These practices, along with their focus on education, help them respond to the needs of today's society.

Where They Are Present

The sisters are present in many countries across different continents:

• Europe: Belgium, England, France, Italy, Lithuania, Spain
• Asia: India, Japan, Philippines, Thailand, Vietnam
• America: Argentina, Brazil, Cuba, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala, Mexico, Nicaragua, United States
• Africa: Benin, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Chad, Côte d'Ivoire, Democratic Republic of Congo, Guinea, Kenya, Madagascar, Niger, Rwanda, Tanzania, Togo

Their Work and Mission

Working with people who are not nuns, called "lay partners," the sisters carry out their mission of education. They do this in many ways:

• Running schools
• Setting up training centers
• Providing student housing
• Leading spiritual retreats
• Doing pastoral work (helping with religious guidance)
• Engaging in social work

The Assumption Mission Associates (AMA) is a group connected to the sisters. It offers young adults the chance to volunteer in one of the sisters' projects around the world.

The main house for the Religious of the Assumption and the special place dedicated to Saint Marie-Eugénie are in Paris. The chapel there, built in 1961, has beautiful stained-glass windows.

Leaders of the Congregation

Here is a list of the Superiors General, who are the main leaders of the Religious of the Assumption, from the beginning until now:

• Mother Marie-Eugénie de Jésus (1844-1894)
• Mother Marie-Célestine of the Good Shepherd (1894-1921)
• Mother Marie-Catherine de l'Enfant-Jésus (three months in 1921)
• Mother Marie-Joanna de l'Incarnation (1922-1953)
• Mother Marie-Denyse du Saint-Sacrement (1953-1970)
• Sister Hélène-Marie du Saint-Sacrement (1970-1982)
• Sister Clare Teresa Tjader (1982-1994)
• Sister Maria Cristina Gonzalez (1994-2006)
• Sister Diana Wauters (2006-2012)
• Sister Martine Tapsoba (2012-2018)
• Sister Rekha M. Chennattu (2018-present)

The Assumption Family

The "Assumption family" is a group of five different religious congregations. They all have connections to either Saint Marie-Eugénie or Father Emmanuel d'Alzon. Each group has its own special purpose, but they all work to spread the teachings of the Catholic faith.

Besides the Religious of the Assumption, the family includes:

• The Augustinians of the Assumption (Assumptionists): This group of priests and brothers was founded in 1845 by Emmanuel d'Alzon. He was a close friend and spiritual guide to Marie-Eugénie.
• The Oblates of the Assumption: Started in 1865 by Marie Correnson and Emmanuel d'Alzon, this group focuses on spreading the Christian message in Eastern countries.
• The Little Sisters of the Assumption: Founded in 1865 by Antoinette Fage and an Assumptionist priest named Etienne Pernet. Their mission is to help those who are most in need.
• The Orantes of the Assumption: This group, started in 1896 by Isabelle de Clermont-Tonnerre and an Assumptionist priest named François Picard, focuses on prayer for all the work done by the Assumption family.

The Religious of the Assumption also have a special connection with the Missionary Sisters of the Assumption. This group separated from them in 1853.