On November 8, 2025, the Silver Jubilee of the presence of the Religious of the Assumption in Chad was celebrated at the Parish of Saints Felicity & Perpetua in Atrone 2, under the theme: “Let us celebrate God’s faithfulness and renew our commitment to education.” The Mass was presided over by Metropolitan Archbishop Edmond Djitangar Goetbe, together with about twenty priests from various parishes and from the Diocese of Laï. From the entrance procession to the festive meal, the atmosphere was filled with joy and gratitude. After the procession, Sister Marie-Jeanne Françoise, superior of the Saint Augustine community in Atrone 2, presented the Congregation of the Religious of the Assumption in a few words.
The Congregation of the Religious of the Assumption was founded in Paris on April 30, 1839, by Saint Marie Eugénie of Jesus (Anne Eugénie Millet de Brou), who came from a bourgeois and not very religious family. Converted at the age of 19, she discovered her religious vocation. Her encounter with Father Théodore Combalot—who intended to found a congregation dedicated to the education of girls, providing them with a strong intellectual and Christian formation—proved decisive. Its spirituality is rooted in a contemplative life grounded in the mystery of the Incarnation. It was on October 20, 2000, that this seed was planted in the Archdiocese of N’Djamena, in the Atrone district, where it grew slowly until becoming a tree with branches capable of sheltering birds of many colors and harmonious songs proclaiming the wonders of God. As Saint Marie Eugénie of Jesus said: “My gaze is entirely on Jesus Christ and on the extension of His Kingdom.”
In thanksgiving for this Silver Jubilee, both sisters and laypeople expressed their joy through gifts: a ciborium, hosts, altar wine and table wine, packets of sugar, and, most significantly, water presented in a calabash by Sister Marie-Jeanne Françoise—a gesture that deeply moved the faithful. After the offerings from the members of Assumption Together, testimonies followed from former collaborator Mr. Marcus Toloumbeute, lay member Mr. Benjamin Dannanou, and parishioner-turned-priest Father Bruno Djekonbe. To conclude, the Provincial Superior expressed gratitude to God for all the achievements of the Religious of the Assumption and prayed for blessings on the opening of the Jubilee Year, which will culminate with the LCNDA’s 25th anniversary in November 2026. After the Mass, the archbishop, priests, religious, laypeople, teachers, alumnae, and guests gathered at the LCNDA for a time of fellowship, enriched by a group of traditional dancers that added joy to the celebration.
By Louguenang Alexis, Lay Member of the Assumption