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Dear Sisters,
Here we are at the beginning of the third and final week of the CGP's work, after the rich experiences of immersion in the different communities of France and Belgium. On Sunday evening, we gathered together like disciples returning from a mission to recount their experiences. We too came together to share our experiences. We were filled with wonder at what we had just experienced with our sisters in their particular realities.
The next day, we courageously resumed our work, with the ongoing formation of provincials on the agenda. Sr Lerma began by talking to us about synodality, the common journey of Christians with Christ towards the Kingdom of God, in union with all humanity... a path of spiritual renewal and structural reform to make the Church more participatory and missionary, that is, to make it more capable of walking with every man and woman, radiating the light of Christ DF # 28. According to the same document, a synodal spirituality arises from the action of the Holy Spirit and requires listening to the Word of God, contemplation, silence and conversion of heart. Synodal spirituality also requires asceticism, humility, patience and a willingness to forgive and be forgiven. The fruits of the synodal spirit are manifested in unity and harmony in diversity. To obtain these fruits, our Rule of Life #97 reminds us, ‘the service of authority requires superiors to undergo a constant conversion of heart in prayer and humility.’
We took the time to meet in pairs, a new provincial with a more experienced one, and it was an important moment of exchange and mutual formation. Then we looked together at the Vademecum, the various forms we use for official communication between the Provincial Council and the General Council.
We continued our journey with Sr Françoise Martin and Sr. Camino Lescun, who spoke to us about the management of goods, reminding us that those in charge must ensure that these goods are at the service of the mission, in the Congregation and in the Church. She quoted Pope Francis' words to the representatives of the UN, saying no to money that rules the world instead of serving it, to an economy of exclusion, to excessive consumption, urging us to selfless solidarity, to a return to an economy and ethics that favour human beings. She invited us to manage our assets as good stewards (through the witness of poverty, the fair distribution of goods, investment in evangelization, and vigilance that allows us to set aside reserves). She invited us to take into account the legal and fiscal norms of the countries where we are established and to follow their developments. She emphasized the importance of provincials working with bursars and finance teams and rereading the congregation's documents. She spoke of three human and Christian values: transparency and trust, social justice and vigilance. They encouraged us to read and study the congregation's documents, which provide guidelines for managing the assets entrusted to us.
After this very important training session, we were given a special opportunity to share freely with each other as Provincials and the General Council. It was a space of truth where we were able to exchange freely with the General Council. It was a very fraternal moment.
During the last two days, we returned to the points that we felt were essential for the congregation, which we had mentioned but had not been able to work on more thoroughly. These points concerned the Assumption Together, the new structures, the culture of care and prevention of abuse, living solidarity as a congregational body with the missionary spirit, attention to initial formation, attention to the quality of religious life, and finally, how to respond to God's call in today's world. The content of our discussions on these various points will be sent to us at a later date. We concluded by reviewing the plans made at the continental level.
The last day began with prayer led by Sr. Patricia, Provincial of Madagascar. After the prayer, Sr. Marthe gave the schedule for the day. The reading and voting on the final text of the CGP took up most of the morning. This exercise was followed by a discussion about transmission to our respective provinces. Several provincials shared their experiences of transmission, giving the new provincials an idea of what to transmit and how to transmit it. Each of them adapted it to their own reality.
Midday prayer opened the afternoon's work, followed by evaluation and the closing message of Sr. Rekha and the closing ritual of the CGP. Each one, called by name, received a candle and a word from MME for the journey ahead. We made our way to the chapel to place our candles and symbols at the foot of the altar. This powerful act was followed by an hour of adoration together and culminated with the celebration of Vespers and the Eucharist.
After the evening meal, together with the community of Auteuil, we welcomed some sisters from Lubeck community to celebrate the closing of the CGP. We marked the joyful and festive end of our gathering with songs, dances, games and gift-giving by the provinces.
This CGP was a powerful moment of formation, listening, exchange, mutual sharing, learning and relaxation. May the Lord, who went before us and accompanied us throughout the meeting, see fit to accompany us safely back to our respective provinces.
As we wait to meet again in a few days, dear Sisters, we send you our love and wish you a good and fruitful Lenten journey.
Your Sisters from the CGP
Dear sisters:
We began the second week of the CGP with Marie Eugénie, walking in her footsteps in Paris on Sunday, February 8. We carried in our hearts each of our realities and the life of the Congregation as a whole, after having listened the previous week to all the Provincials as they shared the blessings and concerns that dwell within us. Accompanied by Veronique, we began our journey with the Eucharist in the Cathedral of Notre Dame, reborn and splendid. In front of the Cathedral, Vero reminded us of the originality of the initial intuition of the charism: the unity of polarities such as faith and life, contemplation and action, tradition and openness to the new. We became aware of the presence of our foundress now on that altar that draws so many believers from around the world, and we let ourselves be overwhelmed by the experience of the rediscovered beauty of that iconic place for the Assumption, a sacramental place with more than 800 years of history of faith, searching, and encounters.
After sharing delicious Breton crepes and galettes in the Latin Quarter, and contemplating the renovation of the Church of Saint Severin, we approached Saint Sulpice. We had time to pray and attune ourselves to the experience of the inner struggle of Marie Eugénie, a young convert and founder, who felt the weight of starting something new in the Church, knowing herself to be small and limited. We were able to place before the Lord our religious life, which is undergoing so many changes and which seeks to be faithful to him amid the clamor of our world. Like MME, we feel uncertainty about the future and at the same time the conviction that the things of God pass through the smallness of a tiny apartment on Rue Ferou that housed the hopes of the first two sisters of the Assumption.
The next stop on our pilgrimage was the Church of St. Joseph of Carmel, built in the early 17th century to welcome the Discalced Carmelites to Paris. This church, steeped in history, witnessed the massacre1 in 1792 of the blessed Martyrs of Paris and also houses in one of its crypts the remains of Frédéric Ozanam, the main founder of the Conferences of St. Vincent de Paul, one of the liberal Catholics who inspired the thinking and active faith of our foundress. It was in front of the altar of the Virgin Mary in this church that Anne Eugénie, Catherine O'Neill and Anastasie Bévier met for the first time. There we sang the Magnificat together for that first encounter that brought our sisters together, and we gave thanks for the faithful communion that allowed Grace to make these young women the first stones of a new and beautiful work for the Kingdom.
Starting on Monday the 9th, we had a busy schedule ahead of us for the entire second week. Celebrating the beatification of MME, we welcomed via Zoom the reports on the work done by the different Teams, created in accordance with the Chapter decisions: the Rule of Life Team, presented by Martine (WA). The Formation Team, presented by Francine Eugenie (Rwanda-Chad), and the Assumption Together Team, presented by Lerma (GC). In all cases, they met to establish a work plan and guidelines for their mission, and the CGP had the opportunity to provide feedback on what they planned for the coming years.
In line with reviewing the implementation of the Chapter decisions, we were able to discover a little more about the reality of the Canary Islands as the main port of entry for irregular immigration to the EU, the steps taken by the new international community, accompanied by Lola and Sandra, and where they stood in relation to discerning their pastoral space of implementation.
The sisters involved in the different services of the Congregation also gave us an account of the progress made since the General Chapter: Mercedes (Spain) in the area of Communication, who also introduced Ingrid Pojoy (CAC)—already in Auteuil studying French—as the next person in charge of the area. Mercedes also took the opportunity to offer us an interesting and challenging training session on AI. She also renewed her call and commitment to the growth of a culture of communication in the Congregation.
Veronique also described her accomplishments and the concrete way in which she lives her mission as archivist, with a keen eye for creating the provincial structures necessary to safeguard the history of the Congregation (formation and accompaniment of provincial archivists) while at the same time bringing our charism into dialogue with current questions and issues. We particularly appreciated her specific proposals for video or audiovisual resources for the ongoing formation of sisters and lay people, taking into account the different languages and making the treasure of our charism more accessible to all.
During these days, we also heard from Claudina (Spain) as the new head of the BGSD, who reminded us of the criteria and conditions for submitting small solidarity projects, and the opening of the Office to receive requests for help for works that are not ours and that we endorse as a community. Lerma (GC), as Secretary General, presented us with the statistics of the Congregation, and we were able to feel the responsibility and challenge of continuing to accompany both our older sisters and the formation of the new generations of RA who decide to follow the Lord.
We had the opportunity to hear how the Provinces have organized themselves internally for the animation of the different areas, at this time when there are no international commissions. It was inspiring to see how, in a synodal dynamism, original provincial teams have been created according to local needs. Long live creativity in the Assumption!
We spent a whole morning with Françoise (GC) who presented her report as General Treasurer together with Camino, who joined us via Zoom from Spain. They shared with us the financial and economic reality of the Congregation - which is quite healthy - as well as the call to continue expressing our apostolic choices and our concern for the Kingdom and the least among us into a vigilant and evangelical management of our resources.This week, on two separate occasions, we were able to return to our practices of animation and governance and perceive how much we have grown and how much still remains to be done in this process of living synodality better.
A long meeting as Continents allowed us to name where we were and to continue dreaming of new initiatives that would allow for an increasingly fruitful synergy between our Provinces. We took advantage of the evenings to continue to broaden our hearts and minds and marvel at what God is doing with and through us, sharing projects, events, or diverse situations experienced in our local realities.
The visit of Archbishop Ulrich of Paris connected us with the reality of the Church in France and its current situation. In 2025, a total of 10,384 adult catechumens in the 98 dioceses of France received the sacrament of baptism, an increase of 45% over the previous year and the highest figure in the last 20 years. This record, marked by a notable generational change and the growing approach of young adults to the sacraments of Christian initiation, opens up a new pastoral horizon in France. Monsignor shared with us that, in light of this scenario, he has promoted the convening of a Provincial Council that brings together the eight dioceses of the Paris region of Île-de-France—headed by the Archdiocese of Paris—along with the diocese of the French Armed Forces, to address this new reality. His close and paternal presence reminded us of our roots and the special connection between the Assumption and this Archdiocese that saw its birth. He also expressed to us what the renovation of Notre Dame had meant: to recover it not as a historical monument, but as a place of prayer and experience of God.
We are increasingly feeling how the Spirit is moving us from the “I” to the “we” of the Congregation Body. We are a heterogeneous CGP community, not only because of our origins, but also because of our ages and experiences. However, there is a growing sincere and fraternal interest in what each Province is and lives, and in what the Assumption is called to be in this complex and changing reality. So we come to this weekend where we will experience an immersion in seven different communities in France and Belgium. We feel the prayer and presence of each one of you in our exchanges and searches. Thank you for accompanying us in the final stretch of our meeting!
Your sisters of the CGP
A year and a half after the General Chapter 2024, the Provincial Superiors of the Congregation of the Assumption gathered in Auteuil, Paris, for the General Plenary Council (CGP), held from 1 to 20 February. This meeting is a precious time to look back on the journey since the General Chapter, to share the joys, challenges, and concerns of each Province, and to recognise the grace of the present moment. Together, we seek to discern how we can respond more faithfully to our charism in the diverse contexts where we serve. The Plenary Council brings together the 14 Provincial Superiors and the General Council.
The opening day was dedicated to the Opening Message of Sister Rekha, Superior General, and the report of the General Council. Their reflections set the tone for a sincere and humble review of the Congregation’s situation in light of the decisions and orientations of the 2024 General Chapter. They also invited us to listen deeply to the cry of a world wounded by wars and the rise of new forms of dictatorship.
From 2 to 4 February, the group took part in a Formation for Synodal Leadership led by Father David McCallum, SJ, Executive Director of the Discerning Leadership Program. Discerning Leadership is an initiative created through collaboration between the International Association of Jesuit Universities (IAJU), the International Union of Superiors General (UISG), and the Union of Superiors General (USG). Based in Rome, the organisation offers formation and accompaniment—both online and in person—for major religious superiors, their councils, and other Church leaders.
These days were not only a time of deep personal reflection and an opportunity to recognise our own leadership styles, but also a moment to look honestly at the dynamics of synodality within our Provinces and Provincial Councils. It was a rich time of mutual exchange and questioning. Every form of leadership begins with self-knowledge and a sense of purpose, and for us as a CGP group, the moments of sharing were especially meaningful. The sessions alternated between lectures, pair work, and group discussions, allowing the Provincials to share not only ideas but also concrete experiences of leadership in mission.
Here are a few comments from the formation feedback: “I have a better understanding of what synodality is.” “I can see that all types of leadership have value, but that I need to choose the one most appropriate for each situation.” “I feel more confident.” “It was a great opportunity to receive this formation together as the CGP community.”
After the formation days, our work turned to practical examination of different situations in our provinces. Over the next three days, we “travelled” virtually to 32 countries where Assumption communities are present. These countries are organised into 14 Provinces: from the smallest—USA, with 18 sisters—to the largest—Spain, with 131 sisters. Each Provincial Superior presented the demographic profile of her Province, its communities, missions, graces, challenges, and the major events and decisions of the past year and a half.
Listening to all these presentations left us with a healthy sense of pride in the Congregation. It is inspiring to see how creatively and generously the sisters respond to apostolic needs in so many different contexts: from schools and social centres in Madagascar, to insertion communities in Mexico, to an eco-spirituality centre in France, to the AMA youth volunteer mission in England. The forms of mission vary, but everywhere the same deep desire is present—to contribute to the growth of the Kingdom of God.
We also took time to look at the internal life of the Congregation: the transmission of the charism to lay people, the reorganisation of Provinces in response to demographic changes, and an honest evaluation of our formation, ministries, and safeguarding practices. The reorganisation of Provinces, communities, and missions is becoming inevitable, given the decreasing number of sisters in Europe and the growing number in Africa.
Throughout these days, one question guided us: How do we recognise God’s grace in the different realities we face? Our CGP journey is not yet finished. The first week allowed us to open doors and windows onto many different realities and to enter them together. How we will continue this journey—stay tuned for the next update in a week.
The CGP Community 2026
The 2026 Plenary General Council (CGP) has begun in Auteuil, inaugurated in an atmosphere of prayer, communion, and attentive listening. The opening liturgy and the opening message invited us to live this time as a path of shared discernment, where fragility opens itself to God’s action and the conviction that sustains us resounds strongly: “we are all foundation stones.”
Read the CGP 2026 - Opening Message from Sister Rekha M. Chennattu
The Eucharist celebrated in our chapel with the parish community expressed the joy of walking together as Church and placed the Council at the heart of the People of God. This beginning was completed with the presentation of the General Council report, a grateful rereading of the journey made and of the challenges opening up for the mission.
Thus begins CGP 2026: rooted in prayer and oriented toward the future, entrusted to the guidance of the Spirit.
From 1 to 20 February, the Plenary General Council (PGC) of the Congregation will take place in Auteuil (Paris), under the theme: “Towards a more Synodal Congregation: Our Journey forward.”
This gathering will bring together the Provincials from all over the world, together with the Superior General and her Council, to evaluate—within a climate of prayer and discernment—the implementation of the decisions of the most recent General Chapter, held in Paris in July 2024.
It will be an intense time of communion, during which the life of the provinces and of the peoples among whom the Congregation is present will be shared, as we listen together to what the Spirit is saying today.
The mission of the Plenary General Council is to strengthen unity of heart and spirit within the Congregation, to discern creative fidelity to the chapter orientations, and to open the provinces to the common good of the Congregation and of the mission, in dialogue with the major challenges of the world. In this way, it ensures the Congregation’s missionary dynamism and also becomes a true place of formation (cf. RV 101).
Along this synodal journey, words that enlighten and commit us resonate strongly: “We are all foundation stones. Saint Marie Eugenie” (Saint Marie Eugénie), and “All the Sisters are responsable for creating in the Community the climate of discernment” (RV 32).
We invite you to join us in prayer, so that the Holy Spirit may accompany the work of our Provincials and of the entire Council, and so that, together, we may continue to move forward with evangelical boldness along the path opening before us. Throughout these days, we will be sharing news through the various channels of the Congregation.