With hearts full of gratitude and mixed emotions, we, the Religious of the Assumption, have closed a chapter in Ponferrada. After 59 years of uninterrupted presence in the Flores del Sil neighbourhood, the community of sisters bids farewell in person, but leaves behind a legacy of faith, integral education and Gospel commitment that will live on in the hands of the lay people and the educational community.
Three words have resounded strongly throughout the various farewell events, marking the feeling of this moment and the direction of the future: trust, hope and responsibility.
On 20 April, the Provincial, Lola Herrera, and her Council officially announced that, for the 2026–2027 academic year, there would no longer be a community of sisters in the city. There were moments of silence, tears and embraces, but also of deep acceptance and detachment. The third term thus became a beautiful and moving "goodbye" — a farewell that gives thanks to God — that came to a close at the end of June.
The end-of-year celebration, on 24 June, was marked by a spirit of gratitude. Students and teachers recalled that every achievement is born of a trusting "yes," like that of Mary and of Saint Marie Eugénie. During the tribute to the sisters, this gratitude took shape in the superiors who have marked the history of the school: Evelia, Carmen Borja, Ana Pilar, Dolores, Cecilia, Toñi, María José, Inés, Pilar and Asun.
On Sunday the 28th, the parish of Saint James the Apostle was completely full for a Mass presided over by the diocesan administrator of Astorga, Fr Javier Gay, and concelebrated by the diocesan head of pastoral ministry, Fr José Manuel Carrasco, and our parish priest, José Antonio Madero. A commemorative picture was presented in recognition of the work carried out since 12 September 1967. Its inscription reads:
The Diocese of Astorga, in gratitude to the Congregation of the Religious of the Assumption, present in Ponferrada since 12 September 1967. Deeply grateful for their witness of life and for all the service given in the work of education. In Ponferrada, 28 June 2026.
A catechist stressed: "It is not only a community that is leaving; a part of the story of our lives is going with it." Likewise, a Marist brother offered some poetic words, comparing the sisters to transparent "panes of glass" through which Ponferrada saw light, simplicity and truth.
Celebrated in the school chapel on Monday 29 June, the final Eucharist focused on the mercy of God and the commandment of love. The joyful tone of the teachers' choir stood out, along with a moving Kenyan dance that recalled the universal and fraternal face of the Assumption. In this way, the school's link with the AMA experiences was remembered.
A surprise to treasure! In the school corridor, the silhouettes of the sisters of the last community — Asun, Marí Luz, Bene, Ana Alonso and Vicky — have been installed, with their distinctive cross and a commemorative plaque. A gesture that awakened smiles and deep emotion.
As our Provincial, Lola Herrera, so aptly expressed at the close of the celebrations: "We are leaving physically, but a part of our heart will remain here always. Although the religious community is departing, the charism of Mother Eugénie will remain very much alive through the educational community and the lay people of the Assumption, who will continue to give life to the project."
We are left with the certainty that Ponferrada has been, is and will always be a great family for the Assumption. Thank you for so many tokens of affection and for these 59 years of a shared journey!
"God directs everything, and never can a more loving or wiser hand guide our destiny." — Saint Marie Eugénie