Father Emmanuel d’Alzon (1810-1880), Founder of the Augustinians of the Assumption and of the Oblates of the Assumption
Presented via:
– A portrait
– An object
– A text he loved
– A place
– A writing from the Founder
– A manuscript
Father Emmanuel d’Alzon (1810-1880) Passionate about education
This portrait depicts Father Emmanuel d’Alzon with Paulin Garnier, photographed by Disdéri around 1852-1853. It is preserved in the archives of the Congregation in Rome.
The originality of this photograph lies in the expression of Father d’Alzon in his activity as an educator. We see Father d’Alzon seated and presented in profile, with an open book on his knees, and at his side his student Paulin Garnier, whom he regards with kindness and interest.
Paulin entered the Society of Jesus and became a missionary in Beirut, dying prematurely in Lebanon in 1893
An object of the Founder: Missal of Father Emmanuel D'Alzon
This Missal was presented to the Congregation by Bishop Jean-Augustin Germain in 1906.
Father Emmanuel d’Alzon was passionate about education. But his educational mission was not limited to schools. In the second year of his priestly ministry, he was appointed Vicar General of the Diocese of Nimes, a responsibility he held for over 40 years, confirmed in this position by successive bishops of the diocese. He was also involved in pilgrimages, the press, and social work. The celebration of the morning Eucharist was central to these commitments.
A text that the Founder loved :
Excerpt of a letter from Sister Marie-Eugenie (Foundress of the Religious of the Assumption) to Father d’Alzon (August 5, 1844)
“What broadens character and intelligence in study; what powerfully coordinates all things learned, serves as their goal, their bond, their reason: in one sense it is a philosophy; in a broader sense, it is a passion… A passion for faith, a passion for love, a passion for the fulfillment of the law of Christ…”
This text draws attention to a very important concept concerning education and study known at the Assumption: “A philosophy, a passion… a passion for the fulfillment of the law of Christ…”
A precious place for the Founder: The Former College of the Assumption in Nimes
Father Emmanuel became the owner of this establishment in 1844. This is where the Congregation of the Augustinians of the Assumption was born. And it was from this work that the Founder wanted to realize his great ambition for education
A text of the Founder:
The Spiritual Texts, p. 141
“If we are asked what education means to us, we will reply: education is the formation of Jesus Christ in souls, just as teaching is the illumination of souls by the splendor of Jesus Christ. We have no other guiding thought in the schools we establish, and if ever we are granted a Catholic Universality, on its frontispiece we will write: ut cognoscant te te solum Deum verum et quem misisti Jesum-Christum.” [That they may know you, the only true God, and the one you have sent: Jesus Christ] (cf. Jn. 17:3)
Father D’Alzon’s ideal is definite and clear. For him, children, young people, everyone, must be placed in the most favorable conditions so that Christ can take possession of their entire being. At the center of Father D’Alzon’s educational system it is easy to find what formed his entire spiritual thought: union with Christ, the formation of Jesus Christ in souls.
Manuscript of the Founder :
Fr. Emmanuel d’Alzon, Saturday Instructions, t-13, BT 12-13, p. 3
Excerpt from the first of ten Instructions on Christian Education addressed to the students of the College of Nîmes (school year 1876-1877). This is the second of three sets of instructions collected in the “Saturday Instructions.”
A short excerpt from the manuscript on the previous page:
« The aim of education is to make you like God the Father, through the power to do good; like God the Son through Christian ideas; like God the Holy Spirit, through love of God and neighbor, love which is the fullness of the law. »