College Sainte Euphémie | Oblate Sisters of the Assumption

Soeurs Oblates de L'Assomption Schools:
Kumkapi St. Jeanne d'Arc French School
Haydarpasa St. Euphemie French School 
Fenerbahçe St. Irenne French School


Mavi Boncuk|


Emmanuel d’Alzon having founded the Assumptionist Fathers, sent them to the Near East with a mission to work for the rapprochement of the Churches of East and West. They quickly realised that access to the local population was likely to be impossible without the help of women.The foundation of this Congregation dates back to 1838. 


The Foundress Mere MarieEugénie de Jesus placed herself in the hands of Fr. d'Alzon for the direction of her own soul and largely for the foundation of her Congregation, These two souls seemed made for each other, and assisted each other in their personal efforts to attain perfection as well as in the development of their religious foundations, both of which bear the name of the Assumption which choice had something providential in it. In 1844, the Foundress came to Nîmes and there with Fr. d'Alzon drew up the Constitutions of her Congregation. Later on Fr. d'Alzon left to the Sisters the same Directory as he left to his own religious, therein defining what he considered to be the spirit of the Assumption. The Ladies of the Assumption lead a semi-contemplative life, their exterior work being limited to the education of girls of the upper classes. Their habit is violet with a white cross on the breast, and a white veil. Their motto is God Alone besides Adveniat Regnum Tuum


Oblates of the Assumption


In founding his missions in the East, Fr. d'Alzon saw the necessity of securing the help of a Congregation of missionary Sisters. The Ladies of the Assumption whose aim was entirely different could not offer assistance. He created, therefore, in 1865 a new Congregation of Oblates of the Assumption with this principal end.The near East has always been the principal field of their activities. Before the War there were 18 houses in Bulgaria, Thrace, Constantinople, Anatolia, Armenia, and even in Russia. Since 1918 several houses have had to be closed in Turkey, but most of the others are once more reestablished. New foundations have been made in Serbia and Rumania where great success has followed the efforts of these ardent missionaries, and where there is hope of good work being done for the Reunion of the Eastern Churches.The Oblates wear a black habit with the Augustinian cincture. 

College Sainte Euphémie Founder: Souer Supérieure Marie-Michaël Rainfray (1870-1943) Mavi Boncuk |


Oblate Sisters of the Assumption
Foundation, 1886 


Phanaraki Foundation, became Fenerbahce, 1886-1935 Istanbul - Kadikoy, 1935 (on the Asian side). On the advice of Monsignor Roncalli, Apostolic Delegate, the future Pope John XXIII, the sisters found, a community-Kadikoy. The first implementation of the Oblate Sisters of the Assumption on the Asian side of Istanbul or Turkey in Asia took place November 30, 1886. In addition to using the seminar, the sisters opened a school and a dispensary. They visit the sick, the poor and rich, and catechesis are encountered in families.


Current mission of the sisters:

Collaboration with the local church, animation masses in Kadikoy and Fenerbaçe, responsibility of the sacristy, the decoration of the church, catechumenate and preparation of young people, especially strangers, to baptism, - communion in the parish of Our Lady of the Assumption, Sunday school at St. Louis of the French, collaboration with other religious meetings at various ecumenical gatherings or Work at St Joseph School, attention to the poor by visiting the elderly living alone, welcoming those who knock on the door, especially immigrants.

Oblates de l'Assomption  KumkapıBalkan War years 1912-1913.

Constantinople. College de I'Assomption, KoumKapou.