Global Plan of the General Council 2019-2025

Luis José Maza Subero, O.Carm.

“The People of God ecclesiology underlines the com­mon dignity and mission of all the baptised, in the exer­cise of the pluriform and ordered wealth of their charisms, their vocation and their ministries. The concept of com­munion, in this context, expresses the Deep substance of the mystery and the mission of the Church, that finds its Summit and source in the Eucharistic banquet. This con­cept defines the “res” of the Ecclesial Sacrament: the union with the Trinity that is God and the unity among people that is the work of the Holy Spirit in Jesus Christ. Synodal­ity, this this ecclesiological context, points to the specific form of living and working (modus vivendi et operandi) of the Church as People of God, that shows forth and accom­plishes its communion in concrete ways, in walking with others, in coming together in assembly and when all its members share actively in the mission of evangelisation.” (Synodality in the Life and Mission of the Church, International Theological Commission, 2018).

Carmelites are people who walk together, in ways that express the values of our spirituality. The multiform in­carnation of the Carmelite charism is a great treasure for society. Its theological dimension and its values lead to bal­ance, harmony, and justice, and very often, when these are the focal point of the incarnation of Carmel, they help us to discover our prophetic role, our way of becoming part of a dialogue with the world, especially the world of the very poor.

The Carmelite Family includes sixteen congregations spread throughout the five continents, men and women who by their commitment and dedication to evangelisa­tion, strive to understand and penetrate the culture of the people in order to inculturate the Gospel.

Plans

1. In this six-year term, hold two meetings of the Superiors General of the Congregations affiliated to the Order, and foster their participation in the Carmelite Family.
2. Foster, the reciprocal collaboration of the Congregations affiliated to the Order, in the areas of vocation ministry, formation, deepening our spirituality and evangelisa­tion. (cf. Con 113.)
3. Study how there can be more effective communication among the Congregations and between the Congrega­tions and the General Curia.