Christian Körner, O. Carm, Editor
The General Congregation, reflecting on the theme: “Qualiter respondendum quaerentibus sit?” - “What do you respond to those who ask?” was held from 5th to 15th September 2011 at the Mount Carmel Spiritual Centre in Niagara Falls, Canada. For the participants it was a very enriching meeting that offered a space for reflection on the identity and mission of Carmel in the Church today. The final message conveys profound considerations useful for further reflection in the Order. So we decided that the focus of this edition of CITOC would be a reminder of this important assembly.
The other submissions also offer a wealth of information on the present life of the Order. I would like to highlight a few. First of all, there are people who are expressing our charism, therefore it is a pleasure to share the news that Brazil has been able to celebrate the 100th birthday of Fr. Celestino Lui, O. Carm. In addition are other anniversaries, such as the 50th anniversary of the letter of the deceased Bishop Donal Lamont, O. Carm. against apartheid, remember the prophetic commitment of Carmelites. The Order, however, also mourns the death of some dear brothers. Thus we report the obituaries of P. Joachim Smet, O. Carm., the great historian of the Order, and P. Robert MacCabe, O. Carm., who have worked for many years as a doctor among the nomads in the desert of Kenya.
A constant theme at the General Congregation was that of hope. And surely it is the youth who are the hope of the Church and of the Order. Among the many participants of World Youth Day in Madrid there were more than 500 young people from Carmelite communities around the world. With the presence of a dozen nations, Carmelite Day on 17th August was a really wonderful event.
We hope you enjoy reading this issue of CITOC.
