A meeting was held in Sassone, Italy, from the 30th of April to the 2nd of May, that involved the Priors Provincial, the Commissary General, and the Delagates General of Europe. The meeting heard three inputs: Fr. Michael Paul Gallagher, S.J. spoke on the topic, “What hope is there for the faith in Europe?”; Günter Benker, O.Carm, on the topic of formation under the title, “I will lure her into the desert. Challenges for Carmelite Formation Today”, and the Prior General, Fr. Fernando Millán Romeral, O.Carm. 

The participants shared information on the present situation in different parts of the Order in Europe, paying particular attention to the immediate future and to Carmelite formation. The discussions revealed the precarious nature of what is happening in the areas of vocation and formation. They further identified the need for reciprocal assistance, in order to make more effective and give better witness by the life of our communities and the formation that is given to candidates. At the end of the meeting, the Priors Provincial, Commissary General and Delegates General approved three proposals that will be important for the future.