From May 21 to 29, at the Carmelite Centre in Sassone in Italy, the second assembly of the Federal Presidents and representatives of the non-federated monasteries of the Carmelite Order took place together with the Commission for the updating of the Constitutions of the Carmelite Nuns. Some provincial assistants and delegates also attended the meeting. The first three days were dedicated to the presentation of the documents, Vultum Dei Quaerere and Cor Orans, linking them to the tradition and spirituality of Carmel. After the initial report of the General Delegate, Fr. Mario Alfarano, who led the whole meeting, there were some introductory communications regarding, the updating of the Constitutions of the friars (Fr. Michael Farrugia, Procurator General), the experience of the Dominican friars and Dominican nuns (Sr. Claudia Benigno, OP), and the history of the Constitutions of the Carmelite nuns (Vera Frantellizzi). Archbishop Filippo Iannone and Fr. Rafal Wilkowski, OCD, gave their input on the first three parts of Cor Orans, and that was followed by some items of communication relating to a number of concrete themes: the federal leader (Sr. M. Sagrario Lorite, VAL), the foundations ( Sr. M. Clare Kasichana, MUT), the suppressions (Sr. M. Dolores Dominguez, COR) and the affiliation of monasteries (Sr. Miriam Tamiano, CER), the enclosure (Sr. Lourdes Aviles) and the media (Sr. Marianna Caprio, VET). The theme of formation was treated in relation to the formator (Sr. Madonna Morales, WAH), the ongoing formation of a community (Sr. Carmen Izquierdo, BAR) and leadership in a federation (Sr. M. Elena Tolentino, BUR).
On May 25, all 35 participants went on pilgrimage to the places associated with St. Mary Magdalene de 'Pazzi in Florence. The Prior General, Fr. Fernando Millán, led the celebration of the Eucharist in the monastery of the Saint. For lunch, all were guests of the community (the friars and families) of the Carmine in Florence. The last three days were devoted entirely to the work of the Commission on the Constitutions.
