Some 40 participants from the provinces of Malta, Italia, Poland, Britain, Ireland, Arago-Castile-Valencia, Betica, the General Commissariat of Portugal, the French Delegation and some young people on behalf of the Hermanas de la Virgen Maria del Monte Carmelo (Orihuela, Spain), took part in the third section of the Carmelite European Youth project “Awakening” at the “The Friars”, Aylesford, England from the 14th to the 18th August, 2019. Two previous gatherings had taken place, one in Fatima and the second at San Felice del Benaco, Italy.

Each day addressed a different theme and the main speakers were Carmelites, Fr. Miceal O’Neill (Contemplation and Action), Fr. Michael Plattig (Incarnated Spirituality and the schools of spirituality), Fr. Desiderio Garcia Martinez (Paths of transformation: Teresa of Avila – a woman who comes out of her comfort zone) and Sabrina Rubio Perez and Javier Bernabeu Almela (Leadership). There were also recorded video interviews relating to three significant Carmelites saints as witnesses in their time; the Prior General, Fr. Fernando Millan Romeral (on Blessed Titus Brandsma), Fr. Lucio Maria Zappatore (on Blessed Angelo Paoli) and Sr. Olivia Kelly, OCD (on Therese of Lisieux). The programme was both dynamic and interactive. As part of the programme, the young people had the opportunity of participating at Evensong in Canterbury Cathedral. The event was organized by the Carmelite European Youth Committee, Frs. David Oliver (ACV), Luca Sciarelli (Ita), Dave Twohig (Hib), Bro. Joao Costa (Lus), Sabrina Rubio Perez (ACV) and Daniela Pereira (Lus) and led by Fr. John Keating (Curia).

The committee are deeply grateful to the Prior Provincial of the British Province, Fr. Kevin Alban, the Prior of Aylesford, Fr. Francis Kemsley and the Aylesford community for their generous support of this gathering and the wonderful welcome they received from the Aylesford staff and administration.