The leadership of the Congregations and Institutes affiliated to the Carmelite Order met at the Passionist Retreat Center in Rome from May 22-26, 2023. The meeting, which is held every six years, was focused on the theme "Carmelite Identity and Experience." Some 20 members participated this year.

At the end of the meeting, the participants returned to their communities of origin enriched by the intense days of prayer, reflection, and sharing in which they strengthened their spiritual closeness to the Carmelite Family.

The General Delegate for Congregations and Affiliated Institutes, Luis Maza Subero, who is also General Councilor for the Americas, invited the sisters and brothers from the various groups they represent to share their evaluation of the meeting held in Rome.

Among the questions asked of the participants were:

1. What is the value of this gathering for your congregation?

2. How can we move forward as members of the Carmelite Family?

3. Were you satisfied with the organization of this gathering?

4. What are your suggestions for the next gathering?

In the answers given by the sisters and brothers, we can appreciate the importance given to the meeting which served to "cultivate the sense of belonging to the Carmelite Family in the spirituality of communion." They also highlighted the centrality of the theme of Carmelite identity and experience and the themes of the conferences, which were "good and enriching." The various days of the meeting were an excellent occasion to, in their own words, "cultivate cooperation and dialogue among us" and "work together in vocation ministry, evangelization, and in formation."

The participants highlighted that to move forward as members of the Carmelite Family, the key is to "stress communion and participation, each one from his or her reality, with our gifts and limits, as St. Paul tells us."

Likewise, proposals were received to "organize meetings of the Carmelite family more frequently" at the geographical area and international level and to "implement the practical proposals for collaboration that emerge from the study groups during these conferences."

In particular, it was proposed to move forward as a Carmelite Family. “As a bigger family likes to gather, [we would like gatherings] not only of the affiliated congregations, but also with the Friars. [Then we will be more] ready to collaborate as one family."

The sisters and brothers agreed in highlighting the excellent organization of the conferences, the fraternal climate, and the wonderful hospitality provided by the Passionist Retreat Center in Rome, the venue of the meeting. Among the evaluations received, it was stressed that "the ambience was very conducive to reflection and prayer" and that "the fraternal and serene atmosphere was an excellent ‘glue’ for all of us." They also remarked that the conferences "were all interesting" and pointed out the usefulness of "having the texts of the conferences translated into the different languages."

A special thanks was given to the translators for their excellent work and patience.

Finally, the participants reaffirmed the need to "continue with the periodic meetings, deepening the Carmelite charism and the themes related to evangelization and pastoral work." They also commented that "the liturgical resources were well prepared," but they lacked "a multilingual hymn booklet and a guitar to animate the Eucharistic celebration."