From October 3 to 6, the first congress of the newly established Titus Brandsma Circle was held at Radboud University. Approximately 70 people from 17 countries took part. The program of the congress can be seen here [https://www.ru.nl/
The Congress is part of the major project to publish the Collected Works of Titus Brandsma in seven volumes that Dr Elisabeth Hense, Associate Professor for Spirituality at Radboud University, is leading in collaboration with Joseph Chalmers S.T.L.
The project is funded by Radboud University and the British and Irish Provinces of the Carmelites as well as the General Council of the Carmelites in Rome.
Dr Elisabeth Hense organized the Congress in collaboration with Prof. Michael Plattig and Dr Edeltraud Klueting, both members of the German Carmelite Institute. The proceedings of the Congress will be published in the series of the German Carmelite Institute at Aschendorff.
The conference included talks by experts on the various facets of Brandsma’s life as well as a broader look at Dutch mysticism, Eastern mysticism, National Socialism, Carmelite Spirituality, and the Carmelite Rule.
The days also included a tour of the Carmelite monastery in Boxmeer where Brandsma made his novitiate. Today it houses the Dutch Provincial Archives and the Dutch Carmelite Institute. There was also a walk around the extensive Radboud University campus and “in the footsteps” of Titus Brandsma around the city of Nijmegen.
One night the composer Willibrord Huisman, Hendrik Jan Bosman, and a local choir performed works honoring the life and spirituality of Brandsma at the Titus Brandsma Memorial in Nijmegen.
The opening session was held in the theater in the Elinor Ostrom Building on the campus. There was an opening address by the Dean of the Faculty of Philosophy, Theology and Religious Studies, followed by presentations on “The Meaning of Titus Brandsma for the Dutch Church” by Bishop Gerard de Korte, bishop fo Den Bosch; “The Meaning of Titus Brandsma for the Carmelite Order” by the prior general of the Order, Míceál O’Neill; and “The Meaning of Titus Brandsma for the Dutch Carmelite Province” by Huub Welzen, the prior provincial of the Dutch Province. Between presentations, music was provided by composer Chris Fictoor and a clarinettist and 4 choral signers.
The evening concluded with a social hour in the campus bar/cafeteria.
Each day began with morning prayer in the University Chaplaincy. On the final day the members celebrated a Eucharist together led by the prior general. A festive meal followed at a local restaurant.
