An Assembly of the leaders of the European Area (made up of the provincials, commissaries general, delegates general and their delegates) took place at St Albert’s International Centre in Rome on 15th and 16th January 2024.
The Eucharist to open the Assembly was celebrated by Benny Phang (Vice Prior General) in the chapel of St Albert’s during which he spoke about the need to work in the ministry of vocations. The large variety of cultures and nationalities present at the Assembly were acknowledged by the participants saying the Adsumus, Sancte Spiritus prayer in the various languages of European Area at the beginning of each of the working sessions.
Richard Byrne, General Councillor for Europe, gave a short report regarding forthcoming chapters and visitations, the ongoing formation course on St Thérèse of Lisieux, the retreat for those in simple vows in 2024, and the planned gathering of young adults in Rome for the Jubilee Year at the end of July 2025.
The European Area is divided into three (sub) regions: Italy-Malta, Iberia and North-Europe. Each of the presidents of these regions (Joseph Saliba, David del Carpio Horcajo and Brendan Grady) presented a report on the activities of their region and on any relevant unification or collaboration processes. They also reported on the two meetings of vocational personnel which were held during the last year. At both of these meetings, the Prior General, Míceál O’Neill, had delivered a presentation on vocations.
In September 2023, the North-European Region had held its two-day ‘in person’ course in Dublin (Ireland) in order to promote the prioritisation of the ministry of vocations within the region. Together with a facilitator (Mr Danny Curtin), sixteen participants spent two-days exploring and learning from one another about ways to nurture a culture for Carmelite vocations today.
In December 2023, the Italy-Malta and Iberian Regions had held their meeting online over two afternoons. Twenty-one participants took part in this meeting, sharing with one another their enthusiasm for this ministry and how strongly they believed that the Holy Spirit is still calling people to Carmel.
Overall, it was reported to this Assembly in January 2024 that those who attended both of the meetings for vocation personnel considered them to have been an important support towards those working in this ministry. Most wanted further meetings. After hearing these reports, each European region committed itself to holding further meetings over the coming year for all those involved in the ministry of vocations.
After this, each leader reported to the Assembly regarding four topics for their own reality: (1) the practical steps that had been taken regarding the implementation of the proposals of the encyclical Laudato si’; (2) ongoing formation for the friars; (3) the reality of how community meetings are held; and (4) any other important news or updates regarding the entity.
Eduardo Agosta Scarel OCarm gave a commentary on the leaders’ reports regarding Laudato si’ and on the message from the United Nations Climate Change Conference that took place in Dubai in 2023 (COP 28). Subsequently, each Region agreed a specific goal that could be realistically implemented by January 2025 so as to further implement the Order’s commitment to the proposals of Laudato si’. In addition, each Region and each reality committed itself to considering the issue over the next year.
Tadeusz Popiela, Prior of St. Albert’s, celebrated the Eucharist to begin the second day’s discussions and reflections. Afterwards, the Assembly heard a report from Alejandro López-Lapuente (the director of novices) regarding the European Novitiate in Salamanca. Seven novices had begun this year’s novitiate and were accompanied by another seven brothers in solemn vows within this formation community. Since its establishment, eighty-eight novices had started their novitiate in Salamanca. This was followed by various additional reports regarding the other formation houses within the European Area. The Assembly spent some time preparing for a retreat for those in simple vows in Europe this coming summer in the Italian Province’s retreat house in Nocera Umbra (Italy).
After that, the Assembly then turned its attention to the way in which the European realities of the Order connects with those sections outside of their realities in Africa and South America. Two speakers gave presentations regarding provincial commissariats and provincial delegates and this gave rise to a constructive discussion among the members of the Assembly.
Finally, the assembly discussed the Carmelite Family noting the Constitutions which state that “all individuals and groups, whether institutional or not, which draw their inspiration from the Rule of St Albert, from its tradition and from the values expressed in Carmelite spirituality, constitute the Carmelite Family within the Church today.”[1] It was noted that in a synodal Church, which announces the Gospel, everyone “walks together”. Therefore, the members explored how this “walking together” is carried out today in our own Order noting the experience of the extended Carmelite Family attending some provincial chapters. The members of the Assembly then explored what steps the Spirit invites them to take in order to grow in our “walking together” so that our realities (in their chapters or otherwise) would be more synodal. The members of the European Area agreed to hold another two-day Assembly in January 2025 and concluded with the singing of the Flos Carmeli.
