Between March 22 and April 1, the Carmelite family held the "Carmelo Mission" meeting in Itaituba, Pará State - Amazon region - Brazil. The meeting is a response to the exhortations, from Pope Paul VI to Francis, that "Christ points to Amazonia" (Doc. Santarem 1972; Querida Amazonia 2020). The gathering brought together around 40 missionaries from the various branches of Carmelite life: friars, sisters, consecrated lay men and women and those who draw inspiration from Carmel.
The meeting took place in three important moments: (1) to see: the Amazonian reality. Bishop Wilmar Santin, O. Carm., shared a historical overview of the Carmelite presence; Father Ivair shared his deep knowledge of the Amazonian reality in the context of ecclesial presence and in the light of the Magisterium; and the brothers and sisters, consecrated men and women, who live and work in the region spoke of their experience. (2) judging: in which we went out, in the sunlight of Holy Week, to the regions of the communities to carry out visits and Easter celebrations. (3) acting: in which the members of the General Curia, Luis Maza and Tobias Kraus, who were present, met with prior provincials and superiors to draw up courses of action to work towards the goals of a continuous response of the Latin American Church to the call on behalf of Amazonia.
The seeds, therefore, have been sown: moments of fraternity, prayer and mission in Amazonian lands, favored by the feeling of unity as a Carmelite family around the goal of bringing the spirit of Elijah, prophecy, contemplation and service, to the people who challenge us in the Amazon region. Time will bring forth the fruits in each one of us and in what we leave behind as a mission. In everything, we give thanks!
