International Formation Course Brings Together 40 of Order’s Formators in Perú
The General Formation Commission organized an international course for formators and vocation promotors. The theme was “Constantly Renew Our Lives to Adhere Radically to Christ According to the Carmelite Way of Life” (RIVC. 19). The course took place on May 5 - 17, 2025 at the Carmelite Center Villa Carmelitas in Lurín, Perú. The participants were 40 persons from America, Africa, Asia and Europe.
In the first week the participants were enriched by the talks given by invited speakers and the members of the General Formation Commission. Those talks were: Mary and Formation by Fr. Míċeál O’Neill, O. Carm., Prior General, through Zoom. RIVC and Its Development by Fr. Alejandro López Lapuente Villalba, O. Carm., Formation and Synodality by Sr. Birgit Weiler, MMS., two talks Self-Care or Burn Out and Accompaniment of the Gen Z & A in Carmelite Formation by Fr. Vagner Sanagiotto, O. Carm. (Brasil – Parana), and Theology of the Body for the Carmelite Formation by Fr. Benny Phang, O. Carm. (Vice Prior General).
In the weekend of the first week, the participants refreshed themselves by visiting the historical and the modern parts of the city of Lima and enjoyed the Peruvian delicacies.
In the second week the participants dedicated themselves to work in revising and updating the RIVC 2013, since according to the Constitutions 137, the Ratio needs to be revised every 12 years in responding to the development in the Order, Church and society.
According to one of the participants, Esmeraldo Reforeal, a member of the Province of the Philippines provincial council and formation program, “Stepping back from a week of meaningful discussions and sharing about essential topics on formation, we found solace in Lima, Peru's breathtaking beauty, The city's unique blend of Gothic, Andean Baroque, Romanesque and Arabic architecture stole our hearts. We marveled at the stunning basilicas of the Franciscans and Jesuits, the cathedral, and the Church of the Dominicans, home to St. Rose of Lima, the second patroness of the Philippines, and St. Martin de Porres. Many pilgrims flock to this church to venerate them, where their skulls are enshrined at the side altar. Their tombs are also in this place."
"A sumptuous meal at L'Eau Vive, managed by the Donum Dei sisters, was a heavenly treat. But the highlight was the mass at the Jesuit basilica, where I had the privilege of presiding and delivering a homily partly in Spanish, with vice-general Benny Phang and commissary provincial of Peru, Raul Maravi concelebrating presiding. Grateful for this experience with confreres," concluded Fr. Esmeraldo.
pdf Read the report by Fr. Benny Phang, O. Carm. (Vice Prior General) ... (289 KB)
