23 – 25 January 2017 scholars gathered at Centro Internazionale Sant’Alberto (CISA) in Rome for the third conference on ‘Contemplation in the Carmelite Tradition’, organised by the Institutum Carmelitanum.

Contemplation is today understood as being at the heart of the Carmelite charism, and since 2010 this series of conferences has explored how the Order’s understanding of contemplation has developed since its medieval origins.

The focus of this third conference was the Early Modern period of the sixteenth century, which included major developments in Church and Society, including the Reformation and Counter Reformation, the Discalced Reform of Carmel, and exploration of the ‘New World’. Some Carmelite writers from this period are very well known, and others hardly at all.

The conference speakers came from a variety of nations, academic disciplines, and branches of the Carmelite Family. They addressed the following topics: Michael Plattig, O.Carm. (Ger), “Spirituality in Modern Times”; Edeltraud Klueting, T.O.C. (Ger), “Eberhard Billick”; Johan Bergström-Allen, T.O.C. (Brit), “Jean Cartigny”; Elisabeth Hense, T.O.C. (Ger), “Adrian Hecquet”; Macario Ofilada (Instituto Cervantes de Manila), “Teresa of Avila”; Jakub Walczak, O.Carm. (Pol), “John of the Cross”; Bruno Secondin, O.Carm. (Ita), “Maria Maddalena de’ Pazzi”; Giovanni Grossi, O.Carm. (Ita), “Christophorus Silvestranus Brenzanus”; Mario Alfarano, O.Carm. (Neap), “Miguel de la Fuente”.

The participants received warm hospitality from the Prior and Community of CISA, joining them for prayer and meals.

In due course the papers from all the conferences will be published.

During the Provincial Chapter of the Province of Rio de Janeiro held on 23-27 January 2017 were elected:

• Prior Provincial:  Fr. Evaldo Xavier Gomes, O.Carm.
• First Councilor:  Fr. Adailson Quintino dos Santos, O.Carm.
• Second Councilor:  Fr. Fernando Bezerra, O.Carm.
• Third Councilor:  Fr. Alberto Souza , O.Carm.
• Fourth Councilor:  Fr. Eduardo Ferreira, O.Carm.

A gathering of Vocations Directors of the European Geographical Area took place in Rome from January 20th-22nd 2017. This was in line with the Global Plan of the General Council (2013-2019) in its statement on Europe. The meeting was chaired by Fr. John Keating, O.Carm., Councilor General for Europe, and each day began with an input from a speaker. Fr. Míceál O’Neill, O.Carm., Prior of St. Albert’s (CISA) Rome, addressed the topic “Is God still calling?” an exploration of the theme of vocation today. Don Leonardo D’Ascenzo, spoke about “Pastoral approaches to vocational ministry today”. Don Leonardo is the Rector of the Pontifical College of Anagni and was for many years the vice-director of the Servizio Nazionale di Pastorale Vocazionale of the Italian Bishops Conference (CEI). The main part of the meeting afforded each of the thirteenth participants time to share their experiences and enter into an open and profound discussion on the European vocations scene. Towards the end of the meeting they unanimously agreed to send a reflection to their respective provincials. The gathering ended with Sunday Eucharist at the Carmelite Church of St. Maria in Traspontina, celebrated by Fr. Giovanni Grosso, O.Carm., Prior Provincial of the Italian Province.

On the 2nd of February at 05.00 p.m. in the Church of Santa Maria Annunziata in Mdina (Malta), in the presence of the Archbishop of Malta, Charles J. Scicluna, a ceremony will take place that will mark the solemn opening of the diocesan inquiry into the signs, virtue, and reputation for holiness of the Servant of God, Fr. Avertan Fenech, O.Carm. who died in the odour of sanctity on the 1st of November, 1943.
Fr. Avertan dedicated his whole life to the sacrament of penance, the spiritual direction of souls, and the formation of novices, witnessing by his example to all that he taught in words. His indomitable faith in Divine Providence reached its zenith when he suffered a severe stroke, that left him disabled. Confined to a wheelchair and to bed for eleven years, he was a source of edification for all who took turns at his bedside, to who he gave strength and encouragement in the difficulties of daily life. Throughout his long and painful illness the Servant of God, a genuine master of the virtues, made himself evermore credible, by the way he witnessed to the love of Christ: crucified with him, he pointed to the way of the cross with great serenity as the way to reach the enjoyment of his marvellous light.