CITOC Archive (588)
On March 25 th, 2014, the new Theological Institute of St John of the Cross, was inaugurated by His Excellency Mgr. Antonio Guido Filipazzi, the Nuncio to Indonesia, after having finished the buildings of the campus. Present at this ceremony were also 5 other bishops from different parts of Indonesia and many priests, the local Government Officials, and about 4 (four) thousands guests and local people. In this area the majority of the population are Catholics.
St John of the Cross Major Seminary was owned by the Congregation of Carmelitae Sancti Eliae (CSE) and run together with the sisters of Putri Karmel (Daughters of Carmel), both affiliated to the Order. It was started in 2012. At present they have 17 students to start with, coming from Indonesia and Malaysia. The Theological Institute is situated in a small village called Bandol in the Archdiocese of Pontianak, West Kalimantan, Indonesia.
125th anniversary of the North American Province of St. Elias
Written byOn the 29th of March last at the National Shrine of Our Lady of Mount Carmel, in Middletown (NY) the celebration took place of the 125th anniversary of the arrival of the Irish Carmelites in New York, an event which led to the establishment of the present North American Province of St. Elias (SEL). The celebrations began on the 28th of March with Solemn Vesper at which the Prior General, Fernando Millán Romeral, O.Carm. presided. On the 29th of March, the Mass of Thanksgiving was celebrated with the Archbishop of New York, Timothy Cardinal Dolan presiding, accompanied by the Prior General, the Councillor General for the Americas, Raul Maravi, O.Carm., the Provincial of the province of Saint Elias, Mario Esposito, O.Carm., the Provincial of the Irish province, Martin Kilmurray, O.Carm., the Provincial of the province of the Most Pure Heart of Mary, William Harry, O.Carm., the former provincials of this province still living, and many other religious and priests.
The Superiors General of the Carmelite Sisters for the Aged and Infirm (CSAI), Mother M. Mark Louis Anne Randall, and of the Corpus Christi Carmelite Sisters, (CCC) Mother Petronilla Joseph, along with other religious and a large group of Carmelite lay people from different cities also took part, as did the local civil authority in Middletown.
In his homily, Cardinal Dolan thanked the Carmelites for their pastoral service in this local church, reminding us how the Carmelites have been working in different parishes and ministries with great generosity all this time. He likewise expressed his gratitude to the province of ireland for the missionary drive that gave birth to this province, which in turn has shown great missionary vitality in recent years, with its work in Vietnam and Trinidad.
Se celebró el capítulo electivo en el monasterio de Jesi, Italia, el 15 de marzo de 2014. Fueron elegidos los siguientes cargos:
- Priora: Sor Francesca Teresa Lupo, O.Carm.
- 1ª Consejera: Sor Alma M. Joseph Sponziello, O.Carm.
- 2ª Consejera: Sor M. Chiara Sabbatini, O.Carm.
- Ecónoma: Sor M. Chiara Sabbatini, O.Carm.
- Sacristana: Sor Alma M. Joseph Sponziello, O.Carm.
Presentation of the CD, Albertus & Carmel, at St. Albert's International Centre in Rome
Written byOn Thursday, the 13th of March, Sr. Mariarosaria Calabrese and Sr. Mariagiulia Verdi, presented the CD, Albertus & Carmel, at the St. Albert's International Centre in Rome to an attendance of some fifty people.
The CD contains twelve songs, all to do with St. Albert of Jerusalem. The variety of songs, composed by the two sisters, gives a feeling for St. Albert as the one who wrote the Rule of Carmel, for the hermits who asked for the Rule and for the world in which all of this happened. The songs also look at the world of today and the kind of contribution someone might make to that world, based on the spirit of St. Albert and the Rule he wrote. Sr. Mariarosaria and Sr. Mariagiulia are both Sisters of the Blessed Virgin Mary of Mount Carmel, living as hermits under the bishop of Arezzo, and affiliated to the Carmelite Order. They produced the CD both in Italian and in English. They hope it will have a wide diffusion as a way of making the figure and significance of St. Albert known more widely and as a novel way of celebrating the eighth centenary of his death.
The work of the sisters was warmly applauded by all who attended the presentation. The event ended with a rendition of Gounod's Ave Maria, by the international soprano, Felicia Bongiovanni. It is hoped in the future to produce a musical based on this work.
click here if you would like to buy a CD
below is some samples of the CD
Electoral Chapter of the Monastery of Encarnación, Huesca, Spain
The Elective Chapter of the Carmelite Monastery of Encarnación, Huesca, Spain, was held 17-18 February 2014. The following were elected:
- Prioress: Sr. M. Blanca Barril Vicente, O.Carm.
- 1st Councilor: Sr. M. Luisa Sanagustín Esperanza, O.Carm.
- 2nd Councilor: Sr. Immaculada M. Avellana Gilabert, O.Carm.
- 3rd Councilor: Sr. M. Pilar Borau Alpín, O.Carm.
- 4th Couniclor: Sr. Pilar M. Andrade Ortega, O.Carm.
- Director of Novices: Sr. M. Gloria Caballero Vallejo, O.Carm.
- Treasurer: Sr. M. Pilar Ereza Monesma, O.Carm.
- Sacristan: Sr. M. Pilar Borau Alpín, O.Carm.
Electoral Chapter of the Monastery of Cerreto, Italy
The Elective Chapter of the Carmelite Monastery of Cerreto, Italy, was held 12 March 2014. The following were elected:
- Prioress: Sr. M. Miriam Tamiano, O.Carm.
- 1st Councilor: Sr. M. Joseph Lumicisi, O.Carm.
- 2nd Councilor: Sr. M. Alberta Diana, O.Carm.
- Director of Novices: Sr. M. Joseph Lumicisi, O.Carm.
- Treasurer: Sr. M. Ludovica Benedetti, O.Carm.
- Sacristan: Sr. Alberta Diana, O.Carm.
On Sunday 9th March the Curia community in Rome held its annual Lenten Retreat. This was led by Dr Thomas Norris, Spiritual Director of the Pontifical Irish College, Rome. He is former Professor of Systematic Theology at St Patrick’s College, Maynooth and was recently Paluch Professor of Theology at Mundelein Seminary, Chicago. He is a member of the International Theological Commission. Author of many books and articles, he spoke to the community about Evangelii Gaudium.
He was an altar server at the Carmelite Friary in Knocktopher, Ireland and grow up close to the ancient Carmelite foundation of 1356. He has a life-long relationship with Carmelites and our spirituality.
The Elective Chapter of the Carmelite Monastery of Hudson, United States, was held 12 and 21 February 2014. The following were elected:
- Prioress: Sr. Lucia LaMontagne , O.Carm.
- 1st Councilor: Sr. Sheryl Guzek , O.Carm.
- 2nd Councilor: Sr. Grace Rocha, O.Carm.
- Director of Novices: Sr. Lucia LaMontagne, O.Carm.
- Treasurer: Sr. Sheryl Guzek , O.Carm.
First Provincial Chapter of the Province of the Philippines
Written byDuring the first Provincial Chapter of the Province of the Philippines held on 16-21 February 2014 were elected:
- Prior Provincial: Fr. Christian Buenafe, O.Carm.
- First Councilor: Fr. Marlon Lacal, O.Carm.
- Second Councilor: Fr. Eduardo Albino, O.Carm.
- Third Councilor: Fr. Fernando Lopez, O.Carm.
- Fourth Councilor: Fr. Gilbert Billena, O.Carm.
A change of date for the memorial of St. Nuno Alvarez Pereira, from the 1st of April to the 6th of November.
Written byThe Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments recently approved the changing of the date of the memorial of St. Nuno Alvarez Pereira from the 1st of April to the 6th of November. This change to the liturgical calendar of the Order is to take effect immediately. Now that he has been canonised, this change provides the possibility of celebrating the memorial of St. Nuno. The fact that the previous date coincided normally with Lent or with the Octave of Easter often meant that it was not celebrated. Now everyone is in line with the date already followed in Portugal. Unfortunately, the Congregation did not grant the raising of the memorial to a feast for the whole Order.
During the Provincial Chapter of the Province of India held on 13-15 February 2014 were elected:
- Prior Provincial: Fr. Robert Thomas Puthussery, O.Carm.
- First Councilor: Fr. Jose Alex Valavanattu, O.Carm.
- Second Councilor: Fr. Thankachan Njaliath, O.Carm.
- Third Councilor: Fr. Boby Sebastian Tharakunnel, O.Carm.
- Fourth Councilor: Fr. Regi Jacob Pullan, O.Carm.
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Course in English Language for friars at Aylesford: 1st July – 16th August 2014
Written byAs publicised at the General Chapter 2013, there will be a basic course in English language at Aylesford, England. At the end of the experience, participants will have the fundamental tools and confidence to begin developing communication skills in English.
This opportunity is open to all friars of the Order who will live and pray with the Carmelite Community at the Order’s iconic priory, which is intimately linked with the Brown Scapular of Our Lady of Mount Carmel and the Order’s first General Chapter.
The cost of the course and accommodation will be covered by the British Province on a donation only basis. To be successful the programme requires 5-8 participants. Participants will be expected to have some knowledge of English already and will be responsible for the cost of their travel to and personal expenses during the programme.
To register your interest, please contact
Brendan Grady, O.Carm. This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
by 31st March 2014
During the Provincial Chapter of the Province of Rio de Janeiro held on 20-24 January 2014 were elected:
- Prior Provincial: Fr. Evaldo Xavier Gomes, O.Carm.
- First Councilor: Fr. Alexandre Donizete Cortez, O.Carm.
- Second Councilor: Fr. Adailson Quintino dos Santos, O.Carm.
- Third Councilor: Fr. Paulo Gollarte, O.Carm.
- Fourth Councilor: Fr. Eduardo Ferreira, O.Carm.
During the Provincial Chapter of the Province of Pernambuco held on 13-17 January 2014 were elected:
- Prior Provincial: Fr. Altamiro Ternorio da Paz, O.Carm.
- First Councilor: Fr. Luiz Nunes Pereira, O.Carm.
- Second Councilor: Fr. Alberto Bezerra da Costa, O.Carm.
- Third Councilor: Fr. Aloísio Saturnino da Silva Primo, O.Carm.
- Fourth Councilor: Fr. José Cláudio de Alencar Batista, O.Carm.
Electoral Chapter of the Monastery of Tanay, Philippines
Written byThe Elective Chapter of the Carmelite Monastery of Tanay, Philippines, was held 9 January 2014. The following were elected:
- Prioress: Sr. M. Rebecca Valdez, O.Carm.
- 1st Councilor: Sr. Maria de los Angeles de Jesus Perez, O.Carm.
- 2nd Councilor: Sr. M. Esperanza Cecilio, O.Carm.
- Director of Novices: Sr. M. Esperanza Cecilio, O.Carm.
- Treasurer: Sr. Mary Grace Bruno, O.Carm.
- Sacristan: Sr. M. Alma Jesusa Santos, O.Carm.
