CITOC Archive (588)
Symposium on Historiography and Identity. Responses to Medieval Carmelite Culture
Written byOn 6 and 7 June in the offices of FOVOG - the "Forschungsstelle für Vergleichende Ordensgeschichte - (This is an institute in the University of Dresden, Germany, which specialises in the comparative study of religious orders.) a symposium was held entitled Historiography and Identity. Responses to Medieval Carmelite Culture organised by Dr. Coralie Zermatten and Dr. Jens Röhrkasten (University of Birmingham). Among the speakers were Edeltraud Klueting who spoke on Carmelite decorations in the churches, chapters houses and refectories of the houses of the medieval Lower German province; Johan Bergström-Allen: "Religious and Secular Order: The Poetry of Richard Maidstone, O.Carm."; Andrew Jotischky (University of Lancaster): "Crusading and Crusaders in Medieval Carmelite Texts: William of Coventry and the Holy Land"; Hans-Joachim Schmidt who spoke on the Carmelites' relations with other mendicant orders in the late medieval period; Christa Gardner von Teuffel: "The Invention of History: Altarpieces for the Carmelites circa 1300-1550"; Helmut Flachenecker, who spoke on Carmelites in Franconia; Kevin Alban: "Thomas Netter, Identity through Orthodoxy". On the evening of 6th June the participants were treated to a concert of madrigals by Bartolino da Padua O. Carm. performed by Federico Truffi. The proceedings will be published later in the year.
During the extraordinary Provincial Chapter of the Italian Province held on 10-11 June 2013 were elected:
- Prior Provincial: Fr. Roberto Toni, O.Carm.
- Vice Prior Provincial: Fr. Marco Nuzzi, O.Carm.
- Fourth Councilor: Fr. Lucio M. Zappatore, O.Carm.
On 3rd and 4th June members of the commission overseeing the Bibliotheca Carmelitana Nuova project met in Dresden, Germany in the offices of FOVOG – the “Forschungsstelle fur Vergleichende Ordensgeschichte". This is an institute in the University of Dresden which specialises in the comparative study of religious orders. The commission is made up of Giovanni Grosso (President of the Carmelite Institute), Ton van der Gulik (Carmelite Librarian), Paul Chandler (who participated via Skype), Edeltraud Klueting (Third Order Carmelite scholar), Kevin Alban (Bursar General), Gert Melville (Director of FOVOG) and Coralie Zermatten (researcher).
The project involves putting all the entries in Cosmas de Villiers’ Bibliotheca Carmelitana on a database, and in addition searching out other names and works of medieval Carmelites. So far about 1,200 names have been loaded on to the database which is now ready to be tested on the internet. This will be an important tool for all researchers in Carmelite studies.
Meeting of the International Carmelite Formation Commission in Rome
Written byFrom the 22nd to 24th May 2013, the International Formation Commission of the Order met at the General Curia in Rome for its final meeting prior to the General Chapter this September. Having listened to the reports of the different members of the commission from around the world, they reviewed the work of the commission over these past six years in preparation for the Chapter. Attention was given to the information presented at the Council of Provinces (San Felice del Benaco 2009) and the General Congregation (Niagara Falls 2011). There was a positive reaction to the methodology used during the international formation courses organized by the commission in the Holy Land, 2009 (initial formation), Camocim, Brazil, 2010 (formators) and Holy Land 2012 (on-going formation). Initial preparations were made for the course of on-going formation which will take place in Salamanca and Avila in 2014 in preparation for the anniversary of the birth of St. Terena of Jesus being celebrated throughout the Carmelite Family in 2015. Details of this course will be presented during the General Chapter.
To conclude their meeting, the members of the commission travelled with the Prior General, Fr. Fernando Millán Romeral, O.Carm. to Florence on the 25th May to celebrate the feast of Saint Mary Magdalene de’ Pazzi with the Carmelite nuns. They also were very pleased to have lunch with the community of our friars and “La Famiglia” at the Carmine in Florence.
The members of the commission during these past few years have been: John Keating, Councillor General (praeses), Mario Alfarano, Segretario Generale (secretary), Quinn Conners (PCM), Günter Benker (Ger), Vitalis Benza (Hib-Zim), Desiderio García Martínez (Arag), Giampiero Molinari (Ita), Dionysius Kosasih (Indo) and Romualdo Borges de Macedo (Par).
Once again this year the community of St. Albert’s International Centre and the Institutum Carmelitanum offered a series of lectures to the public. The theme this year was “Carmelites and the Second Vatican Council”. The lectures were given in the conference hall in St. Albert’s Centre and a good number of members of the Carmelite family and others attended each evening.
The series opened with a lecture by Claudemir Rozin, O.Carm., who shared the results of this doctoral research on, The Ecclesiology of the Carmelite Rule in the Light of Vatican II (December 13, 2012); this was followed by, Míceál O’Neill, O.Carm. on, The Carmelite Commitment to Justice and Peace (January 10, 2013), Giovanni Grosso O.Carm. on, Holiness and Carmel,(February 14), Emanuele Boaga on, The Carmelites who took part in Vatican II, (March 14) and Giuseppe Midili, O.Carm. on, The Change from the Carmelite Rite to the Roman Rite, (May 9). It was hoped to be able to launch a new publication on Bishop Donal Lamont on April 9, as part of the programme, but that unfortunately had to be postponed to another day.
It is planned to continue with this kind of spiritual and cultural programme in the coming years.
The Elective Chapter of the Carmelite Monastery of Utrera, Spain, was held 13-14 May 2013. The following were elected:
- Prioress: Sr. María del Carmen Requena Pérez, O.Carm.
- 1st Councilor: Sr. M. José Navarro López, O.Carm.
- 2nd Councilor: Sr. María de Lourdes Lario Reverte, O.Carm.
- 3rd Councilor: Sr. Rosamaría Nduku Mbithi, O.Carm.
- 4th Couniclor: Sr. Ana María Reina Jiménez, O.Carm.
- Director of Novices: Sr. Rosamaría Nduku Mbithi, O.Carm.
- Treasurer: Sr. M. Felistas Syokau Maithya, O.Carm.
- Sacristan: Sr. M. Lucía Mutio Mbithi., O.Carm.
The Elective Chapter of the Carmelite Monastery of Madrid, Spain, was held 22-23 April 2013. The following were elected:
- Prioress: Sr. M. Inmaculada Ochoa, O.Carm.
- 1st Councilor: Sr. M. Noemí Temprano, O.Carm.
- 2nd Councilor: Sr. M. Antonia Dominguez, O.Carm.
- 3rd Councilor: Sr. M. Carmen Almonte, O.Carm.
- 4th Couniclor: Sr. Maria del Carmen Ruiz, O.Carm.
- Director of Novices: Sr. M. Brunilda Rodriguez, O.Carm.
- Treasurer: Sr. M. Antonia Dominguez , O.Carm.
- Sacristan: Sr. M. Noemí Temprano, O.Carm.
Provincial Chapter of the Province of Australia and East Timor
Written byDuring the Provincial Chapter of the Province of Australia and East Timor held on 22-26 April 2013 were elected:
- Prior Provincial: Fr. Denis Andrew, O.Carm.
- First Councilor: Fr. Paul Cahill, O.Carm.
- Second Councilor: Fr. Hugh Brown, O.Carm.
- Third Councilor: Br. Sean Keefe, O.Carm.
- Fourth Councilor: Fr. James Des Lauriers, O.Carm.
News from the Province of Australia and East Timor
The Province of Australia and Timor Leste held its Chapter at Santa Teresa Spirituality Centre in Ormiston, Brisbane, from 22-26 April. With its modern facilities, extensive grounds and wonderful view of the bay, Santa Teresa provided an ideal setting for the Chapter.
During the Chapter Fr Denis Andrew was re-elected Prior Provincial. Fr Paul Cahill, Fr Hugh Brown, Br Sean Keefe and Fr Jim Des Lauriers were elected to the Provincial Council.
Fr Fernando Millán Romeral (Prior General) and Fr Albertus Herwanta (General Councillor) joined the twenty five members of the Chapter. Also present were Fr Augusto Da Costa Galhos, Br Angelino Dos Santos and Br Martinho Da Costa, members of the Timor Leste Region of the Province. Br Agostinho Exposto and Br Camilo Felix, two East Timorese Carmelites in simple vows, also attended the Chapter at the invitation of the Preparatory Commission.
Present for the first three days of the Chapter were seventeen invited guests from the Lay Carmelite National Council, the various Commissions and ministries of the Province and members of the Provincial Office staff.
One of the most significant decisions of the Chapter was to formulate a five year development plan for the Province. This plan will involve finance, facilities and strategies for the ongoing development of the Province through consultation with members of the Province, Provincial Commissions, agencies and ministries.
The Opening Liturgy of the Chapter was held in the Chapel of the Discalced Carmelite Nuns, next door to the Spirituality Centre. The liturgy included a welcome from the Prioress of the Monastery, and prayer for the success of the Chapter. A special Chapter candle, a book of the Gospels, images of Our Lady and the Prophet Elijah, the Carmelite Rule, the Constitutions, Provincial Statutes and a Tais (traditional woven cloth from Timor Leste) led the procession of Chapter members and guests from the Chapel to the Chapter Hall.
You can download a copy of the Prior General's address here: 
Prior Generals Address 2013 Provincial Chapter
Second Asia-Australia-Oceania Carmelite Student friars gathering
Written byThe second Asia-Australia-Oceania Carmelite student friars gathering in this sexennium was held in Malang (Indonesia) from the 4th to 10th April , 2013.
Fr. Lucianus Simon Rande, O.Carm., Provincial Councillor of the Indonesian Province was the main celebrant of the opening Mass. On behalf of Fr. Ignatius Joko Purnomo, O.Carm., Indonesian Provincial, he gave an address of welcome and officially opened the gathering. An address from Fr. Prior General was read by Fr. Albertus Herwanta, the General Councillor for Asia-Australia-Oceania.
Sixty-six Carmelite student friars and formators from India, Vietnam, Philippines, Indonesia and East Timor joined the gathering where they prayed and meditated together. They also listened to Fr. Rico Ponce, O.Carm. (Phil) and Fr. Benny Phang, O.Carm. (Indo). Fr. Rico talked about three things: The mission of animating Carmelite life today within the sphere of formation; The Asian spiritual context and Carmelite spirituality - challenge and response; Following Christ in the context of globalization. Fr. Benny talked about theology of the body.
On April 7th the participants visited the following Carmelite communities: the house for the elderly, the provincial house, Saint Albert High School, the Carmelite Nuns and the novitiate house. On April 9th they visited the Safari Park of East Java. They also enjoyed creative performances, and Indian, Vietnamese, Philippine, Timorese and Indonesian food prepared by the participants.
Gratitude was also expressed to all who supported this gathering, especially to the Provincial of Indonesia for his willingness to fraternally host this gathering, and to Fr. Crispinus Ginting, O.Carm. and his team who worked hard to prepare and organize everything.
The Prior General, Fr. Fernando Millán Romeral, O.Carm., together with the Councillor General for Europe, Fr. John Keating, O.Carm. met with the European friars who made solemn vows within the last ten years. This meeting took place at San Andres, the Carmelite University Residence and European Novitiate in Salamanca, Spain from the 4th to the 7th April 2013. This is also the place where St. John of the Cross was a student. Of the forty possible participants thirty-three friars were present for what was entitled "A Dialogue in Hope regarding the future of the Order in Europe." The Prior General spoke about three things with the group: "Hope for the future", "The situation of the Order in Europe" and "A vision for the future." Together in groups and in assembly friars from Arago-Valentina, Betica, Britain, the French Delegation, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Malta, the Neapolitan Province, Netherlands and Poland addressed a wide range of issues among themselves and with the Prior General searching to find common paths for hope regarding the future of the Order in Europe. The final text of their common reflection (in English, Italian and Spanish) can be found on the Order's website at:
http://ocarm.org/en/content/ocarm/anchored-hope-heb-618-19
A very warm welcome was extended to all by the community at San Andres, and the gathering also included a guided tour of the city of Salamanca and Eucharist celebrated by the Prior General at the tomb of St. Teresa of Jesus at Alba de Tormes.
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Christus resurrexit!
Resurrexit vere! AlleluIa!
In Pascha Domini
A.D. 2013
Fernando Prior Generalis
Domusque Generalis Communitas
Image: Krakow, Graduale de Dominicis iuxta ritum missalis Beatissimae Dei Genitricis Semperque Virginis Mariae de Monte Carmelo, 1644
The Elective Chapter of the Carmelite Monastery of Camerino, Italy, was held 25 March 2013. The following were elected:
- Prioress: Sr. M. Teresita Marino, O.Carm.
- 1st Councilor: Sr. M. Paola Colletta, O.Carm.
- 2nd Councilor: Sr. M. Grazia Di Palma, O.Carm.
- Director of Novices: Sr. M. Paola Colletta, O.Carm.
- Treasurer: Sr. M. Paola Colletta, O.Carm.
- Sacristan: Sr. M. Pia Marzilliano, O.Carm.
On Sunday the 3rd of February, 2013 a Mass of Thanksgiving was celebrated for the four hundred years of existence of the community of Carmelite nuns in the Monastery of Nuestra Senora de las Maravillas in Madrid. The solemn liturgy was led by the Prior General, Fr. Fernando Millan Romeral, O.Carm., assisted by the priors provincial of Castile and Aragon and Valencia, Frs. Miguel Angel Perez, O.Carm., and Luis Gallardo Ganuza, O.Carm., along with a number of other Carmelite friars. The Superiors General of the two Spanish congregations of Carmelite women, the Hermanas de la Virgen Maria del Monte Carmelo (HVMMC) and the Carmelitas del Sagrado Corazón de Jesús (HCSCJ) were also present with a number of their sisters and various groups of lay Carmelites. In his homily, the Prior General, on behalf of the Order, expressed his gratitude to this community for its fidelity to Carmel and to the Church, throughout these four hundred years, at times in very difficult circumstances, and for its very generous contribution to the founding of communities of Carmelite contemplatives in the Philippines and in the Dominican Republic.
On the occasion of this 4th Centenary the community published a book that contains the history of the Monastery, written by Sr. Maria Magdalena Carretero, O.Carm., and put together a programme of events that will take place throughout the year.
The Elective Chapter of the Carmelite Monastery of Vetralla, Italy, was held 11 February 2013. The following were elected:
- Prioress: Sr. Marianna Caprio, O.Carm.
- 1st Councilor: Sr. M. Benedetta Succu, O.Carm.
- 2nd Councilor: Sr. M. Teresa Nguyen, O.Carm.
- 3rd Councilor: Sr. M. Rita Gugliara, O.Carm.
- 4th Couniclor: Sr. M. Pia Sammut, O.Carm.
- Director of Novices: Sr. M. Sabina Berneschi, O.Carm.
- Treasurer: Sr. M. Františka Bártoková, O.Carm.
- Sacristan: Sr. M. Teresa Nguyen, O.Carm.
