CITOC Archive (588)
CHRISTUS NATUS EST NOBIS!
VENITE ADOREMUS!
NATALE HILARE ET ANNUM FAUSTUM
25.XII.2017
FERNANDO PRIOR GENERALIS
DOMUSQUE GENERALIS COMMUNITAS
IMAGE: Capilla de la Navidad, Basilica de Nuestra Señora del Carmen Coronada, Jerez de la Frontera
The Order’s International Commission for Evangelisation and Mission met at the General Curia, Rome from the 21st to the 23rd of November 2017. The members of the commission are John Keating (President of the Commission), Sanny Bruijns, Desiderio García Martínez, Conrad Mutizamhepo, Donna Orsuto, Klaus Rudolf Schenkelberger, Jacob Robin Chackalaparambil, and Míceál O’Neill.
During the meeting, they reflected on the responses received regarding the booklets distributed via the Order’s website inviting members of the Carmelite Family to reflect on the theme of Evangelisation in the context of our charism and spirituality. Presently, they are working on a study of the scapular and on the preparation of a catechesis for those wishing to receive the scapular. It is hope to have some material on this ready for distribution during the coming year.
In January of 2019 the commission will hold a workshop on the ministry of preaching the Gospel in the Order today entitled “Proclaiming the Gospel in Carmel Today.” Information on this will be sent out in the spring of 2018. Some time was also given to reflection on Evangelisation and Blessed Titus Brandsma. As part of their work, they attended a lecture at the Lay Centre given by Thomas H Smolich, S.J., International Executive Director, Jesuit Refugee Service entitled “Peripheries in our Cities”.
On December 12th 2017, at 2.00 pm in the Cathedral of Saint Ignatius of Loyola in Palm Beach (Florida, United States), the Most Reverend Gerard Barbarito, Archbishop of Palm Beach will preside over the closing session of the diocesan inquiry on the purported miracle attributed to the intercession of Blessed Titus Brandsma.
The Celebration of the Day for Contemplative Religious, Pro Orantibus
Written byOn the occasion of Pro Orantibus Day, the 21st of November, the Nuns Secretariat in the Congregation for Institutes of Consecrated Life and Societies of Apostolic Life, organised again this year a celebration in the Pontifical Angelicum University in Rome. The day opened with the celebration of the Eucharist led by the Prefect, Card. João Braz de Aviz..That was followed by an address by the Secretary, Archbishop José Rodriguez Carballo e and Fr. Ciro Bova, OP, on the relevance today of the contemplative life. Archbishop Carballo highlighted two “temptations” and ten challenges. The Dominicans, Sr. Sr. Maria Pia Fragni, OP, of the monastery of Pratovecchio, and Sr. Maria Felicita Amigoni, OP, of the monastery of Bergamo, offered two personal accounts regarding the importance of uniting contemplation and visibility, even through an apostolate exercised in silence.
Inspired by this Day, the General Delegate for the Carmelite Nuns, Fr. Mario Alfarano, O.Carm, sent out a circular inviting people to pray for the Carmelite nuns living in 85 monasteries and for the eremitical communities in the Order, of both men and women. Along with the request for prayer, he invited people to make a voluntary financial contribution to the construction of the new monastery in Mutare, Zimbabwe, a very recent foundation.
The Elective Chapter of the Carmelite Monastery of Onteniente, Spain, was held 17 November 2017. The following were elected:
- Prioress: Sr. M. Jesús Barahona Berzal, O.Carm.
- 1st Councilor: Sr. M. Margarita Medina Armas, O.Carm.
- 2nd Councilor: Sr. M. Gabriela Bordones Herrera, O.Carm.
- Director of Novices: Sr. M. Gabriela Bordones Herrera, O.Carm.
- Treasurer: Sr. M. Lourdes Font Font, O.Carm.
- Sacristan: Sr. M. Margarita Medina Armas, O.Carm.
Electoral Chapter of the Monastery of Moncorvo, Portugal
Written byThe Elective Chapter of the Carmelite Monastery of Moncorvo, Portugal, was held 6 November 2017. The following were elected:
- Prioress: Sr. M. Imaculada Conceição Nevado, O.Carm.
- 1st Councilor: Sr. M. Eucaristia Pires, O.Carm.
- 2nd Councilor: Sr. M. Imaculado Coração Martins, O.Carm.
- 3rd Councilor: Sr M. Natividade da SS. Virgem Gomes, O.Carm.
- 4th Couniclor: Sr. M. Martina de Jesus Crucificado Dume , O.Carm.
- Director of Novices: Sr. M. Eucaristia Pires, O.Carm.
- Treasurer: Sr. M. Carmen Mutethya, O.Carm.
- Sacristan: Sr. M. Martina de Jesus Crucificado Dume, O.Carm.
Appointment of adjunct secretary of the Pontifical Council for Legislative Texts
Written byThe Holy Father, Pope Francis, has appointed today as adjunct secretary of the Pontifical Council for Legislative Texts H.E. Msgr. Filippo Iannone, O. Carm, archbishop-bishop Emeritus of Sora-Aquino-Pontecorvo, currently vicegerent of Rome.
To Msgr. Filippo Iannone we offer our warmest congratulations on behalf of the whole Carmelite Family.
From the 5th to the 10th of November, 2017, the Second International Congress of Carmelite Schools took place in Rome. The congress was organised by the General Commission for this area under the presidency of Fr. Raúl Maraví Cabrera, O.Carm. The first congress took place in Dublin in 2010, to mark the 150th anniversary of the founding of the first Carmelite college in modern times, namely, Terenure College. At this second congress the seventy participants from the five continents stayed at the Domus Carmelitana and in the international houses of our Order in Rome. They included many lay people and a number of religious sisters from different Carmelite congregations.
The title of this congress was, "Carmel, a life of fullness and beauty". The speakers (Anne-Maríe Bos, Albertus Herwanta, Kate McGarey-Vasey, Richard Byrne, John Haggerty and Eduardo Agosta Scarel) illustrated, from a number of points of view, the possibility of handing on specific Carmelite values (contemplation, reflection, day to day spirituality, and Carmelite ecology) to the children and young people who attend our colleges and schools. What they said was studied in language groups and then discussed further in a plenary session. As well as that participants shared a variety of materials that they brought from their respective locations, such as audio/visuals, books, and means of advertising.
On Wednesday, the 8th, the participants all went to the audience with Pope Francis in St. Peter's Square. On the 9th the congress closed, with a celebration of the Eucharist led by the Prior General, Fernando Millán Romeral, O.Carm., who, in his homily, emphasised the importance of the teaching apostolate which is so much part of the lives of many of the provinces of the Order. He encouraged the participants to continue in their reflection on this wonderful area of evangelisation and humanisation, with creativity and generosity.
On behalf of the General Formation Commission, Fr. Noel Rosas, O.Carm., the Administrative Secretary of the Commission went to India to attend in the geographical area student friars gathering. This biannual international formation program took place in Carmel Bhavan, Karukutty - Kerala, a retreat house owned by St. Thomas Province of India, from October 22 to 28, 2017. There were 39 students participating from Indonesia, Vietnam, and India. Fr. Mathew Neendoor, O.Carm., the Prior Provincial, and the members of the Provincial Council, Fr. Jose Alex Valavanattu, O.Carm., a member of the General Formation Commission, some respected speakers and guests and also formators participated in this important program.
This program, which was a balanced combination of spiritual, intellectual and cultural activities, strengthened the Carmelite life and the brotherhood among the students in the geographical area.
The Elective Chapter of the Carmelite Monastery of Wahpeton, USA, was held 1 November 2017. The following were elected:
- Prioress: Sr. Madonna Morales, O.Carm.
- 1st Councilor: Sr. Joseph Marie Bedard, O.Carm.
- 2nd Councilor: Sr. Margaret Mary Sticka, O.Carm.
- Director of Novices: Sr. Joseph Marie Bedard, O.Carm.
- Treasurer: Sr. Margaret Mary Sticka, O.Carm.
- Sacristan: Sr. Veronica Hartley, O.Carm.
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Electoral Chapters of the Monastery of La Vega and the Monastery of Monción, Dominican Republic
Written byElectoral Chapter of the Monastery of La Vega, Dominican Republic
The Elective Chapter of the Carmelite Monastery of La Vega, Dominican Republic, was held 23 October 2017. The following were elected:
- Prioress: Sr. Ana María Arroyo, O.Carm.
- 1st Councilor: Sr. M. Cecilia Morini, O.Carm.
- 2nd Councilor: Sr. M. Lillian Ferreira, O.Carm.
- 3rd Councilor: Sr. M. de los Ángeles Márquez, O.Carm.
- 4th Couniclor: Sr. Rosa M. de la Cruz, O.Carm.
- Director of Novices: Sr. M. Lillian Ferreira, O.Carm.
- Treasurer: Sr. M. del Carmen Ferreira, O.Carm.
Electoral Chapter of the Monastery of Monción, Dominican Republic
The Elective Chapter of the Carmelite Monastery of Monción, Dominican Republic, was held 23 October 2017. The following were elected:
- Prioress: Sr. M. Josefina Luna, O.Carm.
- 1st Councilor: Sr. M. Consuelo Rivera, O.Carm.
- 2nd Councilor: Sr. M. Rosanna Serrata, O.Carm.
- 3rd Councilor: Sr. Sarah M. Cedano, O.Carm.
- 4th Couniclor: Sr. M. Susana Collado, O.Carm.
- Director of Novices: Sr. M. Consuelo Rivera, O.Carm.
- Treasurer: Sr. Rosanna Serrata, O.Carm.
On the 1st of November, All Saints Day, at 17.00 hrs, in the Cathedral of St. John in Valetta (Malta), in the presence of the Archbishop of Malta, Charles J. Scicluna, the solemn closing of the Diocesan Inquiry into the life, virtues, reputation for holiness and signs of the Servant of God, Fr. Avertan Fenech, O.Carm., was marked. Fr. Avertan died in the odour of holiness on the 1st of November, 1943.
On the 4th of November the Acts of the Diocesan Inquiry will be given to the Congregation for the Causes of the Saints, which marks the beginning of the Roman phase of the cause for beatification and canonisation. It is hoped that within a short time, there will be a positive result to the Cause in the form of a recognition of the heroic virtues of the Servant of God as we await a miracle that will then allow the process to proceed towards beatification.
During the Provincial Chapter of the Province of Pernambuco held on 2-6 October 2017 were elected:
- Prior Provincial: Fr. Sormani José Barbosa Lima, O.Carm.
- First Councilor: Fr. Luiz Nunes Pereira, O.Carm.
- Second Councilor: Fr. Rogério Severino de Lima, O.Carm.
- Third Councilor: Fr. Vicente Ferreira de Souza, O.Carm.
- Fourth Councilor: Fr. José Adriano Gomes da Silva, O.Carm.
The sixth meeting of the Commission for Liturgy and Prayer was held in the Curia from Thursday, September 28 until Saturday, September 30, 2017. Present for all sessions were Fathers Michael Farrugia, Procurator General and Chairman (Curia), Edmondo Caruana (Mel), Giovanni Grosso (Ita), Mario Esposito (SEL) Secretary, and Robert Pius Manik (Indo). Unable to attend was Father Giuseppe Midili (Ita) due to commitments at the Vicariate of Rome.
The Commission reviewed the responses to the questionnaire sent out to the Order in preparation for the International Carmelite Liturgical Congress planned for Sassone, Rome, Italy on April 16-20, 2018. The response to the questionnaire was quite good, representing more than 60% of the Order, and some additional responses have been received. These answers are being collated in preparation for the Congress and produced interesting results about the thoughts of the friars on this topic. On Saturday, the Commission members visited the Cistercian Abbey of Casamari, outside of Rome, where the members of the Congress will go for Mass, a tour and to hear from the Abbot about liturgy and the life of prayer.
The Commission dedicated time to an update on the O. Carm. Liturgical Calendar waiting for final approval by the Congregation for Divine Worship, to the new Rite for the Third Order Lay Carmelites already translated into the three official languages of the Order and to be presented for approval. Considerable time was also dedicated to completing the revised rites for simple and solemn profession within the Order. These texts will now be translated so they can reviewed again before being submitted to the General Council. The supplement to the Carmelite Office and Lectionary are also well underway. The next meeting of the Commission will be held before the Carmelite Liturgical Congress in April 2018. A mailing will be sent to the Order soon about the Congress.
