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The Prior General, Míceál O’Neill, and the General Councilor for Africa, Conrad Mutizamhepo held the formal visitation of the Carmelites in Tanzania and Kenya. Tanzania is a foundation of the General Commissariat of La Bruna in Naples begun in 2009. Kenya is a General Delegation started by the Upper German Province (now the German Province) with brothers from its former Provincial Commissariat of India (now the Province of St. Thomas). After the construction of the house Bustani ya Karmeli, Kenyan brothers from the Provinces of Catalonia and Arago-Valentina (now the Aragon-Castile-Valencia Province) continued the foundation.

Following the visit, the prior general reflected on their visit:

A visit to Africa is a visit to a continent that is teeming with life. The Carmelites have been in Tanzania since 2009 and in Kenya since 2001. Conrad and I enjoyed our two visits, getting a chance to talk to every member in the two countries and on some occasions, to take part in their wonderful liturgies. In Dar es Salaam the building of a Marian Shrine with a very large Church is underway. In Kenya the building of a new retreat and spirituality centre is well underway as well.

We were also impressed by the presence of the wider Carmelite Family in these countries. In Tanzania the Carmelite Missionary Sisters of St. Therese of the Child Jesus has a province of some seventy members, and there are the beginnings of a Carmelite Third Order. In Kenya, on the other hand, as well as the friars there are three monasteries of nuns, two affiliated Congregations, Donum Dei, and the Carmelite Sisters of the Sacred Heart, and a very well organised Carmelite Third Order.

Vocations for the friars are encouraging even if the numbers are not enormous. The commitment to providing good formation is very strong, but is a constant challenge because of the shortage of resources.

In Tanzania, they visited the communities of Bunju, Mabwepande, and Morogoro along with some houses of the sisters in Boko and Mapinga secondary school. In Kenya one celebration was for the 15^th anniversary of the Our Lady of Mount Carmel and Charles Lwanga parish. Thirteen couples exchanged wedding vows during the Mass which was followed by a huge celebration into the evening. On the feast of St. Teresa of Jesus the Carmelite Family, with representation from Third Order commemorated the Diamond Jubilee of the establishment of the Third Order in Kenya. This took place at the Our Lady of Mount Carmel Naromoru Retreat Centre. Palm trees were planted to mark the significant anniversary.

Let us remember these men and women, religious and lay, as they work to build Carmel in new places.

Carmelite Life and Ministry is Vibrant in the Democratic Republic of Congo

The Prior General, Míċeál O’Neill and Conrad Mutizamhepo, General Councilor for Africa, conducted the canonical visitation of the Carmelite friars in the Democratic Republic of Congo. The visitation was conducted in two phases; the first part covered Kinshasa and Kisangani and took place March 19-30, 2024, while the second part took place April 19-May 4, 2024, and covered the eastern region of the country, including the communities in the dioceses of Mahagi-Nioka, Bunia, and Butembo-Beni. During the visitation, the visitators had a good insight into the vitality of Carmelite life with its beneficial effect on the lives of the peoples.

The first Carmelites from Italy arrived in the Democratic Republic of Congo, then known as Zaire, in February 1973. The first missionaries were Fr Archangelo Colandrea, Fr Ubaldo Pani, and Dominico FioreI. On fire with missionary zeal, they were entrusted with the care of the mission of Jiba, founded in 1954 by the Missionaries for Africa. Soon, the Carmelite presence spread to Bunia, Mahagi-Nioka, Kinshasa, Butembo, Kisangani, and Mbujimayi. Today there are 66 Carmelites in solemn vows and 15 in simple vows. They minister in nine parishes in six dioceses as well as Carmelite houses and institutions such as hospitals and schools.

Having visited all the communities except Mbujimayi, the visitors noted with hopeful joy that the Carmelite presence in Congo is vibrant. Four young men are undergoing introduction to Carmelite life in the postulancy program at Titus Brandsma house in Butembo while ten others are learning Carmelite life in the novitiate programme at St Joseph’s, Bunia. Two friars are pursuing studies in theology at Blessed Isidore Bakanja in Kinshasa. Ongoing formation and skills training are emphasized so much that there are friars who are undergoing studies within Congo and in Italy in various fields such as theology, philosophy, administration, and medicine.

At the conclusion of the canonical visit Frs. Míċeál and Conrad participated in two significant events. The first was the celebration of the Eucharist for the closing of the Golden Jubilee Year of Carmelite presence in the Democratic Republic of Congo. The Eucharist was presided over by the bishop of Butembo-Beni, Bishop Melchizedek Sikuli Paluku, assisted by close to fifty priests, scores of religious and a large crowd of the faithful. During the same Eucharist, three Carmelites were ordained deacons and one was ordained priest. The liturgy was so well organized that even when it rained fairly heavily, hundreds of the faithful endured the rain to witness the proceedings to their conclusion. The participation of the faithful can only be described as animated and enthusiastic. After the mass, the newly ordained and their families, friends and colleagues enjoyed a sumptuous banquet to choral as well as traditional music performances. “Participating in these activities revealed to us that the Church in Congo is youthful, alive and active. It is heartening to know that Carmel is playing a significant role in the spiritual accompaniment, educational enlightenment of the youths, and pastoral formation of multitudes,” said Fr. Conrad.

The other significant event that took place was the triennial Assembly of the Commissariat of Congo. This was held April 28-30, 2024 in preparation for the Provincial Chapter due to be celebrated in Rome in June 2024. The Assembly was made up of the priors of each community, parish priests from each parish, former Commissary Provincials, and invited friars and guests. Although not all the eligible friars attended, eighteen friars with the right to vote and 7 friars without a right to vote participated. At the beginning of the Assembly all agreed to a code of conduct, namely, to be docile to the movement of the Holy Spirit, to be punctual and regular, to respect mutuality and tolerance, and to be animated by the concern for the common good. Great effort was made to appreciate the achievements during the fifty years of Carmelite presence. These years have included a good reception of the Carmelite charism and spirituality as well as growth in the number of friars as well as lay people who are committed to witnessing to the Carmelite charism. The men also recognized the challenges encountered over the decades, some of which were outside of their control, like the destabilization of a sustainable peaceful atmosphere in the country because of outbursts of war and the insecurity and political unrest that ensues.

The political climate has impacted the socio-economic and spiritual development of the country negatively. Some political actors have sown the seeds of distrust in some ethnic communities fanning tensions, conflict, and reprisals. From the open discussions and interventions at the Assembly it was clear that Carmelites wish to be a force for socio-spiritual transformation and revival in the regions in which they are working. In line with the Carmelite Constitutions, the Carmelites renewed their commitment to live a life of allegiance to Jesus Christ in a contemplative attitude exercised in a life of prayer, fraternity and service in the midst of the people (Const 2019 §14). As such, the friars committed themselves to living the charismatic endowment of Carmel in openness to the Holy Spirit in an effort to cultivate forgiveness, reconciliation, fraternal correction, and sincere conversion to Christ; to prioritize formation and skills development; to have a leadership that will help the friars to live according to Carmelite religious life; to sustainably utilize the resources available to them and generate productivity; to commit to pooling their earnings together while at the same time cultivating transparency and accountability in administration and management; to commit to ongoing collaboration with the founding province and promotion of fraternal dialogue at all levels in the commissariat in preparation for the decision to become a province.

“Having shared in the life of the friars in the Commissariat for slightly more than four weeks, we returned to Rome with a sense of joy and hope. We were joyful to share in the Eucharist concluding the first fifty years of presence since the planting of the charism by gallant Italian Carmelites and we are hopeful that, with the seriousness demonstrated at the Assembly and the Resolutions flowing from it, the Congolese Carmel will continue to grow both numerically and qualitatively. Rooted as the Carmelite presence is in following in the footsteps of Christ inspired by the example of Blessed Virgin Mary of Mount Carmel and the fiery Prophet Elijah, we can testify to the vibrancy of Carmelite life and ministry in our communities, parishes and institutions, said Fr. Conrad.

African Leaders and Formators’ Meet in Boko, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, on January 21-29, 2024

A conference for the commissaries, delegates, and leaders of missions in the African geographical area was held at St. Teresa of Avila Spiritual Center in Boko, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. The conference, from January 21-29, 2024, was themed This Way is Holy and Good: Walk in It (Carmelite Rule, 20): Confronting Carmel’s Challenges in Africa.

The conference center is a ministry of the Carmelite Missionaries Sisters of St Therese of the Child Jesus. Every foundation in Africa had representation present except one for unforeseen circumstances. In a follow-up survey, the participants expressed gratitude for the warm hospitality shown to them by the Carmelite sisters and the men of the Tanzanian foundation.

The conference exposed a number of challenges for Carmel on the African continent. Some of these are outside of the control of the Order: the socio-political and economic situations as well as a number of active conflicts that have continued for a number of years. Other difficult situations can and should be addressed by the Order: the formation programs, approaches to ministry, dependence on founding provinces (there are no provinces in Africa, only foundations dependent on provinces located in Europe or the Americas), and issues of financial management, accountability, transparency, and self-reliance. Difficult situations also persist because of a lack of communication, relationships with local churches, and differences in cultural traditions and customs in a number of critical areas.

A series of speakers provided the group with input in the hope that the leaders and formators would get to know each other personally; that participants would have the opportunity to discuss their experiences and challenges openly; that leaders and formators would themselves grow in Carmelite identity in order to more effectively witness to their communities; that strengthened by the awareness of expectations, the participants would raise the standards of integrity and apply principles of good governance in their own reality.

Key presenters were Mother Lilian Kapongo, CMSSTCJ, Fr James Kulwa Shimbala, SMA, Fr Jean-Marie Dundji, O. Carm, Fr Jerome Paluku, OCD, and Fr. Conrad Mutizamhepo, O. Carm., general councilor of the Order for Africa.

Mother Lilian Kapongo presented Becoming Carmel in the Context of Africa – “This Way is Holy and Good: Walk in It” (Rule § 20): Leadership and Formation for Carmelite Religious Identity, stressing the importance of a solid initial and ongoing formation programs that challenges candidates to be motivated to do discernment of their motivations and challenge to continually purify their motivations at every stage of their religious life.

Fr Shimbala spoke on Religious and Priest: Two Vocations, One Person-- Lifegiving Ministry Approaches that Preserve the Two identities in Community, emphasizing that religious identity springs from a personal or intimate encounter with Jesus according to the Order’s charism.

Fr Jean-Marie Dundji, O. Carm, addressed the topic The Process of Formation of the Carmelite According to the Constitutions 2019 and the Ratio Institutionis Vitae Carmelitanum 2013, pointing out that the Carmelite charism is still in its fragile stages in Africa and that the quality of people is often qualified by the structures and the quality of persons who run them.

Discalced Fr. Jerome Paluku reflected on Religious Life in Africa: Exploring Pathways to Financial Self-Sustainability, examining strategies for income creation which depend on context, mission of investing organization (i.e., charism), investment opportunities and lifestyle of persons. He proposed five areas of management to help mitigate problems and promote viability.

On Saturday, Conrad Mutizamhepo offered a reflection on The Charism of the Order According to Part One of the Constitutions 2019: Viable Ways of Transmitting the Charism by Leaders and Formators, discussing the origins of the Carmelite charism as transmitted through the history, traditions, spirituality, myths, symbols, and significant Carmelites throughout history.

Two days later, Conrad shared another reflection on Vibrant Participation in the Mission of the Order: The Commissions of the Order and their Role in the Carmelite Entities in Africa. He presented the basic structure of the Order and how the mission of the Order is advanced by the eight commissions of the Order and the four other task forces/secretariats.

The opening Eucharist, held on Sunday, January 21, 2024, was strengthened by the musical and choral accompaniment of the Bikira Maria wa Mlima Karmeli parish choir from Bunju. On Sunday, the conference participants joined the parish for Sunday Eucharist and a celebratory meal afterwards.

The Conference agreed upon a Final Message which calls for collaboration between leaders and formators and at Africa level; investment in Carmelite life at all levels, cultivating financial management skills anchored on transparency and accountability; fostering teamwork and building a common vision; rooting our life in the Rule and Constitutions through interiorization; study and application to life in community; ensuring that the Constitutions are available in French; ensuring an appropriate balance among Carmelites living the religious and priestly vocations; fostering awareness of and presence of members at community activities; and, finally, ensuring that Commissions of the Order are reflected at the grassroots.

The extensive evaluation of the conference was very positive. Members were also given the opportunity to make recommendations for future conferences.

The Carmelite Monastery of Our Lady of Protection Museve Shrine was officially opened on September 1, 2023. The Rt. Rev. Joseph Mwongela, bishop of Diocese of Kitui, conducted the ceremony.

According to the sisters who took part, "The celebration was very joyous and colorful." Some 500 people were in attendance to witness the new growth of Carmel in Africa.

Also participating was the General Delegate for Kenya, Patrick Musyimi, O. Carm., as well as other members of the community and lay Carmelites.

Six of the nuns from Machakos will make up the new community: Sr. Margarita de Cristo Rey, O. Carm.; Sr. Mary Grace Mumbi, O. Carm.; Sr. Mary Leho Raissa, O. Carm.; Sr. Mary Lucy Nthule, O. Carm.; Sr. Mary Veronica Muthini, O. Carm.; Sr. Mary Lucy Munyiva, O. Carm.

Video from the celebration

As part of the opening of the 50^th anniversary celebrations in Congo, two members of the commissariat were ordained to the priesthood during the Mass on May 16. Bishop Dieudonne Uringi of the Diocese of Bunia ordained Philémon Kambale Sivasi, O. Carm., and Emery Losinu Ngadjole, O. Carm. during the celebrations. Fr. Emery is originally from Pimbo, Dem. Rep. Congo and Fr. Philémon is from Mutambi, Dem. Rep. Congo.

The celebrations continue in various places with various activities planned during the coming year.

An Interview with Fr. Roberto Toni, prior provincial of the Italian province

Carmelite Fr. Roberto Toni serves as the prior provincial of the Italian province. He reflected on the establishment of Carmel in the Congo by the province he now leads and what he sees as the future. Here is a summary of what he wrote in response to questions from CITOC.

Fifty years ago, the province established Carmel in what was then called Zaire. Before that it was known as the Belgian Congo. Today it is the Democratic Republic of the Congo. The Italian province was then known as the Roman province.

With the Second Vatican Council, a new missionary spirit developed in the Order. In 1973 when the Carmelites went to then Zaire, only eight years had passed since the conclusion of the Council. The spirit of a new Spring for the Church was in the air. The entire Roman Province, corresponding to Central Italy, mobilized with great enthusiasm for that first presence. Three missionaries went: Fr. Arcangelo Colandrea, Fr. Ubaldo Pani, and Fr. Domenico Fiore (two of whom are still living). These first seeds of Carmel settled on around the village of Jiba, in Ituri, in the northeastern part of the great country, near Lake Albert, in the diocese of Bunia.

Through the periodical La Madonna del Carmelo and the work of the person in charge, Fr. Riccardo Palazzi, the whole Province, friars, nuns, sisters, tertiaries and laity of the shrines and parishes, was regularly informed of the mission's growth steps. It was also helpful in the collecting of funds and the sending of materials that would be useful in the mission.

When the Italian province of the Carmelites was established in 1991, the mission in the Congo had developed considerably. It became the patrimony and commitment for the whole Carmelite Family that made up the new province. It was also an occasion for strengthening the unity through a common effort.

After Bunia, there was Butembo, then Nioka, then the foundation in the capital, Kinshasa, and finally, not so many years ago, Kisangani. Today it is a provincial commissariat with 11 houses, about 74 confreres, including novices. Some of these Carmelites are in the communities in Italy to help our presence these or to specialize in studies. The "mission" itself has become, in turn, "missionary."

Congo opened our minds to the universality of the Church and Carmel; in that same year, 1973, Carmelite Fr. Lauro Negri departed from Veneto for Latin America. Colombia, along with the Congo, became a "window" of new Carmelite life in the world.

There is still a long way to go, but we have seen the Carmelite charism entering African and Congolese culture, the blossoming of vocations, and the need for discernment. There is the challenge of evangelical coherence and a charity that goes beyond mere welfare. This window on a rich, joyful, and troubled Africa has allowed us, the brothers in Italy, Colombia, and now Romania to come into contact with and share the dramas of these last thirty years in Congo. There have been wars, massacres, exoduses of refugees within the country. All of this breaks through the door of our indifference and calls us to "bear one another's burdens," to reflect on why there is so much injustice, to ask what we can do.

The Church in Congo, with its youth and challenges, has known Carmel and, through the mouth of the bishops, asks us to "authentically be we are." Even simple people can discern by looking at us whether we are just going through the motions or are true believers who are credible. From us they for evangelical radicalness in the witness of fraternity, prayer, and humble and selfless service. It would make no sense to accommodate ourselves or to become implementers of works without quality and soul. The Congolese people have a strong sense of spirituality. But the consumer mentality, for which everything has a price, as well as secularism, are making their way into the hearts and practices of the people, especially of the youth. Hence the corruption, the conflicts, the disintegration of a humanity full of values that are in danger of being lost. As Carmelites, as contemplative brothers and prophets, we have much to witness to.

If we follow Christ Jesus, there is no alternative to his gift of life. Today, fifty years after that beginning, our Province asks: what does the Lord ask of us who are called to live following Him?

On Tuesday, May 16, 2023, the Order will begin a yearlong celebration of its presence in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. To begin the celebrations, a solemn Eucharist will be held in the parish of Isidore Bakanja at Chemchem (Bunia). The bishop of Bunia, Msgr Dieudonnè Uringi will preside.

As a provincial commissariat of the Italian province, a host of people from around the Congo and Italy are expected to participate. These include the General Councilor for Africa, Conrad Mutizamhepo, representing the prior general. Also participating will be Roberto Toni, prior provincial of the Italian province, Henry Venecia Cerro, provincial councilor, Sebastian Benchea, secretary of the council and province, and Giuseppe Grussu, provincial treasurer, Guido Sartori. Also present will be Mario Serra who served in the missions previously.

Two Carmelites will be ordained during the ceremony: Emery Losinu Ngadjole and Philémon Kambale Sivasi.

Congratulations to the Congolese, the Italian province, and the Church on this milestone in the development of Carmel in Africa.

Initium Novitiatus

14-11-21 Mary Karen Wambura of St. John of the Cross (MAC) Machakos, Kenya
14-11-21 Mary Margaret of Christ the King (MAC) Machakos, Kenya
14-12-21 Constantino Barreto Amaral (Aust-TO) Middle Park, Victoria, Australia
14-12-21 Moises Soares (Aust-TO) Middle Park, Victoria, Australia
14-21-21 MAnuel Xavier Gonzaga (Aust-TO) Middle Park, Victoria, Australia

Professio Temporanea

21-11-21 Teresa Rosa del Sacro Cuore di Gesù (CAR) Carpineto Romano, Italia

Professio Solemnis

06-11-21 Maria Grazia Panlilo (CAE) Camerino, Italia

Ordinatio Diaconalis

20-11-21 Albino Dos Santos (Aust-TO) Middle Park, Victoria, Australia
14-12-21 Emmanuel Shikoli (Ken) Nkoroi, Kenya

Ordinatio Sacerdotalis

04-12-21 Marlon Beharry (SEL-TT) Middletown, New York, USA
14-12-21 Eugine Ekeya (Ken) Nkoroi, Kenya
14-12-21 Peter Wafula (Ken) Nkoroi, Kenya
14-12-21 Daniel Nthama (Ken) Nkoroi, Kenya

Professio Solemnis
15-11-21 José Ivanildo Justino (Flum) São Paolo, Brazil

Ordinatio Diaconalis
25-10-21 Jean de Dieu Kavunga (Ita-RPC) Kinshasa, Dem Rep Congo
25-10-21 Philéomon Kambale (Ita-RPC) Kinshasa, Dem Rep Congo

Ordinatio Sacerdotalis
25-10-21 Noël Kwaya (Ita-Cong) Kinshasa, Dem Rep Congo
25-10-21 Jean-Claude Isusi (Ita-Cong) Kinshasa, Dem Rep Congo
14-11-21 Andres Nono (Indo) Maumere-Flores, Indonesia
14-11-21 Andreas Yorenus Waji Rasi (Indo) Maumere-Flores, Indonesia
14-11-21 Mariano Puken (Indo) Maumere-Flores, Indonesia
14-11-21 Yeremias Geleta Huler (Indo) Maumere-Flores, Indonesia
14-11-21 Yohanes Palaama Belang (Indo) Maumere-Flores, Indonesia

Initium Novitiatus

24-06-21 Adorn Ansel (STSA) Lisieux Bhavan Chala, India
15-08-21 Patrick Mingard (Gal) Nante, France

Professio Temporanea

31-08-21 Giovanna D'Aniello (SAR) Sogliano al Rubicone, Italia

Professio Solemnis

16-07-21 Matteo Antonllini (Ita) Castellina, Italia
04-09-21 Maria Sabrina Fubelli (CAR) Carpineto Romano, Italia
08-09-21 Mary Jackline Bochaberi of the Cross (MAC) Machakos, Kenya
08-09-21 Mary Veronica Muthini of Christ the King (MAC) Machakos, Kenya
11-09-21 Richard Philip Green (Brit) Aylesford, England

Ordinatio Diaconalis

03-07-21 Alfredo Pisana (Ita) Torrespaccata, Italia
17-10-21 Emery Losinu (Ita-Cong) Butempo, Dem Rep Congo
17-10-21 Samuel Ndjate (Ita-Cong) Butempo, Dem Rep Congo

Ordinatio Sacerdotalis

20-08-21 Mário Josué Bernando Alves (Pern) Jaboatão dos Guasarapes, Brasil
21-08-21 Jorge da Costa Silva (Pern) Alagoa Grande, Brasil
25-09-21 Bruno Castro Shoder (Rio) São Paulo, Brasil
17-10-21 Matthias Mukombozi (Ita-Cong) Butempo, Dem Rep Congo
17-10-21 Gilbert Paluku (Ita-Cong) Butempo, Dem Rep Congo
17-10-21 Charles Kambale (Ita-Cong) Butempo, Dem Rep Congo
17-10-21 Innocent Djomby (Ita-Cong) Butempo, Dem Rep Congo