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Between March 22 and April 1, the Carmelite family held the "Carmelo Mission" meeting in Itaituba, Pará State - Amazon region - Brazil. The meeting is a response to the exhortations, from Pope Paul VI to Francis, that "Christ points to Amazonia" (Doc. Santarem 1972; Querida Amazonia 2020). The gathering brought together around 40 missionaries from the various branches of Carmelite life: friars, sisters, consecrated lay men and women and those who draw inspiration from Carmel.

The meeting took place in three important moments: (1) to see: the Amazonian reality. Bishop Wilmar Santin, O. Carm., shared a historical overview of the Carmelite presence; Father Ivair shared his deep knowledge of the Amazonian reality in the context of ecclesial presence and in the light of the Magisterium; and the brothers and sisters, consecrated men and women, who live and work in the region spoke of their experience. (2) judging: in which we went out, in the sunlight of Holy Week, to the regions of the communities to carry out visits and Easter celebrations. (3) acting: in which the members of the General Curia, Luis Maza and Tobias Kraus, who were present, met with prior provincials and superiors to draw up courses of action to work towards the goals of a continuous response of the Latin American Church to the call on behalf of Amazonia.

The seeds, therefore, have been sown: moments of fraternity, prayer and mission in Amazonian lands, favored by the feeling of unity as a Carmelite family around the goal of bringing the spirit of Elijah, prophecy, contemplation and service, to the people who challenge us in the Amazon region. Time will bring forth the fruits in each one of us and in what we leave behind as a mission. In everything, we give thanks!

  pdf To read the original in Portuguese (35 KB)

From the General Councilor for the Americas
FOCAM - Meeting for Carmelite Formators of the Americas -- Embracing the Future with Hope from a Carmelite Perspective

A meeting of FOCAM (Carmelite Formation in the Americas) was held from August 27 to September 3 in the Villa Carmelitas retreat house in Lurín, Perú. Friars, sisters and laity from Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, the United States, El Salvador, Peru, the Dominican Republic, Trinidad and Tobago, and Venezuela participated.

It was a week with much reflection, prayer and fraternity. The different themes developed invited and challenged us to meet as Carmelite Family, as Church, after the whole experience of the pandemic. It was a time of God, where friars, religious and laity turned their gaze to God from the Carmelite experience already initiated through the virtual meetings. 

The motto of this meeting, "Embracing the Future with Hope from the Carmelite Point of View," simply reflects the desire of the heart to meet God, living the present and projecting towards the future.

At the end of the meeting we were able to confirm that what was planned was developed with a good dynamic and pedagogy helped by the following speakers: Marlom Francis, O. Carm. Prov. Fluminense; Vagner Sanagiatto, O. Carm., Commissariat of Paraná; Benny Phang, O. Carm., General Curia; Sister Liliana Franco Echeverri, ODN, president of CLAR and Licentiate Daniela Emmerich.

"We thank all the brothers and sisters who participated in this meeting of the Carmelite Family of the Americas. It was basically an experience of synodality, as our sister Liliana reminded us," said Luis Maza, General Councilor for the Americas.

There was great appreciation for the Secretariat of the Americas guidance in this  FOCAM gathering. "We also thank God for the hospitality of the Carmelites of Peru. See you in Brazil in 2026," concluded Maza.

Professio Temporanea
16-01-22  Roberto Isidro, Tejerina Valdez (Mel-B) Tarija, Bolivia

Professio Solemnis
19-03-22  Oreste Maria Manzi (Ital) Roma, Italia

Ordinatio Diaconalis
17-03-22  Joseph Long Bui (SEL-V) Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam

Ordinatio Sacerdotalis
26-02-22  Douglas Rafael Mendivil Martelo (Ital-C) Cartegena, Colombia
26-02-22  Lizwaun Martinez Guerra (Ital-C) Cartegena, Colombia
17-03-22  Joseph Thinh Tran (SEL-V) Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
17-03-22  James Thien Tran (SEL-V) Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam

Initium Novitiatus

04-01-22 Kevin Alexander Flores Landaverde (PCM- ES) Lurin, Perú
04-01-22 Noé Marcelo Girón López (PCM-ES) Lurin, Perú
04-01-22 Richard Janson Lachira Alcas (PCM-Peru) Lurin, Perú
04-01-22 Joyser Nestor Laureate Pereyra (PCM-Peru) Lurin, Perú
04-01-22 Juan Carlos Meléndez Landaverde (PCM-ES) Lurin, Perú
04-01-22 Augusto Isaías Padilla Paredes (PCM-Peru) Lurin, Perú
04-01-22 Luis Alberto Valeriano Meza (PCM-ES) Lurin, Perú
04-01-22 Eloy Willian Vasquez Becerra (PCM-Peru) Lurin, Perú
04-01-22 Kevin Eduardo Vega Paniagua (PCM-ES) Lurin, Perú
04-01-22 Irvin Omar Zometa Samayoa (PCM-ES) Lurin, Perú

Professio Temporanea

08-12-21 Mary Elijah Guingon (MAC) Christoval, Texas, USA Lurin, Perú
07-01-22 Pedro Antonio Mira Padilla (PCM-ES) Lurin, Perú
07-01-22 Bertoliny Alexander Montes Ramos (PCM-Peru) Lurin, Perú
07-01-22 Héctor Tavárez Mendoza (PCM-Mexico) Lurin, Perú
07-01-22 Geovanni de Jesús Velázquez Ramos (PCM-Mexico) Lurin, Perú
07-01-22 Christian Orlando García Hernández (PCM-ES) Lurin, Perú

Professio Solemnis

15-01-22 Anthony Thanh Nguyen (SEL-Viet) Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
15-01-22 Joseph Tam Nguyen (SEL-Viet) Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
15-01-22 Peter Trong Pham (SEL-Viet) Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam

Ordinatio Diaconalis

06-12-21 Nicolás Carrizales (CAT) Barcelona, España
03-01-22 Antony Ebin Mathew (STSA) North Paravur, Kerala, India
03-01-22 Thomas Renju Rajan (STSA) North Paravur, Kerala, India

Ordinatio Sacerdotalis

08-12-21 Paul Kaptain Pakao (Phil) Rabaul, Philippines
06-01-22 Albert Anson Cancis (STSA) Perumpilly, India
10-01-22 Jose Vilayakattu (STSA) Meppadi, India
13-01-22 Simon Aldrin Louiz (STSA) Aripalam, India

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

On Sunday, January 9th, the deadliest fire in New York City (USA) in three decades took place in a building 500 feet (154 meters) from the Carmelite parish in the Bronx, New York. Only one apartment had fire. However, smoke traveled throughout the building, especially the stairwells. Seventeen residents of the 19-story building were killed, including 9 children, the youngest being a 2-year-old who was visiting an apartment with his aunt and cousin, both of whom were also killed. Some 60 others were hospitalized with dozens in critical condition.

The St. Simon Stock – St. Joseph parish is providing outreach to those involved. In addition, a number of religious services were held. An ecumenical prayer service was held on Monday morning at which the Carmelites participated. A special Mass was held at St. Simon’s on Monday evening and livestreamed over the parish’s Facebook page. Auxiliary Bishop Peter J. Byrne celebrated the Mass and Michael Kissane, O. Carm., pastor of St. Simon Stock – St. Joseph, preached. Another prayer service was held on Tuesday evening. Most of the residents are recent immigrants from Gambia and are of the Muslim faith.

Two families from the parish live in the building and survived. The parish has assisted them with clothing. Catholic Charities has taken care of helping any of the other families regardless of religion.

Pope Francis sent a telegram to the Archdiocese of New York. "In offering heartfelt condolences and the assurance of his spiritual closeness to those affected by this tragedy, he entrusts the victims and their families to the merciful love of almighty God and invokes upon all consolation and strength in the Lord," the telegram said.

Fr. Michael wrote, “I do not believe any of the residents of the building who survived need any financial help, food or clothing. They have all been taken care of. There, of course, will be help needed as families relocate or come back to the building. I would say most are not interested in coming back.”

The Advent 2021 Webinar: Traces of the Spirituality of Titus Brandsma will take place this upcoming Saturday, November 27, 2021.

Most of us are familiar with the basic outline of the life of Blessed Titus Brandsma. However, the lack of access to most of his writings, talks, and letters, in English has limited our understanding of his spiritual development from his own words.

Fr. Titus' spirituality-- his living in relationship to his loving God-- enabled him to accept and overcome the many challenges in his life.

During this webinar we will explore some of those moments and Brandsma's perpective. Reflecting on these moments can provide each of us with some illumination on challenges in our own lives and strategies for strengthening our own relationship with our God.

Presented by:
Fr. William J. Harry, O. Carm.

Cost: $ 10.00

Saturday, November 27, 2021
2:00 PM (Eastern Standard Time, US)
4:00 PM (GMT -3, Brazil)
7:00 PM (GMT, Greenwich UK)
8:00 PM (GMT +1, Europe)

REGISTER NOW

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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

This Sunday, the 33rd Sunday in Ordinary Time, November 14, is the Fifth World Day of the Poor. Its purpose is to set aside a Sunday every year and “reflect on how poverty is at the very heart of the Gospel.” The theme for the celebration in this year of 2021 is: “The poor you will always have with you” (Mk 14:7). These are the words of Jesus at the Anointing in Bethany just before his Passion, an incident described in the gospels of Matthew, Mark and John.

The Christian tradition is realistic about human beings. We are good, but flawed, wounded by sin. We do not believe in utopia in this life. There will always be poverty and injustice of some kind, but we are called to reduce its impact wherever we can.

The World Day of the Poor has been celebrated on the 33rd Sunday of Ordinary Time since 2017. It was established by Pope Francis in his Apostolic Letter Misericordia et Misera, issued on 20 November 2016 to celebrate the end of the Extraordinary Jubilee of Mercy. The practice was initiated by Pope Francis in 2017 with the theme of “let us love, not with words but with deeds.”

In response to the Holy Father, we have asked the provinces of the Order to highlight work that their members do among the poor. We will be bringing you these stories in the coming weeks.

Today’s story comes from the Central American country of El Salvador. The Carmelites of the Province of the Most Pure Heart of Mary have been officially present in the country since June 2014. One of the formation houses is located 15 minutes walking distance from the Village of Nazareth. The young Carmelites worked with various groups in the village to organize a Medical Day, allowing the people, including shut-ins, to profit from medical experts without having to travel into the town some 18 km away. It is a testament to the miracle of what working together can do for those who lack the resources some of us take for granted.

Read pdf here (38 KB) the article about the Medical Day in the Village of Nazareth, El Salvador

Read here Pope Francis' Message for the Fifth World Day of the Poor

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