Initium Novitiatus

• 01-02-21 Martin Thomas (STSA), Kannur, Kerala, India
• 01-02-21 John Rajesh (STSA), Kannur, Kerala, India
• 01-02-21 Philip Nery C. (STSA), Kannur, Kerala, India
• 01-02-21 Francis Godwin (STSA), Kannur, Kerala, India
• 01-02-21 Bonifus Binoj (STSA), Kannur, Kerala, India
• 01-02-21 Fabin Therese (STSA), Kannur, Kerala, India
• 01-02-21 Ansbert Akhil (STSA), Kannur, Kerala, India
• 01-02-21 Rocky Manu (STSA), Kannur, Kerala, India
• 01-02-21 Jonatus Jinu (STSA), Kannur, Kerala, India
• 01-02-21 Raphael Likhen Nayak (STSA), Kannur, Kerala, India
• 06-02-21 Anderkleyton dos Santos (Pern) São Cristovão, Brasil
• 06-02-21 Bruno Augusto Viana  (Pern) São Cristovão, Brasil
• 06-02-21 David dos Santos (Pern) São Cristovão, Brasil 
• 06-02-21 Harrison Antas dos Santos Cordeiro (Pern) São Cristovão, Brasil
• 06-02-21 Johnny Cley Bezerra Alves de Queiroz (Pern) São Cristovão, Brasil
• 06-02-21 Márcio Felipe da Silva (Pern) São Cristovão, Brasil
• 06-02-21 Erick Henrique Alves da Silva (Par) São Cristovão, Brasil
• 14-02-21 Nuno Nixon (STSA) Kannur, Kerala, India

Professio Temporanea

• 02-02-21 M. Theresia Peny Wulakada, Batu, Indonesia
• 02-02-21 M. Martina Sukini Situngkir, Batu, Indonesia

Professio Solemnis

• 02-02-21 M. Lucy Nthule (MAC), Machakos, Kenia
• 07-02-21 María Lucía Vargas Martínez (SDO), Santo Domingo, República Dominicana
• 13-02-21 Douglas Rafael Mendivil Martelo (Ita-Col), Colombia
• 13-02-21 Lizwaun Martínez Guerra (Ita-Col), Columbia
• 13-02-21 Juan Garbriel Arrieta Zambrano (Ita-Col), Columbia
• 13-02-21 Juan Camilo Rada Pardo (Ita-Col), Columbia

Ordinatio Diaconalis

• 11-02-21 Paul Kaptain Pakao (Phil), New Manila, Quezon City, Pilipinas
• 11-02-21 Vinson P. Luayon (Phil), New Manila, Quezon City, Pilipinas
• 11-02-21 Leo A. Nebril (Phil), New Manila, Quezon City, Pilipinas

Ordinatio Sacerdotalis

• 02-02-21 Aniceto Rodriguez III (Phil), San Francisco, Agusan del Sur, Pilipinas
• 11-02-21 Michael L. Condes (Phil), New Manila, Quezon City, Pilipinas
• 11-02-21 Ritche T. Salgado (Phil), New Manila, Quezon City, Pilipinas
• 11-02-21 Christopher F. Labrador (Phil), New Manila, Quezon City, Pilipinas
• 14-02-21 Emmanuel Ngona Malobi (Ita-Con), Roma, Italia
• 22-02-21 Joiezl Fern S. Piñon (Phil), Talamban, Cebu City, Pilipinas

A new bond of love and life

The first reading this Sunday tells us that our journey to transfiguration happens from within, by our hearts being changed. The prophet Jeremiah looks forward to a new covenant between God

and his people. This covenant will not be written in stone, but in human hearts. This new covenant cannot be broken since God always forgives and never remembers our sins. It is in our hearts that we learn the truth about the strength of God’s love

for us and recognise ourselves as God’s own people.

There is a lovely phrase in the preface of Eucharistic Prayer for Reconciliation I which captures this sense: You have bound the human family to yourself through Jesus your Son, our Redeemer, with a new bond of love so tight that it can never be undone.

The words of John’s Gospel help answer the question about how this covenant is made. God’s love is revealed in a weak and suffering human being through whom God offers his own life as the pledge of love and forgiveness which seals this new covenant.

When some Greeks come asking to see Jesus he knows his preaching is complete and that ‘the hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified’.

Unless the grain of wheat dies, it remains all alone. If it dies it yields a ‘rich harvest’. Jesus’ death yields a rich harvest of followers with whom and in whom he is always present. We are not left to make the journey from temptation to transfiguration alone - Jesus is our constant companion. He is the way by which we get from one to the other.

Faith in (seeing) Jesus, draws us out of temptation and into transfiguration – to be the living presence of God in the world, the meeting places between human need and God’s compassion, to be light and life for one another.

If we, too, ‘want to see Jesus’ we must look into our own hearts. It is there that God writes his law of love in the person of his Son. It is there that we discover the presence of One who loves us beyond death and who gently refashions us into the image and likeness of his Son.

• pdf Celebrating At Home - Fifth Sunday of Lent [PDF] (247 KB)
• default Celebrating At Home - Fifth Sunday of Lent [ePub] (783 KB)
• pdf Celebrando en Familia - 5 Domingo Tiempo de Cuaresma (237 KB)
• pdf Celebrando in Casa - 5 Domenica di Quaresima (238 KB)
• pdf Celebrando em Familia - 5 Domingo da Quaresma [Português] (235 KB)

...

Celebrating at Home is a Liturgy of the Word centred around the Gospel reading for each Sunday. It includes a reflection on the Gospel and prayers.

It can be used personally or with your family. Parts for all to pray are given in bold print and all the other parts can be shared among those present.

We hope that Celebrating at Home will be a source of nourishment and strength for all who use it.

In the room you decide to use for this prayer you could have a lighted candle, a crucifix and the Bible. These symbols help keep us mindful of the sacredness of our time of prayer and can help us feel connected with our local worshipping communities.

The Elective Chapter of the Carmelite Monastery of St. Mary Magdalene de' Pazzi in Ostuni, Italy was held on March 10-11, 2021. The following sisters were elected:

Priora | Prioress | Priora: 
Suor M. Daniela della SS.ma Trinità, O. Carm.

1ª Consejera | 1st Councilor | 1° consigliera: 
Suor Maria di Gesù, O. Carm.

2ª Consejera | 2nd Councilor | 2° Consigliera: 
Suor M. Agnese di San Giuseppe, O. Carm.

3ª Consejera | 3rd Councilor | 3° Consigliera: 
Suor M. Angela di Sant' Elia, O. Carm.

4ª Consejera | 4th Councilor | 4° Consigliera: 
Suor M. Anna della Divina Misericordia, O. Carm.

Maestra de Novicias | Novice Director | Maestra delle novizie:
Suor Maria di Gesù, O. Carm.

Ecónoma | Treasurer | Economa: 
Suor M. Agnese di San Giuseppe, O. Carm.

Sacristana | Sacristan | Sacrestana:
Suor M. Angela di Sant' Elia, O. Carm.

Sr. Ofelia de María Martínez Torres, (VIL)
25-01-21
Ortus 18-10-45
P. Temp.: 31-07-71
P. Soll.: 31-07-74

P. Eduardo Carmona Sánchez, (Baet)
08-02-21
Ortus 15-03-33
P. Temp.: 17-06-51
P. Soll.: 06-01-55
Ord.: 24-06-57

Hna. María Lourdes Casanova Capdevila, (BAR)
13-02-21
Ortus 04-09-29
P. Temp.: 15-08-75
P. Soll.: 15-08-80

Hna. Ma Josefa Trigo Bisquert, (TAR)
23-02-21
Ortus 19-03-31
P. Temp.: 01-04-56
P. Soll.: 24-09-59

P. Ismael Martínez Carrretero, (Baet)
09-03-21
Ortus 03-02-29
P. Temp.: 24-09-50
P. Soll.: 04-10-53
Ord.: 03-07-55

Rest in Peace

Being light in the darkness

This Sunday marks a change in the Lenten focus. We are no longer so absorbed by our own limitations and weaknesses in faith. We are more confident of God’s kindness, forgiveness

and healing without which we would never dare embark on this journey. We look forward to the Easter celebrations with joy and hope.

On our journey from temptation to transfiguration we are becoming, through faith in Christ, the living presence of God in the world, the light in the darkness.

The first reading today speaks about the re-building of the temple in Jerusalem – a reference back to

last Sunday’s Gospel. For the ancient Jews the re- building of their temple was a moment filled with hope and expectation.

Last Sunday Jesus promised the building of a new temple to house the living presence of God and to be the meeting place between God and us.

Our Lenten journey is rebuilding us into the living Body of Christ, into dwelling places for God and meeting places between human beings and God.

This is clearly seen when human needs meet God’s compassion through us. That’s when God’s love and light shine in the darkness of human lives.

Today’s Gospel contains a number of important statements of our faith: God loved the world so much that he sent his Son, not to condemn, but to save; the Son must be lifted up (crucified and resurrected) so that all who believe might have eternal life; those who do the truth come out into the light, so that it may be plainly seen that their good deeds are done in God.

The Gospel reassures us of God’s love and our salvation in Christ, and calls us to be the Light, to do the truth of God’s love by being God’s heart in the world.

• pdf Celebrating At Home - Fourth Sunday of Lent [PDF] (245 KB)
• default Celebrating At Home - Fourth Sunday of Lent [ePub] (775 KB)
• pdf Celebrando en Familia - 4 Domingo Tiempo de Cuaresma (232 KB)
• pdf Celebrando in Casa - 4 Domenica di Quaresima (228 KB)
• pdf Celebrando em Familia - 4 Domingo da Quaresma [Português] (233 KB)

...

Celebrating at Home is a Liturgy of the Word centred around the Gospel reading for each Sunday. It includes a reflection on the Gospel and prayers.

It can be used personally or with your family. Parts for all to pray are given in bold print and all the other parts can be shared among those present.

We hope that Celebrating at Home will be a source of nourishment and strength for all who use it.

In the room you decide to use for this prayer you could have a lighted candle, a crucifix and the Bible. These symbols help keep us mindful of the sacredness of our time of prayer and can help us feel connected with our local worshipping communities.

Hna. Carmen Teresa, Hna. Ana María, Hna. María Máxima ( Priora), Hna. Gabriela de Jesús, Hna. María Elena

The Elective Chapter of the Carmelite Monastery of the Most Holy Trinity in Camana, Perú was held on March 7, 2021. The following sisters were elected:

Priora | Prioress | Priora: 
Hna. María Máxima Ranilla Huamaní Condo, O. Carm.

1ª Consejera | 1st Councilor | 1° consigliera: 
Hna. Ana María Quispe Castro, O. Carm.

2ª Consejera | 2nd Councilor | 2° Consigliera: 
Hna. Carmen Teresa de la Cruz Cruces Montoya, O. Carm.

3ª Consejera | 3rd Councilor | 3° Consigliera: 
Hna. Gabriela de Jesús Ramos Mamani, O. Carm.

4ª Consejera | 4th Councilor | 4° Consigliera: 
Hna. María Elena Alccacondori Turpo, O. Carm.

Ecónoma | Treasurer | Economa: 
Hna. María Trinidad Huamaní Condo, O. Carm.

Sacristana | Sacristan | Sacrestana:
Sacristana: Hna. María Elena Alccacondori Turpo O. Carm.

Cleansing Our Hearts

The Gospels of the last two Sundays showed us that the Christian journey is from Temptation to Transfiguration. The Gospels of the next three Sundays of Lent present Jesus as the road (or The Way, as the early Christians referred to him) from temptation to transfiguration.

In the Old Testament scriptures the idea of the people of Israel being ‘the people of God’ is clearly established. By their behaviour they were to be a ‘light to the nations’, and the dwelling-place of God’s presence. Only much later did the idea of God dwelling in a building called a temple develop. Even so, the Jews never lost the sense that they were to be God’s own people.

The reading from Exodus commonly known as the Ten Commandments gives a pattern for God’s people to live in right relationship with God and neighbour; to be the dwelling-place of God’s presence.

In today’s Gospel we find a deeply passionate Jesus causing a near-riot in the outer precincts of the Temple. In John’s Gospel Jesus’ prophetic actions have less to do with ‘cleansing the Temple’ than with saying that the Temple is no longer the way to be in right relationship with God.

According to John, Jesus is the new, living temple of God’s presence and the meeting place between God and his people. Jesus is the way to be in right relationship with God and neighbour.

In our Catholic tradition we often refer to ourselves as ‘temples of the Holy Spirit’. We recognise that we are sacred beings destined for union with God, people in whom the reign of God’s goodness should be clearly seen in word, thought and action.

Lent is a time to decide what our life is about and what is important. Like Jesus in the Temple maybe we need to put an end to ways of thinking and behaving which clutter our lives, obscure God’s presence and fail to bring life to others.

As members of the Body of Christ we, too, are to be the place where God is found on earth.

• pdf Celebrating At Home - Third Sunday of Lent [PDF] (247 KB)
• default Celebrating At Home - Third Sunday of Lent [ePub] (774 KB)
• pdf Celebrando en Familia - 3 Domingo Tiempo de Cuaresma (235 KB)
• pdf Celebrando in Casa - 3 Domenica di Quaresima (236 KB)
• pdf Celebrando em Familia - 3 Domingo da Quaresma [Português] (233 KB)

...

Celebrating at Home is a Liturgy of the Word centred around the Gospel reading for each Sunday. It includes a reflection on the Gospel and prayers.

It can be used personally or with your family. Parts for all to pray are given in bold print and all the other parts can be shared among those present.

We hope that Celebrating at Home will be a source of nourishment and strength for all who use it.

In the room you decide to use for this prayer you could have a lighted candle, a crucifix and the Bible. These symbols help keep us mindful of the sacredness of our time of prayer and can help us feel connected with our local worshipping communities.

From Temptation to Transfiguration

This Sunday’s Gospel of the Transfiguration completes the ‘little parable’ formed by the Gospels of the first two Sundays of Lent.

These Gospels tell us what Lent is about and what Christian life is about: a constant journey from temptation and doubt to transfiguration and faith.

Transfiguration means to be ‘shot-through’ with the presence of God. Being transfigured is about allowing the presence of God to completely transform us. It is a revolution of mind and heart driven by God’s Spirit and enabled by our open heartedness. Our life as Christians is about being transfigured by the Spirit of God so that God is seen in, and experienced through, us. That is what Peter, James and John saw in the transfigured Jesus.

The journey to transfiguration requires faith and perseverance. The story of Abraham in the first reading is a story of great faith and trust. Abraham faced the loss of his dearly loved son, the source of all his hope for the future. He trusted and his son was spared. That was a clear sign to Abraham that God is about bringing life, not death, to his people.

It takes faith and perseverance to dare to allow ourselves to be driven by the passion, hope and vision of God rather than our own desires and wants. Listening to the living word of the ‘Beloved Son’ forms in us the heart of God.

• pdf Celebrating At Home - Second Sunday of Lent [PDF] (247 KB)
• default Celebrating At Home - Second Sunday of Lent [ePub] (774 KB)
• pdf Celebrando en Familia - 2 Domingo Tiempo de Cuaresma (235 KB)
• pdf Celebrando in Casa - 2 Domenica di Quaresima (230 KB)
• pdf Celebrando em Familia - 2 Domingo da Quaresma [Português] (232 KB)

...

Celebrating at Home is a Liturgy of the Word centred around the Gospel reading for each Sunday. It includes a reflection on the Gospel and prayers.

It can be used personally or with your family. Parts for all to pray are given in bold print and all the other parts can be shared among those present.

We hope that Celebrating at Home will be a source of nourishment and strength for all who use it.

In the room you decide to use for this prayer you could have a lighted candle, a crucifix and the Bible. These symbols help keep us mindful of the sacredness of our time of prayer and can help us feel connected with our local worshipping communities.

From Temptation to Transfiguration

Our great Lenten journey has begun! It’s a journey which begins in ash and ends in water. Fire is a profound part of our national experience. We know its power to destroy, blacken and reduce to ash.

We know that evil can do the same - destroy our wholeness of spirit, blacken our lives and reduce the beauty of human life to so much dust.

We begin Lent in the ash of acknowledging our own part in harbouring, creating and doing evil - those places in our hearts where the fire of anger, bitterness, selfishness or narrowness of mind and heart has left nothing but cold ash.

The ash is a reminder that our true life is not found in mortal things which eventually turn to dust, but in eternal things. We also know that out of ash new life can bud, grow strong, bloom into fullness - that’s the Easter miracle.

As always, the Gospels of the first two Sundays in Lent provide a road map for our Lenten journey from temptation (this Sunday) to transfiguration (next Sunday).

We allow ourselves to be tempted out of the ash of selfishness and narrowness of heart and into a life of open hearted goodness. We celebrate God’s graciousness to us by sharing what we have with those in need whether it be food, wealth, time, love, friendship or compassion. That’s what it means to ‘repent and believe the Good News’.

In these days when we are so conscious of the impact of human life on God’s creation, perhaps we could think about some permanent fasting from our excessive consumption of power, food and petrol in order to allow our earth to heal, to breathe and to continue to be a source of nourishment and life for the whole human family.

• pdf Celebrating At Home - First Sunday of Lent [PDF] (247 KB)
• default Celebrating At Home - First Sunday of Lent [ePub] (783 KB)
• pdf Celebrando en Familia - Primer Domingo Del Tiempo De Cuaresma (235 KB)
• pdf Celebrando in Casa - I Domenica Di Quaresima (231 KB)
• pdf Celebrando em Família - Primeiro Domingo Da Quaresma [Português] (233 KB)

...

Celebrating at Home is a Liturgy of the Word centred around the Gospel reading for each Sunday. It includes a reflection on the Gospel and prayers.

It can be used personally or with your family. Parts for all to pray are given in bold print and all the other parts can be shared among those present.

We hope that Celebrating at Home will be a source of nourishment and strength for all who use it.

In the room you decide to use for this prayer you could have a lighted candle, a crucifix and the Bible. These symbols help keep us mindful of the sacredness of our time of prayer and can help us feel connected with our local worshipping communities.

The First Annual Carmelite Lecture, hosted by the Center for Carmelite Studies at Catholic University of America, is now available online. You can access it whenever it is convenient for you.

This lecture is only available in English.