On August 15, 2020, the Solemnity of the Assumption of  Mary, the episcopal ordination of  Msgr. Luis Francisco Miranda Rivera, O. Carm., Bishop of the Diocese of Yunque, Fajardo-Humacao, was celebrated at 10:00 a.m.

Due to the impact of the Coronavirus COVID-19 pandemic, and to respect the measures established by the health authorities, the consecration was held at the Marcelo Trujillo Panisse Coliseum in Humacao.

Msgr. Roberto Octavio González Nieves, Metropolitan Archbishop of San Juan, presided over the episcopal ordination. Msgr. Ghaleb Moussa Abdallah Bader, Apostolic Delegate for Puerto Rico, read the apostolic mandate of His Holiness Pope Francis.

Bishop Eusebio Ramos, Apostolic Administrator of the Diocese of Fajardo-Humacao, was in charge of introducing those attending the celebration: the Episcopal College of Puerto Rico, the civil authorities, as well as the presence of the Carmelite Order, represented by Fr. Jorge Luis Rivera Maldonado, O.Carm., Commissary of the Antilles, who read, on behalf of the entire Order, the congratulations of the Prior General, Fr. Míceál O'Neill, O.Carm.

The parish Carmelite communities of Añasco, Mayagüez, Ciales, Morovis, Santa Teresita and the Luis Llorens Torres Residential Home, actively participated in the celebration.

The new bishop requested, in his final address, the apostolic zeal of the prophet Elijah to accompany the diocese (cf. 1 Kings 19,7-8), and he made mention of his 40th anniversary of consecrated life in the Carmelite Order and the jubilee of the first centenary of the presence of the Carmelite friars in Puerto Rico.

He invited all those present to be a "Church which goes out", ready to work in evangelization, and, by its apostolic communion, to make the Kingdom of God visible. He pointed out that he dreams of a united diocese, where everyone feels integrated, and in which each one, in his or her particular vocation (laity, religious and diocesan clergy) helps the growth of the People of God. As a challenge, he underlined his desire to serve and to listen to everyone, to found a contemplative feminine Carmel in the Diocese, to extend the communities of the TOC, to promote the domestic church, and to work, through a spirituality of communion, with the ecumenical movement of  Puerto Rico.

On August 12, 2020, the canonical recognition of the special relics of St. Angelo of Jerusalem will take place in the Cathedral of Agrigento. The celebration will begin at 9.30 am and will be presided over by the Archbishop of Agrigento, Card. Francesco Montenegro. The pilgrimage of the relics will follow, placed in the new plexiglass urn, in the town of Sant'Angelo Muxaro, where Holy Mass will be celebrated at 11.30. At 5.00 pm the relics will be transported to Palma di Montechiaro, for a short tribute to the Saint in front of the church of the same name and, subsequently, they will arrive in the Sanctuary of S. Angelo in Licata. Solemn Holy Mass will be celebrated at 8.00 pm, presided over by the Prior General, Fr. Míceál O'Neill, O.Carm.

All the celebrations will be streamed  live on the Facebook page "Ottavo centenario Sant'Angelo" (https://www.facebook.com/OttavoCentenarioSantAngelo)

P. Roger Bonneau, (PCM)
11-07-20
Ortus: 13-01-33
P. Temp.: 26-08-54
P. Soll.: 26-08-57
Ord.: 04-06-60

Fr. Jan Tibben, (Neer)
11-07-20
Ortus: 16-07-36
P. Temp.: 18-07-55
P. Soll.: 18-07-58

Sr. M. Mercedes Martín Gómez, (VDA)
15-07-20
Ortus: 07-10-26
P. Temp.: 17-04-48
P. Soll.: 25-05-52

P. Patrick Harney, (Aust)
17-07-20
Ortus: 26-03-21
P. Temp.: 13-03-47
P. Soll.: 13-03-50
Ord.: 13-01-52

P. Valerian Mercieca, (Mel)
01-08-20
Ortus: 23-04-38
P. Temp.: 09-10-55
P. Soll.: 07-05-59
Ord.: 27-05-61

St. Albert’s International Centre (CISA), our Carmelite community for friars pursuing post-graduate studies in Rome, is pleased to announce the publication of a new Journal “Stella Maris” for sharing research, experience and reflections from the various Carmelite centres of formation across the world. It is hoped that this publication will help to support the development of our life as citizens, Christians and Carmelites living in various countries especially in the light of the major world issues that impact us today. We invite the submission of articles and reviews (in any language) from the staff and/or students who participate in any of the formation centres within the Carmelite Family throughout the world. Authors can use the academic styles approved in their local educational institutions. Contact information and a link to the first edition is below.

For more information or to submit articles for Stella Maris, please contact: Kuba Walczak OCarm: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

• pdf Click here to download Stella Maris - Volume I (13.41 MB)

Initium Novitiatus

• 16-07-20 Chiara Dolce (MGL), Montiglio, Italia

Professio Temporanea

• 04-07-20 Kelvin Mupesa (Hib-Zim), Kriste Mambo, Zimbabwe

• 04-07-20 Simbarashe Admire Munyimi (Hib-Zim), Kriste Mambo, Zimbabwe

• 04-07-20 Stephen Kudakwashe Mashayamombe (Hib-Zim), Kriste Mambo, Zimbabwe

• 04-07-20 Kundai Chikomba (Hib-Zim), Kriste Mambo, Zimbabwe

• 04-07-20 Olívio Antonio Trigo (Pern-Moz), Khongolote, Matola, Mozambique

• 04-07-20 Quetis Pirislão (Pern-Moz), Khongolote, Matola, Mozambique

• 04-07-20 Alves Cristina Bié (Pern-Moz), Khongolote, Matola, Mozambique

• 12-07-20 Angelo Januar Saputro (Indo), Batu, Malang, Indonesia

• 12-07-20 Vincentius Andre Sianturi (Indo), Batu, Malang, Indonesia

• 12-07-20 Clemen Jaya Simbolon (Indo), Batu, Malang, Indonesia

• 12-07-20 Edwardus Bernard Elvis Berty (Indo), Batu, Malang, Indonesia

• 12-07-20 F.X. Edo Valentino (Indo), Batu, Malang, Indonesia

• 12-07-20 Yohanes Frandi Manullang (Indo), Batu, Malang, Indonesia

• 12-07-20 Teddy Subiantoro (Indo), Batu, Malang, Indonesia

• 12-07-20 Leo Sugianto Lingga (Indo), Batu, Malang, Indonesia

• 16-07-20 Mary Chenai Gladys Sikimarira (MUT), Mutare, Zimbabwe

• 16-07-20 Veronica Raveorisoa (OST), Ostuni, Italia

• 20-07-20 Laurensius N. Wara Dewa (Indo), Weruoret, Nita-Maumere, Indonesia

• 20-07-20 Aurelius Gioprano Kaidu (Indo), Weruoret, Nita-Maumere, Indonesia

• 20-07-20 Albertus Sine Gare (Indo), Weruoret, Nita-Maumere, Indonesia

• 20-07-20 Krisantus Irsanto L. Pratama (Indo), Weruoret, Nita-Maumere, Indonesia

• 20-07-20 Yohanes Dopo Raga (Indo), Weruoret Nita-Maumere, Indonesia

• 20-07-20 Aloysius Rahmat Taso (Indo), Weruoret Nita-Maumere, Indonesia

• 20-07-20 Yoseph Bhajo (Indo), Weruoret Nita-Maumere, Indonesia

• 20-07-20 Sirilus Lewan (Indo), Weruoret Nita-Maumere, Indonesia

• 20-07-20 Louis Don Keuwan (Indo), Weruoret Nita-Maumere, Indonesia

• 20-07-20 Arnoldus M. Tangga (Indo), Weruoret Nita-Maumere, Indonesia

• 20-07-20 Leonardo D. Dawi (Indo), Weruoret Nita-Maumere, Indonesia

• 20-07-20 Florianus Dhika (Indo), Weruoret Nita-Maumere, Indonesia

• 20-07-20 Patrisius Pemo (Indo), Weruoret Nita-Maumere, Indonesia

• 20-07-20 Marselinus B. Banggo (Indo), Weruoret Nita-Maumere, Indonesia

• 20-07-20 Paulus K. Andris Bulang (Indo), Weruoret, Nita-Maumere, Indonesia

• 26-07-20 Belén M. Colmenares Balza (BAR), Barcelona, España

• 26-07-20 Anlly de la Trinidad Piraban Rozo (SEV), Sevilla, España

• 26-07-20 Mª Isabel de Jesús Montoya Giraldo (SEV), Sevilla, España

• 26-07-20 Lisha de la Inmaculada Noguera Hoyos (SEV), Sevilla, España

• 27-07-20 Leo T. Atacador (Phil), Quezon City, Pilipinas

• 27-07-20 David Oala (Phil), Quezon City, Pilipinas

• 27-07-20 David A. Capacio, Jr. (Phil), Quezon City, Pilipinas

Professio Solemnis

• 11-07-20 Giovanni Paolo Sarcinella (Ita), Roma, Italia

• 11-07-20 Alfredo Pisana (Ita), Roma, Italia

• 12-07-20 Sohmon Ranja Capah (Indo), Batu, Malang, Indonesia

• 12-07-20 Doni Malau (Indo), Batu, Malang, Indonesia

• 16-07-20 Antony Ebin Mathew (STSA), Paravur, India

• 16-07-20 Albino Dos Santos (Aust) Melbourne, Australia

• 16-07-20 Marcolino Gomes (Aust) Melbourne, Australia

• 16-07-20 Matthew Tonini (Aust) Melbourne, Australia

• 26-07-20 Eduardo O. Adolfo Jr. (Phil), San Francisco, Agusan del Sur, Pilipinas

• 26-07-20 Oscar A. Robles,Jr. (Phil); Old Escalante, Negros OCC., Pilipinas

• 27-07-20 Paul Kaptain Pakao (Phil), Quezon City, Pilipinas

• 27-07-20 Marc Jzsef Lester G. Hallig (Phil), Quezon City, Pilipinas

• 27-07-20 Christopher F. Labrador (Phil), Quezon City, Pilipinas

• 27-07-20 John Jeempy T. Sebuguero (Phil), Quezon City, Pilipinas

Ordinatio Diaconalis

• 16-07-20 Achille Andaka Tchokomb (Ger-Cam), Yaoundé, Cameroun

• 26-07-20 Emmanuel Ngona Malobi (Ita-Con), Roma

• 27-07-20 Aniceto M. Rodriguez III (Phil), Cubao, Pilipinas

• 27-07-20 Ritche T. Salgado (Phil), Cubao, Pilipinas

• 27-07-20 Joiezl Fern S. Pinon (Phil), Cubao, Pilipinas

• 27-07-20 Christopher F. Labrador (Phil), Cubao, Pilipinas

Ordinatio Sacerdotalis

• 04-07-20 Anthony Delvis Flores Vanegas (Baet-Ven), Jaji, Mérida, Venezuela

• 16-07-20 Bernard-Thierry Bessala Engoulou (Ger-Cam), Yaoundé, Cameroun

• 19-07-20 Bladimir Ramos Ramos (Cat), Terrassa, España

• 27-07-20 Christian T. Marave (Phil), Cubao, Pilipinas

• 27-07-20 Mannie C. Barlis (Phil), Cubao, Pilipinas

• 27-07-20 Patrick John Mariano (Phil), Escalante City, Pilipinas

• 27-07-20 Joseph S. Roque (Phil), Escalante City, Pilipinas

• 27-07-20 Wilson C. Bolocboloc (Phil), Escalante City, Pilipinas

Flos Carmeli, vitis florigera,
splendor caeli, Virgo puerpera singularis.
Mater mitis, sed viri nescia,
Carmelitis esto propitia,
stella maris.

Míceál Prior Generalis
Domusque Generalis Communitas

16. VII. 2020

A letter to Carmelite Friars, Contemplative Sisters, Sisters and Brothers of Congregations of Apostolic Life, Members of the Carmelite Third Order, Lay Carmelites in general and all who celebrate the feast of our Lady of Mount Carmel with special devotion: 
Mary kept all these things in her heart. Lk 2,52

Dear sisters and brothers in Carmel

On this day of celebration, as we rejoice in being brothers and sisters of the Blessed Virgin Mary of Mount Carmel, I reach out to each one of you, in the bond of love.  These days we are thinking a lot, pondering like Mary, everything that is happening in our world. Mary kept all these things in her heart (Lk 2,19) and pondering what was happening in her world, she found the will of God. Mary the contemplative, Mary full of grace, full of God, full of Gospel: That is the type of person who can respond to what is happening in today's world.

In our time of confinement, it is possible that we as people with a sense of God, capable of pondering, found in these new conditions new opportunities for solidarity and for the evangelization of the world. Here there are new manifestations of God's will, helping us to grow and mature as custodians of our world and one another.

We have grown together in our communities. Forced to remain indoors, by pondering alone or with others, we have discovered so much of the truths of our faith and of our Carmelite vocation. While some of us had the Eucharist all the time, others had to rely on the internet and use the prayers for spiritual communion. This raised questions about how we value the Eucharist. For people who normally celebrate the Eucharist everyday, it was difficult to adapt to its absence. For people who were faithful to the Sunday Eucharist, it was something very new to be told that they are not to go to Mass. When we return to the normal celebration of the Eucharist, it may be that we will do it with greater conviction and understanding, on account of what became a Eucharistic fast.

We have lived with restrictions and with some fear now for many months. Families are grieving. Hospitals are still taking care of victims of the virus. Doctors, nurses and the whole medical profession and staff have shown all their dedication, professionalism and zeal, beyond the call of duty.  People have made sacrifices to make sure there was bread on our tables, and as everywhere people are counting the toll that the virus has taken on their lives through bereavement, illness, loss of employment and livelihood, we might say that we are seeing an explosion of humanity.

If it was all behind us, we could take a different view. However, now that we are learning to co-habit with the virus, and we try not to give in to the fear that there is more to come, we all have to ask, how are we to take care of one another, how are we to act in the future, to limit the negative effects of this virus, and a create a society in which we are not bound by fear, and no one is left in need?  It may well be simply a question of caring and sharing.

I am on fire with zeal for the Lord (I Kg 19,10)

Generating, caring and protecting are among the charisms that we see in Mary, the Mother of God and our Mother.  As I think about the various Carmelite communities of both men and women around the world, I am struck by how important this feast is to us all. In some places it is just the day itself; in some places it is three days of reflection and prayer and in other places it is the full nine days of the novena. The celebrations are imbued with warmth and devotion, and with conviction that makes us think that perhaps this is a moment when we as Carmelites are most zealous.

The world of today is asking us to be zealous. Down through the centuries, Carmelites have echoed and repeated the words of the Prophet Elijah, “I am on fire with zeal for the Lord God of hosts”.(I Kg 19)  Our celebration of the feast of Our Lady of Mount Carmel may be a very good time for us to renew, revive and direct our zeal. Four days later, we will have another opportunity, when we celebrate the feast of the Prophet himself. 

Zeal is a gift. As such we must pray for it. We must ask God to give us zeal, to make us who we say we are. But, zeal is not always an attractive word. It sometimes suggests extremism.  We do not automatically feel that we want this gift. I recall the zeal of John the Baptist, the voice crying in the wilderness, living on locusts and wild honey (Mk 1,7) and I compare that to the calm of Jesus speaking to the people in the Synagogue. (Lk 4,21-22)   I think of the Gospel, where we see Christ on the Cross, Mary and John standing by. These are all moments of zeal, if by zeal we mean a heart burning with desire for all that is good and a spirit that will work hard and make sacrifices to achieve it. The globalization of zeal for the things of God might be the antidote to the globalization of indifference that Pope Francis so often talks about.

And no one was left in need. Acts 2,45

As we become aware of one another’s needs, we are entering a new age of sharing. Within our family, we are aware that many communities have lost some of their sources of income. Among lay Carmelites there are those who have lost their jobs, and whose homes may be threatened. New projects in our family will always need funding. In the face of the needs that are emerging, we have to look again at the model of the early Christian community, an image and reality that inspired the Carmelite Rule. That community was built on prayer, the pondering of the Scriptures, the breaking of bread, and the sharing of all that people possessed so that no one was left in need. (Acts 2,42-45) As we become aware of one another’s needs, we can help one another and be an example to others of the kind of sharing that will be needed in our society in the future, if no one is to be left in need. The dialogue in John’s Gospel (Jn 6,9-10) comes to mind: Andrew said, “There is a small boy here with five barley loaves and two fish, but what is that between so many? In the end no one was left in need. In our zeal for the things of the Gospel, we will take up the challenge of Mary at the wedding feast of Cana, “Do whatever he tells you to do”. (Jn 2,5)

This year’s celebration will be different to that of other years. As a family, we have been spared in many ways, but we do not forget those who have died in the Netherlands and in Italy. Let our celebration this year be marked by our prayer for the individuals, families and communities who suffered the worst effects of the Coronavirus.

On this feast may each one hear again the words from the cross, “Behold you son”, “Behold you mother”,(Jn 19,26-27)   and know that as our Saviour gave us to one another and to Mary, we may know how to take care of one another in the common home that is blessed by the presence of Mary our Mother and Sister. 

Image Romae, Oratorium Curiae Generalis, Imago B.V. Mariae de Monte Carmelo