Elisha left him and, taking the yoke of oxen, slaughtered them; he used the plowing equipment for fuel to boil their flesh, and gave it to his people to eat. Then he left and followed Elijah as his attendant. Kg. 19.21

O Lord, who hast mercy upon all,

take away from me my sins,

and mercifully kindle in me

the fire of thy Holy Spirit.

Take away from me the heart of stone,

and give me a heart of flesh,

a heart to love and adore Thee,

a heart to delight in Thee,

to follow and enjoy Thee, for Christ's sake, Amen

St. Ambrose of Milan (AD 339-397)

Contemplation is the inner journey of Carmelites, arising out of the free initiative of God, who touches and transforms us, leading us towards unity of love with him, raising us up so that we may enjoy this gratuitous love and live in his loving presence. Carmelite Constitutions - 17

Father in Heaven,

the light of your truth bestows sight

to the darkness of sinful eyes.

May this season of repentance

bring us the blessing of Your forgiveness

and the gift of Your light.

Grant this through Christ our Lord.

International Committee on English in the Liturgy (ICEL)

You must use every care to clothe yourselves in God’s armour so that you may be ready to withstand the enemy’s ambush.

Carmelite Rule - 18

Dear Jesus,

You spent 40-days in the desert before you began your ministry to the world. You resisted the temptations offered by the devil, saying no to worldly pleasures and power. Like the prophets before you, 40-days in the desert was preparation for the great mission of your life. As Lent begins, help us to make our lives pure and holy. Give us the grace to willingly make our own self-denials into personal deserts, which will prepare us for your work. Purify our souls in the crucible of this Lenten season, and make our hearts acceptable to you and your Father. Amen.

You are to fast every day, except Sundays, from the feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross until Easter Day, unless bodily sickness or feebleness, or some other good reason, demand a dispensation from the fast; for necessity overrides every law. Carmelite Rule - 16

God of Compassion, on this day of ashes and comfort for all remind me once more that I belong to You, that I come from You and to You I go. Open my heart, my mind, and my hands so that I may give You my sins, receive Your forgiveness, and recommit myself once more to love with tenderness, to act with justice, and to walk humbly by Your side. (from USCCB)

• Artist: Frei Marcio Wolf
• Title: Pra que sofrer
• Album: Amar de coracão
• Track: 2
• Year: 2011
• Length: 5.22 MB
• Format: MP3 Stereo 192kHz

• Artist: Frei Rosivaldo
• Title: A Paciência
• Album: Anjos de Deus
• Track: 2
• Year: 2011
• Length: 5.22 MB
• Format: MP3 Stereo 44kHz

Music

Following initial discussions during the Council of Provinces at San Felice del Benaco, Italy, in September 2009, the provincials of the Italian, Neapolitan, and Maltese Provinces together with the Commissary General of "La Bruna" held two subsequent meetings with the Councillor General for Europe, Fr. John Keating, O.Carm. one at Sassone (10th September 2010) and the second at Carmine Maggiore, Naples (31st January 2011). As a result of these discussions, they decided to resurrect the Italy/Malta Region, which was first established in 1984. They also drew up new statutes in conformity with the 1995 Constitutions. Fr. Michael Farrugia, O.Carm. was elected President of the Region for the next two years. The General Council approved the new statutes during its February meeting. In the geographical area of Europe there are now three regions, Iberia, Northern Europe and Italy/Malta. The General Delegation in France has already decided to join the Northern European Region.

• Prioress: Sr. Lucia LaMontagne, O.Carm.
• 1st Councilor:  Sr. Sheryl Guzek, O.Carm.
• 2nd Councilor: Sr.Jane Winkler, O.Carm.
• Director of Novices: Sr. Lucia LaMontagne, O.Carm.
• Treasurer:  Sr. Sheryl Guzek, O.Carm.

• Prior Provincial: Fr. Mathew Neendoor, O.Carm.
• First Councilor: Fr. Shaji Kuzhinjalil, O.Carm.
• Second Councilor: Fr. Paul Poovan, O.Carm.
• Third Councilor: Fr. Sebastian Vadakeparambil, O.Carm.
• Fourth Councilor: Fr. Thomas Thalachirayil, O.Carm.