On September 21, while the Elective Chapter of the monastery of S.Anna in Carpineto Romano was celebrated, the following were confirmed as the new leadership in service to the daughter community of Biella:

Responsable | Leader | Responsabile:
Sr Maria Cristiana del Crocifisso, De Gaspari, O. Carm.

Ecónoma | Treasurer | Economa:
Sr Rita Maria dello Spirito Santo e di S.Elia profeta, Otorho, O. Carm.

Maestra | Teacher | Maestra
Sr Maria Aurora della Risurrezione, Pierconti, O. Carm.

Sacristana | Sacristan | Sagrestana:
Sr Rita Maria dello Spirito Santo e di S.Elia profeta, Otorho, O. Carm.

Sor Natividad de Maria Martinez Guerrero (SEV)
26-08-21
Ortus: 14-08-34
P. Temp.: 01-01-64
P. Soll.:  01-01-67

P. Lorenzo Sansevero (Neap)
27-08-21
Ortus: 21-06-27
P. Temp.: 08-08-45
P. Soll.: 08-08-48
Ord.: 13-07-53

Br. Albertus Bartolomeus Priyahutama (Indo)
07-09-21
Ortus: 06-08-42
P. Temp.: 07-08-60
P. Soll.: 07-08-63

Fr. Antoon Korterik (Neer)
08-09-21
Ortus: 05-03-40
P. Temp.: 25-08-60
P. Soll.: 25-08-63
Ord.: 07-07-66

P. Alberto Salas López (Baet)
10-09-21
Ortus: 01-03-43
P. Temp.: 05-08-74
P. Soll.: 24-07-77
Ord.: 15-08-78

P. Janvier Ngona Bakambu (Ital-Con)
29-09-21
Ortus: 12-07-62
P. Temp.: 22-09-85
P. Soll.: 29-03-92
Ord.: 09-09-96

On October 1st, we celebrate the feast of St. Therese of the Child Jesus and the Holy Face, Virgin and Doctor of the Church.

“Without love, deeds, even the most brilliant, count as nothing.”

"Miss no single opportunity of making some small sacrifice, here by a smiling look, there by a kindly word; always doing the smallest right and doing it all for love.”

Read St. Therese's bio here

Read the words of Pope Benedict XVI on St. Teresa during the General Audience of April 6, 2011 here

Read Pope John Paul II 's declaration of St. Therese as Doctor of the Church, the Apostolic Letter Divini Amoris Scientia here

Read A Prayer to Saint Thérèse during COVID-19 here: here

A missing papal bull dated 1304 from Pope Benedict XI to the Carmine church in Messina, Sicily (now called the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Mount Carmel) was found for sale for 100 euro in the catalogue of an auction house. The Carabinieri were notified and the special division dealing in stolen or missing patrimony of the country went into action.

On Sunday, September 26, 2021, the officials of the Carabinieri restored the document to representatives of the Order. The ceremony took place at the Carmelite Basilica Shrine of Our Lady of the Annunciation in Trapani, Sicily.

Present to receive the document was Fr. Mario Alfarano, O. Carm., General Archivist of the Order, and Fr. Roberto Toni, O. Carm., prior provincial of the Italian Province. Also in attendance were the Carmelites serving at the sanctuary and members of the Lay Carmelites from the area. Representing the Carabinieri were top officials from the Palermo section of the Nucleo per la Tutela del Patrimonio Culturale (Division for the Protection of the Cultural Heritage), under the command of Major Gianluigi Marmora.

The document is the result of a request to transfer the Carmelites from their location at the time next to the Cathedral of Messina to the Church of San Cataldo. According to Fr. Alfarano, the canons complained that noise from the Carmelites priory interrupted the religious services of the canons of the cathedral. This story of the transfer is confirmed in a book by Placido Samperi (1590-1654) entitled "Iconologia della gloriosa Vergine Madre di Dio Maria protettrice di Messina", confirming the importance of the document.

At the request of the Carabinieri and the Soprintendenza of Sicily, the General Archives presented documentation which proved the Order’s ownership of the document. That study will be published in the Analecta Ordinis Carmelitarum.

It is believed that the document was lost during the 1908 earthquake which destroyed the church and priory of the Carmelites. It would have been kept in the archive of the house. Consequently, the owner of the auction house was not charged.

There is some damage to the document so it will be sent for restoration. Copies of the text exist in other places so words that have been damages due to deterioration of the parchment can be restored as well.

Edizioni Carmelitane announces that the first of a multi volume series of the writings of Titus Brandsma is now available. The book has received very positive reviews with great anticipation for the publication of the remaining volumes. What sets this series apart is that it captures Brandsma in his own words and not through the filter of later studies.

Entitled Titus Brandsma: Mysticism in Action, this first volume of 287 pages, shows Titus as “a philosopher, priest, leader of Catholic schools and Catholic journalism, as a brother to Carmelites, member of his family, native Frisian, a free and authentic thinker, a champion of peace, activist against poverty, pro animal welfare, a prisoner, and a faithful martyr.” The book brings Brandsma alive by reprinting letters from Brandsma to a variety of friends and family as well as others, as well as some of his speeches and entries he authored in encyclopedias.

Among the writings included is Brandsma’s famous address, The Idea of God (Godsbegrip) to the community of the Catholic University of Nijmegan when he became rector magnificus in 1932. Brandsma’s very wide range of interests in many areas of life are represented here. He developed an explicitly Christian perspective on whatever topic he studied. Of course, we see the beginnings of his commitment to truth. It was this commitment that brought him into direct confrontation with the Nazi authorities and ultimately led to his murder for the faith.

Whether you consider yourself an expert on Brandsma or this is your first encounter with this fascinating Carmelite, this book will hold your interest.

To access the many fine publications at Edizioni Carmelitane, click here.

To place your order please contact:

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Available in other Carmelite Bookshops Worldwide

It was announced in Washington, DC., that Carmel Catholic High School, located in Mundelein, Illinois and sponsored by the Most Pure Heart of Mary Province, has again been singled out for excellence in education by the US Department of Education. This is the 5th time Carmel has received this recognition, an achievement matched by only six other schools in the nation. This year 325 schools of which 23 are private schools (religious or privately administered schools) were recognized.

The National Blue Ribbon Schools Program recognizes public and private elementary, middle, and high schools based on their overall academic excellence or their progress in closing achievement gaps among student subgroups.

The coveted award affirms the hard work of students, educators, families, and communities in creating safe and welcoming schools where students master challenging and engaging content. Every year the U. S. Department of Education seeks out and celebrates great American schools, schools demonstrating that all students can achieve to high levels.

Now in its 39th year, the National Blue Ribbon Schools Program has bestowed more than 10,000 awards to over 9,000 schools. Carmel-Mundelein has previously received the designation in 1985, 1996, 2002, 2007 and now in 2021.

US Secretary of Education Cadona said, “This year’s cohort of honorees demonstrates what is possible when committed educators and school leaders create vibrant, welcoming, and affirming school cultures where rich teaching and learning can flourish.” He continued, “Blue Ribbon Schools have so much to offer and can serve as a model for other schools and communities so that we can truly build back better.”

In order to prepare for the evaluation required for the award, an internal school committee was formed to collect research and assist in the writing. A collective group assisted in reviewing the draft and incorporating other pertinent information. The school’s principal, Jason Huther, was the primary writer of the application. The evaluation process also includes an on-site visit by administrators from other schools.

Dr. Brad Bonham, president of Carmel, said in an interview with CITOC, "Our Carmelite charism serves as the foundation of our school mission. As the recipient of a 5th Blue Ribbon, we are reminded that we are called to continue our mission to serve our students, alumni, and community. We are grateful and humbled to receive this award, and this recognition renews our commitment to serve the Lord through education."

The school will be celebration this national award in various ways during the year including a recognition ceremony on October 7 after the Board of Directors meeting. There will also be a student celebration during lunches and some activities after school. The school placed blue balloons (color of the award materials) and decorations throughout the school, including outdoor/indoor signage to celebrate the event.

Realizing such recognition is the fruit of the contributions of many, Dr. Bonham concluded, “We are grateful for our faculty, staff, and administration who made this possible.”

The Department will formally recognize the schools at an awards ceremony in Washington, DC on November 4th and 5th, 2021. Members of the school community will participate. Traditionally this ceremony takes place at the White House in the presence of the President and Vice-President of the United States taking part.

Carmel-Mundelein is a coeducational high school co-sponsored by both the Carmelites and the Sisters of Charity of the Blessed Virgin Mary from Dubuque, Iowa. It was founded in 1962 as a “co-institutional high school” meaning that two schools operated within one building, sharing a number of facilities and classes. In August 1988, the two schools merged and Carmel High School was founded. A Board of Corporators (members of the two sponsoring religious orders) and a Board of Directors (members of the community with representation from the two sponsoring religious orders) were established and the President/Principal model of administration established.

The Provincial Chapter of the British Province was held on September 20-24, 2021 at Aylesford Priory in England.

During the Chapter, in order to replace the deceased Fr. Kevin Alban as prior provincial, Fr. Brendan Grady was elected prior provincial.

To fill the vacancy thereby left on the provincial council, Fr. Gerard Walsh was canonically elected as Fourth Provincial Councilor.

We would ask your continued prayerful support of our Carmelite nuns in Tanay, Philippines.

According to a letter from the community on September 23, 2021, twelve of the eighteen nuns in the community have tested positive for covid. All of the sisters, with the exception of one, are vaccinated. (The sister who was not vaccinated is taking chemo.) The case are considered to be mild and symptomatic.

Although the sisters are asking for prayers of the people, they also assure everyone that they are responding with prayer to those who have asked for them. They remember especially those who are sick with covid.

The sisters conclude, “Do not worry about us … we are hoping to recover. Whatever happens, someday we will praise HIM together in the Kingdom of Light and say with MARY, 'The Almighty has done great things for ME, and holy is HIS Name.' We love you all!”

The monastery was inaugurated on November 11, 2001, and is part of the “Stella Maris” Federation of monasteries in the Philippines. Nine sisters from different monasteries of the Federation made up the original community.

The Elective Chapter of the Carmelite Monastery of St. Ann in Carpineto Romano was held on September 21, 2021.

The following sisters were elected to serve in the positions in the monastery listed below:

Priora | Prioress | Priora:
Sr. M. Valentina Rita della Croce Rossin, O. Carm.

1ª Consejera | 1st Councilor | 1ª Consigliera:
Sr. M. Noemi di S. Giovanni Ap. ed Ev. Malagesi, O. Carm.

2ª Consejera | 2nd Councilor | 2ª Consigliera:
Suor M. Emanuela dell'Eucaristia e di S. Agnese Migliore, O. Carm.

3ª Consejera | 3rd Councilor | 3ª Consigliera:
Sr. M. Agnese del Volto Santo Talano, O. Carm.

4ª Consejera | 4th Councilor | 4ª Consigliera:
Sr. M. Sabrina di Gesù Risorto Fubelli, O. Carm.

Maestra de Novicias | Director of Novices | Maestra delle Novizie
Sr. M. Noemi di S. Giovanni Ap. ed Ev. Malagesi, O. Carm.

Ecónoma | Treasurer | Economa:
Sr. M. Paola di Gesù Ricci, O. Carm.

Sacristana | Sacristan | Sacrestana:
Sr. M. Carla del Verbo Incarnato Zinno, O. Carm.

The 15th General Chapter of the Carmelite Missionary Sisters of St. Thérèse of the Child Jesus has been in session since September 8th at the "Mary Mother of Carmel" retreat house in Focene (near Fiumicino airport outside Rome). The theme of the meeting is “Sisters Who Love Each Other in Diversity, Missionaries to the Existential Peripheries in the Spirit of the Founders, 'So That The World May Believe'".

The first phase of the Chapter was focused on the rewriting of the constitutions for the Congregation.

On Monday, September 20, the Chapter elected the new Superior General, Sr. M. Lilian Kapongo della Delegazione “Santa Teresina” di Tanzania. Il giorno seguente ha eletto il nuovo Consiglio generale. The new leadership team is listed below.

Following the election process, the Chapter will initiate its third phase: working our the directions for the next six years.

To learn more about the Congregation, go to their website here

Madre Superiora General | General Superior | Madre Superiora Generale:
Sr. M. Lilian Kapongo

1ª Consejera | 1st Councilor | 1ª Consigliera
Vicaria General | Vicar General | Vicaria Generale:
Ir. M. Zélia da Conceição Dias

2ª Consejera | 2nd Councilor | 2ª Consigliera:
Sr. Marianerina de Simone

3ª Consejera | 3rd Councilor | 3ª Consigliera:
Sr. Maria Esterlina Lumacang

4ª Consejera | 4th Councilor | 4ª Consigliera:
Ir. M. Zilda Aparecida Rocha