The Carmelite Province of St. Elias will celebrate the Feast of Our Lady of Mount Carmel this year with a common project. The goal is to collect food for "families suffering from hunger," said the prior provincial, Fr. Adailson Quintino dos Santos.

With the motto “Carmelite Feast of Solidarity: Nourishing Hope", various projects of solidarity will be carried out during the novena and solemnity of Our Lady of Mount Carmel in all the parishes, communities, and sanctuaries where the province serves.

The Province of St. Elias (Rio) comprises the states of Sao Paulo, Rio de Janeiro, Minas Gerais, Bahia, Tocantins, Rio Grande do Sul, and the Federal District in Brazil.

The initiative is inspired by Pope Francis' call on the Fifth World Day of the Poor, citing the words of Jesus: “The poor you will always have with you” (Mk 14: 7).

"Once again we will celebrate the feast of the Carmelites in the painful context of the Covid-19 pandemic. With a compassionate heart for our people caught in a difficult reality in 2021 and inspired by the ‘Christ’s love that compels us' (2 Cor 5: 14), we will place at the feet of our Mother and Sister, in addition to flowers, the generous offering of non-perishable food," said the prior provincial.

A novena will be celebrated in all the communities from July 7 to 15. On the day dedicated to Our Lady of Mount Carmel, July 16, Masses will be celebrated at various times. The province encourages all those who will participate to donate a kilo of non-perishable food to be distributed through the Carmelite social projects.

For more information about the celebration of Our Lady of Mount Carmel, the province’s Project of Solidarity, and the communities of the province, visit: www.carmelitas.org.br

The year 2020 will go into the history books! Like most countries, Kenya was not spared the Corona pandemic. Though compared to many other countries, especially in the West, they were not very badly affected.

Covid-19 arrived in Kenya early March 2020 and ever so slowly started spreading from the capital city, Nairobi, to the towns and villages. The country went into a severe lock down from April through July 2020. Businesses, educational institutions, and churches, among others, were most affected among others. Some institutions were closed.

The Carmelite Delegation in Kenya was not spared. When the lockdowns were announced, all the students in formation were sent to their families where they stayed for the duration. Other religious institutions and dioceses did the same to avoid infections and the spread of the disease. "We felt it prudent to have the minimum number of people around", remarked Fr. Boniface Kimondolo, O. Carm.

The General Delegation has six priests, three deacons, one brother with simple vows, three novices, and eight postulants. They are divided into two communities which are located near to each other. Nearby these communities they have one parish which also serves an outstation. This is a small church which is two kms away from the parish center and serves a population of around fifty families.

"It was not easy to live through such moments. We were without our people. We could only pray and do a few activities in the community", commented Fr Boniface.

A parish in Kenya is seen as a charity center. Covid-19 brought many difficulties to many families. "People came to us asking for financial help and food. We could only share the little we had. From time to time, we received donations from some generous people. This greatly helped those who were most affected!", stated Fr. Boniface.

Fr. Boniface revealed that "people were always at our door. The needs were great. Many people lost their jobs. Families were forced to live together for long periods of time. Arguments arose between children and parents as well as between the couples themselves. The church became a centre for counselling on a daily basis. Through it all, the Carmelites did their best. Still today we are ministering almost the same way with people coming to our door asking for help", he concluded.

After the lockdowns which were difficult, the government started slowly opening up some counties and towns. The students came back in July 2020 for the feast of Our Lady of Mount Carmel. Since then, life started getting back to somewhat normal in the Carmelite communities. The churches were partially opened and people returned. Also the students “returned” to school through studies on-line.

In Kenya, as well as many parts of Africa, large numbers of people attend church on Sundays. The church in Nkoroi has a capacity of one thousand people. They used to celebrate three Masses every Sunday in normal times. When the church re-opened after the lockdowns were lifted, they followed the ministry of health protocols. Therefore the church only had seating for three hundred people.

"We had to create space in the church hall. But we still could not accommodate all the faithful. We came up with the idea for a drive-in Mass. This could accommodate any of the parishioners who drive", stressed Fr Boniface. 

The idea worked well and until today they have several celebrations, including the drive-in Mass. The people drive up in their cars to a prepared field. They park and listen to Mass from inside their vehicles through the speakers. They only leave their cars to receive Holy Communion. After receiving, they get back into their cars. When Mass is over, they drive out and others come in for the next Mass. They now have two drive-in Masses every Sunday.

"Life seems to be slowly returning to normal. We hope all will be well soon!", concluded Fr. Boniface.

The Prior General, with the consent of the General Council in session 109 held on June 21, 2021, made the following appointments in the General Delegation of Bohemia and Moravia in the Czech Republic:

General Delegate:
Fr. Norbert Žuška, O. Carm.

1^st Councilor:
Fr. Gorazd Cetkovský, O. Carm.

2^nd Councilor:
Fr. Jeroným Ertelt, O. Carm.

Dear Carmelite Youth of America

With great joy we want to announce that next Sunday, July 4, will take place the 1st JUCAR America Meeting entitled: Young man, Courage Arise!

We invite you to live an enriching experience and fraternal encounter with young Carmelites from different countries of our continent.

We are waiting for you!

The Elective Chapter of the Carmelite Monastery of Santa María del Monte Carmelo, Mayagüez, Puerto Rico, was held on June 21, 2021.

The following sisters were elected:

· Madre María Antonia de Jesús Sacramentado Acevedo Lorenzo, Prioress.

· Sor Lourdes Ma. De Jesús Crucificado Avilés Calderón, 1st Councilor.

· Sor María de la Trinidad Rodríguez Barbosa, 2nd Councilor.

· Sor Lourdes Ma. De Jesús Crucificado Avilés Calderón, Director of Novices.

· Sor María de la Trinidad Rodríguez Barbosa, Treasurer.

· Sor Ivette del Carmen Mediavilla Maldonado, Sacristan.

We send our prayers to our sisters!

"Lectio divina is an authentic source of Christian spirituality recommended by our Rule. We therefore practise it every day, so that we may develop a deep and genuine love for it, and so that we may grow in the surpassing knowledge of Christ. In this way we shall put into practice the Apostle Paul’s commandment, which is mentioned in our Rule: “The sword of the Spirit, too, which is the word of God, is to dwell abundantly in your mouth and in your hearts; and whatever things you have to do, let them be done in the word of the Lord.”

Carmelite Constitutions (2019), n. 85.

Download Lectio Divina July 2021 [PDF]

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Descargar Lectio Divina Julio 2021 [Mobi]

We send our prayers for the recent ordination to the Diaconate of Albert Anson Cancis O. Carm, Simon Aldrin Louiz O. Carm, Jose Vilayakattu O. Carm, from the General Commissariat of St Therese of Lisieux and St Albert of Jerusalem in India which took place on 22 June 2021.

Let us give thanks to the Lord for the gift of vocation!