O.Carm
Nuns in Guiguinto Celebrate Elective Chapter
The Monastery of the Holy Family in Guiguinto, Philippines Celebrates Elective Chapter
On Friday, June 9, 2025, the Carmelite community of the monastery of the Holy Family in Guiguinto (Philippines) held their elective chapter under the presidency of the Bishop of Malolos, Dennis C. Villarojo.
During the Chapter, the nuns confirmed that their activites are ordained in and subordinate to contemplation. The decision was made to form a community centered in the presence of Christ among us and whose relationships tend toward a deeper union in charity. The nuns confirmed their intent to intensify their prayers and sacrifices in communion with the present needs of humanity.
In 1966, the nuns of the Monastery of St. Anne landed in the Philippines and first established a monastery in the city of Meycauayan in the Diocese of Malolos and then in the city of Guiguinto. In 1983, seven nuns from Guiguinto went to the Diocese of Cabanatuan and established a monastery there. In 1993, seven nuns of the Guiguinto community went to the Diocese of Alaminos to found a new monastery in Burgos. Then, four nuns founded a new monastery of the federation of nuns in Tanay, in the Diocese of Antipolo. Finally, on December 7, 2001, seven nuns founded a new community in the town of Sta Ignacia in the Diocese of Tarlac. In 2017, five sisters were sent to seek a new foundation in the village of San Fabian, in the Province of Pangasinan, in the Archdiocese of Lingayen-Dagupan.
The monastery of the Holy Family belongs to the Stella Maris Federation. The monastery has a Facebook page.
Those elected to leadership are:
Prioress | Priora | Priora:
Sr. Mary Jenicca L. Mariano
1st Councilor | 1ª Consejera | 1ª Consigliera:
Sr. Mary Ruth Alethea C. Clavio
2nd Councilor | 2ª Consejera | 2ª Consigliera:
Sr. Ma. Liza G. Jeremias
3rd Councilor | 3ª Consejera | 3ª Consigliera:
Sr. Mary Josephine B. Faustino
4th Councilor | 4ª Consejera | 4ª Consigliera:
Sr. Ma. Teresa E. Santos
Treasurer | Ecónoma | Economa
Sr. Ma. Fatima B. Faustino
Formator | Formadora | Formatrice
Sr. Mary Josephine B. Faustiono
Sacristan | Sacristán | Sacrestana:
Sr. Mary Ruby Ann D. Aurelio
Prior General's Schedule for August 2025
Fr. Míċeál O'Neill, the prior general, has the following schedule planned for the month of August 2025:
August 1–4: Brazil, Aparecida, Lay Carmelite Congress
August 7-21: Holidays in Ireland
August 21-25: Rome
August 25-28: Hong Kong
August 29-31: Maumere, Indonesia: Inauguration of the new province of East Indonesia.
John Soreth and the Carmelite Nuns
24 July Memorial
Important to the life of the Carmelite Order was the foundation of female monasteries by John Soreth. As soon as he was elected prior general on November 1, 1451, Soreth himself affiliated the beguinage of Ten Elsen near Geldern in 1452, confirming it the following year by appealing to the papal bull Cum nulla (October 7, 1452), with which Pope Nicholas V recognized the Carmelites' right to have female monasteries like other mendicant orders. It is unknown who requested the bull. Certainly, a decisive role, at least in speeding up the process, was played by the community of the Carmine in Florence, which boasted a long history of bringing women into the Order and perhaps wished to clarify and formalize the situation of some women who had joined the Order on August 15, 1450.
Soreth used the bull to found monasteries in Flanders, Germany, and Britain, in which he wanted cloistered life from the outset. The special bond with the reformed friars requested by Soreth confirms his plan to entrust the female communities with a role of spiritual support for the difficult project of reforming the Order. After the Beguines of Ten Elsen, Soreth incorporated the sisters of Nieukerk (1455), and at the same time the community of Dinant was founded, followed by Liège (1457) and Bondon in Brittany, where in 1468 the Duchess Françoise d'Amboise entered. In 1466, Harlem and Huy were founded, followed by Namur in 1468 and Vilvoorde in 1469. (Giovanni Soreth, by Giovanni Grosso, O. Carm. in Dizionario Carmelitano)
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Celebrating At Home - 17th Sunday in Ordinary Time
The Hospitality of God
(Luke 11:1-13)
Many people struggle with a name for God. For some, ‘Father’ is fine. For others, the image of God as Father evokes traumatic memories of their childhood experience of pain, suffering, neglect and even abuse.
Alternatively, some prefer terms like, ‘Creator’, ‘Redeemer’, and ‘Sanctifier’. But these terms describe functions, not persons, and they seem to lack the warmth and intimacy that we intuitively feel marks our relationship with God.
In today’s Gospel, one of the disciples, having seen Jesus at prayer, asks him to teach them. The prayer that Jesus teaches them is probably very close what he, himself, prayed.
The prayer has none of the formality of those used in Temple and Synagogue worship. Instead, it begins with a more informal, warm and intimate addressing of God as ‘Abba’ - not as formal as ‘Father’ and not as childish as ‘Daddy’, but somewhere in between.
However we choose to name God, the term we use needs to have the same sense as ‘Abba’ had for Jesus. The disciples also live in the same warm and intimate relationship which God and Jesus share. And it is out of this relationship as members of God’s household that Jesus teaches them to pray.
The focus of the prayer is initially on God alone (‘may your name be held holy’), then moves to what the world needs (‘your kingdom come’), then to what the disciples need (sustenance, forgiveness and rescue from trial, persecution and temptation).
A community which prays this prayer recognises its privileged closeness to God. But it also recognises that the hospitality of God calls the whole human race into this same closeness experienced as the coming of the Kingdom.
The shamelessly persistent knocking on a friend’s door is an encouragement not to be afraid to continually ask God for what we need to live as members of the kingdom. God will not fail to share God’s life and love through the gift of the Holy Spirit.
If human beings, as flawed as we are, know how to give good things to our children, then how much more will the loving and gracious God give the gift of the Holy Spirit to those who ask? The Holy Spirit who is the bond of love between God, Jesus and us - the Holy Spirit who helps us sense and experience that we are deeply enfolded in God’s love, care and concern.
- pdf Celebrating At Home - 17th Sunday in Ordinary Time [PDF] (2.85 MB)
- default Celebrating At Home - 17th Sunday in Ordinary Time [ePub] (2.43 MB)
- pdf Celebrando en Familia - XVII Domingo del Tiempo Ordinario (481 KB)
- pdf Celebrando in Casa - XVII Domenica del Tempo Ordinario (476 KB)
- pdf Celebrando em família - XVII Domingo do Tempo Comum (472 KB)
Solemnity of Elijah, Prophet
20 July
Throughout St. Peter’s Basilica in Vatican City, there are the statues of 34 founders of orders and congregations. On the side of the pier of St. Helena, housing the relic of the True Cross, stands the statue of Elijah the Prophet. The artist Agostino Cornacchini has Elijah pointing to the light entering the aspe. This was the third statue placed in St. Peter’s and was to honor the Order of Carmelites.
The inscription at the bottom of the statue reads: Cartouche - UNIVERSUS / CARMELITARUM ORDO / FUNDATORI SUO S. ELIAE / PROPHETAE EREXIT / A. MDCCXXVII. (The entire Carmelite Order erected this status to its founder in 1727.)
Controversy developed before the statue even reached its place in the basilica. Many denied the truthfulness of the claim of Carmelites that Elijah was their founder, certainly not in the same sense that the other thirty-seven statues around the basilica were founders.
Today Carmelites speak of Elijah, along with Mary, as an inspirational figure on whose experiences they partly base their spirituality. They had established themselves near the fountain of Elijah on Mount Carmel and now see their lives as in spiritual succession to that of Elijah.
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Causa Nostrae Laetitiae
PROFESSIO TEMPORANEA
28-06-25 Fredrick Ouko Owino (Kenya) Kristi Mambo, Zimbabwe
28-06-25 Moses Mukhwana Wekesa (Kenya) Kristi Mambo, Zimbabwe
28-06-25 Matthew Mweu Wambua (Kenya) Kristi Mambo, Zimbabwe
28-06-25 John Kheri Madava (Bruna-Tanz) Kristi Mambo, Zimbabwe
28-06-25 Faustine Innocent Nh'umbili (Bruna-Tanz) Kristi Mambo, Zimbabwe
28-06-25 Ansbert Protace Mulaly (Bruna-Tanz) Kristi Mambo, Zimbabwe
28-06-25 Zeferino Massango (Pern-Moz) Kristi Mambo, Zimbabwe
28-06-25 Juvencio Eurico Alve'sta (Pern-Moz) Kristi Mambo, Zimbabwe
28-06-25 Gabriel Tomas Congolo (Pern-Moz) Kristi Mambo, Zimbabwe
28-06-25 Sulyvan A. J. Matsengune Nhane (Pern-Moz) Kristi Mambo, Zimbabwe
28-06-25 Simbarashe Matenzu (Hib-Zim) Kristi Mambo, Zimbabwe
28-06-25 Munashe Doctor Chimwamuchere (Hib-Zim) Kristi Mambo, Zimbabwe
28-06-25 Kudakwashe David Maposa (Hib-Zim) Kristi Mambo, Zimbabwe
10-07-25 Mary Magdalene Kimomo of St. Mary Magdalene de Pazzi (Juja) Kenya
16-07-25 Rodrigo Alejandro Arroya Aguilar (PCM) Ciudad de Mexico
16-07-25 Reinaldo Mizael Quiróz Molina (PCM) Ciudad de Mexico
16-07-25 Edgar Alejandro Amaya López (PCM). Ciudad de Mexico
16-07-25 Adonis Enmanuel García Loáisiga (PCM). Ciudad de Mexico
16-07-25 Ricardo Alejandro Lineros Villarreal (PCM) Ciudad de Mexico
16-07-25 Juan José Martínez Hernández (PCM) Ciudad de Mexico
16-07-25 Juan Diego Muñoz Oliden (PCM) Ciudad de Mexico
PROFESSIO SOLEMNIS
05-07-25 Lloyd Champiruka (Hib_Zim) Kriste Mambo, Zimbabwe
ORDINATIO DIACONALIS
21-06-25 Luis Miguel dos Santos Lima (Flum) São Paolo, Brazil
21-06-25 João Wanderson de Oliveira Ossola da Cruz (Flum) São Paolo, Brazil
ORDINATIO SACERDOTALIS
21-06-25 José Lucas do Nascimento (Flum) São Paolo, Brazil
21-06-25 José Ivanildo Justino (Flum) São Paolo, Brazil
Celebrating At Home - 16th Sunday in Ordinary Time
True Hospitality
(Luke 10:38-42)
Preparing food for a special occasion or a valued guest can be a daunting task. These days, it can also be filled with all sorts of traps as food preferences continue to change and various allergies appear.
In the story which Luke tells in this Gospel, it is obvious that Martha has gone to a great deal of trouble to welcome and provide for Jesus, the guest.
Pre-occupied with the serving and annoyed with Mary passively sitting at Jesus’ feet, Martha’s anxiety gets the better of her and she asks Jesus to intervene. In a way, Martha is like a well-intentioned host who prepares a full dinner of roast meat only to find that the guest is vegetarian! Perhaps true hospitality might have found that out before the meal was prepared. Perhaps true hospitality might have thought about what the guest has to offer, not only about what the host wants to provide.
So often in the Gospels the initial roles in a story get reversed. In this Gospel it seems that Jesus, the guest, has something to offer that Martha overlooks, but Mary recognises. Jesus becomes the host. And it is he who ends up doing the ‘feeding’, not Martha.
And, what of Mary? Apparently lost in listening to Jesus and oblivious to Martha’s need for help? It seems all wrong to us that Jesus praises her for choosing ‘the better part’. Jesus refuses to send Mary back to the kitchen. His reply can also be read as an invitation for Martha to leave her lavish preparations and to join them.
True hospitality for the disciple lies in getting to know and spending time with the Guest.
The position of this story in Luke’s Gospel, sandwiched between the parable of the Good Samaritan (the ideal disciple) and Jesus’ teaching about prayer, could suggest that both are needed – deep attention to the Word of God and robust action: hearing and doing the Word.
It could also suggest that hearing the Word comes first, followed by doing the Word in works of service. It may also suggest the importance of paying attention to making the right choice at any given moment – not to be so caught up in doing even good works that we forget to nourish our relationship with Jesus.
What it does clearly show, however, is that both men and women are called to discipleship.
Mary, the more marginalised figure in the story, offers the kind of hospitality that Jesus wants in a disciple: an open and listening heart.
- pdf Celebrating At Home - 16th Sunday in Ordinary Time [PDF] (2.92 MB)
- default Celebrating At Home - 16th Sunday in Ordinary Time [ePub] (3.36 MB)
- pdf Celebrando en Familia - XVI Domingo del Tiempo Ordinario (482 KB)
- pdf Celebrando in Casa - XVI Domenica del Tempo Ordinario (466 KB)
- pdf Celebrando em família - XVI Domingo do Tempo Comum (475 KB)
Solemnity of Our Lady of Mount Carmel, July 16, 2025
Message Of The Prior General On The Occasion Of The Feast Of Our Lady Of Mount Carmel In The Jubilee Year 2025
"Mary, Mother Of Hope"
Brothers and Sisters,
Once again, we have the great joy of celebrating the solemnity of Our Lady of Mount Carmel as a celebration of the Church and of the whole Carmelite Family throughout the world.
A Video Message for the Celebration of the Solemnity of the Blessed Virgin Mary of Mount Carmel – July 16, 2025 from Fr. Míċeál O’Neill, O. Carm., Prior General of the Order
Sisters and Brothers in Carmel,
Once again, we have the joy of celebrating the solemnity of Our Lady of Mount Carmel as a celebration of the Church and of the whole Carmelite Family throughout the world.
IN SOLLEMNITATE B.V. MARIAE DE MONTE CARMELO
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.2025
Celebrating the Solemnity of Our Lady of Mount Carmel in Bobo Dioulassou, Burkina Faso
The celebration of the solemnity of Our Lady of Mount Carmel at Bobo Dioulassou, Burkina Faso began with a procession at 1700hrs and finished with Mass which ended at 2100hrs followed by a meal for all attendees.
https://ocarm.org/en/itemlist/user/654-marcopellitero?start=200#sigProId8aa4bbb747
Novena to Our Lady of Mount Carmel
The Province of Australia & Timor-Leste had made a novena to Our Lady of Mount Carmel available on its website for the wider Carmelite Family. The novena is in English.
For nine days before the Feast of Our Lady of Mount Carmel on July 16, we pray for the following intentions for all those in need throughout the world. The novena can be prayed at any time of the year for these intentions or for your own asking Our Lady of Mount Carmel to intercede and pray with us. You are invited to light a candle each day, reflect with the intention and prayer, and spend a few moments in silence with Our Lady. For more information, go to: https://carmelites.org.au/
- Novena to Our Lady of Mount Carmel
- Click here to download the prayers and intentions.
Major Events Throughout History That Took Place on July 16th
On the occasion of the Solemnity of Our Lady of Mount Carmel, we can look back at the major events throughout History that took place on July 16th.
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We would like to hear how others are celebrating the feast in their local communities or ministries. Please send a short writeup and pictures to the Communications Office (This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.).
A Video Message Of The Prior General
A Video Message Of The Prior General On The Occasion Of The Feast Of Our Lady Of Mount Carmel In The Jubilee Year 2025
Sisters and Brothers in Carmel,
Once again, we have the joy of celebrating the solemnity of Our Lady of Mount Carmel as a celebration of the Church and of the whole Carmelite Family throughout the world.
We do so this year as part of the Jubilee celebrations and this gives added significance to our novenas, processions and liturgical celebrations because this year the late Pope Francis asked us to look at the hope that is in our lives and at the foundations of that hope, Jesus Christ and Mary, the Mother of Jesus. Because of them and what they represent we are able to live in hope with a hope that cannot disappoint. Jesus is the Incarnate Word of God. Mary is the handmaid of the Lord, ever obedient to his Word. Jesus, hanging on the Cross is the promise of resurrection, the victory over all that could hold us back. Mary stood and understood and without knowing what was happening, remained in hope and did not turn away as she saw her Son dying of crucifixion.
For Carmelites who read John’s account of that moment every year in our celebration, the message is very clear. We are not alone. Our hope is in Jesus Christ and in Mary. Our hope is also in our brothers and sisters. We must not lose hope in one another. While there are many things that are bound to disappoint us in what is happening at this time in the world, our hope in one another can still flourish as we recognise the work of God and the tenderness of Mary in those with whom we live. When we pray for peace we think of the thousands and thousands of people who are praying with us. When Elijah thought that he was alone, he soon discovered that there were seven thousand other prophets who had not bent their knee to Baal. (I Kg 19,18) Heaven’s gates are open, we are flanked by sisters and brothers like us, and we stand on the earth blessed by the feet of Jesus and Mary. We look down at the earth touched by our feet as pilgrims of hope and workers in the vineyard, walking in the direction of hope, moving away from all that speaks of death into a realm of hope through fraternity, prayer and service in the way that Carmel understands these three words. They say to us that a Carmelite life lived well, will always offer reason for hope for those who are willing to accept it.
I pray that our celebrations may increase our joy and our hope and lead many others to find that hope and joy in Jesus the Incarnate Word, in Mary the Mother of Jesus ever obedient to his word, and in the people who adorn each day of our lives, as brothers and sisters, pilgrims of hope.
Rome, July 5, 2025
Míċeál O'Neill, O. Carm.
Prior General
Message for the Solemnity of Our Lady of Mt Carmel 2025
Mary, Mother Of Hope
