O.Carm
Celebrating At Home - 3rd Sunday in Lent
Come and Drink
(John 4:5-16, 19-26, 39-42)
The Gospels of the next three Sunday make clear that the Way from temptation to transfiguration is in and through Jesus Christ who is Living Water, Light and Life for the would-be disciple. They are three great stories from John about responding in faith:
• The Woman at the Well – coming to faith despite barriers, personal history, differences of religious tradition, circumstances of life.
• The Man Born Blind – Faith grows amidst all sorts of trials and the doubt of others.
• The Raising of Lazarus – Faith tested by the ultimate: death.
The first of the three ‘great Gospels’ of Lent is ours this weekend: the encounter between Jesus and the Samaritan woman.
The ground-work for the Gospel is laid in the first reading from Exodus. The people are thirsty, God gives them water even though they grumble against him and ‘put him to the test’. From the story of Jesus’ encounter with the woman we might gather that faith comes through personal encounter with Jesus who offers us the living water of his Spirit. Jesus offers us his spirit in spite of all kinds of barriers, our personal history or circumstances and our often stubborn reluctance. Faith is a journey – it takes time to understand what is being offered and who is offering it. Some barriers about religion or religious practice need to be transcended to enter fully into faith which does not depend on cultic rituals. Faith makes us into missionaries, evangelists, proclaimers of Good News.
Water is a powerful symbol of life. You can last many days without food, but only a few without water. In our Christian tradition water is a strong symbol of the life of God which sustains us and brings our hearts to life. That is why we use it in Baptism and to bless objects and ourselves. The living water Jesus promises is his Spirit. A spirit which heals and transforms; which revels in the experience of God’s love and mercy; which cannot help but proclaim God’s goodness.
Our fresh encounter with the spirit of Christ this Lent heals and transforms us, and makes us into a “living gospel for all to hear”.
- pdf Celebrating At Home - 3rd Sunday in Lent [PDF] (2.98 MB)
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- pdf Celebrando en Familia - Tercer Domingo del Tiempo de Cuaresma (768 KB)
- pdf Celebrando in Casa - III Domenica di Quaresima (759 KB)
- pdf Celebrando em família - Terceiro Domingo da Quaresma (759 KB)
The Philippine Province Elects New Leadership
Philippine Province of St. Titus Brandsma Holds 5th Chapter to Elect New Leadership
The 5th Chapter of the Philippine Province of St. Titus Brandsma was held from February 23-27, 2026, at the Pope Pius XII Catholic Center in Paco, Manila. Sixty-four professed members serving in the Philippines, as well as missionaries assigned in Papua New Guinea, Canada, and the Netherlands, participated.
Animated by the theme “Vessels of Hope: Listening Hearts and Serving Hands as Contemplatives in the World,” the gathering was further enriched by the presence of Desiderio García Martínez, O. Carm., prior general, and Robert Thomas Puthussery, O. Carm., councilor for Asia–Australia–Oceania.
In his address, the prior general highlighted the two fundamental challenges facing the Order today: the renewal of consecrated life and fidelity to the Carmelite charism. He underscored that authentic renewal begins with rediscovering the joy of following Christ through the evangelical counsels, especially evangelical poverty, lived with integrity and freedom. He reaffirmed contemplation, prayer, silence, and vibrant community life as the heart of Carmel, while addressing pressing issues such as formation, vocations, missions, reorganization, safeguarding, and strengthening the Carmelite Family.
Before the election, the Prior General reminded the gremiales that service, unity and humility were the foundations of authority, and that the provincial leadership should be the first to “put on the work apron” to serve their brothers and sisters.
The following members were elected to lead the province for the next triennium:
1st Councilor | 1er Consejero | 1o Consigliere
Fr. Irvin Mangmang, O. Carm.
2nd Councilor | 2do Consejero | 2o Consigliere
Fr. Melvin Lorono, O. Carm.
3rd Councilor | 3er Consejero | 3o Consigliere
Fr. Sheldon Tabile, O. Carm.
4th Councilor | 4to Consejero | 4o Consigliere
Fr. Edwin Magbago, O. Carm.
Carmelite Nuns of Fisciano Held their Elective Chapter
Elective Chapter Held in Carmelite Monastery "San Giuseppe" in Fisciano (SA)
The Carmelite Monastery of San Giuseppe in Fisciano, Italy celebrated its elective chapter on February 23, 2026.
The foundation of the monastery was prepared by the Venerable Seraphina of Divine Providence but was brought to fruition in 1691 by Sr. Archangela Fortune (d. 1734). St. Alphonsus de Liguori (d. 1787) visited the nuns at the monastery frequently.
In addition to the activities typical of cloistered life, they also do small jobs to finance themselves (party favors, sweets, wreaths, handicrafts), welcome groups for retreats, and provide discernment for young people.
The monastery is a member of the Federation of St. Mary Magdelene de' Pazzi and is in the Salerno-Campagna-Acerno diocese.
Those elected to leadership are:
Prioress | Priora | Priora:
Sr Maria Regina dell' Eucarestia, O. Carm.
1st Councilor | 1ª Consejera | 1ª Consigliera:
Sr Maria Carmela di San Gerardo, O. Carm.
2nd Councilor | 2ª Consejera | 2ª Consigliera:
Sr Maria Giuseppina di Gesù Misericordioso, O. Carm.
Treasurer | Ecónoma | Economa:
Sr Maria Arcangela di Gesù, O. Carm.
Formator | Formadora | Formatrice:
Sr Maria Arcangela di Gesù, O. Carm.
Sacristan | Sacristana | Sacrestana:
Sr Maria Giuseppina di Gesù Misericordioso, O. Carm.
Mass Attendance Skyrocketing Brings Troubles in Kenya
Skyrocketing Increase in Catholics at Mass Brings Troubles for the Carmelites Making Hosts in Kenya
According to Aid to the Church in Need (ACN), an international Catholic charity since 1947, the number of people returning to Church in Kenya is skyrocketing, while the equipment used by the Carmelite nuns for baking Eucharistic wafers has broken down.
The 26 Carmelite Sisters, who live in the Monastery of Our Lady of Mount Carmel in the Machakos Diocese, support themselves through their work. While their principal vocation is prayer, the nuns bake unleavened communion wafers and create liturgical items, including vestments, for the local Church. The Machakos Carmelite monastery, the first in Kenya, was established by Sisters from Utrera, Spain, in 1999. There are now three Carmelite monasteries in the country.
The prioress of the monastery, Sr. Mary Thérèse Ndinda, believes the increase in participation is due to covid. “The experience of the pandemic has led many people to come back to Church.”
The wafer-baking equipment at the monastery is quite old and frequently breaks down. So the work has become especially difficult. Sr. Mary Thérèse said the nuns, who come from many countries including Spain, Burkina Faso, Cameroon and Tanzania, could not afford new equipment, since their earnings barely cover their own very modest needs.
Kenya has a population of more than 55,300,000 which is 82.5 percent Christian, according to CAN’s 2025 Religious Freedom in the World report.
Christians in Indonesia Assist in Islamic Celebration
Christians in Indonesia Assist in Islamic Group’s Celebration
According to reports published by the Union of Catholic Asian News (UCA News), leaders of Nahdlatul Ulama (NU), Indonesia’s largest moderate Islamic organization, have lauded the support given by Christian churches during the recent centenary celebrations. The churches provided shelter and logistical support during the celebrations that took place February 8-9.
Eight Catholic and Protestant churches provided accommodation to thousands of Muslims from across Indonesia who traveled to Malang.
Muhammad Mahpur, a lecturer at Maulana Malik Ibrahim State Islamic University in Malang and deputy chairman of NU’s Malang branch, said that by offering support, Christians not only expressed fraternity but also demonstrated the deeper meaning of the Church’s presence in society.
“Besides proving that we are brothers and sisters of one nation, all of this demonstrates the Church’s presence as a place of refuge — a place of rest from fatigue, rain, heat and hunger,” he said.
For many Muslims, he added, churches are often perceived as distant places of worship, shaped by differing perceptions.
“Therefore, when they enter and see things beyond their expectations, such as the church altar, they experience it as a new spiritual and social experience,” he said.
Aan Anshori, coordinator of the Interfaith Intellectual Network and Dialogue, said Christians’ involvement in the NU event demonstrates respect not only for NU members but also for followers of other faiths.
“All of this proves the strong spirit of brotherhood that binds our community, and we hope this bond will grow stronger day by day,” he said.
Founded in 1926 and based in Jakarta, NU has an estimated 110 million members. Its two days of centennial celebrations at Gajayana Stadium in Malang drew between 104,000 and 107,000 participants from across the country.
During the Carmelite General Chapter in Malang, Allysa Wachid, the daughter of Abdurahman Wachid, the former leader of NU and fourth president of Indonesia, and the vice general, Hariawan Adji, spoke to the Carmelites about Christian-Muslim relations. Freedom of Belief is one of four focuses of The Carmelite NGO as well.
Our Lady of Mount Carmel Cathedral in Malang where Carmelite Henricus Pidyarto Gunawan is bishop opened its doors to assist participants as local hotels were fully booked. They offered temporary shelter for rest, food, prayer space and ablution facilities. They also provided livestream of the event.
The churches adjusted their Saturday and Sunday liturgy schedules to allow participants to join the program. The cathedral parish priest explained that the local faithful got involved as well. “When we explained the needs of our Muslim brothers and sisters, many donated snacks and drinks voluntarily,” the priest said. “This wasn’t just from church leaders — ordinary Catholics stepped up, turning it into a true community effort,” he added.
Indonesia is the world’s largest Muslim-majority nation, with about 87 percent of its estimated 287 million people identifying as Muslim. Other major religions include Christianity, Buddhism and Hinduism.
Celebrating At Home - 2nd Sunday in Lent
Transfiguration
(Matthew 17:1-9)
These Gospels tell us what Lent is about and what Christian life is about: a journey from temptation and doubt to transfiguration and faith. A journey away from allowing ourselves to be tempted to evil, and towards allowing ourselves to be tempted to good by the action of God’s Holy Spirit within us.
As the ‘Chosen One’ Jesus will let God’s glory be fully seen in the resurrection. On the one hand, this Gospel looks forward to the Passion and Resurrection of Jesus. On the other, it invites us to reflect on our journey from temptation to transfiguration.
The journey Jesus undertakes does not end in death, but in life. Through prayer we remain in contact with the heart of God which allows God’s love to transform and transfigure us and to ‘burst forth’ in goodness. That’s how we allow the glory of God to be seen in us and through us.
Transfiguration means to be shot-through with the presence of God. Being transfigured is about allowing the presence of God to completely transform us; it’s a revolution of mind and heart driven by God’s Spirit and enabled by our open heartedness.
Our life as Christians is about being transfigured by the Spirit of God so that God is seen in, and experienced through, us.
It takes faith and perseverance to dare to allow ourselves to be tempted by the passion, hope and vision of God rather than our own desires and wants. It takes great faith to trust in God’s word to us. But if we do, the living word of the Chosen One forms in us the heart of God.
- pdf Celebrating At Home - 2nd Sunday in Lent [PDF] (3.15 MB)
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- pdf Celebrando en Familia - Segundo Domingo del Tiempo de Cuaresma (746 KB)
- pdf Celebrando in Casa - II Domenica di Quaresima (747 KB)
- pdf Celebrando em família - Segundo Domingo da Quaresma (734 KB)
Lectio Divina March, 2026
Opening Prayer
Oh God, who in the glorious Transfiguration of Christ, the Lord, you confirmed the mysteries of faith by the witness of the Law and of the prophets and you have admirably pre-announced our definite adoption as your children, may we listen to the Word of your Beloved Son to become coheirs of his immortal life. Amen.
Carmelite Nuns Held Their Elective Chapter in Córdoba
Elective Chapter Held in Carmelite Monastery in Córdoba, Spain
The Carmelite Monastery of the Sacred Heart of Jesus and of St. Titus Brandsma celebrated its elective chapter on February 17, 2026.
This monastery, canonically established on July 3, 1987, was designated for the initial and ongoing formation of the nuns of the Federation “Mother and Flower of Carmel.” The community, however, is composed primarily of members appointed by the Council of the Federation.
Those elected to leadership are:
Prioress | Priora | Priora:
Sor Reinhild Maschke, O. Carm.
1st Councilor | 1ª Consejera | 1ª Consigliera:
Sor María Dolores Domínguez Pérez, O. Carm.
2nd Councilor | 2ª Consejera | 2ª Consigliera:
Sor María Belén Garrido Garrido, O. Carm.
Treasurer | Ecónoma | Economa:
Sor María Belén Garrido Garrido, O. Carm.
Formator | Formadora | Formatrice:
Sor María Dolores Domínguez Pérez, O. Carm.
Sacristan | Sacristana | Sacrestana:
Sor Anastasia Katungwa Makau, O. Carm.
Causa Nostrae Laetitiae
INITIUM NOVITIATUS
17-01-26 João Pedro Galvão do Nascimento (Pern) Graciosa, Brasil
17-01-26 Álvaro Luiz dos Santos Souza (Pern) Graciosa, Brasil
17-01-26 Ítalo José Emiliano Alcântara (Pern) Graciosa, Brasil
17-01-26 Francisco Henrique Pereira Nogueira (Pern) Graciosa, Brasil
17-01-26 Gustavo Silva Luciano (Par) Graciosa, Brasil
17-01-26 Alexandre Ruan e Souza (Flum) Graciosa, Brasil
17-01-26 Henrique Guerreiro Diniz Alvarenga (Flum) Graciosa, Brasil
17-01-26 Iago Serafim Soares (Flum) Graciosa, Brasil
17-01-26 Yan D’Avila Matilda (Flum) Graciosa, Brasil
17-01-26 Lucas Serpa Moreira (Flum) Graciosa, Brasil
02-02-26 Ignatius Balentina Parichcha (STSA) N. Paravur, India
02-02-26 Augustin Arjyn Kujur (STSA) N. Paravur, India
02-02-26 Albert Rajkumar Nayak (STSA) N. Paravur, India
02-02-26 Xavier Dushmant Nayak (STSA) N. Paravur, India
02-02-26 Nicholas Nishant Lakra (STSA) N. Paravur, India
PROFESSIO TEMPORANEA
20-01-26 Maria Ester Matos Rocha (JAB) Jaboticabal, Brazil
02-02-26 Ansbert Ananta Malik (STSA) N. Paravur, India
02-02-26 Justin Sajan Nayak (STSA) N. Paravur, India
02-02-26 Gabriel Abhilas Nayak (STSA) N. Paravur, India
02-02-26 Pius Prasanta Toppo (STSA) N. Paravur, India
PROFESSIO SOLEMNIS
13-08-25 Bency Varhese (Neap) Caivano, Italia
13-08-25 Adorn Varghese Ansel (Neap) Caivano, Italia
14-11-25 Mary Joy F. Mirafilez Flores (BUR) Burgos, Philippines
02-02-26 Mary Heidelyn Benedicta Mariano Silverio (BUR) Burgos, Philippines
02-02-26 Mary Madeleine Nguyen Thi Phuc (BUR) Burgos, Philippines
ORDINATIO DIACONALIS
28-01-26 Adorn Varghese Ansel (Neap) Caivano, Italia
General Commissariat in India Holds Chapter
General Commissariat of St. Thérèse and St. Albert Holds Third Chapter
The Third Chapter of the St. Thérèse and St. Albert General Commissariat in India was held from February 16-20, 2026, at Atma Darshan, Aluva, Kerala. Thirty-nine members serving in the Commissariat in India and abroad participated. The Chapter reflected on the theme: “Rooted in Christ, Renewed in Fraternity, Committed to Mission” (cf. John 15:5).
The meeting was graced with the presence of Desiderio García Martínez, O. Carm., the prior general, and Robert Thomas Puthussery, O. Carm., councilor for Asia–Australia–Oceania. In his address, the prior general underlined that the renewal of the Order begins with a return to the essentials of consecrated life—deep prayer, evangelical simplicity, authentic fraternity, and a contemplative spirit that sustains mission—while encouraging stronger formation, responsible consolidation of communities and ministries, on-going processes of reorganization, and the promotion of a safeguarding culture rooted in the Gospel.
Participants described the Chapter as a true celebration of fraternity, a moment of shared discernment in which the brothers reflected together on the challenges of the Commissariat and renewed their commitment to religious life and mission.
The following members were elected to lead the province for the next triennium:
Prior Provincial | Prior Provincial | Priore Provinciale
Praveen Lawrence, O. Carm.
1st Councilor | 1er Consejero | 1o Consigliere
Justin Rojan Pazahmpilly, O. Carm.
2nd Councilor | 2do Consejero | 2o Consigliere
Jacob Roby Chackalaprambil, O. Carm.
3rd Councilor | 3er Consejero | 3o Consigliere
Jose Thomas Azhikakath, O. Carm.
4th Councilor | 4to Consejero | 4o Consigliere
Pio Vishanth Varghese, O. Carm.
