Sometime before 1214, Albert, as Patriarch of Jerusalem, wrote a Formula Vitae to guide the lives of the community on Mount Carmel into greater holiness.

Read more here

Watch the Reflections on St. Albert of Jerusalem with Br. Patrick Mullins O. Carm here

Watch the Interview with Br. Patrick Mullins O. Carm, an expert on  St. Albert, here

The members of the Chapter of the Italian Province, meeting at Il Carmelo in Sassone, on August 30-September 4, 2021, have elected to following to leadership of the province for the next three years:

Prior Provincial:
P. Roberto Toni, O. Carm.

Vice Provincial
P. Nicola Sozzi, O. Carm.

1st Councilor:
P. Gian Domenico Meloni, O. Carm.

2nd Councilor:
P. Francesco Sciarelli, O. Carm.

3rd Councilor:
P. Henry Venecia Cerro, O. Carm.

4th Councilor:
P. Giampiero Molinari, O. Carm.

This year the Order celebrates 750 years of the Irish Province.

As part of the festivities, the Provincial Chapter, held from 5th to 10th September, had a Mass celebrated by the prior general, Mícéal O'Neill, himself a member of the Irish Province.

Due to covid retrictions, other celebrations were limited. A larger event for the whole Carmelite Family will take place at a later date.

The Provincial Chapter also elected leadership for the next three years. Elected to serve were:

Prior Provincial:
Fr. Michael Troy, O. Carm.

Assistant Provincial:
Fr. David Twohig, O. Carm.

1st Councilor:
Fr. Simon Nolan, O. Carm.

2nd Councilor:
Fr. John Keating, O. Carm.

3rd Councilor:
Fr. Martin Paravookaran, O. Carm.

4th Councilor:
Fr. Martin Kilmurray, O. Carm.

Commissary Prov. of Zimbabwe:
Fr. Simplisio Manyika, O. Carm.

Inspired by the Carmelite Constitutions, the other documents of the Order, and the invitation by the JPIC International Commission to coordinate, animate and foster JPIC networking in different Geographical Areas of the Order, the Asia-Australia-Oceania Geographic Area (AAO) has formed a JPIC Commission for the Area comprising members from all the Provinces and Commissariats of the Geographic Area.

The members of the Commission are:

Hariawan Adji (Indonesia) Convenor
Agedo Bento (Australia-Timor-Leste) Secretary
Christian Buenafe (Philippines),
Babu Payikkattu (St. Thomas, India),
Manuel Karippote (General Commissariate, STSA, India),
Paskalis Patut (East Indonesia, Flores)
Joseph Tri Phan (Vietnam).

The Commission has had two meetings so far (29 April and 5 August 2021). In the initial meetings an assessment was completed of the current JPIC initiatives in the area and taking into consideration, the special nature of the Geographical Area, after fruitful discussions, we have identified three major areas of our work for the coming years namely, Human Rights, Environment and Religion and Culture.

The Commission has decided to meet three times a year and the next meeting is scheduled for 29 October 2021. In order to promote JPIC programs in the Area we are organising a webinar on Human Rights’ Issues for the whole Carmelite Family which is due on Saturday 27 November 2021.

The Prior General Míceál O'Neill will speak on “JPIC and Human Rights’ Issues from a Carmelite Perspective” and Christian Buenafe O. Carm will speak on “Human Rights’ Issues from the Ground, a Philippines Perspective”.

The Order of Carmelites in the Philippines recently opened an ad experimentum community in the Diocese of Cabanatuan, through an invitation of Bishop Sofronio Aguirre Bancud.

Fr. Marlon Beredo, O. Carm. and Fr. Michael Condes, O. Carm. will initially be assisting the rector of Saint Nicholas of Tolentino Parish Cathedral, especially in its pastoral ministries. They will be joined by Fr. Baltazar Ronato, O. Carm., who at present is the director of the Bulong ng Simoy-Bahay Pananahimik Carmelite Spirituality Center in Dipaculao, Aurora.

To formalize the presence of the Order in the diocese a “Memorandum of Agreement” was signed by the prior provincial of the Carmelites in the Philippines, the Very Rev. Rico P. Ponce, O. Carm., and the Bishop of the Diocese of Cabanatuan.

The memorandum was witnessed by Fr. Noel Jetajobe, vicar general of the diocese; Fr. Jeffrey Alarilla, diocesan financial administrator; Fr. Joel Cariaso, vicar for religious; Fr. Sed Calderon, chancellor; and Fr. Esmeraldo Reforeal, O. Carm., provincial secretary and first councilor of the Filipino province.

“We always acknowledge the fact that religious congregations are a gift to the church,” said Bishop Bancud. He said the diocese is highlighting the different charisms of each religious order and congregation to help in the faith life of the people of the diocese. “Together we will be able to build up the Body of Christ in the local church of Cabanatuan,” he added.

The prior provincial, Rico Ponce, expressed his gratitude to the bishop, the clergy, religious, and lay leaders of the diocese for the warm welcome extended to the Order. He said that despite the challenges that the Order is facing because of the pandemic, it is committed to contributing to the spiritual growth of the faithful in the diocese.

The agreement stipulates that the Order will “participate in the mission of evangelization” in the territorial jurisdiction of the diocese. This will be done through the provision of “pastoral assistance in parishes and schools within the diocese.”

The agreement is effective for 25 years and then renewable.

On the feast of Blessed Titus Brandsma, the titular patron of the Philippine Carmelite Province, the remains of Br. Isagani Valle, O. Carm., were transferred to his final resting place. The location is named in his honor, the Br. Isagani Miro Valle Memorial Cross at the Carmelite Spirituality Center & Shrine of Our Lady of Mount Carmel Ormoc.

Br. Isagani was martyred during a military crackdown in May 1983. His steely resolve to remain true to the ideals and spirituality of the Carmelite Order continues to be an inspiration to the current member of the Carmelite province and the local Church.

Isagani’s bones were moved from his former burial site, which was in the old chapel, already irreparably damaged by typhoons and earthquakes and soon to be demolished to make way for a new multi-purpose building. His new grave lies within the Memorial Cross.

In attendance were the director of the Carmelite Spirituality Center, Fr. Joiezl Piñon, O. Carm., and the provincial hagiographer Br. Lester Hallig, O. Carm, Members of the Miro and the Valle families were also in attendance. They generously lent their resources and time to make the occasion a success.

It is also hoped that the momentous event would become an impetus for introducing Br. Isagani’s cause for beatification.

On September 1st we celebrate the memory of St. Teresa Margarita Redi.

As a student at a Benedictine monastery school in Florence, Teresa was deeply moved by the enthusiasm and joy on the face of a graduate who had returned to say goodbye to her former teachers, as she was entering the community of Discalced Carmelite nuns in the city of Florence. Reflecting on her reaction to that young woman’s embracing of her vocation, Teresa felt that she suddenly received an unspoken message from Teresa of Avila, foundress of the Discalced Carmelites.

Eventually entering the Discalced monastery as well, Redi was assigned to the office of infirmarian or nurse for the community. She was quite effective. When an epidemic broke out in the community in 1770, Teresa Margaret worked diligently caring for the other nuns. She is said to have had a special gift for reaching the deaf and mentally ill nuns. Because of her life and work, she was able to grow deeply in her interior life. She came to be revered for her mystical gifts. She was given a special contemplative experience concerning the words of I John 4:8, "God is love", which was a phrase she would repeat often. The prioress of the monastery was quite strict with Teresa, constantly reprimanding and humiliating her. However, Teresa proved to be unfailingly cheerful. Her spirituality is perhaps best captured by her full religious name: Teresa Margaret of the Sacred Heart of Jesus.

Read more here

Almighty God, every good thing comes from you. Fill our hearts with love for you, increase our faith, and by your constant care protect the good you have given us.

We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.

Amen.

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Our latest book on Titus Brandsma

We are happy to announce the publication of an English translation of the authoritative biography of Titus Brandsma, O. Carm., by Miguel Arribas, O. Carm.

Watch this short presentation of the book here

Bl. Jacques Retouret was born at Limoges in France on 15th September 1746 to a merchant family.

He was a serious young man, a lover of books and greatly gifted.

At fifteen years of age, he entered the Carmelite house in his native city.

After ordination, his zeal and learning were widely admired and large crowds of people were attracted by his way of preaching.

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