O.Carm
Causa Nostrae Laetitiae
PROFESSIO TEMPORANEA
28-04-25 Alphonse, Rony (STSA) Kerala, India
28-04-25 James, Kumar (STSA) Kerala, India
28-04-25 Joseph, Praveen (STSA) Kerala, India
PROFESSIO SOLEMNIS
28-04-25 Cheeramban Thomas, Matthew (STSA) Kerala, India
28-04-25 Jerome, Abin (STSA) Kerala, India
28-04-25 Michael, Angelin Mary (STSA) Kerala, India
28-04-25 Thomas, Martin (STSA) Kerala, India
28-04-25 Nuno, Nixon (STSA) Kerala, India
ORDINATIO DIACONALIS
13-06-25 Yohanes Seran (Indo-Or) Maumere, Indonesia
13-06-25 Andrianus Bado Rema (Indo-Or) Maumere, Indonesia
13-06-25 Georgius Ture (Indo-Or) Maumere, Indonesia
13-06-25 Daniel Seti Hali Tolang (Indo-Or) Maumere, Indonesia
13-06-25 Patrisius Rato (Indo-Or) Maumere, Indonesia
13-06-25 Hendrikus Nggala (Indo-Or) Maumere, Indonesia
13-06-25 Blasius Wege (Indo-Or) Maumere, Indonesia
13-06-25 Hilarius Abiops Sawokupu (Indo-Or) Maumere, Indonesia
13-06-25 Alexandro Putra Bei (Indo-Or) Maumere, Indonesia
13-06-25 Marianus Ronaldo Tiba (Indo-Or) Maumere, Indonesia
13-06-25 Yulianus Yesik M. Rudeng (Indo-Or) Maumere, Indonesia
ORDINATIO SACERDOTALIS
06-04-25 Itamar dos Santos Neri (Pern) Aracaju, Brasil
26-04-25 Cristiano Garcia Dias Barbosa (Pern) Recife, Brasil
Celebrating At Home - The Most Holy Body And Blood Of Christ
The Real Presence of Jesus in Us (Luke 9:11-17)
Today’s feast celebrates the enduring sign of Christ’s presence with us in the Bread and Wine of the Eucharist.
It also celebrates Christ’s presence with us in the community of the Church. The Eucharist is our sacrament of communion, not only with Christ and God, but also with all those called into the Christian community. Our communion binds us to one another in a sacred union of mind and heart with Jesus.
The word ‘communion’ means to share in common. In Holy Communion what we share in common with God and each other is Jesus Christ present in the Bread and the Wine. Another meaning of ‘communion’ is to be of one mind and heart. It is the Holy Spirit who keeps us in communion of mind and heart with God, with Christ and with each other.
We are very used to thinking about the Real Presence of Jesus being in the Blessed Sacrament. But the real presence of Christ is also in the community when it gathers in his name to feast on the Word of Scripture, to recall what Jesus said and did at the Last Supper (not only the words over bread and wine, but also the washing of the feet), when it shares the food of the Eucharist together, when it goes out and continues to break and pour out that food in acts of loving kindness, in soothing and nourishing words which brings others to life.
The Eucharist is not only an object to be looked at, but an action to be done so that the living presence of Jesus continues to touch and heal.
Maybe we need to think more deeply about the real presence of Jesus being in real, living human beings. Bread and Wine have no eyes to gaze with love, no face with which to smile, no mouth to speak soothing words, no arms to hold the grieving and the sick, or to lend a hand, no ears to hear the pain. But we do.
So we are called to become the Eucharist that feeds those around us with the nourishment of breadth of heart and vision, respect, love, compassion, hope and forgiveness.
May we become what we receive. (St Augustine)
- pdf Celebrating At Home - The Most Holy Body And Blood Of Christ [PDF](2.88 MB)
- default Celebrating At Home - The Most Holy Body And Blood Of Christ [ePub](2.59 MB)
- pdf Celebrando en Familia - Santísimo Cuerpo y Sangre de Cristo(463 KB)
- pdf Celebrando in Casa - Santissimo Corpo e Sangue di Cristo(462 KB)
- pdf Celebrando em família - Santíssimo Corpo e Sangue de Cristo(459 KB)
Province of Germany Holds Triennial Chapter
Province of Germany Holds Triennial Chapter June 9-13, 2025
The fourth provincial chapter of the German Province was held from June 9 – 13, 2025 in the Carmelite Retreat Center at Springiersbach (Germany).
In his opening address, the prior general, Míċeál O’Neill, O. Carm., expressed his wish that the chapter would be “a meeting of minds and hearts that see more clearly who we are, what we have received from God and what is our calling in this country and in Africa today.”
The theme chosen for the chapter was: “What are you doing here, Elijah?” (1 Kings 19:9). The chapter participants (gremiales) took this question of God to Elijah as an opportunity to ask themselves what constitutes their religious life today. Arising from this, the gremiales considered their spiritual and community life. They examined how they were to live in the world: how to communicate their lives and what service they wanted to present to people.
Among the normal reports and topics, typical of every provincial chapter, the gremiales considered how they could strengthen their relationship with Cameroon. Time was also spent considering the new leadership of the province and what needed to happen after the provincial chapter was concluded. In addition, the chapter supported the province’s participation in the projects for closer cooperation within the North European Region.
The chapter was facilitated and moderated by Frau Stefanie Kainzbauer. Wilmar Santin, O. Carm., Bishop of Itaituba, Para, Brazil, a member of the province, attended as a guest. In addition, Dr Raoul Kiyangi, OCD, provincial of the Discalced German Province attended for a day as a guest of the province.
The following members were elected to leadership:
Provincial | Provincial | Provinciale
Peter Schröder, O. Carm.
1st Councilor | 1er Consejero | 1o Consigliere
Theodor Vreeswijk, O. Carm.
2nd Councilor | 2do Consejero | 2o Consigliere
Stephan Panzer, O. Carm.
3rd Councilor | 3er Consejero | 3o Consigliere
Lorenz van Rickelen, O. Carm.
4th Councilor | 4to Consejero | 4o Consigliere
Severin Tyburski, O. Carm.
Vitam Coelo Reddiderunt
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Institutum Carmelitanum Leadership Renewed
New Leadership of the Institutum Carmelitanum Announced
The Carmelite Order is pleased to announce a new leadership team for their international academic institution, Institutum Carmelitanum, located at St Albert’s International Centre in Rome (Italy).
Boby Sebastian Tharakkunnel, O. Carm., (Province of St Thomas, India), has been appointed as the President of the Institutum Carmelitanum. He will direct, coordinate, and promote the research and the scientific activities of the Institutum Carmelitanum for the next six years.
Father Boby was born in Kerala (India) and made his first profession as a Carmelite in 1993. He worked as Executive Secretary of the Order’s Justice Peace and Integrity of Creation Commission and also as a member of the Order’s Inter-Religious Dialogue Commission. After earning his doctorate in Canon Law from the Pontifical Oriental Institute (Rome) in 2014, he has been a professor of Canon Law, Civil Law and director of retreats and courses of personality development. Currently, he is the prior and rector of our minor seminary “Carmel Nivas” in Kerala (India).
Speaking about his appointment, Father Boby said, “It is with joy and humility that I embrace the role of President of the Institutum Carmelitanum, eager to honor the legacy of distinguished Carmelites before me and to help shape a future of renewal and excellence for this great institution.”
Giovanni Grosso, O. Carm., (Italian Province) has been appointed as the General Archivist. The Order’s General Archive is located at St Albert’s International College (Rome). The General Archivist is responsible for the entire patrimony and takes care of the ordering, custody, restoration, consultation and enhancement of the documentation preserved in the Archive.
Maximilianus Kolbe Agung Wahyudianto, O. Carm., (Indonesian Province), has been appointed as the General Librarian. In addition to a small general section, the Carmelite General Library has a specifically Carmelite section which collects all the publications of Carmelite authors and subjects. As General Librarian, Father Maximilianus will take care of the organization, conservation, updating, consultation, and enhancement of the library.
Mario Loya, O. Carm., (PCM Province) has been announced as the Secretary of the Institutum Carmelitanum. As a member of the secretariat, Father Mario has the task of helping to coordinate the activity of the Institutum Carmelitanum especially with regard to its publications.
Michael Plattig, O. Carm., (German Province), continues in his role as editor of Carmelus, the academic journal of the Institutum Carmelitanum. Carmelus is a multi-lingual journal of scholarly articles along with an annual bibliography of Carmelite spirituality, theology, history, and biography along with other works important to researchers and students in the area of Carmelite studies.
The Institutum Carmelitanum has the task of making known the spiritual heritage of Carmel throughout the Order and throughout the modern world. It was established in 1951 by the then prior general, Kilian Lynch, to promote studies especially in the areas of Carmelite history, Mariology, and spirituality and is now developing into other areas. It produces several publications through the years including an academic journal, Carmelus.
Elective Chapter Held in Machakos, Kenya
Elective Chapter Held in the Monastery of Our Lady of Mt Carmel in Machakos, Kenya on June 10, 2025
On June 10, 2025, the Carmelite nuns of the Monastery of Our Lady of Mount Carmel in Machakos, Kenya held their elective chapter.
The monastery was founded in 1999 by sisters from the Carmelite monasteries in Utrera, Spain and Santo Domingo. It was the first Carmelite monastery in Kenya. Two other enclosed monasteries now exist in the country: Juja Farm and Kitui.
The following nuns were elected to leadership:
Prioress | Priora | Priora:
Sr. Mary Winifred Katunge Mbui
1st Councilor | 1ª Consejera | 1ª Consigliera:
Sr. Mary Therese Ndinda
2nd Councilor | 2ª Consejera | 2ª Consigliera:
Sr. Mary Jacinta Wayua
3rd Councilor | 3ª Consejera | 3ª Consigliera:
Sr. Mary Lucy of St. Joseph
4th Councilor | 4ª Consejera | 4ª Consigliera:
Sr. Mary Dorothee Ndomo
Treasurer | Ecónoma | Economa
Sr. Mary Therese Ndinda
Formator | Formadora | Formatrice
Sr. Mary Therese Ndina Mutisya
Sacristan | Sacristán | Sacrestana:
Sr. Mary Jacinta
Carmel, Pilgrims of Hope, Participate in Jubilee Year 2025
Representatives of the entire Carmelite Family, made up of the two traditions of the Carmelite Order (OCARM and OCD), gathered to celebrate the Jubilee Year in Rome on June 2, 2025.
In the afternoon, the members of both General Councils undertook the pilgrimage way to pass through the Holy Door of St Peter’s Basilica. Starting from the new Piazza Pia, the group moved along Via della Conciliazione chanting the psalms, singing the litany, and listening to Scripture and other reflections until they passed together through the Holy Door.
Inside St Peter’s Basilica, the group was led to the Tomb of St Peter. There, everyone recited the Apostles’ Creed and were blessed by the Preposito General of the Discalced Carmelites, Miguel Márquez Calle, OCD.
After a short break, everyone gathered again for the celebration of the Eucharist in the Church of Our Lady in Traspontina. The church was full to capacity as many members of the Carmelite Family who were present in Rome at that time gathered to celebrate the Jubilee Year together.
The prior general of the Carmelite Order, Míċeál O’Neill, O. Carm., presided at the Eucharist and the preposito general, Miguel Márquez Calle, OCD, preached the homily. Giuseppe Midili, O. Carm., and the other members of the community at Traspontina guided the celebration liturgically and musically. Two members of the Carmelite community at Albano also assisted. After Communion, the choir from the Teresianum sang a hymn that they had composed especially for the Jubilee Year.
Afterwards, Tadeusz Popiela, O. Carm., prior of the community, welcomed both General Curial communities (along with some guests) to a supper in Saint Albert’s International College (CISA) with the rest of the community there.
St. Elisha, prophet
June 14 | Memorial
Elisha, the Disciple Par Excellence
Elisha is not Elijah's only disciple. According to a Jewish tradition found in the Vitae prophetarum, in Jerome's introduction to his Commentary on the Book of Jonah, and in some other patristic writings, Jonah was the son of the widow of Zarephath, brought back to life by the prophet and became Elijah's disciple: “Jonah, after his death, was resurrected by the prophet Elijah: he followed him, suffered with him, and, because of his obedience to him, merited the favor of the gift of prophecy” (Arabic Jacobite Synaxarion of September 22).
G. Baconthorp knew this tradition, which he derived from Jerome. G. de Cheminot, following F. Ribot, makes a disciple of the man whom Elijah sent back when he was fleeing from Jezebel, the first one. It is this man whom Elijah sends to the top of Mount Carmel to watch for the coming of the rain.
According to the Vitae prophetarum, Obadiah, Ahab's steward who hid the hundred prophets, fifty by fifty, sent by Ahaziah, became a disciple of Elijah. Theodore Bar-Koni, an eighth-century Nestorian author, specifies that he was endowed with the gift of prophecy after following Elijah. Medieval Carmelites list Obadiah among the great disciples of Elijah. Philippe Ribot is the only 14th-century Carmelite to also make the prophet Micah a disciple of Elijah.
In this group of disciples, Elisha occupies the first place (Cheminot, Ribot).
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Celebrating At Home - Trinity Sunday
God Enfleshed In Us (John 16:12-15)
The Feast of the Trinity is a day for reflecting on who God is, not for trying to figure out how there can be three persons in one God.
The Church’s focus today is on experience, not theology.
In intellectual terms, God remains a mystery. For people of faith, God is known not by the mind, but by the heart. That is what spirituality and mysticism are about - exploring our experience of God.
Through our public liturgy, private prayer and contemplation we come to experience - to ‘know’ and feel in our hearts - that God loves us, accepts us, forgives us and constantly invites us into an ever deeper experience of love.
When we allow God’s heart to speak to ours in love we begin to absorb more of God’s life into our own. We are being transformed. Our values and attitudes, our ways of looking at and being in the world start to change. We begin to see with God’s eyes and feel with God’s heart.
We become passionate about the things God is passionate about: speaking truthfully, acting with justice and integrity, looking out for each other and especially for the vulnerable, promoting peace and understanding, ending competition and discrimination, respecting life.
That makes us better people and our lives become a blessing for each other and for the world.
That is what it means to live out of God’s great gift to us, the Spirit of Jesus Christ which God has placed in our hearts. God becomes enfleshed in us and we become stewards of God’s grace and life.
- pdf Celebrating At Home - Trinity Sunday [PDF](3.00 MB)
- default Celebrating At Home - Trinity Sunday [ePub](2.86 MB)
- pdf Celebrando en Familia - Domingo de la Santísima Trinidad(470 KB)
- pdf Celebrando in Casa - Domenica della Santissima Trinità(469 KB)
- pdf Celebrando em família - O Domingo da Santíssima Trindade(467 KB)
Bl. Hilary Januszewski, Priest and Martyr
12 June Optional Memorial
Hilary Januszewski, born Pawel on June 11, 1907, in Poland, joined the Order of Carmelites in 1927 and was ordained a priest in 1934. During the German occupation of Poland, when other friars were arrested, Fr. Hilary decided to present himself in exchange for an older and sick friar. From that day his Calvary began. He was sent to the prison of Montelupi (Cracow), then to the concentration camp of Sachsenchausen and in April 1941 to the concentration camp of Dachau. There he was a model of prayer life, encouraging others and giving hope for a better tomorrow. Together with the other Carmelites, among whom was Saint Titus Brandsma, they often joined in prayer. He died on March 25, 1945, from typhus, shortly before the camp's liberation. He was beatified by Pope John Paul II on June 13, 1999.
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