Here's What People On Twitter Say They're Giving Up For Lent
Written bySam Frizell
All over the world, people are giving up on things, like their New Year's Resolutions, failed relationships, and fixing the WiFi router.
But believe it or not, some people are actually giving things up as a form of religious penitence and holy atonement.
That's right: Lent, the season of renunciation, is upon us. It's the 40-day period when the adherents of many Christian denominations, including Catholics, Anglicans and Calvinists, forego some quotidian pleasure from Ash Wednesday (that's today) to Easter Sunday, to honor the forty days when Jesus fasted in the desert and endured temptation by the devil.
Open Bible used Twitter to track some of the main things that people are giving up for their Lenten fasts. Top of the list? Chocolate. Not a big surprise there, but second was Twitter. Apparently, using Twitter to denounce Twitter is definitely in vogue.
Out of 50,899 tweets during the week of February 15, 2015, there were 2,343 chocolate-related tweets, 2020 twitter-related tweets, followed by 1,789 abdications of social networking in general. School came in fourth, and alcohol rounded out the top 5.
Granted, many of the Lent-related Twitter posts are likely facetious, so the list is to be taken with a grain of salt. But it does open a window into our collective guilty pleasures and greatest shames. (One of which appears to be "boys.")
Pope Francis' Guide to Lent: What You Should Give Up This Year
Written byChristopher J. Hale
Christians around the world mark the beginning of Lent with the celebration of Ash Wednesday. This ancient day and season has a surprising modern appeal. Priests and pastors often tell you that outside of Christmas, more people show up to church on Ash Wednesday than any other day of the year—including Easter. But this mystique isn't reserved for Christians alone. The customs that surround the season have a quality to them that transcend religion.
Perhaps most notable is the act of fasting. While Catholics fast on Ash Wednesday and on Fridays during the Lenten season, many people—religious or not—take up this increasingly popular discipline during the year.
But Pope Francis has asked us to reconsider the heart of this activity this Lenten season. According to Francis, fasting must never become superficial. He often quotes the early Christian mystic John Chrysostom who said: "No act of virtue can be great if it is not followed by advantage for others. So, no matter how much time you spend fasting, no matter how much you sleep on a hard floor and eat ashes and sigh continually, if you do no good to others, you do nothing great."
But this isn't to downplay the role of sacrifice during the Lenten season. Lent is a good time for penance and self-denial. But once again, Francis reminds us that these activities must truly enrich others: "I distrust a charity that costs nothing and does not hurt."
So, if we're going to fast from anything this Lent, Francis suggests that even more than candy or alcohol, we fast from indifference towards others.
In his annual Lenten message, the pope writes, "Indifference to our neighbor and to God also represents a real temptation for us Christians. Each year during Lent we need to hear once more the voice of the prophets who cry out and trouble our conscience."
Describing this phenomenon he calls the globalization of indifference, Francis writes that "whenever our interior life becomes caught up in its own interests and concerns, there is no longer room for others, no place for the poor. God's voice is no longer heard, the quiet joy of his love is no longer felt, and the desire to do good fades." He continues that, "We end up being incapable of feeling compassion at the outcry of the poor, weeping for other people's pain, and feeling a need to help them, as though all this were someone else's responsibility and not our own."
But when we fast from this indifference, we can began to feast on love. In fact, Lent is the perfect time to learn how to love again. Jesus—the great protagonist of this holy season—certainly showed us the way. In him, God descends all the way down to bring everyone up. In his life and his ministry, no one is excluded.
"What are you giving up for Lent?" It's a question a lot of people will get these next few days. If you want to change your body, perhaps alcohol and candy is the way to go. But if you want to change your heart, a harder fast is needed. This narrow road is gritty, but it isn't sterile. It will make room in ourselves to experience a love that can make us whole and set us free.
Now that's something worth fasting for.
“…more by our life than by our words” (Const. 24). Missionaries of the Tenderness and Love of God”: was the theme of the General Congregation that was held from the 18th of September to the 1st of October, 2016 at the Casa Sao Nuno in Fatima, Portugal. This important meeting that took place in a fraternal setting, offered the opportunity for reflection on a variety of topics related to the life of our Order. The participants were very appreciative of the presence and the input of Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle, Archbishop of Manila and President of Caritas International. The final message from the meeting transmits the stimulation that people received over those days, which may be helpful to further reflection in our entire Order. For that reason, we decided to put a record of that important assembly at the centre of this edition of CITOC-magazine.
On the 20th of March, 2016, the 5th centenary of the death of Blessed Baptist Spagnoli, known as the Mantuan, opened. Our Postulator General, Dr. Giovanna Brizi, in what she writes, offers us a very profound account of this figure, highlighting his importance for the Order, the Church and the culture of the time. Along with him we remember another Carmelite blessed who, like the Mantuan, was Prior General of the Order in the 16th century, that is, John Soreth. We offer an interview with Bryan Deschamps, the author of the critical edition of the Blessed’s Expositio paraenetica, published recently. We regret to say, that since this interview Brian Deschamps has died.
The year 2016 could well be called the Year of the Carmelite Bishops, since Pope Francis appointed three of our brothers bishops in three different continents: Paul Horan, Bishop of Mutare in Zimbabwe, Francisco de Sales Alencar, Bishop of Cajazeiras in Brazil, and Henricus Pidyarto Gunawan, Bishop of Malang in Indonesia. We include short reports on their episcopal ordinations.
The other contributions offer a variety of information on the present life of the Order. Here I would like to name just a few. An important event for the Church and for young people around the world was the World Youth Day in Krakow, within which a Carmelite Day was held. In Tanzania a successful meeting of the Carmelite Family in Africa was held. In Indonesia, the formation directors and vocation directors of the whole Order gathered for an ongoing formation meeting.
Once again you will find in this issue of CITOC-magazine a variety of news items that show the vitality of our Order.
Please click here to download the magazine: http://ocarm.org/ebook/citocmag/no13/Eng.pdf
Pope's Prayer Intentions for March 2017
Support for Persecuted Christians.
That persecuted Christians may be supported by the prayers and material help of the whole Church.
Lectio Divina March - Marzo - Marzo 2017
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The Carmelite Commission for Justice, Peace and Integrity of Creation is organizing a Carmelite Family JPIC Congress scheduled for 22-28 July 2017 at Casa Sao Nuno, Fatima, Portugal. July 22, 2017 will be the day of arrival and participants depart on July 29, 2017.
The Congress is being organized for Friars and Sisters involved in the promotion of JPIC activities. These may include Province or Congregational Justice and Peace coordinators/ animators or brothers and sisters who are considering to minister in the area of justice, peace and integrity of creation.
During the Provincial Chapter of the Province of the Philippines held on 20-24 February 2017 were elected:
- Prior Provincial: Fr. Artemio D. Jusayan, O.Carm.
- First Councilor: Fr. Perfecto Adeva, O.Carm.
- Second Councilor: Fr. Marlon Lacal, O.Carm.
- Third Councilor: Fr. Gilbert Billena, O.Carm.
- Fourth Councilor: Fr. Arnel Glodobe, O.Carm.
Electoral Chapter of the Monastery of Encarnación, Huesca, Spain
Written byThe Elective Chapter of the Carmelite Monastery of Encarnación, Huesca, Spain, was held 16-17 February 2017. The following were elected:
- Prioress: Sr. M. Blanca Barril Vicente, O.Carm.
- 1st Councilor: Sr. M. Luisa Sanagustín Esperanza, O.Carm.
- 2nd Councilor: Sr. M. Pilar Borau Alpín, O.Carm.
- 3rd Councilor: Sr. Pilar M. Andrade Ortega, O.Carm.
- 4th Couniclor: Sr. Inmaculada M. Avellana Gilabert, O.Carm.
- Director of Novices: Sr. M. Gloria Caballero Vallejo, O.Carm.
- Treasurer: Sr. M. Luisa Sanagustín Esperanza, O.Carm.
- Sacristan: Sr. M. Pilar Borau Alpín, O.Carm.
The Third International Meeting of Carmelite Laity in Asia, Australia and Oceania
Written byFrom the 15th of the 20th of February, just gone by, in the “Bãi Dâu”, diocesan retreat centre in Vung Tau (Vietnam) the 3rd International Meeting of the Asia-Australia-Oceania Carmelite Laity took place. The theme of the meeting was: “From Community to Family. How Lay Carmelites live their Charism in their daily life” The three principal speakers were, the Prior General of the Order, Fr. Fernando Millán Romeral, O.Carm., who spoke about “Carmel and Family – a relationship with a long history”, Fr.Benny Phang Khong Wing, O.Carm., Councillor General for this geographical area, who spoke on the theme, “Building “Theotokos” Families”, and Fr. Michael Kissane, O.Carm., Prior Provincial of the North American Province of St. Elias, who, taking a lead from the Apostolic Exhortatiion, “Amoris Laetitia”- focused on St. Therese of Lisieux and Blessed Titus Brandsma, as Carmelite examples of a family based spirituality. In addition, various lay Carmelites from different communities shared their experiences in a way that was very enriching. Each input was followed by work in groups and reflection in common.
Some 170 people took part in the event, mainly from the Philippines, Indonesia, Vietnam, Australia and New Zealand). The very impressive preparation and organisation by the Vietnamese friars and the Donum Dei missionaries made this a very important time of reflection and fraternity for the growth of the Carmelite Family in this part of the world.
During the Provincial Chapter of the Province of India held on 6-10 February 2017 were elected:
- Prior Provincial: Fr. Mathew Neendoor, O.Carm.
- First Councilor: Fr. Paul Poovan, O.Carm.
- Second Councilor: Fr. Martin Pulickal, O.Carm.
- Third Councilor: Fr. Thankachan Njaliath, O.Carm.
- Fourth Councilor: Fr. John Mariadas Neerolickal, O.Carm.
Analysis of Survey Response Carmelite Commission for Justice, Peace and Integrity of Creation July 2016
Written by- It is with heartfelt gratitude and appreciation that the General Commission for Justice, Peace, and Integrity of Creation (JPIC) writes to announce the results of the recent 2015 questionnaire project.
- After receiving and analyzing the responses from a broad representation of the Carmelite Family, common themes emerged with regard to JPIC work. There is a clear motivation on the part of individuals and communities to participate in social and environmental ministries and a concrete desire to raise awareness of and to respond to the social and environment issues of our time.
- On a practical level many Carmelite communities and individual report preservation and sustainability of our common home to be fundamental dimensions of their ministries in education, communication, advocacy, liturgy and prayer. Common projects relate to recycling, simplicity of life, and financial support.
- Respondents find that the sources of their motivation for our participation in social and environmental ministries are Sacred Scripture, Carmelite Spirituality, Social Teachings of the Church, our concerns for human needs and the care for creation.
- The three pillars of our Carmelite charism – prayer, community, service – bear the fruits of contemplation, a unifying force that inspires our prophetic stance in response to contemporary social and environmental concerns.
- The majority of respondents acknowledge the existence of the Carmelite NGOs both local and international, showing various levels of involvement.
- While there is a high level of participation in social and environmental ministries within the Carmelite Family, a clear desire was expressed to learn and do more, specifically in the areas of ongoing formation, education through multiple platforms, networking, advocacy, growing in corporate discernment and witness.
- The respondents express desire to enrich those already doing this work, as well as introduce those who are beginning, by a series of activities which would involve animation, formation, coordination, communication, and collaboration.
- Based on this analysis, the JPIC Commission will develop a working document which will serve as the basis for the all Carmelite Family JPIC Congress in Fatima, Portugal on July 22 – 29, 2017.
More...
Conference Theme:
CARMEL ENGAGES WITH LAUDATO SI’:
Hearing both the cry of the Poor and of the Earth (cf. LS 49)
CARMELITE INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON JPIC
22-29 JULY 2017
EL COMPROMISO DEL CARMELO CON LAUDATO SI’:
Escuchando el clamor del pobre y de la tierra (cf. LS 49)
CONFERENCIA INTERNACIONAL CARMELITA EN JPIC
22-29 de Julio de 2017
L’IMPEGNO DEL CARMELO CON LAUDATO SI’:
Ascoltando tanto il grido dei poveri e della terra (cf. LS 49)
CONVEGNO INTERNAZIONALE CARMELITANO IN GPIC
22-20 luglio 2017
Rationale Statement of the Carmelite Commission For Justice, Peace and Integrity of Creation
Written byWe, the members drawn from the various branches of the Carmelite Family to constitute the Commission for Justice, Peace and Integrity of Creation of the Carmelite Order, met for our inaugural meeting at the Curia Generalizia, Roma, from 11-15 September 2014.
Our deliberations, sharing and dialogue from our diverse and rich contextual experiences were frank and sincere. We committed ourselves for the duration of this sessennium (2013-2019), to focus on helping Carmelite brothers and sisters in sensitizing, animating and participating in the promotion of Justice, Peace and Integrity of Creation throughout the Carmelite Family. We drew up our strategic plan which is an instrument for us to help our communities and especially those working in the ministry of Justice, Peace and Integrity of Creation to deepen their reflection, promote advocacy of pertinent issues and motivate each other to appropriate context-based action.
We recognize that action on behalf of justice and participation in the transformation of the world is a constitutive dimension of preaching the Gospel.[1] The whole ministry of Jesus and his return to the Father can be seen as geared towards the building up of the Kingdom of God - through proclamation, attitude and action - which is essentially a reign of justice and truth, holiness and peace, grace, unity and love. Pope Francis has stressed that, ‘Each individual Christian and every community is called to be an instrument of God for the liberation and promotion of the poor, and for enabling them to be fully a part of society’ and that ‘all of us, as Christians, are called to watch over and protect the fragile world in which we live, and all its peoples’[2]
We note that, we, Carmelites from our inception, inspired by Mary in her welcome and contemplative attitude towards the Word, and the Prophet Elijah in his zeal for and living in the presence of the Lord, as people of prayer and community are also people sensitive to the needs of those around us true to our Mendicant roots. In the post-Vatican II era, we recognize that a lot of reflection took place at such fora as the Council of Provinces and General Congregation and General Chapters. One of the most significant development has been an openness to justice and peace issues. For example, the Order has reflected on issues of poverty and our need to identify with the poor: In the Midst of the People[3], A Return to the Sources[4], Called to Account by the Poor[5]. We recognize that our world has become more complex and grave challenges have arisen that threaten the very existence of creation. Some of those challenges include loss of biodiversity, which is currently a thousand times higher than natural extinction rate[6]; energy depletion, which means that we are consuming more than we need and the current possibility for the earth to recover[7]; climate change, which is currently affecting millions of people worldwide through extended droughts in some areas and sea level rise and floods in other areas[8]; and global population growth with a distinctive pattern of unequal affluence, deeply interconnected with the previous issues[9]. We propose that we Carmelites, rooted in our 800 year-old tradition of brotherhood, of intimacy with the Lord God under the contemplative example of Mary and the zealous drive of the Prophet Elijah, renew, rekindle and promote the life-giving values of the Kingdom of God through deeds, advocacy and action.
There are many laudable causes for us to promote but these seem to us to be pressing in the context of our world situation of spiritual apathy, globalization of inequality, injustice, materialist consumerism and growing religious fundamentalism and intolerance. We commit ourselves to promoting, advocating for, and working to change for the better in our localities, the lives of real people in the following areas: human rights from conception to the tomb; community building, understanding and tolerance; promotion of Kingdom values and Carmelite spirituality with special emphasis on right relationship with others and the environment; awareness of environmental change through advocacy and helping communities to respond positively to this.
To help us to have an impression of the work Carmelites are doing in the area of Justice, Peace and Integrity of Creation, we wish to send a questionnaire to all our Provinces, Commissariats and Delegations. The questionnaire is a tool to help us plan for the production of the Carmelite Order’s Handbook on the animation of Justice, Peace and Integrity on Creation. The Carmelite Order has a strong history of meaningful adaptation to changing circumstances so as to be an effective player and contributor to issues. In the face of our contemporary world challenges, may we rise to offer our modest assistance to the world from the Carmelite tradition of respecting all in community, of fostering intimacy with God to be expressed in reaching out in service of the Church and the world. As the 2013 General Chapter Final Statement says: ‘People will be drawn to Christ when they notice our gospel based lives of simplicity, solidarity with the marginalized, celebration of unity in diversity, and the creation of safe environments for the children, teens and adults to whom we minister’[10]. The world needs our faith-based approach to ministry as one avenue of establishing right relationships with God, other human beings and all creation!
- The Carmelite Commission for Justice, Peace and Integrity of Creation (2013-2019)
[1] Synod of Bishops, Justice in the World, 1971.
[2] Pope Francis, Evangelii Gaudium, Apostolic Exhortation on the Proclamation of the Gospel in Today’s World, Roma: Libreria Editrice Vaticana, 2013, nos. 187, 216.
[3] Third Council of Provinces, In the Midst of the People: Small Religious Commuinities and Basic-Communities, Dublin, 1975, in Kevin Mark, O.Carm., ed. Towards Prophetic Brotherhood: Documents of the Carmelite Ordr 1972-1982, Melbourne: The Carmelite Centre, 1984, pp. 43-55
[4] Fifth Council of Provinces, A Return to the Sources: An Examination of the Biblical Significance of Mary and Elijah, 1979, in Kevin Mark, Ibid., pp. 68-81
[5] Order of Carmelites General Congregation, Called to Account by the Poor, 1980, in K.Mark, Ibid.,pp. 81-96
[6] United Nations Environmental Programme (UNEP). Cf. The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), Global Biodiversity Outlook 3, Montreal (2010). (http://www.iucn.org).
[7] Cf. World Watch Institute, Green Economy Program, (http://www.worldwatch.org/programs/golbal_economy)
[8] Intergovernmental Panel for Climate Change (IPCC), Fifth Assessment Report 2013. (http://www.ipcc.ch/report/ar5/wg1).
[9] Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO). (http://www.fao.org)
[10] ‘A Word of Hope and Salvation (Const. 24)’, in Consilium Generale O.Carm., Global Plan of the General Council 2013-2019, Roma: Edizioni Carmelitane, 20014, pp.8-12, no. 4f.
Convocation Letter of the Carmelite Family JPIC Congress, Fatima, 2017
Written byRe: Carmelite Family JPIC Congress, Fatima, 2017
Dear Fr Provincial/ Commissary Provincial/ Delegate,
Dear Mother General/ Sr Coordinator/ JPIC Promoter
I write to inform you that the Carmelite Commission for Justice, Peace and Integrity of Creation is organizing a Carmelite Family JPIC Congress scheduled for 22-28 July 2017 at Casa Sao Nuno, Fatima, Portugal. July 22, 2017 will be the day of arrival and participants depart on July 29, 2017.
The Congress is being organized for Friars and Sisters involved in the promotion of JPIC activities. These may include Province or Congregational Justice and Peace coordinators/ animators or brothers and sisters who are considering to minister in the area of justice, peace and integrity of creation.
We thank those communities and individual members of the Carmelite Family who responded to our invitation to answer the JPIC Questionnaire of September 2015-May 2016. During our last Commission meeting in July 2016 we observed that many Carmelites from various branches of the family are involved in ministries connected with issues of promoting justice and peace in their personal, community and professional lives. By offering this Congress, we are aiming to:
- to bring together and allow for sharing among Carmelite JPIC coordinators or animators;
- understanding JPIC
- share on best practices in promoting the ministries of JPIC
- equip promoters with skills of animation, coordination, collaboration and communication;
- engage with Pope Francis’ encyclical Laudato Si and its relation to Carmelites.
The theme of the Congress is: Carmel engages with Laudato Si: Hearing both the cry of the poor and of the earth (cf. LS. 49).
The estimated cost per participant depends on whether one chooses to share a room with another or not. We have made a provisional booking at Casa Sao Nuno Hotel for 20 single rooms per participant with an expected cost of accommodation and food of Euro 820.00 and 18 rooms for participants sharing at Euro 550.00. This means that we would be expecting around 76 participants if all rooms are taken up according to our calculations. Furthermore participants are responsible for their own travel costs.
The closing date for registration is May 1, 2017. If the numbers of participants are not good enough to cover the costs we will cancel the meeting. It is therefore important that information be spread as quickly as possible so that prospective participants may prepare in good time.
The administration at Casa Sao Nuno pointed out that they would like to deal with the Carmelite General Bursar. Participants are therefore advised to pay their Congress fees to the Carmelite General Curia Account. The Account details are as follows:
Name of Bank: BANCA POPOLARE di SONDRIO Ag. 11
Via Carlo Alberto n.6/a
00185 Roma, Italia
Name of Account: CURIA GENERALIZIA DEI CARMELITANI
Via Giovanni Lanza, 138
00184 Roma, Italia
Numero del Conto (Check No) 3147X53
IBAN CODICE: IT58 R056 9603 2000 0000 3147 X53 (International)
BIC-SWIFT: POSOIT22 (Codice della Banca/ Bank Code)
We encourage all Carmelite Family entities to send representatives from your branch of the Order, male or female.
Those who require invitation letters to get to Fatima, please write for a letter of invitation to facilitate visa applications to the General Commissary, Fr Ricardo dos Reis Rainho at this email address: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
God bless you and may Our Lady of Mt Carmel and the Prophet Elijah inspire us to put into practice the words of our Lord Jesus Christ of bringing glad tidings to the poor and proclaiming liberty to captives (cf. Lk 4:18).
Yours fraternally in Carmel,
Conrad Mutizamhepo, O.Carm
Preside CCJPIC
The Fifth meeting of the Commission for Liturgy and Prayer was held at the Curia on February 2-3, 2017. Present were Frs Michael Farrugia, Procurator General, Giovanni Grosso (Ita), Edmondo Caruana (Mel), Pius Robert Manik (Indo) and Mario Esposito (SEL), Secretary. Fr Giuseppe Midili (Ita) was absent due to illness. As our former Chairman is now Bishop Francisco de Sales Alencar in Brazil, Fr Michael Farrugia was asked by the General Council to continue as the Acting Chairman of the Commission.
During the meeting, a considerable amount of time was dedicated to the planning of an International Congress - The Role and Place of Liturgy in the Carmelite Order now scheduled for Sassone from April 15-21, 2018. This congress is held in keeping with the indications received from the last General Chapter. Within the next month, all the Provincials and Commissaries will receive a questionnaire to help prepare for the Congress.
The Commission also made further progress on the Ritual for the Third Order, the Liturgical Calendar, the Rites for Simple and Solemn Profession, and the Carmelite Office Book. A few texts still remain to be translated and approved by the Congregation for Divine Worship, but good progress has been made.
The next meeting of the Commission will be in the fall of 2017.
