On the 25th of May, the Prior General led the celebration of the Eucharist for the feast of St. Mary Magdalen de’Pazzi at the Hermitage of Santa Maria degli Angeli, in Scandicci (Florence). This monastery was founded n 1987 in the hills opposite where Careggi is situated where the remains of the saint are kept. The Mass, and the banquet afterwards, took place in a festive and fraternal setting. Along with the Prior General, there was a number of Carmelites and three postulants from the Italian province present.
The Pope's Prayer for June 2016
Universal: Human Solidarity - That the aged, marginalized, and those who have no one may find–even within the huge cities of the world–opportunities for encounter and solidarity.
Evangelization: Seminarians and Novices - That seminarians and men and women entering religious life may have mentors who live the joy of the Gospel and prepare them wisely for their mission.
Lectio Divina June - Junio - Giugno 2016
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- Wednesday, June 1, 2016
- Thursday, June 2, 2016
- Friday, June 3, 2016
- Saturday, June 4, 2016
- Sunday, June 5, 2016
- Monday, June 6, 2016
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- Wednesday, June 8, 2016
- Thursday, June 9, 2016
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- Saturday, June 25, 2016
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- Monday, June 27, 2016
- Tuesday, June 28, 2016
- Wednesday, June 29, 2016
- Thursday, June 30, 2016
The Carmelite Order is delighted to announce today, 28th May 2016, that the Holy Father, Pope Francis has nominated bishop of the diocese of Mutare, in Zimbabwe, Fr. Paul Horan O.Carm., of the Irish Province. Fr. Paul was born at Drangan in Ireland, on 17th October 1962. Following his profession in the Order on 1st September 1990, he was ordained priest on 7th June 1997. During these past years he has worked in Zimbabwe and is presently the Prior of the Pre-Novitiate house in Nyazure, Rusape in Zimbabwe.
To Fr. Paul we offer our warmest congratulations on behalf of the whole Carmelite Family.
Diocese of Mutare, Zimbabwe
The Diocese of Mutare is situated in the Eastern part of Zimbabwe along the border with Mozambique. It corresponds to the Province of Manicaland and is centred around the Cathedral City of Mutare which is 170 miles east of Harare, the Capital of Zimbabwe.
The Prefecture Apostolic of Umtali (Mutare) was erected on 2nd February 1953 and was confided to the care of the Carmelites of the Irish Province. On 15th February 1957 the Prefecture was raised to the status of a Diocese with the Rt. Rev. Donal Lamont O.Carm (born in Ballycastle, Co. Antrim) as its first Bishop.
Biographical Note
Father Paul Horan was born on 17th October 1962. Having attended the Convent of Mercy Primary School in Drangan (Co. Tipperary, Ireland) and the Presentation Sisters Secondary School (Ballingarry) he qualified as a Certified Accountant (ACCA) and worked in Ireland and London. Fr. Paul was received into the Carmelite Order at the novitiate in Kinsale in 1989, making his first profession there on 1st September 1990. After completing his Baccalaureate in Philosophy and Bachelor of Divinity degrees (Milltown Institute) he was ordained a priest on 7th June 1997.
Fr. Paul was appointed to Terenure College where he held various roles including teaching at both primary and secondary level, head chaplain and head of the Province’s Vocations Team. He went for further studies and completed a M.A. in Theology (specialising in Carmelite Studies) in May 2001 (Washington Theological Union) in the USA.
In September 2001, Fr. Paul was appointed to work in Zimbabwe where he held various roles including Director of Pre-Novices, Director of Novices, School Manager (Kriste Mambo High School), and he served at St. Kilian’s Mission, Makoni. He was elected to serve for two terms on the Zimbabwean Carmelite Commissary Council in 2009 and 2012. Fr. Paul was highly instrumental in getting the first Carmelite (enclosed) Nuns to Zimbabwe who arrived there from the Monastery of Our Lady of Mount Carmel (Machakos, Kenya) in February 2015. Fr. Paul was also been appointed by the Carmelite General Council to the International Commission for Carmelite Schools and Youth. Currently, he is the Prior of the new Carmelite Community in Prophet Elijah Priory, Nyazura, Rusape.
On account of the extraordinary Jubilee of Mercy, proclaimed by Pope Francis in the bull, Misericordia Vultus (April 11, 2015) the Pontifical Council for the promotion of new evangelisation has been publishing a series of aids to help local churches in their celebration of the jubilee. In the sixth publication, under the title, “The Saints in Mercy”, the council offers a series of figures that may give inspiration in living out this fundamental dimension of faith. Among others, the Pontifical Council proposes two carmelite figures, the witness of St. Therese of Lisieux (under the title of “Gratitude for the Just and Merciful God”) highlighting the rich teaching of Therese in relation to mercy, and Blessed Titus Brandsma, under the title, “A Strong and Merciful Father”, representing a man who could combine a strenuous opposition to Naziism with compassion and mercy towards all, including the nurse who gave him the injection that took his life away.
May Blessed Titus, St. Therese and all the saints of Carmel help us to accept this special year in the life of the Church with joy and commitment.
The Webmaster has just launched a new website on the Chronology of the Carmelite Order, listing all the important events of the Order in both horizontal and vertical timelines. The website is being updated on a regular basis so any image or historical event of the Order are welcome. Please send to the webmaster at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Please visit the website at www.citoc.info/timeline and at this moment, it is available only in English.
The foundation of the Research Institute of the Carmelite Province of Germany
Written byIn Mainz on 3rd and 4th of May, 2016, the constituent assembly of the Research Institute of the Carmelite Province of Germany took place. The Prior Provincial, Fr. Dieter Lankes presented certificates of appointment to the director of the institute, Edeltraud Klueting PhD, T.O.Carm. and to the members of the committee, Elisabeth Hense PhD T.O.Carm (assistant director), Christine Riedl-Valder PhD, Monika Storm PhD, Prof. P. D. D. Michael Plattig O.Carm. and Bro. Andreas H. Scholten PhD, O.Carm.
According to its statutes, the purpose and aim of the institute is the "scientific investigation of the history, spirituality, charism, culture and learning of the Carmelite order". To this end, scientific projects that examine the rich cultural heritage of the Carmelite order past and present, will be initiated, accompanied and completed. Besides the editing of publications on Carmelite topics, it is planned to organize and hold different events such as symposia, conferences, seminars etc. The newly founded Research Institute will also have the task of providing professional assistance by securing and making accessible the historical, artistic and cultural heritage of the German province (e.g. archives, libraries, treasures of art and cultural possessions) as well as engaging in co-operation with other Carmelite institutes (e. g. the Institutum Carmelitanum in Rome). The Research Institute is supported by the German Carmelite Province and is based in Bamberg.
The Provincial expressed his thanks to the director and the members of the committee: by their willingness to commit themselves in this way to the spiritual and cultural heritage of our order in Germany, he said, they were making an important contribution to the Carmelite Order's presence in church and society.
The Elective Chapter of the Carmelite Monastery of Utrera, Spain, was held 13-14 May 2016. The following were elected:
- Prioress: Rosa María Nduku Mbithi, O.Carm.
- 1st Councilor: Sr. María del Carmen Requena Pérez, O.Carm.
- 2nd Councilor: Sr. Ana María Reina Jiménez, O.Carm.
- 3rd Councilor: Sr. M. Lucía Mutio Mbithi., O.Carm.
- 4th Couniclor: Sr. M. Felistas Syokau Maithya, O.Carm.
- Director of Novices: Sr. Ana M. Syombua Mbithi O.Carm.
- Treasurer: Sr. María de Lourdes Lario Reverte, O.Carm.
- Sacristan: Sr. M. Lucía Mutio Mbithi., O.Carm.
Reminder of registration for the Carmelite Day at the World Youth Day
Written byThe date of the next World Youth Day, which is taking place in Krakow Poland from the 25th to 31st July next, is approaching and you are reminded that those wishing to participate in the one-day Carmelite Day on Wednesday 27th July have to make a separate registration for this Carmelite Day. The event, which is at the invitation of the Polish Carmelites, will be held at our community residence in the centre of the city. Information, registration form and all other inquiries can be done by visiting www.sdm.karmelici.pl
Further details regarding allocation of residence etc. ought to be completed before the end of May 2016. Direct contact may also be made with the head of the organizing committee in the Polish Province, Fr. Marcin Siemek, O.Carm. at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
The Elective Chapter of the Carmelite Monastery of Madrid, Spain, was held 27-29 April 2016. The following were elected:
- Prioress: Sr. M. Noemí Temprano Reguilón, O.Carm.
- 1st Councilor: Sr. M. Inmaculada Ochoa Blázquez, O.Carm.
- 2nd Councilor: Sr. M. Rosario Almohalla Moreno, O.Carm.
- 3rd Councilor: Sr. M. Brunilda Rodriguez Velasco, O.Carm.
- 4th Couniclor: Sr. M. del Carmen Martínez Pérez, O.Carm.
- Director of Novices: Sr. M. Brunilda Rodriguez Velasco, O.Carm.
- Treasurer: Sr. M. Rosario Almohalla Moreno, O.Carm.
- Sacristan: Sr. M. Antonia Dominguez Cortés, O.Carm.
Provincial Chapter of the Province of Australia and East Timor
Written byDuring the Provincial Chapter of the Province of Australia and East Timor held on 25-29 April 2016 were elected:
- Prior Provincial: Fr. Paul Cahill, O.Carm.
- First Councilor: Fr. Hugh Brown, O.Carm.
- Second Councilor: Fr. Aniceto da Costa, O.Carm.
- Third Councilor: Fr. Bruce Clark, O.Carm.
- Fourth Councilor: Fr. David Hofman, O.Carm.
More...
The Pope's Prayer Intentions for May 2016
Universal: Respect for Women - That in every country of the world, women may be honored and respected and that their essential contribution to society may be highly esteemed.
Evangelization: Holy Rosary - That families, communities, and groups may pray the Holy Rosary for evangelization and peace.
Lectio Divina May - Mayo - Maggio 2016
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- Sunday, May 1, 2016
- Monday, May 2, 2016
- Tuesday, May 3, 2016
- Wednesday, May 4, 2016
- Thursday, May 5, 2016
- Friday, May 6, 2016
- Saturday, May 7, 2016
- Sunday, May 8, 2016
- Monday, May 9, 2016
- Tuesday, May 10, 2016
- Wednesday, May 11, 2016
- Thursday, May 12, 2016
- Friday, May 13, 2016
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- Sunday, May 15, 2016
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- Thursday, May 26, 2016
- Friday, May 27, 2016
- Saturday, May 28, 2016
- Sunday, May 29, 2016
- Monday, May 30, 2016
- Tuesday, May 31, 2016
Fr. Carl Markelz, O.Carm.
The Triennial Bursars’ Meeting of the Order was held in Fatima, Portugal from 4-7 November 2015. Fifty bursars, Carmelite friars and lay people, gathered for this conference to be renewed in this ministry, review the policies of the Order, and discuss the challenges for today. The meeting also included times for reflection and prayer, comprising a moving liturgy at the Shrine of Our Lady of Fatima. Participants stayed at Casa São Nuno, which is owned and operated by the Carmelites of the General Commissariat of Portugal.
The gathering began with a short address from our Prior General, Fernando Millan Romeral, O.Carm., who thanked all the bursars for this important ministry and encouraged them to continue being generous, transparent, and honest while also being prudent about financial decisions made in their provinces, commissariats, and delegations.
Next was our Keynote Speaker, Craig Morrison, O.Carm., faculty member at the Pontifical Biblical Institute in Rome, and professor of Aramaic Language and Literature. Craig first provided a prayer experience of Lectio Divina, and then used the text of Acts 5, the story of Ananias and Sapphira. He also examined some of the parables in the Gospel of Luke, and the many economic questions that arise in these texts. Later he shared some of the comments and homilies of Pope Francis regarding these parables. It was an important reflection that inspired many of the participants to share in language groups about their own personal experiences.
On the second day, after celebrating the liturgy at the Altar of the Apparitions at the Shrine of Fatima, the group heard from Bernadette Porter, RSCJ, general bursar of her congregation. She spoke on The Community of Goods and how centralized her congregation sees the finances and how they share their goods with developing areas of their community. It was a different model and structure than what is used in the Carmelites, but nonetheless it offered all participants a different way of seeing how all our goods are meant to be shared with one another.
On the third day, participants examined the document, Guidelines for the Administration of the assets in Institutes of Consecrated Life and Societies of Apostolic Life, from the Congregation for Institutes of Consecrated Life and Societies of Apostolic Life. This session was led by Albert Anuszewski, OSST, general bursar of his Order, who led people to a better understanding of this important document published in 2014. Other sessions, called Carmel 2015 Global Perspective, involved looking at all of the finances for our provinces, commissariats, and delegations, and they were led by the financial consultant and advisor to the Curia, Mr. Jurek Borucki.
One highlight of the entire conference was a panel discussion of laywomen bursars. Anne Steffens (SEL), Roxana Pilar Baldivieso Mogro (Malta-Bolivia), Anna De Giglio (Neapoletana) and Jolanta Kenny (Britain) shared their experiences of working with the Carmelites, and they also spoke about challenges they saw for the future. Regional bursars from four areas of the world, Northern Europe, Southern Europe, Americas, and Asia-Oceania-Australia, met to discuss issues that were important to their zones and set up future meetings to better networking and communicating with one another.
Overall the meeting was a great success! Many commented on the organization of the gathering while enjoying the breaks and meals as people were able to get to know one another and share in Carmelite hospitality! Many thanks to Casa São Nuno, and the General Commissariat of Portugal for hosting us and providing a great atmosphere for this important meeting.
Fr. Felix Avendaño, O.Carm.
Fraternity is the way that God, our Father, chose through His Son Jesus Christ for all people to reach salvation. Aware of the urgent need that every baptized person is called, the major superiors of the Americas have stressed the need for young religious, both formandi and formators, to live this experience of brotherhood in a deeper way and from common spaces where the Carmelite friars of the Americas can share their experiences and educational, cultural and spiritual riches. Therefore, the Pan American religious course was designed with the idea of encouraging more formation course in Carmelite spirituality, and also to support the foundation of that Carmelite fraternity which is integral to our charism.
In response to this initiative from superiors, friars belonging to various stages of formation and formation coaches, from Puerto Rico, Dominican Republic, Mexico, El Salvador, Trinidad and Tobago, Venezuela, Brazil, Peru and Argentina, accompanied by the General Director for the Americas, Fr. Raul Maraví, O.Carm, who organized the course, met at the Villa Carmelitas, Lima, Peru, from July 23 to August 9, 2015. During these 17 days as brothers we had spaces for personal and community prayer, studying, recreation, fraternal sharing, and the daily experience of the Eucharist.
One of the most striking elements of the course was the formation. During those days, a program that covered several topics, including the spiritual, human and psychological dimension, leadership and teamwork was provided. First, we had the presence of Fr. Gregorio Geaney, O.Carm., a member of the Commissariat of Peru, who presented us with the very dynamic Enneagram. Then we addressed the emotional reality with Dr. Edward Montagne, specialist therapist in psychoanalysis and many religious groups who contributed their research on affective human dimensions, emphasizing the importance of the tools provided by the field of psychology within the processes of formation in the religious life, so that we can have the necessary maturity required in the consecrated life style.
We were also accompanied by Mr. Jose Antonio Carreras and Mr. Germán Díaz, who gave us very dynamic tools to strengthen personal and community leadership, to address the most common problems that arise within the religious community, as well as instruments to promote dialogue, communication and better teamwork.
We are enthusiastically growing in Carmelite spirituality. In this important area for our Order, we participated in two conferences given by two renowned Carmelites with vast experience in Carmelite spirituality. Fr. Jack Welch O.Carm., from USA, provided an overview of what the origins of Carmel spirituality represent, the experience of the historical process, the Rule of Carmel as a paradigm of charism, changes and adaptations that Carmelites had to live with the at different stages and their influence on our current spirituality. They also offered a special presentation of the spirituality of the great saints of Carmel: Saint Teresa of Avila, The Interior Castle and dwelling, as a spirituality of union with God; John of the Cross, the spiritual richness of his poems and the theology of The Dark Night, and the inner reality of the believer in the complex experienced in their faith. Finally the experience of St. Teresa of Lisieux, Story of a Soul, as a synthesis of the spirituality of St. Teresa and John of the Cross, and the spiritual journey of St. Teresa as a profound experience of spirituality and Gospel values, from the simplicity and humility of their life.
Finally we had the presence of Fr. Carlos Mesters, O.Carm., from Brazil, whom with his extensive knowledge in the Biblical field, delved into the wealth of the Rule of St. Albert and spirituality for Lectio Divina for the Carmelite itineraries of faith in the light of the Word of God and of the great inspirational figures of Carmel, Prophet Elijah, Elias and the Virgin Mary.
As far as a pastoral experience, we visited several sites in the Parish of Our Lady of Our Carmel in Jose Galvez, a very poor area in the outskirts of Lima, where the Carmelite friars of Peru carry out social and pastoral work. We learned the humble and simple reality of the locals in a meeting with the children; also we went to the San Jose Center, a halfway house for addicts, and another center that serves as a shelter for teenage mothers abandoned by their families.
The meeting gave us space in which we could share the expectations and concerns regarding formation and our current challenges from the contexts of each country and the global horizons of our Order. There were many moments for fraternal exchange experiences, moments of recreation and leisure entrenching huge bonds of brotherhood between all participants. This opportunity has given a real space to expand our own vision of the Order, not just in the field of formation, including on the role of the Carmelite family in the ministry and in the local Churches of every country originally. This meeting has helped us to look with faith and hope to the future of our Order, it has helped us strengthen our Carmelite vocation, and to increase the desire that our family continues to grow vocationally, but above all as brothers, for that fraternity lived authentically as the Gospel is the best way we can deliver the message, to be true witnesses of Jesus Christ. That path of brotherhood happened during those days that we lived in the Villa Carmelitas, and with more enthusiasm and conviction we have decided to continue traveling now from our own communities with the help of our Carmelite brothers and the people of God.
Dear Brothers and Sisters and all the young people who gather around our Carmelite spirituality!
On behalf of our Polish province and Polish youth, we would like to invite you to a common celebration of WYD 2016 in Cracow. We received very enthusiastically the news of the Holy Father, Pope Francis, who announced that World Youth Day 2016 would be held in Krakow. We would like at this time, as one family of Carmel, to live and celebrate this feast for young people!
We invite you to Cracow from July 25th - 31st, 2016. We would like to especially invite young Carmelites to spend July 27th at our monastery in Cracow in the presence of Mary, Our Lady of Hope.
The upcoming World Youth Day will take place in the city of St. John Paul II - the initiator of meetings with young people, as well as in St. Sister Faustina - the Apostle of Divine Mercy. As the Polish province we also have a witness of mercy - Father Hilary Paul Januszewski, because we want our time together passed under the patronage of this Blessed Carmelite from Cracow - a martyr of Dachau, a martyr of love. Gazing upon the example of the witnesses of Divine Mercy, we invite you to consider words which guided us: live for others.
These words will accompany us during our meeting, they will help us to discover each other through the witnesses of our life and ministry, and through the beauty that hidden in serving our brothers and sisters, the Church, and our Carmelite Order.
We invite you to submit your groups on our website www.sdm.karmelici.pl, and where further important information will be available. Of course, do not forget to register your groups to the Central Committee of the World Youth Days in your Diocese.
We look forward to your arrival so that we can work together and feel the joy of life and the sacred spirit of our XIV century Carmelite convent in Cracow that is marked by the presence of the Holy Mother of Cracow.
You are truly invited!
See you in Cracow!
