From the 26th to the 28th of November, just gone by, the Prior General, Fernando Millán Romeral, O.Carm., took part in the 84th Biannual Assembly of the Union of Superiors General (USG) in Rome, the theme of which was, “Towards new relationships for a culture of encounter”. On the first day, various speakers, both lay and religious, shared their experience of the extraordinary synod on the family and they evidenced the different challenges that became very clear in the synod. The second day was devoted to a study of the 1978 document, Mutuae Relationes, on the relationship between bishops and religious in the Church. This was with a view to a possible renewal or perhaps a re-writing of the document, as Pope Francis had suggested in the meeting he had with the General Superiors in 2013. The reflection on this was given by Mons. Gianfranco Gardin, OFMConv, Secretary of the CIVCSVA from 2006 to 2009 and current bishop of Treviso, and Robert P. Geisinger, SJ, Promoter for Justice of the CDF.

The third day was spent in working on a synthesis with which to continue the reflection on both of these topics, since there will be further work on both of them in the near future in different Church gatherings, including the ordinary general assembly of the Synod which will take place in October 2015 and for which the USG elected its ten representatives for presentation to the Holy Father, at this meeting.

The second meeting of the Commission on Prayer & Liturgy took place in the Curia on Friday and Saturday, November 21-22, 2014. The members of the Commission are Fathers Francisco de Sales Alencar Batista (Secretary General), Chairman, Edmondo Caruana (Mel), Giuseppe M. Midili (Ita), Michael Farrugia (Procurator General), Giovanni Grosso (Postulator General), Robert Pius Malik (Indo), and Mario Esposito (SEL), Secretary. The Commission continued its work following the mandates of the General Chapter and General Council, by drafting a revision of the vow formula for solemn vows to be submitted to the General Council, as well as the liturgies for simple and solemn profession and the reception of novices. Attention was also given to the revision of the Carmelite Calendar, the Carmelite Missal and Liturgy of the Hours, the Rite for Funerals, the texts of the newly beatified and canonized members of the Order, and the various rituals associated with the life of the Third Order of Carmel. Because of the lengthy wait for decisions in the Congregation for Divine Worship, many of these projects have been delayed a long time. Still, the Commission is pressing on to pay good attention to all matters having to do with Liturgy within the Order. A Congress on Liturgy in Carmel is also planned for 2016. The Commission will meet again in April to continue its work.

The Elective Chapter of the Carmelite Monastery of Villalba, Spain, was held 21 November 2014. The following were elected:

• Prioress:  Sr. M. Pilar Martín Gómez, O.Carm.
• 1st Councilor:  Sr. M. del Mar Domínguez Castizo, O.Carm.
• 2nd Councilor:  Sr. M. del Carmen del Toro Medina, O.Carm.
• 3rd Councilor:  Sr. M. Consuelo Pérez García, O.Carm.
• 4th Couniclor:  Sr. M. Inés Vázquez Gallardo, O.Carm.
• Director of Novices:  Sr. M. del Carmen del Toro Medina, O.Carm.
• Treasurer:  Sr. M. Inés Vázquez Gallardo, O.Carm.

On the last 12th to 14th of November, the closing of the 4th Centenary of the death of Fr. Jerome Gracián Dantisco took place in Madrid. For this occasion, a congress was held in the halls of our parish in Ayala. A number of expert in his biography and spiritual doctrine took part in the congress which was organised by the group called “Textos para un Milenio” (Texts for a Millennium”). A large number of the public attended. 

On the 13th, Fr. Emilio Martínez González, O.C.D. Vicar General of the Discalced Carmelites, made an official presentation of the letter written and addressed by the two Superiors General to the whole Carmelite Family for this occasion. The letter bears the title, “The Lord watches over the steps of his friends (I Sam 2:9), Jerome Gracián, A Man on a Journey”. It may be read in Spanish at link http://ocarm.org/es/content/ocarm/carta-circular-superiores-generales-fr-fernando-mill-n-romeral-ocarm-fr-saverio-cannis. Translations in various languages will be published shortly.

Lastly, on the 14th a solemn Eucharist was celebrated in memory of Fr. Gracián, who, despite his dying in Brussels, belonged officially to the community in Madrid. The Prior General, Fernando Millán Romeral, O.Carm. led the celebration, accompanied by Fr. Miguel Marquez Calle, O.C.D., Prior Provincial of the Discalced Carmelites of Castile, Fr. Francisco Daza Valverde, O.Carm., Prior Provincial of Betica and President of the Iberian Region, as well as a number of other provincials (both O.Carm. and O.C.D.) and friars. The Superiors General of the Spanish congregations of apostolic life: Maria del Carmen Aparicio Personal (HVMMC) and Rosario González Dominguez (HCSCJ), also attended.