During the Assembly of the Provincial Commissariat of Bolivia (Mel) held on 24-27 January 2012 were elected:
- Commissary Provincial: Fr. Garvin Grech, O.Carm.
- First Councilor: Fr. Albert Brincat, O.Carm.
- Second Councilor: Fr. Milton Murillo Ortiz, O.Carm.
"Faith is the substance of things hoped for, the confidence of things not seen," says the author of Hebrews (11:1) This feast of the Great Encounter is a celebration of centuries of confidence in things not yet realized but promised by God, salvation and complete union with God. This feast celebrates the fact that God keeps His promises! Not only does God keep His promises to a chosen people through a purified lineage and a virgin mother but also to particular individuals. God revealed His plan to a "prophetess", Anna, who as an eighty-four year old widow never left the temple "worshiping with fasting and prayer night and day" (Luke 2: 37), and a "just" man, Simeon.
Scriptures apply the word "just" to a person who has faith and experience of God, and to God, the Son, the Holy and Just One (Acts 3: 14). Thus throughout the Bible certain persons are set apart and called just, righteous, or upright most particularly: Noah in Genesis 6:9; Lot, 2 Peter 2:7; Joseph, foster father of the Lord Jesus, Matthew 1:19; John the Baptist, Mark 6: 20; St. Simeon, Luke 2: 25; St. Joseph of Arimathea, Luke 23: 50; and Cornelius, Acts 10: 22. In three of his epistles St. Paul links faith with the just: "The just shall live by faith" (Romans 1: 17; Galatians 3:11; Hebrews 10:38).
Luke's Gospel speaks of Simeon as a just man "waiting for the Consolation of Israel" and for his personal consolation: "And it had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death before he had seen the Lord's Christ." (Luke 2: 25-26) In response to his meeting with the child Jesus and His most pure mother Mary are the words of Simeon's Canticle which are sung at Vespers:
- Now You shall dismiss your servant, in peace O Lord according to your word:
- for my eyes have seen your salvation, which You have prepared before the face
- of all peoples, a light of revelation to the Gentiles and the glory of Your people
- Israel.
One of the stichera of the feast projects Simeon's haste to rest in peace:
- Dismiss me now, O Master, that I may tell Adam how my eyes have seen the
- Eternal God made man without undergoing change, and bringing about the salvation of the world. (BDW, p. 629)
I find these words comforting acknowledgement of the community of saints who always rushes to encourage and support one another by prayer and deed. Anna, also, "gave thanks to God, and spoke of him to all who were looking for the redemption of Jerusalem" (Luke 2: 38).
This feast called "Hypapanty" (Hypapante), a Greek word meaning "meeting" is the first encounter of Jesus, our Savior, with His people. Christ comes into the midst of the temple, the gathering place of all the people of God and even of some Gentiles assembled to pray and to fulfill the laws of God handed down by Moses. Jesus, too, wishing to be like us in all things, save sin, that He might sanctify every aspect of human life, enters the Temple carried by His mother and accompanied by St. Joseph to make the customary offering of two turtledoves or pigeons (see Leviticus 12:2-5). Mary, the all pure Theotokos, submits to the rite of Purification as an act of obedience to the customary laws. Jesus submits to the laws of God and customs so that He might illumine all human life for He is the Sun of Justice as the Troparion of the feast declares:
- Hail O Woman full of grace, Virgin and Mother of God: from you has risen the Sun of Justice, Christ our God, enlightening those who stand in darkness. You, too, just Elder Simeon, rejoice, for you carried in your arms the Redeemer of our souls, our Resurrection. (Byzantine Daily Worship, p. 627)
Simeon then prophesies "Behold, this child is set for the fall and rising again of many in Israel; and for a sign which shall be spoken against..." (Luke 2: 33), the fall of unbelievers and the rising of believers through the waters of baptism. Christians are people of the Resurrection and the Eastern Churches emphasize this continually by standing at the Liturgy on Sunday, which is a celebration of the Resurrection, and in the "risen" bread of the Holy Eucharist.
Yet Christ is also "a sign which shall be spoken against," a sign of contradiction through the Cross. To die on a Cross, the shame of a social outcast or a criminal, was the way Our Savior brought about our salvation. In the opposing directions of the Cross, Christ gathers all peoples without discrimination "as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings" (Luke 13: 34). Christ comes to save all, to bring us back into unity with God, without exclusion.
This feast is important today as a message of hope and a message of encouragement. In a society of instant products, faith in promises, confidence that God has a Plan and it is in progress is not easy. We need the messages of faith and hope shown in the feasts to remind ourselves that God is still in charge of the world no matter how much evil there is in it. We need the reminder that in the fullness of time God is acting. When we fail to celebrate the separate events of the journey to salvation we may miss the message. Let us therefore meet in the assembly of the Church to celebrate our unfailing hope in the promises of God: "I leave you not as orphans...We will come to him and make Our home with him...the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My Name will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all things that I have said to you" (John 14: 18, 23, 26).
by Mary Grace Ritchey
Bishop Filippo Iannone, O.Carm. nominated to senior position Vicegerent in the Diocese of Rome
Written byThe Holy Father, Benedict XVI, has today nominated to one of the most senior positions in the Diocese of Rome, Italy, His Excellency Bishop Filippo Iannone, O.Carm. (Brun), who up until now has been Bishop of the Diocese of Sora-Aquino-Pontecorvo since the 19th June 2009. Together with this office, the Pope has conferred on him the title of Archbishop.
Rome is the Pope’s Diocese to which he nominates the Cardinal Vicar and the “Vicegerente”. Together with the assistant bishops they are responsible for the normal pastoral running of the Diocese.
To Monsignor Filippo Iannone we offer most cordial good wishes from the whole Carmelite Family.
Lectio Divina February 2012
General Intention: Access to Water.
That all peoples may have access to water and other resources needed for daily life.
Missionary Intention: Health Workers.
That the Lord may sustain the efforts of health workers assisting the sick and elderly in the world's poorest regions.
- Wednesday, February 1, 2012
- Thursday, February 2, 2012
- Friday, February 3, 2012
- Saturday, February 4, 2012
- Sunday, February 5, 2012
- Monday, February 6, 2012
- Tuesday, February 7, 2012
- Wednesday, February 8, 2012
- Thursday, February 9, 2012
- Friday, February 10, 2012
- Saturday, February 11, 2012
- Sunday, February 12, 2012
- Monday, February 13, 2012
- Tuesday, February 14, 2012
- Wednesday, February 15, 2012
- Thursday, February 16, 2012
- Friday, February 17, 2012
- Saturday, February 18, 2012
- Sunday, February 19, 2012
- Monday, February 20, 2012
- Tuesday, February 21, 2012
- Wednesday, February 22, 2012
- Thursday, February 23, 2012
- Friday, February 24, 2012
- Saturday, February 25, 2012
- Sunday, February 26, 2012
- Monday, February 27, 2012
- Tuesday, February 28, 2012
- Wednesday, February 29, 2012
A group of young people who had been involved in the Carmelite European Pilgrimage of Hope (Rome, 2010) and with the Carmelite Youth Day in Madrid in 2011, met with the Councillor General for Europe, Fr. John Keating, O.Carm., at the General Curia in Rome from 20th to the 22nd January.They met in order to continue the work begun at these two events and to explore new ways of assisting the European provinces in their involvement with young people, but with a special emphasis on the Carmelite spiritual tradition. They considered three questions: What they thought was the situation of young people in Europe today? From their own knowledge of Carmelite spirituality and history, what did they think the Carmelites have to offer young people? What might be offered to Carmelite youth in the future?
Fr. Michael Plattig, O.Carm.(GerS) gave a personal presentation of his vision of what the Carmelite tradition had to offer young people in Europe today. The members of the group are: Bros. Dave Twohig, O.Carm. (Hib) and Luca Sciarelli, O.Carm. (Ita), Sabrina Rubio, Aoife Merrins, Elizabetta Ceci, Victor Navarro Poncera and Tommaso Bacci. A summary of this work will be shared with the European provincials during their meeting in Rome from 30th April to the 2nd May 2012. The group itself will meet again in May in order to carry forward the initial work begun at this meeting.
During the Assembly of the Provincial Commissariat of Peru (PCM) held on 17-20 January 2012 were elected:
- Commissary Provincial: Fr. Enrique Laguna Vargas, O.Carm.
- First Councilor: Fr. Eduardo Rivero Cárdenas, O.Carm.
- Second Councilor: Fr. Gerald Payea, O.Carm.
Pope Benedict XVI begins Week of Prayer for Christian Unity
Written bySpeaking to the thousands of pilgrims present in the Paul VI Audience Hall on Wednesday for his weekly General Audience, Pope Benedict XVI said the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity invites all the Lord’s followers to implore the gift of unity. This year’s theme – We Will All Be Changed By The Victory Of Our Lord Jesus Christ – was chosen by representatives of the Catholic Church and the Polish Ecumenical Council. The Holy Father said, “Poland’s experience of oppression and persecution prompts a deeper reflection on the meaning of Christ’s victory over sin and death, a victory in which we share through faith.”
By his teaching, his example and his paschal mystery, the Lord has shown us the way to a victory obtained not by power, but by love and concern for those in need. Faith in Christ and interior conversion, both individual and communal, must constantly accompany our prayer for Christian unity.
Pope Benedict also focused on the need for all Christians to ask God for an increase of faith:
During this Week of Prayer, let us ask the Lord in a particular way to strengthen the faith of all Christians, to change our hearts and to enable us to bear united witness to the Gospel. In this way we will contribute to the new evangelization and respond ever more fully to the spiritual hunger of the men and women of our time.
Pope Benedict had greetings, as well, for pilgrims in many languages, including English, in which he bade especial welcome to a pair of groups: one, an ecumenical delegation from Finland that traditionally makes the pilgrimage to Rome during the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity; the other, a group of men and women in the Naval Service and Marine Corps of the United States:
I offer a cordial welcome to all the English-speaking pilgrims and visitors present at today’s Audience. My special greeting goes to the Lutheran pilgrims from Finland. I also greet the group of sailors and marines from the United States. Upon all of you and your families I cordially invoke God’s abundant blessings!
The Week of Prayer for Christian Unity has been celebrated for more than a century: each year from the 18th to the 25th of January. A Catholic convert, Paul Wattson, proposed the dates in 1908, because they coincide with the traditional feast of the Chair of St. Peter and feast of the conversion of St. Paul. Listen to our report: 
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Theme for 2012
We will all be changed by the victory of our Lord Jesus Christ
(cf. 1 Cor 15:51-58)
More...
The Elective Chapter of the Carmelite Monastery of Onteniente, Spain, was held 11 December 2011. The following were elected:
- Prioress: Sr. M. Magdalena Pla Tortosa, O.Carm.
- 1st Councilor: Sr. M. Margarita Medina Armas, O.Carm.
- 2nd Councilor: Sr. M. Jesús Barahona Berzal, O.Carm.
- Director of Novices: Sr. M. Magdalena Pla Tortosa, O.Carm.
- Treasurer: Sr. M. Lourdes Font Font, O.Carm.
- Sacristan: Sr. M. Margarita Medina Armas, O.Carm.
At a recent meeting of the General Finance Commission of the Order, it was decided to hold the Triennial Meeting of Bursars at “Il Carmelo”, Sassone from 15 to 20 October 2012. Arrivals will be on 15 and departures on 20 October, with the working sessions from 16 to 19. There will be a mixture of plenary sessions, including an address by the Prior General and reports from the General Councillors, as well as regional meetings. This meeting is intended for friars and lay people who work as:
• Provincial, general commissariat and general delegation bursars
• Assistant provincial bursars
• Finance directors/business managers
• Provincial commissariat bursars
• Bursars from mission areas not yet constituted as delegations or commissariats
• Members of the General Finance Commission
A formal letter of invitation will be going out to the above early in 2012.
The one longed-for by all
The presentation of the Child in the Temple
Luke 2:22-40
1. Opening prayer
O God, our Creator and Father, you willed that your Son, generated before the dawn of the world, should become a member of the human family. Rekindle in us an appreciation for the gift of life, so that parents may participate in the fruitfulness of your love, old people may pass on to young ones their mature wisdom, and children may grow in wisdom, piety and grace, all giving praise to your holy name. Through Christ our Lord.
2. Reading: Luke 2:22-40 
22 When the time came for their purification according to the law of Moses, they brought him up to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord 23 (as it is written in the law of the Lord, "Every male that opens the womb shall be called holy to the Lord") 24 and to offer a sacrifice according to what is said in the law of the Lord, "a pair of turtledoves, or two young pigeons."
25 Now there was a man in Jerusalem, whose name was Simeon, and this man was righteous and devout, looking for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him. 26 And it had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he should not see death before he had seen the Lord's Christ. 27 And inspired by the Spirit he came into the temple; and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for him according to the custom of the law, 28 he took him up in his arms and blessed God and said, 29 "Lord, now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace, according to thy word; 30 for mine eyes have seen thy salvation 31 which thou hast prepared in the presence of all peoples, 32 a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and for glory to thy people Israel."
33 And his father and his mother marveled at what was said about him; 34 and Simeon blessed them and said to Mary his mother, "Behold, this child is set for the fall and rising of many in Israel, and for a sign that is spoken against 35 (and a sword will pierce through your own soul also), that thoughts out of many hearts may be revealed."
36 And there was a prophetess, Anna, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher; she was of a great age, having lived with her husband seven years from her virginity, 37 and as a widow till she was eighty-four. She did not depart from the temple, worshiping with fasting and prayer night and day. 38 And coming up at that very hour she gave thanks to God, and spoke of him to all who were looking for the redemption of Jerusalem.
39 And when they had performed everything according to the law of the Lord, they returned into Galilee, to their own city, Nazareth. 40 And the child grew and became strong, filled with wisdom; and the favour of God was upon him.
3. A moment of prayerful silence
- that the Word of God may dwell in us and that we may allow it to enlighten our lives;
- that before we pass any comments, the very light of the Word may shine and dominate with the mystery of the living presence of the Lord.
4. Some questions
to help us in our personal reflection.
a) Why should Jesus, Son of the Most High, and his mother Mary, conceived without sin, obey the prescriptions of Moses? Maybe because Mary was not yet aware of her innocence and holiness?
b) Is there special significance in the words and attitudes of Simeon and the prophetess Anna? Do not their actions and joy perhaps recall the style of the ancient prophets?
c) How can we explain this "sword" that pierces: is it a rending of the consciences before the challenges and richness of Jesus? Or is it only the inner pains of the Mother?
d) Can this scene mean anything to parents today: for the religious formation of their children; for the plan that God has for each of their children; for the fears and sufferings that parents carry in their hearts when they think of the time when their children grow up?
5. A key to the reading
for those who wish go deeper into the text.
a) As laid down in the law of Moses/of the Lord. This is a kind of refrain repeated several times. Luke mixes two prescriptions without making any distinction. The purification of the mother was foreseen in Leviticus (12:2-8) and was to take place forty days after the birth. Until then, the woman could not approach sacred places, and the ceremony was accompanied by the gift of a small animal. But the consecration of the first-born was prescribed in Exodus 13:11-16, and was considered a kind of "ransom" in memory of the saving action of God when he liberated the Israelites from slavery in Egypt. For this also the offering was a small animal. In all of this scene, the parents seem to be in the process of presenting/offering their son as was done with sacrifices and Levites, while through the persons of Simeon and Anna it seems rather God who offers/presents the son for the salvation of people.
b) Simeon and Anna: these are figures full of symbolical value. Their role is one of recognition, that comes from both the enlightenment and action of the Spirit and a life lived in expectation and faith. Simeon especially is defined as prodekòmenos, that is, one entirely absorbed in waiting, and one who goes forward to welcome. He, too, appears to be obedient to the law, the law of the Spirit, who leads him towards the child in the temple. The canticle he proclaims manifests his pro-existentia, he has lived in order to come to this moment and now he withdraws so that others may see the light and the salvation to come for Israel and the pagans. Anna completes the picture, by her very age (symbolical value: 84 equals 7x12, the twelve tribes of Israel; or 84 – 7 = 77, double perfection), but above all by her way of living (fasting and praying) and by her proclamation to all who "looked forward". She is led by the Spirit of prophecy, docile and purified in her heart. Besides, she belongs to the smallest of the tribes, that of Aser, a sign that the small and fragile are those more disposed to recognise Jesus, the Saviour. Both of these old persons – who look like an original couple – are symbols of the best of Judaism, of faithful and meek Jerusalem, that awaits and rejoices and that from now on allows the new light to shine.
c) A sword will pierce: generally these words are interpreted as meaning that Mary will suffer, a drama made visible of the Our Lady of Sorrows. Rather, we need to see the Mother as a symbol of Israel. Simeon feels the drama of his people who will be deeply torn by the living and sharp word of the redeemer (cf Lk 12:51-53). Mary represents the path: she must trust, but will go through times of pain and darkness, struggles and painful silences. The story of the suffering Messiah will be painful for all, even for the Mother. One does not follow the new light of the whole world without paying the cost, without being provoked to make risky choices, without being always born again from on high and in newness. But these images of the "sword that pierces", of the child who will "trip" and shake hearts from their lethargy, are not to be separated from the meaningful action of the two old persons: the one, Simeon, takes the child in his arms to show that faith is a meeting and an embrace, not an idea of theorem; the other, Anna, takes on the role of proclaiming and enkindles a bright light in the hearts of all who "looked forward" to him.
d) Daily life, an epiphany of God: finally, it is interesting to note that the whole episode emphasises the situation of the most simple and homely: the young couple with the child in their arms; the old man who rejoices and embraces, the old lady who prays and proclaims, those listening who appear to be indirectly involved. At the end of the passage, we also get a glimpse of the village of Nazareth, of the growth of the child in a normal context, the impression of a child extraordinarily gifted with wisdom and goodness. The theme of wisdom woven into the fabric of normal life and growth in a village context, leaves the story as if in suspense, and it will be taken up again precisely with the theme of the wisdom of the boy among the doctors in the temple. Indeed, this is the episode that follows immediately (Lk 2:41-52).
6. Psalm 122
I was glad when they said to me,
"Let us go to the house of the Lord!"
Our feet have been standing within your gates,
O Jerusalem!
Jerusalem, built as a city which is bound firmly together,
to which the tribes go up, the tribes of the Lord,
as was decreed for Israel,
to give thanks to the name of the Lord.
There thrones for judgment were set,
the thrones of the house of David.
Pray for the peace of Jerusalem!
"May they prosper who love you!
Peace be within your walls,
and security within your towers!"
For my brethren and companions' sake I will say,
"Peace be within you!"
For the sake of the house of the Lord our God,
I will seek your good.
7. Final Prayer
Father, we praise you and we bless you because through your Son, born of woman by the working of the Holy Spirit, born under the law, has ransomed us from the law and you have filled our life with light and new hope. May our families welcome and remain faithful to your designs, may they help and sustain in their children the new dreams and enthusiasm, wrap them in tenderness when they are fragile, educate them in love for you and for all creatures. All honour and glory to you, Father.
