In Sassone (Rome) from September 15 to 20, 2018, an International Congress of Carmelite Laity was celebrated, with the participation of some 250 people from 24 different nations around the world, mostly lay people and also some Carmelite friars and sisters.
The theme of the Congress was "Our Lady of Mount Carmelo: Mother of the Family". The main speakers included, Archbishop Antônio Muniz, O.Carm., Archbishop of Maceío (Brazil); Fernando Millán Romeral, O.Carm., Prior General of the Order; Ms. Christine Wade, TOC of Australia; and Giovanni Grosso, O.Carm., President of the Institutum Carmelitanum. In addition to the conferences and the work in linguistic groups, the participants had the opportunity to listen to some testimonies and experiences of the Carmelite vocation in the life of lay people.
The objective of the meeting was to deepen the Marian spirituality of our Order, strengthen the bonds of international fraternity among the various national and provincial groups and encourage the multiplying element of the laity within the Carmelite Family.
This congress was carried out thanks to the work and organization of the current General Commission for Carmelite Laity composed of Raúl Maraví, O.Carm. (President), Joseph Hung Tran, O.Carm., Désiré Unen Alimange, O.Carm., Normita Lacanilao, Jennifer Wanjiku, María José García de la Barrera, Michele Bonanno, José Araújo and José Luis Laghi.
