CITOC Archive (588)
Interdisciplinary Seminar on the Contemplative Dimension of Carmel
Written byLast 3-7 November, a group of around 20 Carmelite experts in the areas of history, spirituality, biblical studies, and liturgy, gathered at Centro Internazionale S. Alberto (CISA) to examine the contemplative dimension of Carmel according to the first authors of the Order. Beginning with the medieval context, the first part of this seminar, which will continue in the coming years, studied the Carmelite Rule, the Flaming Arrow, the Ten Books of the Institution of the First Monks and various Carmelite authors of the 13th to 15th centuries.
The seminar highlighted the richness that appears in the texts of the well-known and lesser-known authors: all offer themes and elements authentically Carmelite. The particular way of using Scripture and the attention to the dynamic process of transformation towards a mystical union with God, of which diverse authors indicated its fruits rather than give a definition, were noted. The eschatological and glorious perspective was highlighted in various texts, the reciprocal call of the liturgy and prayerful meditation on the Word underline the centrality of Christ. The language used and the mystagogical dimension were also examined, and called for a focused rereading.
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*photo courtesy of Carmelite Bristish Province.
Electoral Chapter of the Monastery of Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic
Written byThe Elective Chapter of the Carmelite Monastery of Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, was held 4 November 2010. The following were elected:
- Prioress: Sr. M. José Bernal Boguero, O.Carm.
- 1st Councilor: Sr. Teresita M. de la Cruz, O.Carm.
- 2nd Councilor: Sr. Myrna de Js. Pacheco A., O.Carm.
- 3rd Councilor: Sr.Altagracia P. Cid Cid, O.Carm.
- 4th Councilor: Sr. M. Consuelo Hernández A., O.Carm.
- Director of Novices: Sr. Diomedis M. Durán Inoa, O.Carm.
- Treasurer: Sr. Margarita A. Frías A., O.Carm.
The Assembly of the Federation “Mater Unitatis” (7 monasteries), was held 18-23 October 2010 at Salamanca, Spain. The following were elected for the sexennium 2010-2016:
- President: M. Carmen Ibarra Lorea, O. Carm.
- 1st Councilor: Sr. Elena Mª Samper Samper, O. Carm.
- 2nd Councilor: Sr. Anastasia Kavuu Kiswili, O. Carm.
- 3rd Councilor: Sr. Noemí Temprano, O.Carm.
- 4th Councilor: Sr. Mª Luisa Ruiz, O.Carm.
On Friday 8th October the construction of 141 housing units was officially inaugurated and blessed in the Carmelite parish of St Isidore, Labrador, Philippines. This was one of the hardest hit regions of the Philippines coastline in the floods of 2009. Around 100 parishioners died in the flood and the parish church was turned into a refugee co-ordination centre under the direction of Fr Tony dela Cruz O. Carm., a former provincial commissary of the Philippines. The Carmelite Curia was able to make a donation of 10,000 euros towards the reconstruction project which was blessed by Fr Kevin Alban O. Carm., Bursar General, with the assistance of several Carmelites from Manila, as well as the bursar of the mission in Papua New Guinea. The donation was made possible through the generosity of the Society of the Little Flower and its donors in Britain, Ireland and several European countries. Money for this project was also raised by Third Order groups in the provinces of St Elias, New York, and PCM.
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On 1st October in Nijmegen (Netherlands), the memorial monument to Blessed Titus Brandsma was inaugurated. Participating in the moving ceremony were (in the following order): Fr. Falco Thuis, O.Carm., former Prior General and the driving force behind this initiative; Mr. Floris Tas, Deputy Mayor of Nijmegen; the architect who developed the project, Mr. Paul Hoeke; the artist who created the monument, Mr. Arie Trum; and the Prior General of the Order, Fr. Fernando Millán Romeral, O.Carm. In each of their speeches, these presenters underlined the relationship between Fr. Titus and the city and the rich symbology of the monument composed of different elements. Also present were Fr. Giovanni Grosso, O.Carm., Postulator General; the Prior Provincial of the Netherlands, Fr. Ben Wolbers, O.Carm.; and the new auxiliary bishop of the diocese, in addition to numerous other Carmelites, friend s and colleagues. In the days following, the monument was presented to various other groups of people: the district, the city, the Carmelite family, etc.
In the wall that surrounds the monument there are bricks that have the names of the various Carmelite communities throughout the world that contributed to the project. The ceremony concluded with the laying of the last brick, on which one can read:
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Papal Award for the founder and Prior of Mount Carmel Hermitage in Christoval, USA
Written byPope Benedict XVI has awarded Fr. Fabian M. Rosette, O. Carm., founder and Prior of Mount Carmel Hermitage in Christoval, TX, USA, the Cross Pro Ecclesia et Pontifice for distinguished service to the Church.
On 15 August 2010, during the Mass of Thanksgiving on the occasion of the 30th Anniversary of his Priestly Ordination, the Most Rev. Michael D. Pfeifer, OMI., bishop of San Angelo, conferred the Papal Award. The medal Pro Ecclesia et Pontifice is the highest award the Pope can bestow upon a Religious.
Fr. Fabian founded Mount Carmel Hermitage as a Diocesan Carmelite Hermitage in 1991, and in 2003 the community was aggregated into the Carmelite Order by former Prior General Fr. Joseph Chalmers, O. Carm. The Mount Carmel Hermitage website is www.carmelitehermits.org.
Meeting of Formators of the Order in Camocim de São Félix, Brazil
Written byThere was an International Course for Carmelite Formators from around the world in Camocim de São Félix, Brazil from 1st to 15th August 2010. The two-week course provided an opportunity for the 69 participants to engage in a common reflection on the Ratio Institutionis Vitae Carmelitanae (RIVC) making ten years since its publication.
There were four main areas of discussion: the roles of formator and formandi; the interior spiritual journey; human development and the vows; internationality, inculturation and fraternity. The presentations focused on the existing RIVC text together new material drafted for inclusion in a new edition.
Principal speakers were: Frs. Desiderio García Martinez (Arag), Michael Plattig (GerS), Quinn Conners (PCM) and Carlos Mesters (Flum). A paper from Charlò Camilleri (Mel), who had Visa difficulties, was read for the participants. There were also a number of special topics addressed by Frs. John Keating (Curia), Francisco de Sales Alencar (Pern), Albertus Herwanta (Curia), Giampiero Molinari (Ita) and Raúl Maraví (Curia).
The course, which was organized by the Order's International Formation Commission, experienced the warmth of the hospitality of the Province of Pernambuco and of its Provincial, Fr. Francisco de Sales Alencar, O.Carm. The Prior General, Fr. Fernando Millán Romeral, O.Carm was present during the first week. In his initial and closing remarks he invited the participants to a balanced and creative approach to formation.
Archbishop Antonio Muniz, O.Carm. visited the meeting for two days. Other Carmelite bishops in Brazil, who were unable to attend, sent greetings to the participants.
The Elective Chapter of the Carmelite Monastery of Jaboticabal, Brazil, was held 23 July 2010. The following were elected:
- Prioress: Sr. Francisca Marlene Rocha, O.Carm.
- 1st Councilor: Sr. Maria do Carmo Silveira Moraes, O.Carm.
- 2nd Councilor: Sr. Silvana Cristina Gameiro, O.Carm.
- Director of Novices: Sr. Silvana Cristina Gameiro, O.Carm.
- Treasurer: Sr. Maria do Carmo Silveira Moraes, O.Carm.
- Sacristan: Sr. Silvana Cristina Gameiro , O.Carm.
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The Carmelite Order has presented a donation of €10,000 to help alleviate the suffering of those affected by recent floods in Brazil. This donation was made possible by the generosity of the donors to the Society of the Little Flower, the Curia's fundraising charity in Britain and Ireland.
The presentation was made at a Eucharist celebrated as part of the international gathering of Carmelite formators taking place at Camocim de São Félix, Brazil A cheque was given by the Prior General to fellow friar Don Antonio Muniz Fernandes, O.Carm., Metropolitan Archbishop of Maceió.
Some weeks ago Archbishop Antonio wrote to the Carmelite Family to publicize the grave situation that has arisen from the floods in the State of Algoas in the north east of Brazil.
After many years of discussion and some previous experience of co-operation in various fields, the monasteries present in the two provinces and one general commissariat in Italy decided to formalize the relations between them. In the most recent prioresses' meeting held in Sassone from 26 to 28 April, 11 of the 12 canonically erected Italian monasteries decided that they would join together in a Federation.
The Apostolic See has accepted their request, and on 16 July this year canonically erected the Federation of "St Mary Magdalen de'Pazzi" of the monasteries of the nuns of the Order of the Blessed Virgin Mary of Mount Carmel". At the same time the statutes of the federation were also approved and Fr. Matteo Palumbo O. Carm. (Ita) was appointed as the first religious assistant to the federation for a period of three years.
We wish the federation every heavenly blessing and that this union will help the monasteries to grow for their good and the good of the whole Church.
Electoral Chapter of the Monastery of Porlamar, Isla Margarita, Venezuela
Written by- Prioress: Sr. M. Norma del Carmen Sanchez Mora, O.Carm.
- 1st Councilor: Sr. M. Ana Violeta Pereira Montilva, O.Carm.
- 2nd Councilor: Sr. M. Carmen Luisa Sotillo, O.Carm.
- Director of Novices: Sr. M. Ana Violeta Pereira Montilva, O.Carm.
- Treasurer: Sr. M. Anyanette Coromoto Navas Ochoa, O.Carm.
- Sacristan: Sr. M. Rosa Coromoto Pérez Ramírez, O.Carm.
The Pilgrimage of Hope for the young people of Europe concluded last Sunday with the recitation of the Angelus by the Pope at Castel Gandolfo. In his address the Holy Father spoke about prayer with reference to the Gospel of the day (Luke 11:1-13). From his balcony the Pope greeted the young people of the Carmelite pilgrimage.
At the end of the Angelus, the Prior General, Fr. Fernando Millán Romeral, O.Carm., together with some bishops were invited to meet the Pope individually. The Prior General used the occasion with the Pope to speak about the pilgrimage. The Pope lauded this initiative and hoped that the World Youth Day in Madrid in 2010 would be a great event for the Church. The Pope then inquired about what countries the young people had come from and about their age. Finally, he addressed the Prior General with these words: "The Carmelites, as in today's Gospel, are the ones who teach us to pray…."
Apart from this meeting, all the information on the pilgrimage with numerous photographs, can be seen on the official website of the Order:
