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Conference Theme:

CARMEL ENGAGES WITH LAUDATO SI’:
Hearing both the cry of the Poor and of the Earth (cf. LS 49)
CARMELITE INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON JPIC
22-29 JULY 2017

EL COMPROMISO DEL CARMELO CON LAUDATO SI’:

Escuchando el clamor del pobre y de la tierra (cf. LS 49)
 CONFERENCIA INTERNACIONAL CARMELITA EN JPIC

22-29 de Julio de 2017

L’IMPEGNO DEL CARMELO CON LAUDATO SI’:

Ascoltando tanto il grido dei poveri e della terra (cf. LS 49)

CONVEGNO INTERNAZIONALE CARMELITANO IN GPIC

22-20 luglio 2017

We, the members drawn from the various branches of the Carmelite Family to constitute the Commission for Justice, Peace and Integrity of Creation of the Carmelite Order, met for our inaugural meeting at the Curia Generalizia, Roma, from 11-15 September 2014.

Our deliberations, sharing and dialogue from our diverse and rich contextual experiences were frank and sincere. We committed ourselves for the duration of this sessennium (2013-2019), to focus on helping Carmelite brothers and sisters in sensitizing, animating and participating in the promotion of Justice, Peace and Integrity of Creation throughout the Carmelite Family. We drew up our strategic plan which is an instrument for us to help our communities and especially those working in the ministry of Justice, Peace and Integrity of Creation to deepen their reflection, promote advocacy of pertinent issues and motivate each other to appropriate context-based action.

We recognize that action on behalf of justice and participation in the transformation of the world is a constitutive dimension of preaching the Gospel.[1] The whole ministry of Jesus and his return to the Father can be seen as geared towards the building up of the Kingdom of God - through proclamation, attitude and action - which is essentially a reign of justice and truth, holiness and peace, grace, unity and love. Pope Francis has stressed that, ‘Each individual Christian and every community is called to be an instrument of God for the liberation and promotion of the poor, and for enabling them to be fully a part of society’ and that ‘all of us, as Christians, are called to watch over and protect the fragile world in which we live, and all its peoples’[2]

We note that, we, Carmelites from our inception, inspired by Mary in her welcome and contemplative attitude towards the Word, and the Prophet Elijah in his zeal for and living in the presence of the Lord, as people of prayer and community are also people sensitive to the needs of those around us true to our Mendicant roots. In the post-Vatican II era, we recognize that a lot of reflection took place at such fora as the Council of Provinces and General Congregation and General Chapters. One of the most significant development has been an openness to justice and peace issues. For example, the Order has reflected on issues of poverty and our need to identify with the poor: In the Midst of the People[3], A Return to the Sources[4], Called to Account by the Poor[5]. We recognize that our world has become more complex and grave challenges have arisen that threaten the very existence of creation. Some of those challenges include loss of biodiversity, which is currently a thousand times higher than natural extinction rate[6]; energy depletion, which means that we are consuming more than we need and the current possibility for the earth to recover[7]; climate change, which is currently affecting millions of people worldwide through extended droughts in some areas and sea level rise and floods in other areas[8]; and global population growth with a distinctive pattern of unequal affluence, deeply interconnected with the previous issues[9]. We propose that we Carmelites, rooted in our 800 year-old tradition of brotherhood, of intimacy with the Lord God under the contemplative example of Mary and the zealous drive of the Prophet Elijah, renew, rekindle and promote the life-giving values of the Kingdom of God through deeds, advocacy and action.

There are many laudable causes for us to promote but these seem to us to be pressing in the context of our world situation of spiritual apathy, globalization of inequality, injustice, materialist consumerism and growing religious fundamentalism and intolerance. We commit ourselves to promoting, advocating for, and working to change for the better in our localities, the lives of real people in the following areas: human rights from conception to the tomb; community building, understanding and tolerance; promotion of Kingdom values and Carmelite spirituality with special emphasis on right relationship with others and the environment; awareness of environmental change through advocacy and helping communities to respond positively to this.

To help us to have an impression of the work Carmelites are doing in the area of Justice, Peace and Integrity of Creation, we wish to send a questionnaire to all our Provinces, Commissariats and Delegations. The questionnaire is a tool to help us plan for the production of the Carmelite Order’s Handbook on the animation of Justice, Peace and Integrity on Creation. The Carmelite Order has a strong history of meaningful adaptation to changing circumstances so as to be an effective player and contributor to issues. In the face of our contemporary world challenges, may we rise to offer our modest assistance to the world from the Carmelite tradition of respecting all in community, of fostering intimacy with God to be expressed in reaching out in service of the Church and the world. As the 2013 General Chapter Final Statement says: ‘People will be drawn to Christ when they notice our gospel based lives of simplicity, solidarity with the marginalized, celebration of unity in diversity, and the creation of safe environments for the children, teens and adults to whom we minister’[10]. The world needs our faith-based approach to ministry as one avenue of establishing right relationships with God, other human beings and all creation!

-         The Carmelite Commission for Justice, Peace and Integrity of Creation (2013-2019)

[1] Synod of Bishops, Justice in the World, 1971.

[2] Pope Francis, Evangelii Gaudium, Apostolic Exhortation on the Proclamation of the Gospel in Today’s World, Roma: Libreria Editrice Vaticana, 2013, nos. 187,  216.

[3] Third Council of Provinces, In the Midst of the People: Small Religious Commuinities and Basic-Communities, Dublin, 1975, in Kevin Mark, O.Carm., ed. Towards Prophetic Brotherhood: Documents of the Carmelite Ordr 1972-1982, Melbourne: The Carmelite Centre, 1984, pp. 43-55

[4] Fifth Council of Provinces, A Return to the Sources: An Examination of the Biblical Significance of Mary and Elijah, 1979, in Kevin Mark, Ibid., pp. 68-81

[5] Order of Carmelites General Congregation, Called to Account by the Poor, 1980, in K.Mark, Ibid.,pp. 81-96

[6] United Nations Environmental Programme (UNEP). Cf. The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), Global Biodiversity Outlook 3, Montreal (2010). (http://www.iucn.org).

[7] Cf. World Watch Institute, Green Economy Program, (http://www.worldwatch.org/programs/golbal_economy)

[8] Intergovernmental Panel for Climate Change (IPCC), Fifth Assessment Report 2013. (http://www.ipcc.ch/report/ar5/wg1).

[9] Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO). (http://www.fao.org)

[10] ‘A Word of Hope and Salvation (Const. 24)’, in Consilium Generale O.Carm., Global Plan of the General Council 2013-2019, Roma: Edizioni Carmelitane, 20014, pp.8-12, no. 4f.

The Fifth meeting of the Commission for Liturgy and Prayer was held at the Curia on February 2-3, 2017. Present were Frs Michael Farrugia, Procurator General, Giovanni Grosso (Ita), Edmondo Caruana (Mel), Pius Robert Manik (Indo) and Mario Esposito (SEL), Secretary. Fr Giuseppe Midili (Ita) was absent due to illness. As our former Chairman is now Bishop Francisco de Sales Alencar in Brazil, Fr Michael Farrugia was asked by the General Council to continue as the Acting Chairman of the Commission.

During the meeting, a considerable amount of time was dedicated to the planning of an International Congress - The Role and Place of Liturgy in the Carmelite Order now scheduled for Sassone from April 15-21, 2018. This congress is held in keeping with the indications received from the last General Chapter. Within the next month, all the Provincials and Commissaries will receive a questionnaire to help prepare for the Congress.

The Commission also made further progress on the Ritual for the Third Order, the Liturgical Calendar, the Rites for Simple and Solemn Profession, and the Carmelite Office Book. A few texts still remain to be translated and approved by the Congregation for Divine Worship, but good progress has been made.

The next meeting of the Commission will be in the fall of 2017.

The Elective Chapter of the Carmelite Monastery of Cerreto, Italy, was held 2 February 2017. The following were elected:

• Prioress:  Sr. M. Miriam Tamiano, O.Carm.
• 1st Councilor:   Sr. M. Joseph Lumicisi, O.Carm.
• 2nd Councilor:  Sr. M. Alberta Diana, O.Carm.
• Director of Novices:  Sr. M. Joseph Lumicisi, O.Carm.
• Treasurer:  Sr. M. Ludovica Benedetti, O.Carm.
• Sacristan:   Sr. Alberta Diana, O.Carm.

23 – 25 January 2017 scholars gathered at Centro Internazionale Sant’Alberto (CISA) in Rome for the third conference on ‘Contemplation in the Carmelite Tradition’, organised by the Institutum Carmelitanum.

Contemplation is today understood as being at the heart of the Carmelite charism, and since 2010 this series of conferences has explored how the Order’s understanding of contemplation has developed since its medieval origins.

The focus of this third conference was the Early Modern period of the sixteenth century, which included major developments in Church and Society, including the Reformation and Counter Reformation, the Discalced Reform of Carmel, and exploration of the ‘New World’. Some Carmelite writers from this period are very well known, and others hardly at all.

The conference speakers came from a variety of nations, academic disciplines, and branches of the Carmelite Family. They addressed the following topics: Michael Plattig, O.Carm. (Ger), “Spirituality in Modern Times”; Edeltraud Klueting, T.O.C. (Ger), “Eberhard Billick”; Johan Bergström-Allen, T.O.C. (Brit), “Jean Cartigny”; Elisabeth Hense, T.O.C. (Ger), “Adrian Hecquet”; Macario Ofilada (Instituto Cervantes de Manila), “Teresa of Avila”; Jakub Walczak, O.Carm. (Pol), “John of the Cross”; Bruno Secondin, O.Carm. (Ita), “Maria Maddalena de’ Pazzi”; Giovanni Grossi, O.Carm. (Ita), “Christophorus Silvestranus Brenzanus”; Mario Alfarano, O.Carm. (Neap), “Miguel de la Fuente”.

The participants received warm hospitality from the Prior and Community of CISA, joining them for prayer and meals.

In due course the papers from all the conferences will be published.

During the Provincial Chapter of the Province of Rio de Janeiro held on 23-27 January 2017 were elected:

• Prior Provincial:  Fr. Evaldo Xavier Gomes, O.Carm.
• First Councilor:  Fr. Adailson Quintino dos Santos, O.Carm.
• Second Councilor:  Fr. Fernando Bezerra, O.Carm.
• Third Councilor:  Fr. Alberto Souza , O.Carm.
• Fourth Councilor:  Fr. Eduardo Ferreira, O.Carm.

A gathering of Vocations Directors of the European Geographical Area took place in Rome from January 20th-22nd 2017. This was in line with the Global Plan of the General Council (2013-2019) in its statement on Europe. The meeting was chaired by Fr. John Keating, O.Carm., Councilor General for Europe, and each day began with an input from a speaker. Fr. Míceál O’Neill, O.Carm., Prior of St. Albert’s (CISA) Rome, addressed the topic “Is God still calling?” an exploration of the theme of vocation today. Don Leonardo D’Ascenzo, spoke about “Pastoral approaches to vocational ministry today”. Don Leonardo is the Rector of the Pontifical College of Anagni and was for many years the vice-director of the Servizio Nazionale di Pastorale Vocazionale of the Italian Bishops Conference (CEI). The main part of the meeting afforded each of the thirteenth participants time to share their experiences and enter into an open and profound discussion on the European vocations scene. Towards the end of the meeting they unanimously agreed to send a reflection to their respective provincials. The gathering ended with Sunday Eucharist at the Carmelite Church of St. Maria in Traspontina, celebrated by Fr. Giovanni Grosso, O.Carm., Prior Provincial of the Italian Province.

On the 2nd of February at 05.00 p.m. in the Church of Santa Maria Annunziata in Mdina (Malta), in the presence of the Archbishop of Malta, Charles J. Scicluna, a ceremony will take place that will mark the solemn opening of the diocesan inquiry into the signs, virtue, and reputation for holiness of the Servant of God, Fr. Avertan Fenech, O.Carm. who died in the odour of sanctity on the 1st of November, 1943.
Fr. Avertan dedicated his whole life to the sacrament of penance, the spiritual direction of souls, and the formation of novices, witnessing by his example to all that he taught in words. His indomitable faith in Divine Providence reached its zenith when he suffered a severe stroke, that left him disabled. Confined to a wheelchair and to bed for eleven years, he was a source of edification for all who took turns at his bedside, to who he gave strength and encouragement in the difficulties of daily life. Throughout his long and painful illness the Servant of God, a genuine master of the virtues, made himself evermore credible, by the way he witnessed to the love of Christ: crucified with him, he pointed to the way of the cross with great serenity as the way to reach the enjoyment of his marvellous light.

By Bernadette St. James, TOC, North Hollywood, California

Jesus’ life mission and purpose is to reveal the Kingdom of God which pertains to matters of the heart as found in his teaching on love and advanced in the Beatitudes. Ironically, since childhood the Baptized are instructed in the ethical teachings of Moses found in the Ten Commandments, but are unfamiliar with the more transcendent teachings of the Sermon on the Mount. Holding at arms-length with an attitude of incredulity, the Beatitudes are romanticized by some as a utopian impossibility while never allowing their message to significantly touch one’s community, politics or spirituality. The legalist tendencies and certitudes of the Old Covenant laws exact one’s relationship with God without necessarily needing to enter into the Covenant of love.

However, throughout the Scriptures, God’s message of love is echoed time and again. Christ the Bridegroom has arrived and the wise virgins who are prepared to receive the Beloved in the fire of contemplative abiding—rejoice! (Mt 25.1-13). Similarly, in the Song of Songs, discovery of God is found in love’s deep stirring in the soul. Intimacy with the Divine is encountered after God’s unrelenting search for the bride. Both the Lover and the Beloved long for the other and celebrate upon the discovery of the hearts’ desire. Great philosophical speculations, theological inquiry, and the wisdom of God’s laws may be of some value, but all that must lay bare at the doorway of the Holy of Holies as love is the entry to the sacred sphere.

Love requires courage. It requires that one not adhere to the standards of conditional love that may have been imposed by family, institution, and society. It requires that one trusts the radical nature of Jesus’ message and begin to experience in oneself the giving and receiving of unmerited love. Jesus’ message to all proclaims the God of Israel as a loving Abba daddy who provides far more than anyone else ever can or ever will provide.

The First Letter of John says, “Whoever claims to love God yet hates a brother or sister is a liar” (1 John 4:20). In contemplation we gradually learn to turn our whole being toward God. By experiencing love, one learns by its nature, that love disallows manipulation but rather lures one to enter into communion with God. In prayer we rediscover ourselves made in the image of God which in turn empowers discovery of the Divine Presence in others. In contemplation and detachment, one allows God to just BE. In surrendering ourselves, God’s truth rises to the surface of our consciousness to transform our thoughts and hearts.

The vocation of love demands we trade our idols for the ideals of love as Jesus’ message teaches. Christians can have every virtue but not have love and be a contradiction to Christ. The quickest road to God is through love as found in the uncompromising words of Saint Therese. When discerning her vocation she first sought many roles; soldier, priest, apostle, doctor, and martyr. However, God does not create persons ultimately to be identified with a role which at best can only be a shadowy reflection of himself; but rather, God has created human persons in his very Selfhood. God has created us in love, out of love, and for love, as Therese rejoices in discovering her true identity, “At last I have found my vocation. My vocation is love!".

Bernadette holds degrees in theology and phibsophy from Loyola Marymount H ■ University, a post graduate degree in Counseling Psychology, and is currently completing a doctoral dissertation in Clinical Psychology. She currently is a teacher of religious studies to Catholic high school students and enjoys the enthusiasm, inquiry and goodness she experiences with the youth. Due to the inspirational work of Saint John of the Cross and Saint Teresa of Avila, she became a Lay Carmelite in 1995. As a certified spiritual director Bernadette enjoys the ministry of teaching, organizing and leading contemplative retreats and prayer groups.