The Elective Chapter of the Carmelite Monastery of Santa Ignacia, Tarlac, Philippines, was held 14 December 2012. The following were elected:

• Prioress:  Sr. Arlene Marie Reporte, O.Carm.
• 1st Councilor:   Sr. M. Teresa Margarita Medina, O.Carm.
• 2nd Councilor:  Sr. Mary Ann Inosanto, O.Carm.
• Director of Novices:  Sr. M. Teresa Margarita Medina, O.Carm.
• Treasurer:  Sr. Lourdes Maria Viernes, O.Carm.
• Sacristan:  Sr. Marie Gretel Lugtu, O.Carm.

Fr.  Boby Sebastian Tharakunnel, O.Carm.

The JPIC Commission
In September 2008, the General Commission for JPIC had its first meeting at Sassone, Italy,  where  Fr. Albertus Herwanta, (Chairman), Fr. Cees Bartels, Fr. David Blanchard, Fr. Michael Agung, Fr. Jerry Sabado, Fr. Eduardo Agosta, Fr. Boniface Kimondolo and Fr. Boby Sebastian (James) Tharakunnel (Secretary) were present. It came out with an action plan for 2008-2011 to raise an awareness of the JPIC issues and to take real action to bring possible solutions in the whole Order.
The Action Plan
It includes  communicating the work of the International JPIC Commission to the Order,  gathering information from the Carmelite Family regarding activities of provinces, commissariats, delegations related to JPIC, and disseminating them to the Order, disseminating  the documents of the Order on JPIC to the members of the Carmelite Family, setting-up a task-force for interreligious dialogue, organizing courses and resources on JPIC, at local and regional levels, an immersion and exposure program to JPIC realities, setting-up a Web Page on JPIC, publication and documentation on JPIC issues, an essay contest for the Carmelite students, Assembly in 2011,  and JPIC Commission meetings to evaluate our program in order to face the International assembly in 2011.
A. JPIC courses: The first was held in April 14-16, 2009 in El Salvador for the Central American region. The second was on environment, held in Indonesia (August 1-2, 2009) in collaboration with the Indonesian Carmelite-NGO. The third one was held in Harare, Zimbabwe for the African region (July 25-29, 2010).  We have planned one for the Asian-Australian and Oceania region in East Timor, 2011. We are also planning to organize such a course for the European students and for the whole Order.
B. Communication: We have been communicating with the whole Order and the Carmelite-NGO in order to work together and are still looking for stronger collaboration from provinces, commissariats and delegations.  Some activities of the commission have been disseminated through CITOC Online. Fr. Albertus Herwanta gave a talk on the commitment to JPIC and Carmelite Formation at the International Carmelite Formators meeting in Racife, Brazil. He is attending different JPIC meetings around the globe and organizing different seminars and courses in the Order in spite of his busy schedule of being the General Councilor for Asia- Australia-Oceana.
C. Titus Brandsma JPIC Essay Competition 2009-2010: This competition was aimed at helping the young Carmelites to reflect seriously on JPIC topics such as globalization, climate change, just investments in relation with Carmelite spirituality.  The winners of the competition are: (1) Bro. Glen Attard, O.Carm. (Mel), (2) Bro. David Augusto Sosa, O.Carm. (Arg-Cast), (3) Bro. Praveen Lawrence, O.Carm. (Indian Delegation), (4) Bro. Edgar A. Cayanan, O.Carm. (Phil).
D. Interreligious Dialogue Task Force, consisting of Albertus Herwanta, Cees Bartels and  Boby Sebastian (James) Tharakunnel, has been working in order to respond to the recommendation of the General Chapter 2007.  They attended different meetings on interreligious dialogue, met different experts, and had discussion with some members of the Pontifical Council for Inter- religious Dialogue and other competent persons in this field.
 JPIC Commission is grateful to all for the cooperation and support for the realization of its action plan. 

Fr. John Keating, O.Carm.

At the General Chapter of 2007 it was agreed to unite all of Europe into one geographical area having one General Councilor responsible for the whole area. Up to this Europe was divided into North and South. The Global Plan of the General Council (2007-2013) states: “Uniting the two regions of Europe into one geographical area presents us with a challenge and an opportunity for re-evaluation, growth and change.” There are 13 provinces, two commissariats and two general delegations in this area. About one third of the friars live in Europe and the majority of the enclosed nuns are mainly in Italy and Spain. The heritage and tradition of the Order find deep roots in the European Carmel. Its support to the developing parts of the Order throughout the world is very significant.
Many of the European provinces have either begun or are beginning to evaluate their situation. Visitations have taken place in many of the provinces and provincial chapters are addressing urgent issues common throughout most of these provinces. The age level of the brethren indicates that we are facing a time of rapid change regarding numbers, and this will be very evident within the next 10 to 20 years. Many of them are facing painful decisions regarding closure of houses, financial income, personnel, etc. This necessitates a sense of priority regarding ministry and location. Some provinces are addressing the question of unification or “fusion” with other provinces (Arago-Valentina and Castile, Upper and Lower Germany). The Church in Europe is going through significant change and multiple crises. Pope Benedict XVI has endeavoured to address this crisis as a central part of his pontificate.
Europe itself also faces issues regarding political leadership, economics, secularization, immigration, birth-rate, etc. The Order in Europe provides a vast service to the local church through its diverse ministries in parishes, schools, sanctuaries and often quite remarkable service to the poor. The members of the provinces have to address the question of declining church attendance, lack of vocations, closure or “clustering” of parish communities, and pastoral service. Those in formation and the number of vocations are small. Many of the younger Carmelites in Europe see a new vision for the future and this is a challenge for provinces and for inter-provincial cooperation at all levels. These times are very challenging and European Carmelites too must look to the renewal of the face of the Order especially through our spirituality, charism, and new expressions of Carmelite presence in the old world. To this end many inter-province meeting take place in the three regions of Europe (Northern European Region, Iberian Region and with the recent meeting of the provincials of Italy and Malta, the reestablishment of an Italy/Malta Region).
The Carmelite Youth European Pilgrimage of Hope in 2010 has opened the way for a renewal of engagement with our young people and many provinces have set about building anew its pastoral involvement with young people. A number of provinces already have a well-developed youth ministry who offer help to young people and give them an opportunity to support the mission Carmel in Europe and around the world. This is in tune with the Six Year Plan of the General Curia: “Development of the a European policy of youth, forms of youth association and direct involvement by our laity.” Youth ministry will be given special attention in the coming years in the European area.

Fr. Désiré Unen Alimange, O.Carm.

From among the projects for Africa in these 6 years that emerged from the General Chapter in 2007, we would like to present the present-day situation and that which will be realized in the following days.

The current situation (already realized)
a. The formation of formators and formandi are the highest priority.  All of the priors provincial are concerned with the formation of the members of their respective missions: Zimbabwe, Rep. Dem. Congo, Mozambique, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Kenya, Tanzania.
b. The existing foundations are asking to be consolidated.  Certainly, the Carmelite charism has become a reality in these respective places.  In order to affirm the brothers in their faith, fraternal visits have all been completed in all the missions by the Councilor of the area.
Regarding canonical visits, the Prior General, accompanied by the Councilor of the area, went to the following missions: Zimbabwe, Mozambique, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Kenya, Rep. Dem. Congo.
In certain missions at this time, missionaries are helping one another out in terms of personnel in order to support the fraternal life by having a sufficient number of members in the community and assisting in the formation of some members.
At the level of governance, and conscious of the future, progressively new productive structures of management and the administration of goods are being created.

Situation for the future (to be achieved)
a. The creation of the Institute of Carmelite Spirituality in Nairobi (Kenya) “under the immediate jurisdiction of the Prior General” (Constitutions 166) emerging from the General Chapter is a crucial question.  It demands the preparation of competent and actively engaged friars.  Some things are moving slowly.
b. The primary need of the animator of the African geographical area is to affirm the friars in their Carmelite vocation.  Therefore, the canonical visit to Tanzania will take place in the coming days at a determined date.
c. Thanks be to God, the new foundations are not lacking in Africa, whether on the part of the provinces who want new experiences of evangelization, or in the internal development of existing missions.
It is fraternally recommended to follow the official criteria of the Order:  From the start, our charism should not be neglected, to provide a sufficient number of friars to the new communities to conduct the fraternal life worthily, in no case to neglect or sacrifice formation, to provide adequate means of sustenance, to maintain a good relationship with the local Church regarding Carmelite patrimony (the document Mutuae Relationes can help very much in this situation), following the recommendations stipulated in the norms of universal law.
“The mission ad gentes-in other words, the task of announcing the Gospel  in places where it is not known is one of the fundamental activities of the Church, for the Church is missionary by its very nature. The main agent of the mission ad gentes is the Holy Spirit, who inspires Provinces and Commissariats  to appoint members to this task.  It is the Spirit who gives the missionary charism  to those who are sent.  In this work, the Order recognises “immense opportunities  in such areas as charity, evangelical proclamation,  Christian education, culture,  and solidarity with the poor, the marginalized, the oppressed,  and those who suffer discrimination.”
All our communities shall support this essential task  with their prayers and by encouraging the faithful  to become personally involved  and, according to their circumstances, to provide material help. Missionary work requires a specific spirituality and a process of inculturation;  we are confident therefore, that the mission ad gentes  will reveal the heart of the Carmelite charism in a new way  for the good of the Church and of the Order.”
(Constitutions #105)

Fr. Albertus Herwanta, O.Carm.

As a General Councilor, I would like to continue building cooperation among Carmelites in the region, and making more contribution to the whole Order. In order to achieve this, clear and constructive communication is needed to facilitate collaboration and consolidation in the whole regional Carmelite Family.  
I arranged the first meeting for the superiors of the region in Bali in November 2008, in which collaboration, especially in Carmelite formation was the priority.  During the Council of Provinces XVI in San Felice, September 2009, the superiors of the region agreed to organize training for formators. In May 2010, 19 formators came together, participating in a training facilitated by Fr. Joseph Chalmers.  
I took advantage of the training by creating a regional committee for formation whose responsibility is to facilitate a cooperative formation in the region. It was decided to organize a seminar on formation and JPIC for Carmelite students which will be held in East Timor April 26 – May 2, 2011 and to have a meeting for formators in India in 2012.  
During the International Gathering in Camoçim, Brazil in August 2010 the regional formators strongly agreed to continue collaborating in such areas as joint formation, formators and students exchange, and sharing experiences.
But meetings are not enough; therefore, visiting various Carmelite communities is needed. I have visited India (St. Thomas Province and St.Therese-St.Albert  delegation), Philippines (Chapter and fraternal visit), China and Vietnam (canonical visit with Fr. General), Indonesia (Chapter and canonical visit with Fr. General), Australia and East Timor (Chapter and fraternal visit with Fr. General).
I have also visited Carmelite Nuns of Indonesia (Batu & Palangkaraya), Philippines (Tanay, Dumaguete, Butuan, Guiguinto, Tarlac, Burgos, Roxas), and some Carmelite sister communities in India, Vietnam, the Philippines, Indonesia, Australia, and East Timor. We also met Lay Carmelite groups in the Philippines, Indonesia, and East Timor. They highly appreciated these visits.  Thanks to them for their hospitality!
The Carmelites of the region are taking part in the Carmelite mission of the Order. Indonesia is responsible for a mission in China, India is partaking in a Kenya mission, the Philippines is working in their Papua New Guinea mission. These missions are managed as regional projects in which provinces, commissariats, and delegations support each other and strengthen their cooperation.  
Br. Amilton Vidotto (Pern) is teaching Portuguese to our East Timorese Carmelites, and the New York province is sending some Vietnamese Carmelites there for sharing Carmelite life during the summer.
The General Council has stimulated the region to build stronger internationality. Studying or working in other provinces like Ireland, England, Germany, France, Italy, United States, and Australia may strengthen our internationality and should be done according to a clear agreement among provinces, commissariats, and delegations; otherwise, it may create confusion.

Fr. Raúl Maraví, O.Carm.

The presence of Carmelite friars can be found in thirteen distinct countries in a very large territory that extends from Canada in the north to Argentina in the south where we have approximately 530 Carmelites.  
The American continent is divided into two regions:

• The North American Region
• The Latin American and Caribbean region.  

In this first triennium we visited the majority of the Carmelite places in this enormous continent. We tried to encourage greater interchange and mutual collaboration between both regions and between the existing entities.  Likewise, we animated the friars to participate in various permanent formation programs, to continue studies in specialized areas after theology and to learn one of the official languages of the Order.  These visits also included visits to monasteries of cloistered nuns and some convents of sisters affiliated with our Order when time and distance permitted us to do so.  
During this time we had the opportunity to participate in four provincial chapters, four provincial commissariat assemblies and one general delegation meeting.  Also, we were present at various celebrations, congresses and meetings among which we can highlight: the Beatification of Madre Candelaria de San José in Venezuela, the meeting of Superiors of the Americas in Brazil, the Golden (50th) Anniversary of Crespi Carmelite High School in the United States, The O.Carm-O.C.D. Latin American Congress (ALACAR) in Colombia, and three formation courses for Latin America in Peru, Bolivia and Brazil.  
It should be noted that in the Meeting of Superiors of 2008, the group carefully studied the Global Plan of the General Council for the Order in distinct areas such as: formation, justice and peace and the integrity of creation, Carmelite schools and youth, Carmelite laity.  The assistants, friars and some Carmelite sisters worked and analyzed the most viable ways to implement this plan in their communities.  
On the other hand, it is also important to note that during the International Course for formators in August of 2010 in Brazil, the formators of the American continent met to discuss a plan to develop three single international novitiates in the continent (one in English, one in Spanish and one in Portuguese).  The majority of the participants (around thirty formators) were in agreement to continue supporting this initiative in order to achieve a better interchange and to enrich the novices and students with a more international and diversified experience of our Carmelite Order.

This article is from the Citoc Magazine.

The Citoc Magazine is published twice a year by the Order of Carmelites. Submitted news, information, feature, articles, letters, photos, and other materials become the property of the Citoc Magazine.

The Elective Chapter of the Carmelite Monastery of San Giovanni La Punta, Italy, was held 10 December 2012. The following were elected:

• Prioress:  Sr. M. Rosalia Mangiarotti, O.Carm.
• 1st Councilor:   Sr. M. Simona Nicita, O.Carm.
• 2nd Councilor:  Sr. M. Angelica Panebianco, O.Carm.
• 3rd Councilor:   Sr. M .Celina Atzei, O.Carm.
• 4th Couniclor:   Sr. M. Gesualda Morreale, O.Carm.
• Director of Novices:  Sr. M. Rosalia Mangiarotti, O.Carm.
• Treasurer:  Sr. M. Simona Nicita, O.Carm.
• Sacristan:  Sr. M. Angelica Panebianco, O.Carm.

The Carmelite NGO invites people around the world to join with the Carmelite Family to celebrate World Human Rights Day on December 10 with a day of prayer and reflection on human rights and the Christian faith.

Materials for individuals, organizations, or groups to use to celebrate the day can be obtained from the office of the Carmelite NGO or downloaded from the organization's website www.carmelitengo.org  The booklet contains a prayer service containing passages from Scripture, statements from documents of the Catholic Church and the Carmelite Order, as well as other resources.

The November 2012 plenary assembly of the Conference of Spanish Bishops set the date and the venue for the beatification of the next group of 20th century Spanish martyrs. It will take place at the end of the Year of Faith, on the 27th of October 2013 in Tarragona, in Spain. Among the group there is Fr. Carmel Maria Moyano, O.Carm., and nine of his companions from the Betica province, along with Fr. Alberto Marco Alemán, O.Carm., and eight companions from the Province of Castile.

The statement from the Spanish Bishop’s Conference says that the office for the causes of the saints will be in contact with the the various people who are responsible for the different causes. The statement also invites everyone to engage in a spiritual preparation in each province, order or diocese, through a catechesis that may be offered to young people and other groups, so that the “witness and intercession of all these martyrs may contribute to the growth and to the joy and faith of the entire people of God”