O.Carm
Celebrating At Home - 28th Sunday in Ordinary Time
Invitations Refused & Accepted
(Matthew 22:1-14)
The third of the parables addressed to the chief priests and the elders is our Gospel today. Told in the context of a wedding feast given by a great King it’s a parable in three parts.
The first part is about God’s gracious invitation and its indifferent and sometimes violent refusal by those invited first (the religious and lay leaders).
Second part: God’s invitation having been rejected by the first to whom it was offered, is now offered to others - good and bad alike (the sinners).
Third part: the story of the guest without a wedding garment (one who accepts the invitation but does not change - a little like the son in the first parable who said, “Yes”, but didn’t go to the vineyard).
The wedding garment is a symbol of a converted life full of good deeds.
The sense of the last line of the Gospel: “Many are called but few are chosen”, is that all are called to salvation, but it is only had by those who accept the invitation and who change and yield good deeds. There is no room for complacency.
All three Gospel parables of the last three Sundays are about conversion. Conversion is not just turning away from sin but a radical reorienting of one’s life (turning) towards God. Repentance is not so much being sorry for past sins as a total change of direction. Conversion is impossible for the self-righteous because they don’t believe they need it. Hardness of heart and the refusal to listen are two great biblical sins.
In the three parables, St Matthew is urging his community to seek after true righteousness which comes from conversion and repentance, which flows from allowing the vision of God to fill their eyes and hearts. The kingdom has been entrusted to them, they are to produce its fruit of good deeds through a life of continual turning towards God.
Hard hearts, blocked ears, blind eyes, refusing to change are the path to death.
We are those who choose Life.
Scuola Carmelitana 2026
Scuola Carmelitana 2026 at CISA Brings Ongoing Formation
September 14-25, 2026 | Rome, CISA
The Scuola Carmelitana 2026, was held in Rome at CISA from September 14-25, 2026, brought together 12 participants—seven friars and five sisters—for an intensive program of study and reflection on the Carmelite tradition, history, spirituality, and identity.
The program, prepared as part of the Proposta Scuola Carmelitana, offer a comprehensive introduction to key aspects of Carmelite studies. The sessions included the origins and development of the Carmelite Order, its charismatic evolution, the Rule of Carmel, the Rubrica prima of the Constitutions, the Ignea Sagitta, the Catalogo dei santi, the Carmelite liturgical tradition, Mary and Elijah in the Carmelite tradition, the Institutio primorum monachorum, and the development of Carmelite identity through the centuries. The programme also included visits to significant Carmelite historical and spiritual sites in Rome.
A special part of the programme was dedicated to the three important centenaries commemorated in 2026, focusing on their historical context, significance, and relevance for Carmel today: Ut vivendi normam of Honorius III (1226), Inter caeteros of John XXII (1326), and Dum attenta of Sixtus IV (1476).
The sessions were led by Giovanni Grosso, Mario Alfarano, Boby Sebastian Tharakkunnel, Maximilian Agung, Noemi Malagesi, Mario Loya, and Anastasia di Gerusalemme, who generously contributed their knowledge and expertise to the program.
Due to the retreat of the students at San Martino ai Monti, they were unfortunately unable to participate in this year’s Scuola. We hope to welcome them in future editions.
The Scuola Carmelitana will continue next year, with a new program addressing other important themes in Carmelite history, spirituality, theology, and tradition, thus providing further opportunities for deeper study and formation.
All the classes and talks of the 2026 Scuola were recorded and are available online on the Carmelite Institute website. We warmly invite you to access the recordings by scanning the QR code below and to benefit from these valuable resources for Carmelite study and formation.
Scan the QR code given below to access the classes and talks
Carmelites Celebrate Season of Creation in Lima
Carmelites in Lima, Perú, Celebrates "Season of Creation" and the Laudato Si' Movement
From September 1st (World Day of Prayer for the Care of Creation) until October 4 (The feast of St. Francis of Assisi, patron saint of ecology), the Carmelite school in the Miraflores section of Lima, Peru, celebrated the Season of Creation.
The theme for 2026 was Living Water referencing the passage in the prophet Ezekial with the image of living water flowing from God’s sanctuary. The passage reveals divine healing that renews land, water, biodiversity, and human responsibility towards the whole of creation.
On Saturday, September 5, members of the school community and others gathered for the 2026 National Day of the Season of Creation – “Living Water.” A National Panel discussed “From Laudato Si’ to Magnifica Humanitas: Water That Unites, Nurtures, and Transforms.” Panel members included Fr Juan Goicochea, Laura Vargas, Maria Teresa Oré, Sr. Ana Maria Palomino, Nísida Antich Deten, and Elizabeth Ochoa. All were representing major organizations in the environmental movement. Edgar Lezama, O. Carm., an asesor national of the Laudato Si’ Movement, and Alexandra Heras, animator for the Laudato Si’ Movement participated.
A video circulated included information to bring the worldwide water crisis home to Perú where some residents were without water for up to 12 hours. The video reminds the viewer that water is in everything that we are and we find it in every aspect of our lives. It recalls the words of Pope Leo XIV who says that the Church cannot remain passive nor indifferent to what happens in the world.
To view the video, go here
Carmelites in Zimbabwe Celebrate 80 Years
Zimbabwean Commissariat Continues Celebration of 80 Years
As reported earlier, the Carmelites in Zimbabwe are celebrating 80 years of Carmelite presence in that country during 2026. Adopting the theme Rooted in Faith: Growing in Hope: 80 Years of Carmelite Presence in Zimbabwe, the celebrations include the production of a series of videos on the history of the Commissariat.
The Carmelites have released the 3rd part in the series which covers the growth and development of the mission following the war, 1986-2006.
To view the video, go here:
Celebrating At Home - 27th Sunday in Ordinary Time
Stewards of God’s Gift
(Matthew 21:33-43)
In last Sunday’s parable, Jesus addressed the Jerusalem priests and elders with a message that “action speaks louder than words”.
This Sunday, Jesus continues his address to them, building upon that message by using another parable.
This week’s parable asks us how we have used the gifts that God has entrusted to us. It is essentially a parable about stewardship.
God has entrusted the kingdom to us, individually and collectively. We are expected to cultivate and manage this Kingdom life in such a way that it bears good fruit, fruit that we can present to God, the ‘owner of the vineyard’.
There is nothing in the parable to indicate that there was any actual produce for the landowner to collect. It may very well be that the tenants had simply neglected the wonderful vineyard altogether and allowed it to fall into ruin.
Each of us has been given, not only the gift of life, but the wealth provided by God’s grace – the very kingdom of God. Indeed, we have been privileged. However, with this privilege comes responsibility and we are ultimately responsible to God for the way we use or neglect the Kingdom within. We have to become a people who produce the fruit of the kingdom: love, mercy, justice, forgiveness, tolerance, hope, joy, deeds of loving kindness.
What will we do with the Kingdom that has been entrusted to us? Let us pray that we may leave all the various ‘vineyards’ of our worlds in a better condition than how we were given them. Let us develop and sustain our awareness, seek out opportunities to contribute and then make judicious use of the gifts and grace that God has given us by letting God’s grace be seen at work in us; and, through us, at work in the world.
We are stewards of the Kingdom and of God’s grace. Let’s not waste such a great gift.
Prior General's Schedule for October 2026
Fr. Desiderio García Martínez, O. Carm., the prior general, has the following schedule planned for the month of October 2026:
October 1-8: Pleanary session of the General Council -- Rome
October 9-14: Visitation of Dulce Nombre de María Province -- Burkina Faso foundations
October 15-17: Premier "Revista Misión" on the life of fray Pablo Ma de la Cruz, O. Carm. (+) -- Spain
October 19-23: Meeting of the Major Superiors of the Americas -- São Paolo, Brazil
October 24-27: Visit to the Province of Rio -- Brazil
New Province of Congo Established
Decree Establishing the Congolese Province on October 15th Approved and Signed
On October 1, the feast of St. Thérèse of the Child Jesus, with the consent of his Council, the Prior General, Desiderio García Martínez, issued the decree of canonical establishment of the Congolese Province, placing it under the patronage of Blessed Isidore Bakanja. This is the first Province on the African continent and will come into effect on October 15, the feast of St. Thérèse of Jesus.
In 1970, the then Roman Province decided to launch a missionary endeavor in Zaire, now the Democratic Republic of the Congo. On February 6, 1973, the first three religious—Fr. Arcangelo Colandrea, Fr. Ubaldo Pani, and Fr. Domenico Fiore—departed to live and provide pastoral care at the parish of Jiba, in Ituri, within the Diocese of Bunia. On February 10, they were officially welcomed by the bishop, Monsignor Gabriele Ukec. The entire Roman Province rallied with great enthusiasm, accompanying the work of the three brothers with prayer and supporting them through a variety of initiatives. In the meantime, other religious joined or took over from the first group: Fr. Guido Sartori, Fr. Mario Serra, Fr. Nazareno Mauri, Fr. Teofano Scano, Fr. Gianfranco Tuveri, and Fr. Francesco Campagna.
When the Italian Province was established in 1991, the mission in the Congo—by then significantly developed—became the heritage and commitment of the entire Carmelite Family. At the same time, several Congolese brothers arrived in Italy to pursue specialized studies and offer their service in various communities: the “mission” thus became “missionary.”
The 12th Provincial Chapter of the Italian Province, held from June 17 to 22, 2024, approved the request to establish the new Province in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
On March 19, 2026, in agreement with his Council, the Provincial Prior of the Italian Province submitted to the General Council the request for the establishment of the Congolese Province, proposing Blessed Isidore Bakanja as its patron.
With the establishment of the new Province, the Prior General, with the consent of his Council, appointed:
Provincial Prior: Jean Pierre Canisius Kasereka Kaniki, O. Carm.
First Councilor: Georges Kabuli Ndiya, O. Carm.
Second Councilor: Jean Marie Vianney Musongya Mahamba, O. Carm.
Third Councilor: Lucien Kasereka Kahatane, O. Carm.
Fourth Councilor: Innocent Djombu Dz’Djo, O. Carm.
The new Provincial Prior and his Council will remain in office until the first Provincial Chapter, which must be held within one year of the date of the Province’s establishment.
Rejoicing in this development of the Order on the African continent, the Prior General and his Council entrust the new Congolese Province to the intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary of Mount Carmel and Blessed Isidore Bakanja, so that the Carmelite charism may continue to bear fruits of holiness.
Picture caption The Prior General, Desiderio García Martínez, signing the decree, witnessed by General Councilor for Africa, Eric N’Do.St. Thérèse of the Child Jesus and the Holy Face
St. Thérèse of the Child Jesus and the Holy Face, Virgin and Doctor of the Church
October 1 | Feast
Saint Thérèse was born at Alençon in France on 2nd January 1873. Her parents were Louis Martin and Zélie Guérin. Following her death on September 30, 1897, of tuberculosis at the age of 24, she became known around the world as St. Thérèse of the Child Jesus and the Holy Face through the publication of her autobiography now known as Story of a Soul.
In 2025, the Church celebrates the 100th anniversary of St. Thérèse's canonization. During his homily at the canonization, the Pope Pius, “If everyone follows this path of spiritual childhood, everyone will see how easily reformation of human society can be achieved, which we have proposed since the beginning of our pontificate. On the wall of the niche in the crypt of St. Peter’s Basilica where Pius XI is buried, there is a mosaic of the saint.
Thérèse’s simple yet powerful spirituality has captured the imagination of Catholics and non-Catholics alike for the last century. Her sense of commitment led her to a profound experience of the love of God and of neighbor. She never had an easy life, but she did live with a great sense of peace and joy.
Read more about the life of St Therese
St. Thérèse, Her Family and Her Spirituality
Proclamation of St. Therese of Lisieux as Doctor of the Church
Edizioni Carmelitane published a book to celebrate the 150th anniversary of her birth in 1873 and the 100th anniversary of her beatification as well as the 100th anniversary of her canonization in 2025. More information is available here:
Singing the Mercies of the Lord Writings on Saint Thérèse of Lisieux
Also available as an ebook
Carmelite Nuns Held Chapter in Trujillo Alto, Puerto Rico
Elective Chapter Held for the San José Carmelite Monastery in Trujillo Alto, Puerto Rico
The Carmelite monastery of San José in Trujillo Alto, Puerto Rico, held its Chapter of Elections on September 22, 2026
The monastery originated in the city of San Juan Bautista on the island of Puerto Rico. In 1646, King Philip IV of Spain issued a decree for its establishment. The nuns from Seville in southern Spain could not accept this foundation due to the immense maritime dangers of that time. Dominican Nuns were called from the neighboring city of Santo Domingo and they began the process of forming the first candidates for religious life and Carmelite life.
In 1651, the monastery was canonically erected. In 1903, the community moved to the city of San Germán and in 1910 to a new location in the city of Santurce. Finally, in 1971, it was established in its current location in the town of Trujillo Alto.
The monastery is in the Diocese of San Juan and part of the Nuestra Señora del Carmel Federation of Carmelite monasteries.
The nuns elected to leadership roles are:
Prioress | Priora | Priora:
Sor Carmen Noemí Marrero, O. Carm.
1st Councilor | 1ª Consejera | 1ª Consigliera:
Sor Linda María Pérez González, O. Carm.
2nd Councilor | 2ª Consejera | 2ª Consigliera:
Sor Mildred María Rosario Rivera, O. Carm.
Formator | Formadora | Formatrice:
Sor Linda María Pérez Gonsález, O. Carm.
Lectio Divina October, 2026
Opening Prayer
Father,
you show your almighty power in your mercy and forgiveness.
Continue to fill us with your gifts of love.
Help us to hurry towards the eternal life your promise and come to share in the joys of your kingdom.
We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
