Prepare a Way for the Lord
(Luke 3:1-6)

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5 December Optional Memorial

Christ Is Truly 'God With Us'

From the encyclical letter of Pope Paul VI, The Mystery of Faith

IN A MOST SUBLIME manner, Christ is present in his Church as she offers in his name the sacrifice of the Mass. He is present in her as she administers the sacraments. But there is yet another manner in which Christ is present in his Church, a manner which surpasses all the others; it is his presence in the Sacrament of the Eucharist, which is for this reason “a more consoling source of devotion, a more lovely object of contemplation, a more effective means of sanctification than all the other sacraments.” The reason is clear: it contains Christ himself and it is “a kind of perfection of the spiritual life; in a way, it is the goal of all the sacraments.”

This presence is called “real”—by which it is not intended to exclude all other types of presence as if they could not be “real” too—but because it is presence in the fullest sense: that is to say, it is a substantial presence by which Christ, the God-Man, is wholly and entirely present.

Moreover the Catholic Church has held on to this faith in the presence in the Eucharist of the Body and Blood of Christ, not only in her teaching but also in her practice, since she has at all times given to this great Sacrament the worship which is known as Latria and which may be given to God alone. The Catholic Church has always offered and still offers the cult of Latria to the Sacrament of the Eucharist, not only during Mass, but also outside of it, reserving Consecrated Hosts with the utmost care, exposing them to solemn veneration, and carrying them processionally to the joy of great crowds of the faithful.

In the ancient documents of the Church we have many testimonies of this veneration. The pastors of the Church, in fact, solicitously exhorted the faithful to take the greatest care in keeping the Eucharist which they took to their homes.

It is to be desired that the faithful, every day and in great numbers, actively participate in the sacrifice of the Mass, receive Holy Communion with a pure heart, and give thanks to Christ our Lord for so great a gift.

In the course of the day the faithful should not omit to visit the Blessed Sacrament, which according to the liturgical laws must be kept in the churches with great reverence in a most honorable location. Such visits are a proof of gratitude, an expression of love, and acknowledgment of the Lord's presence.

No one can fail to understand that the Divine Eucharist bestows upon the Christian people an incomparable dignity. Not only while the sacrifice is offered and the sacrament is received, but as long as the Eucharist is kept in our churches and oratories Christ is truly the Emmanuel, that is, “God with us.” Day and night he is in our midst, he dwells with us full of grace and truth. He restores morality, nourishes virtues, consoles the afflicted, strengthens the weak. He proposes his own example to those who come to him that all may learn to be, like himself, meek and humble of heart and to seek not their own interests but those of God.

Anyone who approaches this august Sacrament with special devotion and endeavors to return generous love for Christ's own infinite love, will experience and fully under-stand-not without spiritual joy and fruit-how precious is the life hidden with Christ in God and how great is the value of converse with Christ, for there is nothing more consoling on earth, nothing more efficacious for advancing along the road of holiness.

Further, you realize, venerable brothers, that the Eucharist is reserved in the churches and oratories as in the spiritual center of a religious community or of a parish, yes, of the universal Church and of all of humanity, since beneath the appearance of the species, Christ is contained, the invisible Head of the Church, the Redeemer of the World, the Center of all hearts, “by whom all things are and by whom we exist.”

From this it follows that the worship paid to the Divine Eucharist strongly impels the soul to cultivate a “social” love, by which the common good is given preference over the good of the individual. Let us consider as our own the interests of the community, of the parish, of the entire Church, extending our charity to the whole world, because we know that everywhere there are members of Christ.

To read more on the life of Bl. Bartholomew Fanti ...

29 November Optional Memorial

Truly Deny Yourself and Carry the Cross of Christ

If anyone wishes to follow my way let him deny himself, take up his cross and follow me. For he who wants to save his soul must lose it, and he who for my sake loses it will gain it. Oh! Would that there were someone capable of making spiritual people understand, practice and taste the meaning of the advice to renounce ourselves, given by Our Lord so that they would understand how different the way to behave on this path is from what most of them believe! Some are convinced that any kind of retreat and reformation of life is enough, others are content to practice the virtues in some way, to devote themselves to prayer and to practice mortification, but neither of them achieves the naked poverty, abnegation or spiritual purity, which are one and the same, recommended by Our Lord. For they are still concerned with nourishing and clothing their nature with spiritual consolations and feelings rather than stripping and depriving it for the sake of God of everything.

In doing so, they become spiritually enemies of the cross of Christ, for the true spirit seeks in the Lord more the bitter than the sweet, inclines more to sufferings than to consolations, feels impelled for the sake of God more to renunciation than to the possession of every good, tends more to barrenness and afflictions than to sweet communications, knowing well that only in this way does one follow Christ and renounce oneself, and that to act otherwise is to seek oneself in God, which is very contrary to love. If man resolves to bear this cross, that is, if he resolves steadfastly to go seeking and to endure for the Lord travails in everything, he will find in this great relief and great suavity.

In no way does one progress except by imitating Christ who is the way, the truth, and the life, and no one comes to the Father except by Him. And the way consists in dying to nature.

To read more on the life of Blessed Denis and Redemptus (OCD) ...

Stay Awake! Your Liberation Is Near
(Luke 21:25-28, 34-36)

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Triennial Chapter of the Carmelite Nuns of the Monastery of Santa Catalina in Aracena, Spain Held

The Elective Chapter of the Carmelite Monastery of Santa Catalina in Aracena, Spain was held on November 18-19, 2024. Fr. Emilio Rodriguea Claudio, OSA, vicar general and episcopal vicar for Contemplative Life in the Diocese of Huelva presided. Eight nuns of the community participated.

Various decisions were taken. Among these was to work on ongoing formation and within it to deepen the community's identity according to the charism and the teachings of the Carmelite saints.

The Aracena monastery was founded when two pious sisters of the Castilla Infante family, with the assistance of a religious, opened a house on their property. On Feburary 21, 1536, the house became official, dedicated to the Blessed Virgin Mary of Mount Carmel. It was annexed to the church of St. Catherine by Cardinal Alphonso Manrique, the Archbishop of Spain. The monastery has founded other monasteries in Andalucia (Southern) Spain, Portugal, and Kenya.

The monastery belongs to the Mater et Decor Carmeli Federation. The website for the monastery is www.monjascarmelitasaracena.es

The following nuns were elected:

Prioress | Priora | Priora:
Sor Elena M. López Font, O. Carm.

1st Councilor  | 1ª Consejera | 1ª Consigliera:
Sor Ma. Remedios Álvarez Soríano, O. Carm.

2nd Councilor | 2ª Consejera | 2ª Consigliera:
Sor Ma. Victoria Escamilla Martín, O. Carm.

Treasurer | Ecónoma | Economa
Sor Ma. Victoria Escamilla Martín, O. Carm.

Formator | Formadora | Formatrice
Sor Elena Ma. López Font, O. Carm.

Sacristan | Sacristana | Sacrestana
Sor Ma. Remedios Álvarez Soríano, O. Carm.

The General Commissariat of Paraná celebrated on the World Day of the Poor

The General Commissariat of Paraná celebrated on the World Day of the Poor (17/11/2024) the 30th anniversary of the Association of Suffering Servant Homes (CSS). The celebration was attended by the Commissioner General of Paraná, Friar Flávio Barbosa dos Santos, and the President Director of CSS, Friar João Bernardes Alves, as well as the advisors of Federal Congressman Gleisi Hoffmann, Councilor Oscalino do Povo, and the advisors of Councilor Marcos Vieira representing the Municipality of Curitiba and Ms. Maria Alice, President of the Social Action Foundation of Curitiba (FAS), as well as all its Hosts (the Servants and Handmaids) and the Work Team.

CSS was founded on November 13, 1994, by Carmelite friars and lay people to help the vulnerable, the poor who are afflicted by the cruelty of drugs. Not without difficulty, CSS has made its way with the help of the Church and its laity, public authorities and people of good will in society to provide services to the poor who struggle with drug addiction.

All present at the celebration enjoyed food at the table prepared with much love and affection, and with the cooperation and donations of people in the community who identify with the work and mission of CSS.

May God be praised and may He continue, under the powerful intercession of Our Lady of Mount Carmel, to bless and care for this Work that belongs to Him, the Suffering Servant, Jesus Christ!

Read the original text in Portuguese

O Comissariado Geral do Paraná está em festa!!! No DIA MUNDIAL DOS POBRES (17/11/2024), a Associação Casas do Servo Sofredor (CSS), celebrou em sua sede os seus 30 anos de existência. A celebração contou com a presença do Comissário Geral do Paraná, Frei Flávio Barbosa dos Santos, e o Diretor Presidente da CSS, Frei João Bernardes Alves, além da participação da assessoria da Deputada Federal Gleisi Hoffmann, o Vereador Oscalino do Povo e assessoria do vereador Marcos Vieira representando a Câmara Municipal de Curitiba e da sra. Maria Alice, Presidente da Fundação de Ação Social de Curitiba (FAS), além de todos os seus Acolhidos e Acolhidas (os Servos e Servas) e a Equipe de Trabalho.

A CSS, foi fundada em 13/11/1994 pelos Frades e Leigos Carmelitas para atender os vulneráveis, os pobres flagelados pela crueldade das drogas. Não sem dificuldades, a CSS vem trilhando seu caminho com a ajuda da Igreja com seus Leigos, dos Poderes Públicos e de pessoas de boa vontade da Sociedade, para prestar serviços aos pobres que lutam com a Dependência Química.

Todos os presentes na celebração, comeram da mesa, alimentação preparada com muito amor e carinho, e com a colaboração e doação de pessoas da comunidade, que se identificam com o trabalho e missão da CSS.

Deus seja louvado, e continue sob a intercessão poderosa de Nsa Sra do Carmo abençoando e cuidando dessa Obra que pertence a Ele, o Servo Sofredor, Jesus Cristo!

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Triennial Chapter of the Carmelite Nuns of the Monastery of Santo Stefano in Ravenna, Italy Held

The Elective Chapter of the Carmelite Monastery of Santo Stefano in Ravenna, Italy was held on November 21, 2024. The archbishop of Ravenna-Cervia, Lorenzo Ghizzoni, presided.

In 1760 the Carmelite Peter Tombi gathered pious young women in the village of Molinella, near Bologna, who lived as Third Order Carmelites. In May 1773 they moved to Ravenna. By 1840 the group became members of the Order, receiving the papal enclosure. On July 24, 1857, Pope Pius IX visited the nuns along with other nuns who had been brought there. In 1976 nuns from St. Stefano assisted in the founding of the Carmelite monastery in La Vega, Philippines. In 1992, other sisters assisted in the founding of the monastery in Sogliano al Rubicone.

The monastery belongs to the S. M. Maddalena de' Pazzi Federation.

The following nuns were elected:

Prioress | Priora | Priora:
Sr M. Anastasia de Gerusalemme Cucca, O. Carm.

1st Councilor  | 1ª Consejera | 1ª Consigliera:
Sr M. Elisabetta Mambelli, O. Carm.

2nd Councilor | 2ª Consejera | 2ª Consigliera:
Sr M. Paola Teresa Laudicina, O. Carm.

Treasurer | Ecónoma | Economa
Sr M. Anastasia di Gerusalemme Cucca, O. Carm.

Formator | Formadora | Formatrice
Sr M. Elisabetta Mambelli, O. Carm.

Sacristan | Sacristana | Sacrestana
Sr M. Barbara Stella, O. Carm.

From November 11 to 16, 2024, 50 bursars from the provinces, commissariats and delegations gathered in Fatima, Portugal, in the Hotel Casa San Nuno for the meeting of the bursars of our Order, including lay people who collaborate in this ministry in their respective provinces. All entities present shared a brief report of the realities in which they live, problems, main challenges and possible solutions.

Prior General, Míċeál O'Neill, O. Carm, opened the meeting with a talk concerning some economic issues of our Order and a reflection on poverty and the role of community starting from our Rule No. 12. He also presided over the opening Eucharistic celebration.

Secretary for Missionary Cooperation of the Curia of Discalced Carmelites Jerome Paluku, OCD, then continued the meeting with a reflection on, “Solidarity as Mutual Responsibility - Conditions for Effective Solidarity in the Carmelite Order.”

Regarding the conditions for effective solidarity in the Order, the need for a future solidarity fund, how to finance and manage it was discussed. Also invited was Dr. Giovanni M. Manozzi, financial advisor to the Curia, who presented a comprehensive overview of Carmel's finances in the world; he also spoke and consequently discussed with the participants the method of compiling the economic reports sent annually.

The meeting was held in a spirit of transparency and honesty, spending time also for sharing in language groups and an afternoon for an excursion to the Batalha National Monument and the Atlantic Coast of Nazaré. The concluding Eucharistic celebration was held in the Chapel of the Fatima Apparitions.

Special thanks go to Ricardo Rainho, O. Carm. and Agostinho Castro, O. Carm. as well as to all the members of the General Commissariat of Portugal for their cordial and fraternal hospitality during the meeting.

Curiosities of the Archives

The Caricature of Blessed Angelo Paoli

In the Iconographic Collection of the General Archives of the Carmelite Order is a copy of a caricature drawing depicting Carmelite friar Angelo Paoli (1642-1720), who was immortalized in front of the main door of the Roman convent of San Martino ai Monti, where he used to distribute bread and alms to the poor of Rome. Paoli, who was beatified in 2010, was known for his involvement in social work, particularly in assisting the indigent and the sick.

The caricature, the original of which is preserved in the Vatican Library, within the Codex Ottoboniano Latino 3113, was executed in ink by Pietro Leone Ghezzi (1674-1755), a famous Roman painter and caricaturist, who portrayed numerous picturesque characters of Baroque Rome, transmitting to us a visual memory of them.

Blessed Angelo Paoli (1642-1720) was so well respected for his charity work, he was called "Father of the Poor." He operated with the belief that whoever loves God must find Him among the poor. He established a convalescent center in Rome where the poor could recover after leaving the hospital. Devoted to the Cross, he placed the cross inside the Colosseum of Rome. He was beatified in 2010.

(This article first appeared in ABIGOC – 5/2024).