Some 40 participants from the provinces of Malta, Italia, Poland, Britain, Ireland, Arago-Castile-Valencia, Betica, the General Commissariat of Portugal, the French Delegation and some young people on behalf of the Hermanas de la Virgen Maria del Monte Carmelo (Orihuela, Spain), took part in the third section of the Carmelite European Youth project “Awakening” at the “The Friars”, Aylesford, England from the 14th to the 18th August, 2019. Two previous gatherings had taken place, one in Fatima and the second at San Felice del Benaco, Italy.

Each day addressed a different theme and the main speakers were Carmelites, Fr. Miceal O’Neill (Contemplation and Action), Fr. Michael Plattig (Incarnated Spirituality and the schools of spirituality), Fr. Desiderio Garcia Martinez (Paths of transformation: Teresa of Avila – a woman who comes out of her comfort zone) and Sabrina Rubio Perez and Javier Bernabeu Almela (Leadership). There were also recorded video interviews relating to three significant Carmelites saints as witnesses in their time; the Prior General, Fr. Fernando Millan Romeral (on Blessed Titus Brandsma), Fr. Lucio Maria Zappatore (on Blessed Angelo Paoli) and Sr. Olivia Kelly, OCD (on Therese of Lisieux). The programme was both dynamic and interactive. As part of the programme, the young people had the opportunity of participating at Evensong in Canterbury Cathedral. The event was organized by the Carmelite European Youth Committee, Frs. David Oliver (ACV), Luca Sciarelli (Ita), Dave Twohig (Hib), Bro. Joao Costa (Lus), Sabrina Rubio Perez (ACV) and Daniela Pereira (Lus) and led by Fr. John Keating (Curia).

The committee are deeply grateful to the Prior Provincial of the British Province, Fr. Kevin Alban, the Prior of Aylesford, Fr. Francis Kemsley and the Aylesford community for their generous support of this gathering and the wonderful welcome they received from the Aylesford staff and administration.

 

Last Sunday, August 4, the Prior General, Fernando Millán Romeral, O.Carm., led the solemn celebration of the Eucharist in the diocesan sanctuary of San Ángel de Licata (Sicily, Italy) in which Father Roberto Toni, O. Carm., Provincial of the Italian Province and the Rector of the shrine, Don Angelo Pintacorona, were concelebrants, along with other priests. After the celebration, the Prior General announced some of the numerous acts (religious, cultural and catechetical) that are being scheduled for the celebration of the eighth centenary of the martyrdom of San Angel, and in an extraordinary way (by a special concession) he venerated the saint’s relics and laid a floral wreath before them. The Eucharist was attended also by the city authorities, headed by the "Vice-Mayor", a large representation of the Carmelite Third Order members from Licata and other Sicilian cities, as well as confraternities and associations dedicated to the Saint: “Pro Sant’Angelo”, “Portatori di Oltreponte” and "Vivere Licata." The next day, accompanied by the Provincial, he visited the Cardinal Archbishop of Agrigento, Francesco Montenegro, who took great interest in the centenary program and expressed his affection for the Carmelite family.

Taking advantage of his stay in Sicily, the Prior General celebrated the Eucharist in the Shrine of the Virgin of Trapani, on the occasion of the feast of St. Albert. Following the traditional, he opened the silver cover where the skull of the saint is located and blessed the "water of St. Albert." He also participated in the popular procession that takes the image of the saint, both to the town hall, where they were received by the mayor, and to the cathedral where the bishop, Monsignor Pietro Maria Fragnelli, pronounced a beautiful prayer before the patron of the city.

May Saint Angel and Saint Albert, the first saints of the Order, help us to be faithful to our charism and generous and creative in our Carmelite life.

The Elective Chapter of the Carmelite Monastery of Jaboticabal, Brazil, was held 30 July and 8 August 2019. The following were elected:

• Prioress: Sr. Francisca Marlene Rocha, O.Carm.


• 1st Councilor: Sr. Maria do Carmo Silveira Moraes, O.Carm.


• 2nd Councilor: Sr. M. Solange Nicácio de Melo, O.Carm.


• Director of Novices: Sr. Maria do Carmo Silveira Moraes, O.Carm.


• Treasurer: Sr. M. Solange Nicácio de Melo, O.Carm.


• Sacristan: Sr. Vera Lúcia Alves, O.Carm.

The Elective Chapter of the Carmelite Monastery of Cabanatuan, Philippines, was held on 13 August 2019. The following were elected:

• Prioress: Sr. M. Dolores of the Crucified Jesus Asuncion, O.Carm.


• 1st Councilor: Sr. M. Dorotea of the Soul of Christ Santiago, O.Carm.


• 2nd Councilor: Sr. M. Herminia of Jesus dela Cruz, O.Carm.


• 3rd Councilor: Sr. M. Regina of Jesus Gutierrez, O.Carm.


• 4th Couniclor and Treasurer: Sr. M. Teresa of Jesus Canillo, O.Carm.


• Director of Novices: Sr. M. Dorotea of the Soul of Christ, Santiago, O.Carm.


• Sacristan: Sr. M. Raquel of the Divine Mercy Ylagan, O.Carm.