Appointment as consultor of the Congregation for the Institutes of Consecrated Life and the Societies of Apostolic Life
Written byOn the 16th July 2014 the Holy Father Francis appointed as consultor of the Congregation for the Institutes of Consecrated Life and the Societies of Apostolic Life Fr. Bruno Secondin, O. Carm. (Italian Province), ordinary lecturer emeritus in modern spirituality and foundations of spiritual life at the Pontifical Gregorian University, Rome.
To Fr. Bruno we offer our most cordial good wishes and congratulations.
At the 2013 General Chapter, the delegates passed a proposal to establish an "ad hoc" commission to examine the future viability and structure of Institutum Carmelitianum, the current and historical archives, the General and Carmelite libraries, Edizioni Carmelitane, along with examining the usage of all Curia property in Rome, which includes the Curia, CISA, and the Domus.
This ad hoc commission for the Rebuilding of our Culture met in Rome from 21-23 July 2014. The members of the commission include Frederick Tillotson (PCM) Chairperson, Mario Alfarano (Curia), Michael Plattig (Ger), Rico Ponce (Phil), Tadeusz Popiela (Pol) and Carl Markelz (Curia).
The commission discussed the many issues and met with leaders of these organizations. The work of this ad hoc commission will finish by 2016. At that time, the commission will submit its findings to the General Council, and these conclusions will be discussed with provincials at the General Congregation in 2016.
From 8th through to the 10th of July, 2014, the Task-Force of Carmelite schools gathered in our General Curia in Rome. The members taking part were Sr. Visitación Baz from Spain (HVMMC); Paul Horan, O.Carm. (Hib-Zimb); Javier Garmon i Calvo, O.Carm. (Cat); Tony Mazurkiewicz, O.Carm. (PCM); Albertus Herwanta, O.Carm. (Indo); under the leadership of Raúl Maraví, O.Carm., Councillor General and President of the Task Force.
For three days the group worked on many details for the second International Congress of Carmelite Schools (October 2017), as well as on communication and collaboration among Carmelite schools around the world. It was agreed that a website of Carmelite schools should be created and integrated into the official website of the Order. The Task Force also discussed different ways on how to continue developing better school ministry based on Carmelite spirituality and how to create internationally standardized and competitive schools in this era of globalization.
Flos Carmeli, vitis florigera,
splendor caeli, Virgo puerpera singularis.
Mater mitis, sed viri nescia,
Carmelitis esto propitia,
stella maris.
In sollemnitate b.v. Mariae de monte carmelo
Fernando Prior Generalis
Domusque Generalis Communitas
16. VII. 2014
As the Feast of Our Lady of Mount Carmel is approaching, the Prior General has written a letter to the Carmelite family expressing his best wishes and inviting all members to celebrate the Feast, beginning with the Novena to Our Lady of Mount Carmel from 7 to 15 of July 2014. This custom of the Novena of Our Lady of Mount Carmel before the feast is a long tradition and is observed by many Catholics throughout the world.
In his letter the Prior General invites us to be united in contemplating, sharing, increasing the beauty which is all around us (even, if at times, somewhat hidden) because Carmel has been closely linked to beauty. He states “my desire is that our lives should be a song of praise to God for the beauty that surrounds us, and also a generous commitment to ensure that beauty will not be diminished or tarnished by what is evil, by sin, by the suffering of so many innocent people, who are the victims of selfishness and all its ramifications, (injustice, violence, inequality .....).”
The full text of the message and the Novena to Our Lady of Mount Carmel can be founded here:
http://ocarm.org/en/content/ocarm/letter-prior-general-feast-our-lady-mount-carmel-2014
Prayer Intentions of the Holy Father
Universal: That sports may always be occasions of human fraternity and growth.
For Evangelization: That the Holy Spirit may support the work of the laity who proclaim the Gospel in the poorest countries.
Lectio Divina July - Julio - Luglio 2014
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- Tuesday, July 1, 2014
- Wednesday, July 2, 2014
- Thursday, July 3, 2014
- Friday, July 4, 2014
- Saturday, July 5, 2014
- Sunday, July 6, 2014
- Monday, July 7, 2014
- Tuesday, July 8, 2014
- Wednesday, July 9, 2014
- Thursday, July 10, 2014
- Friday, July 11, 2014
- Saturday, July 12, 2014
- Sunday, July 13, 2014
- Monday, July 14, 2014
- Tuesday, July 15, 2014
- Wednesday, July 16, 2014
- Thursday, July 17, 2014
- Friday, July 18, 2014
- Saturday, July 19, 2014
- Sunday, July 20, 2014
- Monday, July 21, 2014
- Tuesday, July 22, 2014
- Wednesday, July 23, 2014
- Thursday, July 24, 2014
- Friday, July 25, 2014
- Saturday, July 26, 2014
- Sunday, July 27, 2014
- Monday, July 28, 2014
- Tuesday, July 29, 2014
- Wednesday, July 30, 2014
- Thursday, July 31, 2014
Ordinary Time
1) Opening prayer
Father of everlasting goodness,
our origin and guide,
be close to us
and hear the prayers of all who praise You.
Forgive our sins and restore us to life.
Keep us safe in Your love.
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.
2) Gospel Reading - Matthew 17:1-9
Jesus took with Him Peter and James and his brother John and led them up a high mountain by themselves. There in their presence He was transfigured: His face shone like the sun and His clothes became as dazzling as light. And suddenly Moses and Elijah appeared to them; they were talking with Him.
Then Peter spoke to Jesus. 'Lord,' he said, 'it is wonderful for us to be here; if You want me to, I will make three shelters here, one for You, one for Moses and one for Elijah.' He was still speaking when suddenly a bright cloud covered them with shadow, and suddenly from the cloud there came a voice which said, 'This is My Son, the Beloved; He enjoys My favor. Listen to Him.'
When they heard this, the disciples fell on their faces, overcome with fear. But Jesus came up and touched them, saying, 'Stand up, do not be afraid.' And when they raised their eyes they saw no one but Jesus. As they came down from the mountain Jesus gave them this order, 'Tell no one about this vision until the Son of man has risen from the dead.'
3) Reflection
• Today is the Feast of the Transfiguration of Jesus. The Transfiguration takes place after the first announcement of the Death of Jesus (Mt 16:21). This announcement disturbs the head of the Disciples, especially Peter (Mt 16:22-23). They were living among the poor, but the head was lost in the dominating ideology of that time. They were expecting a glorious Messiah. The cross was an impediment to believing in Jesus. The Transfiguration, where Jesus appears glorious on the top of the mountain, was for them a help to overcome the trauma of the Cross and to discover the true Messiah in Jesus. But even with this, many years afterwards, when the Good News was already diffused in Asia Minor and in Greece, the Cross continued to be for the Jews and for the Gentiles a great impediment to accepting Jesus as Messiah. “The Cross is foolishness and scandal!” as it was said (1Cor 1:23). One of the greatest efforts of the first Christians was to help people to become aware that the cross was not a scandal, nor foolishness, but rather the most beautiful and strongest expression of the wisdom of God (1Cor 1:22-31). Today’s Gospel contributes to this effort. It shows that Jesus fulfilled the prophecy and that the Cross was the way to Glory. There is no other way.
• Matthew 17:1-3: Jesus changes appearance. Jesus goes up to the top of the mountain. Luke adds that He goes there to pray (Lk 9:28). There, on the top of the mountain, Jesus appears in glory, before Peter, James and John. Together with Jesus Moses and Elijah also appear. The high mountain evokes Mount Sinai, where, in the past, God had manifested His will to the people, giving them the Tablets of the Law. The white clothes recall Moses who was radiant with light when he was speaking with God on the Mountain and received the Law from God, (Ex 34:29-35). Elijah and Moses, the two maximum authorities of the Old Testament, speak with Jesus. Moses represents the Law; Elijah, the prophecy. Luke tells us that the conversation was on the “Exodus” (the death) of Jesus in Jerusalem (Lk 9:31). Thus, it is clear that the Old Testament, that is the Law as well as the Prophets, already taught that for the Messiah, the way to Glory had to go through the Cross. There is no other way.
• Matthew 17: 4: It pleases Peter, but he does not understand. It pleases Peter and he wants to freeze that pleasant moment on the Mountain. He offers to build three tents. Mark says that Peter was afraid, and did not know what he was saying (Mk 9:6), and Luke adds that the Disciples were sleepy (Lk 9:32). They were like us: it is difficult for them to understand the Cross!
• Matthew 17:5-8: The voice from Heaven clarifies the facts. When Jesus is enveloped by the glory, there was a voice from Heaven which said, “This is My Son, the Beloved, He enjoys My favor. Listen to Him”. The expression “Beloved son” evokes the person of the Messiah Servant, announced by the Prophet Isaiah (cf. Isa 42:1). The expression “Listen to Him” evokes the prophecy which promised the coming of a new Moses (cf. Deut 18:15). In Jesus the prophecies of the Old Testament are being fulfilled, the disciples can no longer doubt. Jesus is truly the glorious Messiah and the way to arrive at the glory passes through the cross, according to everything announced in the prophecy of the Messiah Servant (Isa 53:3-9). The glory of the Transfiguration proves this. Moses and Elijah confirm it. The Father guarantees it. Jesus accepts it. Before everything which was taking place the Disciples were afraid and fell on their faces. Jesus gets close to them, touches them and says: “Stand up, do not be afraid”. The Disciples raised their eyes and saw only Jesus and nobody else. From now on, Jesus is the only revelation of God for us! Jesus, and He alone, is the key to understanding Scripture and Life.
• Matthew 17:9: To know how to keep silence. Jesus asks the disciples to tell no one about the vision until the Son of Man has risen from the dead. Mark says that they did not know what it meant to rise from the dead (Mk 9:10). In fact, the one who does not join suffering to the resurrection will not understand the significance of the Cross. The Cross of Jesus is the proof that life is stronger than death. The full understanding of the following of Jesus is not attained by theoretical instruction, but by practical commitment, walking with Him along the road of service, from Galilee until Jerusalem.
4) Personal questions
• Has your faith in Jesus given you some moment of transfiguration and of profound joy? How have these moments of joy given you strength in difficult moments?
• Today, how can you transfigure both your personal and your family life, and the community life of your neighborhood?
5) Concluding Prayer
The mountains melt like wax,
before the Lord of all the earth.
The heavens proclaim His saving justice,
all nations see His glory. (Ps 97:5-6)
More...
In order to mark the 8th Centenary of the death of Saint Albert of Jerusalem, the General Council of the Order have organized a weekend seminar in Rome from 10th to 12th October 2014. Those taking part will include the Prior General, Fr. Fernando Millan Romeral, O.Carm., the Superior General of the Discalced Carmelites, Fr. Saverio Cannistrà, OCD, Sr. Anastasia di Gerusalemme, O.Carm. (RAV), Fr. Enzo Mosca, O.Carm. (Neap), Bro. Patrick Mullins, O.Carm. (Hib) Fr. Bruno Secondin, O.Carm. (Ita) Fr. Kees Waaijman, O.Carm. (Neer) The Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, His Beatitude, Fouad Twal will also speak at the seminar, and together with Frs. Fernando and Saverio, will celebrate Mass at the Carmelite Church of Santa Maria in Traspontina, Rome at 8.00 am on Sunday 12 October. The seminar will be conducted in two languages, Italian and English.
The number of places is limited and some residential places are available for members of the Order especially for those coming from outside of Italy (on a first come basis). Registration is essential for this weekend, but the Mass on the Sunday at 8.00 am is open to all. The programme and registration form is accessible in Italian and English on-line at:
http://www.ocarm.org/en/content/ocarm/800th-anniversary-death-saint-albert-patriarch-jerusalem
The Elective Chapter of the Carmelite Monastery of Valencia, Spain, was held 13 June 2014. The following were elected:
- Prioress: Sr. M. del Sagrario Lorite Beltrán, O.Carm.
- 1st Councilor: Sr. M. Auxiliadora Muñoz López, O.Carm.
- 2nd Councilor: Sr. M. Mercedes de la Cruz Medina Zárraga, O.Carm.
- 3rd Councilor: Sr M. Sacramento Callejo Marinero, O.Carm.
- 4th Couniclor: Sr. M. Margarita Benítez Sequiel, O.Carm.
- Director of Novices: Sr. M. Norayma Coromoto Morales, O.Carm.
- Treasurer: Sr. M. Auxiliadora Muñoz López, O.Carm.
- Sacristan: Sr. M. Manuela de Jesús Medina Triguero, O.Carm.
Brussels celebration to mark the the 4th centenary of the death of Fr. Jerome Gracián.
Written byThis year marks the 4th centenary of the death of Fr. Jerome Gracián who died in Brussels in 1614 (citoc-online 3/2014). Fr. Gracián was the friend and supporter of St. Teresa of Avila. On Sunday the 21st September 2014 at 15.30h at Couvent des Carmes, Avenue de la Toison d’Or, 45, Mass will be celebrated at the location of the house where he died in Brussels, Belgium. The principal celebrant and preacher will be the Superior General of the Discalced Carmelites, Fr. Saverio Cannistrà, OCD. Present also will be the Prior General, Fr. Fernando Millán Romeral, O.Carm., the Vice-Prior General, Fr. Christian Körner, O.Carm. and Fr. John Keating, O.Carm., Councillor General for Europe.
In addition, on the 12th and 13th November next, as previously noted, a conference will be held in Madrid (calle Ayala) on Gracián with the participation of a number of scholars. This event will conclude with a Mass on the 14th November at the Church of San José in Madrid (former convent of San Hermenegildo), celebrated by the Prior General. More detailed information about this congress will be sent in the coming months.
a prayer of Blessed Elizabeth of the Trinity
O my God, Trinity whom I adore, let me entirely forget myself that I may abide in You, still and peaceful as if my soul were already in eternity; let nothing disturb my peace nor separate me from You, O my unchanging God, but that each moment may take me further into the depths of Your mystery ! Pacify my soul! Make it Your heaven, Your beloved home and place of Your repose; let me never leave You there alone, but may I be ever attentive, ever alert in my faith, ever adoring and all given up to Your creative action.
O my beloved Christ, crucified for love, would that I might be for You a spouse of Your heart! I would anoint You with glory, I would love You – even unto death! Yet I sense my frailty and ask You to adorn me with Yourself; identify my soul with all the movements of Your soul, submerge me, overwhelm me, substitute Yourself in me that my life may become but a reflection of Your life. Come into me as Adorer, Redeemer and Saviour.
O Eternal Word, Word of my God, would that I might spend my life listening to You, would that I might be fully receptive to learn all from You; in all darkness, all loneliness, all weakness, may I ever keep my eyes fixed on You and abide under Your great light; O my Beloved Star, fascinate me so that I may never be able to leave Your radiance.
O Consuming Fire, Spirit of Love, descend into my soul and make all in me as an incarnation of the Word, that I may be to Him a super-added humanity wherein He renews His mystery; and You O Father, bestow Yourself and bend down to Your little creature, seeing in her only Your beloved Son in whom You are well pleased.
O my `Three’, my All, my Beatitude, infinite Solitude, Immensity in whom I lose myself, I give myself to You as a prey to be consumed; enclose Yourself in me that I may be absorbed in You so as to contemplate in Your light the abyss of Your Splendour !
