The Pilgrimage of Hope for the young people of Europe concluded last Sunday with the recitation of the Angelus by the Pope at Castel Gandolfo. In his address the Holy Father spoke about prayer with reference to the Gospel of the day (Luke 11:1-13). From his balcony the Pope greeted the young people of the Carmelite pilgrimage.
At the end of the Angelus, the Prior General, Fr. Fernando Millán Romeral, O.Carm., together with some bishops were invited to meet the Pope individually. The Prior General used the occasion with the Pope to speak about the pilgrimage. The Pope lauded this initiative and hoped that the World Youth Day in Madrid in 2010 would be a great event for the Church. The Pope then inquired about what countries the young people had come from and about their age. Finally, he addressed the Prior General with these words: "The Carmelites, as in today's Gospel, are the ones who teach us to pray…."
Apart from this meeting, all the information on the pilgrimage with numerous photographs, can be seen on the official website of the Order:

On 20th July, on the feast of day of St. Elijah, our Father, the newly constructed chapel, dedicated to Our Lady of the Holy Rosary was blessed by His Grace Most. Rev. Dr. Francis Kallarakkal, the Archbishop of Verapoly and the Apostolic Administrator of Kottappuram diocese. Very Rev. Fr. Albertus Herwanta, the General Councilor for Asia-Australia and Oceania and the Very. Rev. Fr. Sojan Neendoor, the Prior Provincial of the St. Thomas province and many priests and religious and people from the locality were present for the Eucharist and the celebration.
It was a joyous occasion for the all members of the Latin delegation of St. Thérèse and St. Albert. On 21st of July an assembly with all the members present of the delegation was held and Fr. Albertus presided over the meeting.

A friar of the British Province of Carmelites, Fr. Tony Lester, O.Carm., has been appointed a "Chaplain of Honour" by the Bishop of Tarbes and Lourdes, Mons. Jacques Perrier, in recognition of his promotion of the "Message of Lourdes and pilgrimage to the Grotto". The announcement was made on 12th July by the President of the Catholic Association Hospitalité.
The first Honorary Chaplains were appointed on the 50th Anniversary of the Apparitions and the use of the pectoral cross was granted by Pius X in 1909. The conferral of this honour is an expression of gratitude for the enthusiasm and generosity of the recipients in the service of the pilgrims and the Blessed Virgin Mary.
Fr. Tony will receive the pectoral cross at a celebration of the Eucharist at the Grotto on 23rd August.

On the 26th of June a group of bursars of the Iberian Region met with the Bursar General at the Carmelite house of Ayala in Madrid. Present were: Frs.Vicente Arranda Guillén (Arag), José Ramón Medina Madueño (Bet), Marín Antonio Lozano Moreno (Cast), Joan Gúell y Casademont (Cat) and Ricardo dos Reis Rainho (Lus). There were two main topics on the agenda: the economic situation of each of the provinces and the compiling the annual economic report for the Curia. Another meeting with the bursars of the Asia-Australia-Oceania area is planned for October 2010.

Don Antonio Muniz Fernandes, O.Carm., metropolitan archbishop of Maceió, has sent an urgent letter in order to publicize the grave situation that has arisen from the floods in the State of Algoas in the north east of Brazil. The Carmelite Archbishop who recently visited the General Curia in Rome and has informed us of the dreadful situation that has arisen as a result of these floods that have caused hundreds of deaths, numerous people missing and left thousands homeless. Many churches and other buildings are now serving as diocesan centres. The archdiocese has set up a solidarity fund to which various international religious organizations are contributing. At this dramatic moment in time, we are united in fraternal support and spirit with Don Antonio and with the people of the State of Algoas.