Living in Carmel is indeed a journey of transformation. It is a journey of experiences of every individual. Transformation happens both on an individual level and on a community level. Transformation is a social process of a certain value, to enable value to promote growth and human development. It is an experience that leads the individual to openness. According to Fr. Kees Waaijmann, O.Carm., the significant process of transformation is in the divine ­human relational process. In other words, it is a journey of people with God and with others.

To be transformed in the divine-human relation is to be open to compassion and commitment: that one should grow a heart for the community and the willingness to be part of it. This is an experience of building a community. It is an experience of contradictions: joy and pain, success and failure, hope and despair, among others. It demands of time, energy, and sacrifice. It requires love, acceptance, forgiveness, commitment, and intimacy. Reality bites! A community confronted with pains, struggles, vulnerability, etc. of every individuals. It faces the realities of what is to be in the community. Realities make us understand the meaning of life. However, this situation at the same time is an opportunity to foster committed faith, motivation of every person vis-a-vis the existing culture of humanity. Part of the very essence of our life is to be together in a concrete community, with all the real human faults that are there and the tensions that then will bring us. Pakikipagkapwa springs a shared consciousness of responsibility that they have towards the community. In this relational process, the human being understands his role as God's shadow, representative and image of God.

Since, transformation is a divine-human relational process, it can never be an individualistic quest, for individuals may not be able to maintain their enthusiasm without the support of the community that shares with them that enthusiasm and joy that come with a true encounter. Indeed we are called to walk in discipleship, not alone but in a group. Our differences should be viewed as challenges for us to work together. Our similarities can be a catalyst in opting to work hand in hand. In addition, the living remembrance of our own struggle may help us in overcoming difficulties along the way. It brings hope in one's journey as we seek the face of the living God in the midst of the people. It gives us courage and strength to go forward on our journey. As the saying goes, "faith that is not shared dies". It is an experience of community sharing, taking part in the responsibility, an experience of prayer, thanksgiving and joy. It promotes a life-enhancing element among the members or to every individual living in a community. It is an experience that leads to transformation. It is a constant process of maturity and creativity.

My journey is not an isolated with your own journey, though we have differences in ways or different forms of roads we are walking with but one thing I am sure in this journey, we are bringing the same charism and we are all in the process of transformation as we journey together.