The Prior General, Fr. Fernando Millán Romeral, O.Carm., together with the Councillor General for Europe, Fr. John Keating, O.Carm. met with the European friars who made solemn vows within the last ten years. This meeting took place at San Andres, the Carmelite University Residence and European Novitiate in Salamanca, Spain from the 4th to the 7th April 2013. This is also the place where St. John of the Cross was a student. Of the forty possible participants thirty-three friars were present for what was entitled "A Dialogue in Hope regarding the future of the Order in Europe." The Prior General spoke about three things with the group: "Hope for the future", "The situation of the Order in Europe" and "A vision for the future."  Together in groups and in assembly friars from Arago-Valentina, Betica, Britain, the French Delegation, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Malta, the Neapolitan Province, Netherlands and Poland addressed a wide range of issues among themselves and with the Prior General searching to find common paths for hope regarding the future of the Order in Europe. The final text of their common reflection (in English, Italian and Spanish) can be found on the Order's website at:
http://ocarm.org/en/content/ocarm/anchored-hope-heb-618-19

A very warm welcome was extended to all by the community at San Andres, and the gathering also included a guided tour of the city of Salamanca and Eucharist celebrated by the Prior General at the tomb of St. Teresa of Jesus at Alba de Tormes.