The first part of the celebrations to mark the 400th anniversary of the death of Father Jerome Gracián (Valladolid, June 6, 1545 - Brussels, 21 September 1614) took place on September 21, 2014, exactly 400 years after his death, in the church of the Discalzed Carmelites, Brussels, Belgium. Presiding at the Eucharistic celebration was the Superior General of the Discalced Carmelites, Fr Saverio Cannistrà, OCD., and concelebrating members of our Order were the Prior General Fr Fernando Millán Romeral, O. Carm, Vice Prior General Fr Christian Körner, O. Carm., and the Councillor General for Europe, Fr John Keating, O. Carm . Also present was a member of our Dutch Province and Discalced Carmelites from Belgium, Italy, France, England and Spain. In his homily, Father Saverio reflected on the virtues of this great friend of St. Teresa of Jesus. Following the Eucharistic celebration, the two Generals unveiled a plaque in the church to mark the event.

The second part of the anniversary celebrations will be held from the 12th to 13th of November 2014 in Madrid with a conference on the life and spiritual profile of Fr. Gracián. (see citoc-online 3/2014)  Also in Madrid on Friday, November 14, the Prior General, Fernando Millán Romeral, O. Carm., will preside in the church of San José a Eucharistic celebration concluding this centenary.