The Fifth meeting of the Commission for Liturgy and Prayer was held at the Curia on February 2-3, 2017. Present were Frs Michael Farrugia, Procurator General, Giovanni Grosso (Ita), Edmondo Caruana (Mel), Pius Robert Manik (Indo) and Mario Esposito (SEL), Secretary. Fr Giuseppe Midili (Ita) was absent due to illness. As our former Chairman is now Bishop Francisco de Sales Alencar in Brazil, Fr Michael Farrugia was asked by the General Council to continue as the Acting Chairman of the Commission.

During the meeting, a considerable amount of time was dedicated to the planning of an International Congress - The Role and Place of Liturgy in the Carmelite Order now scheduled for Sassone from April 15-21, 2018. This congress is held in keeping with the indications received from the last General Chapter. Within the next month, all the Provincials and Commissaries will receive a questionnaire to help prepare for the Congress.

The Commission also made further progress on the Ritual for the Third Order, the Liturgical Calendar, the Rites for Simple and Solemn Profession, and the Carmelite Office Book. A few texts still remain to be translated and approved by the Congregation for Divine Worship, but good progress has been made.

The next meeting of the Commission will be in the fall of 2017.