The website of the Bibliotheca Carmelitana Nova is now open on the internet. The project was organised by the Institutum Carmelitanum in conjunction with the FOVOG (Forschungsstelle fur Vergleichende Ordensgeschichte), an institute that is part of the University of Dresden, Germany, specialising in comparative studies of religious orders. Its purpose is to gather information and put it on the internet: in this case, the biographical, archivistic and bibliographic data regarding medieval Carmelite authors. The completion of the project was made possible by the generous and substantial contribution of a number of provinces and entities of our Order.

The website, in English, is available at the following address: www.bibliocarmnova.org

The newly constituted Central Committee of the Institutum Carmelitanum held its first meeting January 26-29 at CISA in Rome.  President Michael Plattig (Ger) welcomed several new members: Rivaldave Paz Torquato (Par), Rico Ponce (Phil), Sr. Anastasia Cucca (RAV), and Edeltraud Klueting (TOC Germany).  Returning members included Giovanni Grosso (Ita), Ton van der Gulik (Neer), and Leopold Glueckert (PCM).  The Curia liaison Conrad Mutizamhepo, General Councilor for Africa, was unable to attend because of a previous commitment in Tanzania. This is the first time that membership on the Committee has included members of the Second and Third Orders.

The meeting’s busy schedule included matters of special concern: the Bibliotheca Carmelitana Nuova, the updating of various websites, future scholarly meetings, and academic preparation of future scholars, librarians, and archivists.  A welcome addition to the meetings was a spiritual reflection on Teresa of Avila by a committee member at each session. 

“Servants and Prophets of the Living God” is the theme of the retreat scheduled for the 22nd to the 27th of February which Pope Francis will attend along with the members of the Roman Curia. The retreat will be held at the Casa Divin Maestro in Ariccia on the outskirts of Rome. The meditations which will offer a pastoral Reading of the prophet Elijah, will be led by the Carmelite Fr. Bruno Secondin, O.Carm. (from the Osservatore Romano)

Pope chooses Carmelite professor to lead Lenten retreat

VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- Pope Francis has chosen an Italian Carmelite professor of spirituality to lead him and top members of the Roman Curia on their Lenten retreat.

Carmelite Father Bruno Secondin, though listed as a "professor emeritus" at Rome's Pontifical Gregorian University, is still teaching in the university's Institute of Spirituality. He is the author of dozens of books, including a multivolume series of guides for "lectio divina," the prayerful reading of the books of the New Testament and selected readings from the Old Testament.

The Vatican newspaper, L'Osservatore Romano, reported Jan. 30 that Father Secondin will preach on the theme, "Servants and Prophets of the Living God."

Pope Francis and some 80 Vatican officials will listen to Father Secondin and reflect on his words Feb. 22-27 at the Pauline Fathers' retreat and conference center in Ariccia, about 20 miles southeast of Rome.

Father Secondin will give 10 meditations during the week, which L'Osservatore said would have a special focus each day: "Journeys of authenticity," including "the courage to say no to ambiguity"; "paths of freedom," subtitled "from vain idols to true piety"; "let yourself be surprised by God," meeting God where you least expect him and being evangelized by the poor; "justice and intercession," looking at witnesses of justice and solidarity; and "accepting Elijah's cloak," looking at ways of becoming "prophets of fraternity."

By Cindy Wooden from Catholic News Service

During the Assembly of the Provincial Commissariat of Peru (PCM) held on 20-23 January 2015 were elected:

• Commissary Provincial:  Fr. Miguel Bacigalupo, O.Carm.
• First Councilor:  Fr. Gerald Payea, O.Carm.
• Second Councilor:  Fr. Eduardo Rivero, O.Carm.