CITOC Archive (588)
Provincial Chapter of the Province of Australia and East Timor
Written byDuring the Provincial Chapter of the Province of Australia and East Timor held on 25-29 April 2016 were elected:
- Prior Provincial: Fr. Paul Cahill, O.Carm.
- First Councilor: Fr. Hugh Brown, O.Carm.
- Second Councilor: Fr. Aniceto da Costa, O.Carm.
- Third Councilor: Fr. Bruce Clark, O.Carm.
- Fourth Councilor: Fr. David Hofman, O.Carm.
Having discussed the document with Fr. Eduardo Agosta Scarel, O.Carm., an expert in variations of climate and climate change, the Prior General, Fr. Fernando Millán Romeral, O.Carm., on behalf of the Carmelite Order, signed the Interfaith Climate Change Statement which will be given to the President of the General Assembly of the United Nations, Mogens Lykketoft, in New York, this coming 18th of April. The statement insists on the necessity to follow up on the statements and proposals of the Paris Agreement in relation to ecology and the integrity of creation. Several religious leaders signed this document which underlines the importance of the moment in which we live and the need for a serious commitment on the part of the political leaders, as well as the great religious families in this matter. The document may be read (in English, in French and in Spanish) at: http://www.interfaithstatement2016.org/).
We note that the Carmelite ONG at the United Nations took an active part in the Climate Summit in Paris (COP2) which took place in December, 2015. At that summit, the participants produced the “Universal Agreement on Climate Change”.
On the recent 10th and 11th of April, an extraordinary assembly of the “Karit – Solidarios por la paz” NGO, to place in the parish hall in Ayala, Madrid, to mark the 20th anniversary of its foundation. The guests included the Prior General, Fernando Millán Romeral, the Councilor General for Europe, John Keating, the Superiors General of the Spanish Carmelite Congregations of women (Sr. Carmen Aparicio and Sr. Rosario Gonzalez) and the provincials of the three provinces in Spain, (Francisco Daza, O.Carm., Manuel Bonilla, O.Carm., and Luis Gallardo, O.Carm.). Both the President of Karit, Fr. David Oliver, O.Carm., and the Secretary, Sr. Arlyn Medina Vazquez HVMMC, expressed their thank for the presence of so many Carmelites (lay and religious) from many different places.
After the presentation of the history of Karit with the aid of a photo montage, the Prior General spoke about justice and peace and the Carmelite charism. Following that, there was the launch of a publication for this anniversary called “20 by 20”. As well as that the assembly made an evaluation of the work of Karit and of the projects that it is guiding and supporting in different parts of the world.
Karit is defined as a Carmelite NGO, in the service of development, sponsored by the Iberian Region, and in connection with other Christian oriented NGOs. Along with the work of awareness-raising and formation, Karit executes projects in needy places all around the world, mostly where there is a Carmelite presence. It also promotes the work of volunteers (which helps to keep expenses at a minimum) following its own motto, “Con poco, mucho” (A little goes a long way). CITOC would like to congratulate Karit for twenty years of fruitful service to those most in need.
The Opening of the 450th Anniversary of the Birth of St. Mary Magdalen de’Pazzi
Written byOn the 2nd of April, the date of Mary Magdalen’s birth in 1566, the solemn opening of the anniversary celebrations took place at the monastery of Careggi (Forence, Italy), where her body is venerated. The Cardinal Archbishop of Florence, Giuseppe Betori, led the celebration of the Eucharist that was concelebrated by several priests. The concelebrants included, the Prior General, Fr. Fernando Millán Romeral, along with other members of the General Curia, the Vice-Prior General, Fr. Christian Körner, the Councilor General for Europe, Fr. John Keating, the Procurator General, Fr. Michael Farrugia, the Bursar General, Fr. Carl Markelz, and the Delegate General for the Nuns, Fr. Mario Alfarano. The Carmelite Family was present in great numbers, with friars from the different houses in Florence and Castellina, the sisters of the Istituto di Nostra Signora del Monte Carmelo, and very many lay Carmelites.
In his homily the Cardinal pointed to the example of the saint in her cultivation of the transforming knowledge of the Risen Lord, just as the readings in the liturgy suggested. He read a telegram from the Pope, signed by the Secretary of State, Card. Pietro Parolin, in which he “joined in thanksgiving to the Lord for giving to the Church such a significant disciple of the Gospel and master of spirituality”. He ended by imparting an Apostolic Blessing and granting the corresponding plenary indulgence.
At the end of the celebration the Prior General thanked all those who were present and in particular the nuns, who, although they are just a small community, continue to keep alive the spirit and teaching of St. Mary Magdalen de’Pazzi.
⚜ Plenary Indulgences ⚜ on account of the 450th Anniversary of the Birth of St. Mary Magdalen de’Pazzi
Written byOn account of the 450th anniversary of the birth of St. Mary Magdalen de’Pazzi, the Apostolic Penitentiary has granted that all Carmelite monasteries be places where people may obtain a plenary indulgence throughout this year, beginning on the 2nd of April, 2016 and ending on the 25th of May, 2017. The same applies to churches and chapels dedicated to her.
On the 2nd of April, the date of her birth in 1566, there will be a solemn opening of the centenary year in the monastery of Careggi (Florence, Italy) where her body is venerated.
Christus resurrexit!
Resurrexit vere! AlleluIa!
In Pascha Domini
A.D. 2016
Fernando Prior Generalis
Domusque Generalis Communitas
The Elective Chapter of the Carmelite Monastery of Camerino, Italy, was held 19 March 2016. The following were elected:
- Prioress: Sr. M. Teresita Marino, O.Carm.
- 1st Councilor: Sr. M. Paola Colletta, O.Carm.
- 2nd Councilor: Sr. M. Simona Staffieri, O.Carm.
- Director of Novices: Sr. M. Paola Colletta, O.Carm.
- Treasurer: Sr. M. Simona Staffieri, O.Carm.
- Sacristan: Sr. M. Grazia Di Palma, O.Carm.
The Elective Chapter of the Carmelite Monastery of Fisciano, Italy, was held 1 March 2016. The following were elected:
- Prioress: Sr. M. Arcangela Parisi, O.Carm.
- 1st Councilor: Sr. M. Regina Di Serafino, O.Carm.
- 2nd Councilor: Sr. M. Carmela Massaro, O.Carm.
- Director of Novices: Sr. M Arcangela Parisi., O.Carm.
- Treasurer: Sr. M. Regina Di Serafino, O.Carm.
- Sacristan: Sr. M. Giuseppina Albano, O.Carm.
Electoral Chapter of the Monastery of Santiago de los Caballeros, Dominican Republic
Written byThe Elective Chapter of the Carmelite Monastery of Santiago de los Caballeros, Dominican Republic, was held 19 February 2016. The following were elected:
- Prioress: Sr. Grecia del Carmen Abreu Báez, O.Carm.
- 1st Councilor: Sr. María del Carmen García Collado, O.Carm.
- 2nd Councilor: Sr. M. Ramona Ramos Hernández, O.Carm.
- 3rd Councilor: Sr. Silveria María García Durán, O.Carm.
- 4th Couniclor: Sr. M. Concepción Solano Ureña, O.Carm.
- Director of Novices: Silveria María García Durán, O.Carm.
- Treasurer: Sr. M. Nieves Tavárez Tavárez, O.Carm.
A Web page for the 450th anniversary of the birth of St. Mary Magdalen de'Pazzi
Written byOn the Order's website a webpage has been opened that is dedicated to the 450th anniversary of the birth of St. Mary Magdalen de'Pazzi, at the following address: http://ocarm.org/mmp450/en
The page will be updated throughout the year with information and material for formation, dealing not only with this saint, but also the events and celebrations organised by the General Curia and the various sectors of the Carmelite Family. To begin, readers can find already on the page the lastest news and check some recent publications concerning St. Mary Magdalen de’ Pazzi.
More...
In this issue of CITOC-magazine, we get a special sense of the internationality of our Order, on account of meetings held recently in various geographical areas. Here you will find an article on the present situation of the life of Carmelites in Latin America, especially the formation course for Carmelite students and young formators held in Peru, and on the 4th congress of ALACAR (the Association of American Carmelites) held in El Salvador, an important initiative for the colaboration between the members of the Carmelite Family in Latin America and its development.
Meanwhile in Europe, last Summer, a meeting of the Awakening project took place. Through a number of experiences and working sessions the young participants came to a greater awareness of their belonging to Carmel.
Still with young people, another article talks about the activities of young Carmelites in the countries of Asia-Australia-Oceania. They met in Indonesia for ongoing formation which allowed them to reflect on their first five years in ministry.
Moving around the geographical areas, there is an article on the Carmelite presence in Papua New Guinea. All of this is further enriched by the impressions offered by the respective Councillors General in relation to their work and the projects they are following, for example, those of the Councilor for Africa writing about the assembly of the superiors and directors of formation from the whole of Africa that took place in Tanzania.
This issue dedicates space also to the various celebrations going on in the Carmelite world, such as the Dedication of the city of Palestrina, Italy, to Our Lady of Mount Carmel, and the celebration of the IV centenary of the foundation of the Carmelite monastery in Zaragoza, Spain.
It is obvious that without money none of these events could ever happen: it is appropriate then that this issue includes a report on the triennial meeting of the bursars of the Order, held in Fatima.
In addition to all of that, we offer a selection of main news items, some of which appeared in CITOC-online.
We wish all our readers an enjoyable reading of this latest issue of CITOC-magazine.
The Elective Chapter of the Carmelite Monastery of Barcelona, Spain, was held 3 and14 February 2016. The following were elected:
- Prioress: Sr. M. Pilar Simón, O.Carm.
- 1st Councilor: Sr. M. Carmen Izquierdo, O.Carm.
- 2nd Councilor: Sr. M. Jacinta Mutio, O.Carm.
- Treasurers: Sr. M. Jacinta Mutio, O.Carm.
- Treasurers: Sr. M. Carmen Izquierdo, O.Carm.
- Sacristan: Sr. M. Roser Ferrer, O.Carm.
The Elective Chapter of the Carmelite Monastery of Vetralla, Italy, was held 11 February 2016. The following were elected:
- Prioress: Sr. M. Benedetta Succu, O.Carm.
- 1st Councilor: Sr. M. Rita Gugliara, O.Carm.
- 2nd Councilor: Sr. M. Giuseppina Sotgiu, O.Carm.
- 3rd Councilor: Sr. Marianna Caprio, O.Carm.
- 4th Couniclor: Sr. Luigia Ducci, O.Carm.
- Director of Novices: Sr. Marianna Caprio, O.Carm.
- Treasurer: Sr. M. Giuseppina Sotgiu, O.Carm.
- Sacristan: Sr. M. Teresa Nguyen , O.Carm.
The Elective Chapter of the Carmelite Monastery of Sutri, Italy, was held 11 February 2016. The following were elected:
- Prioress: Sr. M. Daniela Solustri, O.Carm.
- 1st Councilor: Sr. M. Martina Simeone, O.Carm.
- 2nd Councilor: Sr. M. Francesca Romana Gargano, O.Carm.
- Director of Novices: Sr. M. Daniela Solustri, O.Carm.
- Treasurer: Sr. M. Martina Simeone, O.Carm.
- Sacristan: Sr. M. Elisabetta De Bellis, O.Carm.
