CITOC Archive (588)
Between the 17th and the 21st of September, at Sassone (Ciampino, Rome) the 5th International Congress for Lay Carmelites, organised by the General Commission and the permanent secretariat for Carmelite Laity, took place. Some 200 people attended, from all parts of the world, with a huge majority of lay people and a sprinkling of friars.
The theme of the Congress was “The Formation of Lay Carmelites for the Apostolate”. The participants were helped in their reflections by a number of friars and lay people who are involved in the formation of lay people. In addition to the formal talks, the participants also heard a number of accounts of personal experiences of apostolic work by lay people in the different countries, and in their group work they had an opportunity to reflect upon and to discuss the themes they had heard.
The intention of the Congress was to offer a missionary thrust, to raise awareness of formation for the apostolate and to instil in the hearts of the participants a new enthusiasm, in the hope that the individual, provincial, regional and local communities might act upon the recommendations that the Congress was able to propose.
Lay Carmelites can have a very effective role in the work of new evangelisation and be, not only a quantitative force in the Order, but also a qualitative one, in helping other members to grow through the charism, wherever God has chosen for them to be.
A Meeting of the Provincial Delegates for Lay Carmelites and Lay Provincial Moderators
Written byFrom the 14th to the 15th of September, 2012, on the eve of the 5th International Congress for Lay Carmelites, a meeting of provincial delegates and lay provincial moderators took place at Sassone (Ciampino, Rome). The theme of the meeting was, “Roles and Responsibilities in guiding and motivating lay Carmelites”. The meeting, organised by the General Delegate for Lay Carmelites Fr. Josef Jančář, O.Carm., was seen to be a continuation of the meeting that took place in 2011. More than fifty Carmelites took part, with friars and lay people from all around the world.
Its purpose was to clarify and interpret the respective roles and responsibilities of religious and lay people in accompanying and directing the lay Carmelite movement. From the theological and ecclesiological points of view, Prof. Cettina Militello assisted the reflection by her talk on the autonomy and co-responsibility of lay people. Fr. Sergio La Pegna, D.C. spoke on the theme of the relationship between lay people and consecrated people (altius moderamen, ecc.), particularly from the point of view of common law and the Magisterium after the II Vatican Council. Fr. Giovanni Grosso, O.Carm., dealt with the theme from a practical point of view and with reference to the new Rule of the Third Order.
In addition, the participants enjoyed the opportunity to share their own experiences in group work. The meeting was marked by a fraternal and open atmosphere of dialogue.
Electoral Chapter of the Monastery of Carpineto Romano, Italy
Written byThe Elective Chapter of the Carmelite Monastery of Carpineto Romano, Italy, was held 21 September 2012. The following were elected:
- Prioress: Sr. M. Paola Ricci, O.Carm.
- 1st Councilor: Sr. M. Noemi Malagesi, O.Carm.
- 2nd Councilor: Sr. M. Emanuela Migliore, O.Carm.
- 3rd Councilor: Sr. M. Agnese Talano, O.Carm.
- 4th Couniclor: Sr. M. Rosa Fois, O.Carm.
- Director of Novices: Sr. M. Emanuela Migliore, O.Carm.
- Treasurer: Sr. Anna Luisa Voltazza, O.Carm.
- Sacristan: Sr. M. Carla Zinno, O.Carm.
The International Formation Commission of the Order organized an on-going formation programme entitled “Back to the sources” in the Holy Land from the 29th August to 12th September 2012. There were 38 participants coming from most of the provinces around the world from North and South America, Asia, Africa and Europe; a truly international group. The Prior General, Fr. Fernando Millán Romeral, O.Carm. joined them for the first week and gave a talk entitled “Titus Brandsma: in the spirit of Elijah.” The first week was based at the OCD Centre “Stella Maris” on Mount Carmel, where the group experienced great hospitality on the part of the Carmelite Sisters who run the centre, and the fraternity of the local Discalced community. From there they were able to visit the Carmelite sites at the Wadi 'ain es-Siah (site of the original foundation) and Muhraqa (site of the encounter of the Prophet Elijah and the prophets of Baal). They also visited the area of Galilee, including many of the places associated with the life and ministry of Jesus. The second week was based in Jerusalem. From there, they visited Ain Karem, Bethlehem and Bethany and many of the main pilgrim places in the city.
The course was structured in such a way as to facilitate a deeper experience of the part of those taking part, through moments of prayer and silence, the reading of biblical and Order texts at the various locations visited, presentations on topics related to the the Scriptures and the history and charism of the Order, a day of desert reflection and a very rich guided introduction to each of the places visited. The team leading the course were: Fr. John Keating, Delegate for Formation (who gave the course introduction and reflection for the day of retreat), Fr. Christian Körner, Vice Prior General (speaking on the geography and history of the Holy Land, and Carmelite fraternity in the context of the early Christian community), Fr. Raúl Maraví, Councillor General (speaking on Galilee and Jerusalem in a scriptural context), Fr. Mario Alfarano, Secretary General and of the Formation Commission (speaking on the “Rubrica Prima” and also leading the lectio divina). Also part of the team were Frs. Míceál O’Neill (Hib), Prior of CISA, who was translator and Fr. Nicola Sozzi (Ita) who was responsible for the liturgy. Fr. Paco Negral OCD was the official guide throughout the journey. The final evaluation of the group was very positive and many spoke about the deep experiences they had during the two weeks.
The Coordinating Committee of the Carmelite NGO decided during its annual meeting to take the trafficking of human beings as its main focus for the coming year. A number of Carmelite ministries and organizations are already involved in the issue. The meeting was held at CISA in Rome on August 6-8, 2012.
One morning session was dedicated to a presentation and discussion with Dr. Alessandra Barberi from the Italian Prime Minister's Office of Equal Opportunity, the government agency responsible for dealing with trafficking. Dr. Barberi presented the current situation in Italy and outlined measures being taken to stop trafficking in the country.
A lay Carmelite from Sicily, Avv. Andrea Ventimiglia, was invited to join the coordinating committee. A lawyer by profession, Sig. Ventimiglia and his wife are very involved in the Domus Carmelitana Siculorum, an active NGO dealing with various social situations in Sicily.
Members attending the recently completed RIO+20 Summit in Rio de Janeiro reported on the various conferences and meetings they were able to attend.
Each member reported on the activities of their geographical area, the annual budget was discussed, and the publications for the Carmelite NGO for the year were planned. This meeting is usually held in conjunction with the annual meeting of NGOs at the United Nations but due to the recent RIO+20 Summit, no meeting was held this year.
More information about the work of the Carmelite NGO can be found on its website: www.carmelitengo.org
On the 5th of August just gone by, at the end of the re-dedication of the Church in Olinda (Citoc-online 75/2012) the Prior General, Fernando Millan Romeral, O.Carm., handed over the icon of "Our Lady of Hope" to Fr. Roberval Mendes Pereira, O.Carm., Prior Provincial of the Carmelite province of Pernambuco. That particular icon, written by the Carmelite nuns in Ravenna (Italy) went from one carmelite house, college and church to another in the different countries of Europe and was brought by young people to the international Carmelite gathering that took place during World Youth Day 2011 in Madrid (Spain). Fr. Roberval, for his part, handed the icon over to the young students of the community of Goiana, in the north-eastern province of Pernambuco, as the first stage in the icon's pilgrimage throughout America. It will pass through a number of different states in Brazil and it will preside over the gathering of young Carmelites at the next World Youth Day in Rio de Janeiro, in July of next year.
Solemn “Rededication” in Olinda, Brazil, of the first Carmelite church in the American continent.
Written bySolemn “Rededication” in Olinda, Brazil, of the first Carmelite church in the American continent.
On the 5th of August of this year, the solemn rededication of the first Carmelite church in the American continent, took place in Olinda, Brasil. This church was founded by four portuguese Carmelites in 1580. The Metropolitan Archbishop of Olinda and Recife, Antonio Fernando Saburido presided at the celebration of the Eucharist. He was accompanied by five Carmelite bishops, (Vitalis Wilderink, Paolo Cardoso, Antonio Muniz, João José Costa and Wilmar Santin), by the Prior General, Fernando Millán Romeral, O.Carm., by the Councilor General for the Americas, Raul Maraví, O.Carm., the Prior Provincial of Pernambuco, Roberval Mendes Pereira, O.Carm., and a large number of Carmelites from all parts of Brazil. The Commissary General of Portugal, Agostinho Castro also took part in the celebration. He presented a relic of St. Nuno de Santa Maria, founder of the Carmelite house in Lisbon, from which the Carmelite founders in Brasil set out.
The celebration was preceded by a Triduum and by a congress on the history and significance of the Carmelite presence in Olinda. At that congress the Prior General introduced the official letter which will be addressed to the whole Carmelite Family on this occasion, with the title, “Carmel in America: past, present and future”. Furthermore, there was an official meeting with the civil authorities to whom the Carmelites expressed their gratitude for the handing over and restoration of this beautiful church, which had been in the hands of the Brazilian State since 1877 and which from now on will be the location of the residence of the Prior Provincial.
On Monday, the 6th of August, Vatican Radio broadcast an extensive interview with the Prior General and with Fr. Francisco de Sales Alencar (in Spanish and in Portuguese respectively) concerning the importance and significance of this occasion (This can be heard in Spanish at:
http://www.radiovaticana.org/spa/Articolo.asp?c=605143 and in Portuguese at
http://www.radiovaticana.org/bra/Articolo.asp?c=611019)
Finally, it is important to mention that His Holiness, Pope Benedict XVI sent a brief message of congratulations via the Secretary of State in which he referred to the historical and pastoral importance of this event.
The Carmelite Librarians’ Association 10th Meeting, Prague 2012
Written byThe Carmelite Librarians’ Association (CLA) met from July 24 to July 27, 2012, in the city of Prague, Czech Republic.
There were 22 participants, including two members of the General Council, Fr Josef Jancar (Procurator General) and Fr Desiré Unen Alimange (General Councillor for Africa). The meeting was welcomed and generously assisted by the General Delegate of Bohemia and Moravia, Fr Gorazd Pavel Cetkovsky.
In 10 working sessions, the meeting dealt with several issues pertaining to our Carmelite Libraries in various parts of the world. Particular attention was given to understanding some of the new, and future technologies and applications pertinent to library science. The Association is particularly committed to the formation of our young candidates by assisting new libraries in emerging parts of the Order. To this end, the Association is willing to send specifically requested books and is preparing a type of Manual for incipient, non professional librarians in the Order. Many of our libraries have catalogues which are now online and the service of digitizing rare books and manuscripts is available for all those who request it. In between working sessions, we were able to visit, under the very erudite leadership and guidance of Fr Gorazd, some of our former Carmelite churches and also the famous Premostratensian Strahov Library.
Since the Association meets every 18 months, it was decided that the next meeting will be January 6 (arrivals) to January 11 (departures) 2014, in the city of Nairobi, Kenya.
During the Provincial Chapter of the Province of Indonesia held on 20-27 July 2012 were elected:
- Prior Provincial: Fr. Ignatius Joko Purnomo, O.Carm.
- Vice Prior Provincial: Fr. Dionysius Kosasih, O.Carm.
- First Councilor: Fr. Henricus Pidyarto Gunawan, O.Carm.
- Second Councilor: Fr. Antonius Maria Kristiyanto Gunawan, O.Carm.
- Third Councilor: Fr. Henricus Edison Tinambunan, O.Carm.
- Fourth Councilor: Fr. Lucianus Simon Rande, O.Carm.
The 26th of July of this year, 2012, will be the 70th anniversary of the martyrdom of Blessed Titus Brandsma. His life was an example of a very close relationship between a mystical life and a firm commitment in the world to the dignity of the human person. He was noted for his readiness to receive anyone in difficulty and to help in whatever way he could.
In the period leading up to and during the Nazi occupation in Holland, he argued passionately against the National Socialist ideology, basing his stand on the Gospels, and he defended the right to freedom, in education and for the Catholic Press. This led to his imprisonment. So began his Calvary, which brought him great personal suffering and degradation whilst, at the same time, he himself brought solace and comfort to the other internees and begged God's blessing on his jailers. In the midst of such inhuman suffering, he possessed the precious ability to bring an awareness of goodness, love and peace. He passed from one prison or camp to another until finally he arrived in Dachau where he was killed on 26th July 1942. He was beatified as a martyr by Pope John Paul II on the 3rd of November, 1985.
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Flos Carmeli, vitis florigera,
splendor caeli, Virgo puerpera singularis.
Mater mitis, sed viri nescia,
Carmelitis esto propitia, stella maris.
IN SOLLEMNITATE B.V. MARIAE DE MONTE CARMELO
Fernando Prior Generalis
Domusque Generalis Communitas
16. VII. 2012
(Pietro Novelli, Madonna del Carmelo – Palermo)
Decree of Heroic Virtues of the Servant of God, Mother Mary Angeline Teresa, O.Carm.
Written byThe Holy Father, Pope Benedict XVI gave his consent yesterday, 28th of June 2012, to the promulgation of the Decree of Heroic Virtues of the Servant of God, Mother Mary Angeline Teresa, O.Carm. (Bridget Teresa McCrory) Foundress of the Carmelite Sisters for the Aged and Infirm in Germantown, New York, U.S.A. Venerable Mary Angeline Teresa was born in Ireland and became a Little Sister of the Poor. While working in the Bronx, New York, she and six companions separated themselves from their former Congregation to found, with the help of the Cardinal Archbishop of New York and the Carmelite Friars there, the new Congregation affiliated with Carmelite Order. Venerable Mary Angeline Teresa died in 1984. The Diocesan Phase of the Cause, conducted in the Diocese of Albany, New York, began in 1992 with Father Mario Esposito, O.Carm. (SEL) as Postulator. Doctor Andrea Ambrosi is the present Roman Postulator.
We congratulate the Carmelite Sisters for the Aged and Infirm who have seventeen houses in the United States and one in Ireland. The Sisters are leaders in the area of geriatric care and strong defenders of the sanctity of life in keeping with the charism of their Foundress, Venerable Mary Angeline Teresa.
Electoral Chapter of the Monastery of Mayagüez, Puerto Rico
Written byThe Elective Chapter of the Carmelite Monastery of Mayagüez, Puerto Rico, was held 22 June 2012. The following were elected:
- Prioress: Sr. M. Antonia Acevedo Lorenzo, O.Carm.
- 1st Councilor: Sr. Ivette Mediavilla, O.Carm.
- 2nd Councilor: Sr. Carmen Josefina Morales, O.Carm.
- Director of Novices: Sr. Lourdes Ma. Avilés, O.Carm.
- Treasurer: Sr. María Rodríguez, O.Carm.
- Sacristan: Sr. Ivette Mediavilla, O.Carm.
During the Provincial Chapter of the Irish Province held on 17-21 June 2012 following earlier elections were confirmed:
- Prior Provincial: Fr. Martin Kilmurray, O.Carm.
- First Councilor: Fr. Fintan Burke, O.Carm.
- Second Councilor: Fr. Charles Hoey, O.Carm.
- Third Councilor: Br. Patrick Mullins, O.Carm.
- Fourth Councilor: Fr. Michael Troy, O.Carm.
- Commissary Provincial of Zimbabwe: Fr. Simplisio Manyika, O.Carm.
