Displaying items by tag: prior general
Activities of the Prior General for August 2023
The schedule of Míceál O’Neill, the prior general, for the month of August:
August 1 - 6: World Youth Day in Lisbon
August 1: Carmelite Day
August 10 - 31: Indonesian Province
+ Celebration of First Centenary of Carmelite Presence
+ Canonical Visitation of the Province
A Video Message to the Carmelite Family
A Video Message for the Solennity of Our Lady of Mount Carmel on July 16, 2023, from Fr. Míċeál O’Neill, O. Carm, Prior General of the Order
Watch it on our YouTube channel hereMessage for the Solemnity of Our Lady of Mount Carmel 2023
Brothers and sisters in the Carmelite Family,
The 16th of July unites people all around the world in celebration and thanksgiving for the gift of our love for Mary, the Mother of God, under the title of Our Lady of Mount Carmel.
In our tradition we recognise Mary as both Mother and Sister. Under both of these titles I would like to reflect with you this year on the world in which we live, that world which God so loves and has always loved that he sent his only Son into it to be its Saviour.
Now that world is in pain, the very earth itself is in pain, and people in all parts of the world live each day without any security or hope in the future. Their conditions are determined, not by good or bad fortune, not by their own willingness or lack of willingness to work and be responsible, but by conditions that are determined by the social and economic policies of those who hold power and the greed and avarice of those who have used their talents to gain more and more for themselves and their immediate circles without any consideration for the people outside those circles.
That is our world as it is today, or rather, that is but one dimension of the world as it is today. The other dimension is the one in which we see how individuals and organisations work hard to build a world of justice and equality. These people are many and they come from different schools of formation, from different religions and no religions, people who have a sense of equality and who act with justice in their own lives and seek justice from our institutions and governments. We Carmelites are there. We are there because of our Carmelite calling that teach us the values for which Jesus gave his life, and which Mary and Elijah and our Carmelite saints exemplified in their openness to God and their love for their brothers and sisters living in the world.
My Soul Glories the Lord Lk 1,46
Our life is made up of relationships. No one lives alone, and we live in a common home that has to be fully a home for all. All that we try to do is aimed at building and maintaining a good relationship with God, with neighbour, with family, with all other human beings and with the earth itself. Good relationships are those in which the participants grow to maturity. Even God “grows” if we believe that the glory of God is the human person fully mature. The earth too grows to maturity, when it is able to fulfil the plan made for it by the Creator. Right and good relationship is a good way of understanding justice. It is what we have to build all the time in order to live in a way that respects the dignity of every human person as a child of God created in God’s image and likeness.
In Carmel, we honour our Lady as the Lady of the Place. We have understood Carmel to be a place of beauty, a garden full of beautiful flowers, pleasant odours, glorious colours and constant growth and harmony. Mary is the Lady of that place, made holy and beautiful by the lives of people who live in that place under the mantle of Mary. Just as Carmelites are called to a life of prayer, they are called to dedicate their lives also to the cultivation of the place that belongs to Mary.
If I take a look at the world I will see where people are fulfilling that calling. It is there in all that we do. It is there in the lives of our cloistered sisters, in their monasteries, in the lives of Carmelite sisters working with the sick, or in schools, or in parish ministry, it is there in the lives of lay people who live good lives and do their best to create environments in which people can live in dignity and friendship, it is there in the lives of friars in their communities, their parishes, schools, prison chaplaincy, care for the sick, spiritual accompaniment and the list continues. It is true that sometimes we keep working without a great consciousness of the good we are doing and the difference that exists between our world and the world of the greedy and ruthless and uncaring. But the difference is there and it is motivated by our prayer and by our life in community.
This quest for justice is also to be seen in the work of people on the margins. In many instances Carmelites around the world have reached out in a particular way, to people who are homeless, people caught up in the tyranny of chemical dependence or in the web of human trafficking, to people who have no access to education or to healthcare and need the help of those who know how to love with a gospel love. Our history speaks to us of a constant commitment to the poor. In that place that Mary watches over, the poor have pride of place. In that place the poor teach us how to hold on to hope when there is very little sign of hope other than our trust in God and our trust in people. It is remarkable that having been so badly treated by people the poor continue to hope in people. The world of the poor, the place that belongs to Mary, is a welcoming place, the gates, security cameras, guard dogs have been removed, there is nothing to defend. That is our poverty too, that we have nothing to defend, because God is the one who defends us and all we are called to do is defend the name of God so that it is not used to justify selfish interests, and to defend the image of God on the face and in the lives of every one of our brothers and sisters.
If for some reason there are Carmelites who live in a world that is built around themselves and their own needs and ideas, a selfish world that purports to be a religious world, then the celebration of the feast of our Lady of Mount Carmel may be a moment to reflect, and to move out of the pursuit of our own selfish interests. Mary’s Yes is an example for everybody of the person who listens to the voice of God. That voice today comes to us through the Word, the Church and the world, where the cry of the poor is as strong as ever, awaiting a response from people consecrated to living in allegiance to Jesus Christ. Today Mary, our sister, makes that cry her own. She weeps for her sons and daughters who find it difficult to say no to all forms of war, to the pursuit of selfish ends no matter what the cost to others. She weeps to see so much disregard for the elderly, the offering of so many unhealthy values to the young and so many arbitrary decisions about the lives of the unborn.
We cannot any longer be indifferent to the reckless use of weapons, expensive weapons, around the world. There has to be a way of recognising that a gun has no other purpose than to injure or destroy the life of a living organism, more often than not a human person. We cannot see the talents of so many young people go to waste while they live on the streets and find their way into gangs who out of cruelty and desperation destroy the lives of their members and of others who get in their way. We cannot close our hearts to the children who are forced to grow up in refugee camps or on the banks of dried up rivers, with nothing to eat and nothing to drink and lives that only last a few days. For all who have the kind of commitment and sensitivity that will build a just and peaceful world, Laudato si. Let God be praised! Let him be praised in our lives and all our actions aimed at building the world that God has prepared for us. To achieve that God will continue to put forth his arm in strength, to scatter the proud hearted, to cast the mighty from their thrones and raise up the lowly, to fill the starving with God things and send the rich away empty.
May these days of celebration be for all of us an inspiration to do all that we can, knowing that if we do more the Lord will reward us on his return.
Our Lady of Mount Carmel, pray for us.
Fraternally,
Míċeál O’Neill, O.Carm
Prior General
Activities of the Prior General for July 2023
July 2 - 6 Celebrations and conference on Edith Stein, at The Friars, Aylesford.
July 10 - 18 Canonical visitation of communities in Cameroon.
July 19 - 27 Canonical visitation of communities in Burkina Faso.
Activities of the Prior General in June
JUNE 2023
Activities of the Prior General
May 28 – June 9: General Council Plenary Meeting
June 6: Meeting with the Council of the Italian Federation of
June 7: Attend reception at the French embassy to the Holy See to
June 9: Attend Carmelite Archive’s event: Travelogues of the 17th
June 10: Bi-annual meeting of OCarm. and OCD. General Councils at
June 12-16: Chapter of the Neapolitan province in Bari
June 20-23: The Chapter of the PCM Province in Darien
Carmel in Congo Celebrates 50 Years
Fifty Years of the Carmelite Way of Living the Gospel of Jesus Christ
The Prior General of the Order, Míčeál O'Neill, sent the following letter to the Carmelites and the people they minister with on the inauguration of celebrating 50 years of Carmelite presence in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
I join today with many people in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and in Italy as the celebrations of the 50thanniversary of the presence of the Order of Carmelites in the DRC begin. Throughout these first fifty years the Carmelite friars, in collaboration with the local church, have offered the people the Carmelite way of living the Gospel of Jesus Christ, with its special attention to prayer, devotion to Mary, attention to the word of God and the social improvement based on the Gospel. There are now communities in Bunia, Butembo, Nioka, in the east, Kinshasa in the west and Kisangani in the north.
Through work in parishes, religious formation, and spiritual accompaniment, the Carmelites seek to offer to the local church what they have received as a charism and vocation. The Carmelite tradition speaks of people growing daily in their knowledge of the love of God. This knowledge is exemplified in the lives of the saints that the Carmelite tradition has produced. That challenge continues in these new times for Africa.
It is the challenge now to find the true dignity of the human person, free from outside political and economic interests, free to care for family, education, and the full dignity of every human person as a son or daughter of God. I pray that the presence of the Order of Carmelites in Africa, and in a particular way in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, may be a source of wisdom and consolation for all the people, and that the future for all may be one of greater peace and harmony in a country that God has blessed with such enormous and beautiful resources of faith, personality and nature.
May our Lady of Mount Carmel and the Saints of Carmel be for all beacons of light and hope in a common commitment to the love and truth of the Gospel of Jesus Christ and the mission of the Catholic Church.
Míċeál O’Neill, O. Carm.
Prior General
May 16, 2023
Le Carmel au Congo fête ses 50 ans
Cinquante ans de vie carmélitaine pour l'Évangile de Jésus-Christ
Le Prieur général de l'Ordre, le père Míčeál O'Neill, a envoyé la lettre suivante aux Grands Carmes et aux personnes avec lesquelles elles travaillent, au debut de la célébration du 50e anniversaire de présence du Carmel en République démocratique du Congo.
Je me joins aujourd'hui aux nombreuses personnes en République démocratique du Congo et en Italie à l'occasion du début des célébrations commémorant le 50e anniversaire de la présence de l'Ordre des Grands Carmes en RDC. Au cours de cettes cinquante premières années, les frères carmes, en collaboration avec l'église locale, ont offert au peuple la façon carmélitaine de vivre l'Évangile de Jésus-Christ, avec un adhésion particulier à la vie de prière, à la dévotion mariale, l'attention à la Parole de Dieu et le développement social fondé sur l'Évangile. Il y a maintenant des communautés à Bunia, Butembo, Nioka, à l'est, Kinshasa à l'ouest et Kisangani au nord.
Par leur travail dans les paroisses, la formation religieuse et l'accompagnement spirituel, les Grands Carmes cherchent d'offrir à l'Église locale ce qu'elles ont reçu: leur charisme et leur vocation distinctive. La tradition la tradition carmélitaine est constituée de personnes qui chaque jour progressent dans leur connaissance de l'amour de Dieu. La vie des saints que la tradition carmélitaine a produite est un exemple de cette connaissance. Cet idéal continue en ces temps nouveaux pour l'Afrique.
Il s'agit aujourd'hui de retrouver la véritable dignité de la personne humaine, libérée des intérêts politiques et économiques extérieurs, libre de s'occuper de sa famille, libre d'avoir accès à l'éducation, et de respecter la pleine dignité de chaque personne humaine en tant que fils ou fille de Dieu. Je prie pour que la présence de l'Ordre des Carmes en Afrique, et d'une manière particulière en République Démocratique du Congo, soit une source de sagesse et de consolation pour tout le peuple, et que l'avenir de tous, soit celui d'une plus grande paix et harmonie dans un pays que Dieu a béni avec de si énormes et belles ressources de foi, d'humanité et de la nature.
Je prie afin que la présence de l'Ordre des Grands Carmes en Afrique, et en particulier dans la République Démocratique du Congo, soit pour tous les peuples une source de sagesse et de consolation, et que l'avenir de tous soit marqué par une plus profonde conciliation et harmonie dans ce pays que le Seigneur a comblé de ressources si grandes et si merveilleuses au niveau de la foi, de la sensibilité et de la splendide nature.
Que Notre-Dame du Mont-Carmel comme les saints du Carmel soient pour tous comme des rayons de lumières et d'espérance pour un engagement solidaire en faveur de l'amour et de la vérité de l'Évangile de Jésus-Christ ainsi que par rapport à la mission de l'Église catholique.
Avec gratitude, je souhaite à tous d'heureuses célébrations.
Míċeál O'Neill, O. Carm.
Prieur général
16 mai 2023
Prior General on the First Anniversary of St. Titus
The First Anniversary of the Canonization of St. Titus Brandsma
The 15th of May marks the first anniversary of the canonization of our brother Titus Brandsma, canonised along with nine other holy men and holy women, by Pope Francis in St. Peter’s Square in 2022. The memory of that celebration and the days that surrounded it still live in the minds and hearts of thousands of people all around the world. It was particularly moving for all of us who had the blessing of being in Rome when the event was taking place.
Now one year later, we are aware of the good feeling that the memory, experience, and teaching of Titus has generated. The work of translating his works into English continues, paving the way for many other translations in many other languages in the future. It is not that we want to be carried away only by this most recent to our long list of saints. It is rather that in these troubled times we take from Titus an assurance and a challenge. The assurance is that the way of life embraced by Carmelites in many different ways is “good and holy” (Rule Ch. 20). The challenge is to follow it in the selfless and knowledgeable way that Titus did.
At this time, when war and violence are so much part of the headlines of every day, Titus reminds us of the awfulness of war, the awfulness of any kind of violence committed against the human person and the stark reality of a society that has lost the sense of any need of knowing God and his mercy.
Here again is the challenge to Carmelites, following the example of Mary our Mother, and of Elijah our disturber, and inspired by the life and example of Titus Brandsma, we will witness to the great desire of God for peace and unity in the world, a peace that comes from God, and that only God can give to those who are willing to receive it.
May we see the end of all wars in our time and together build a world environment in which men and women of every age and nation and background will see that their dignity is respected and that with God’s grace they will grow to maturity, giving generously of their gifts for the building up of that world in which everyone can live a full and dignified life.
Míceál O’Neill, O. Carm.
Prior General
May 14, 2023
Letter of the Prior General for World Youth Day 2023
In less than 300 days thousands of young people from the four corners of the world will be gathered in Lisbon for World Youth Day 2023.
The invitation is open to join in singing and celebrating with one voice from August 1-6, 2023.
«Mary arose and went with haste» (Lk 1:39) is the bible quote chosen by Pope Francis as the motto of the World Youth Day that will be held for the first time in the capital city of Lisbon, Portugal.
On the occasion of WYD 2023, Míċeál O'Neill, Prior General of the Order, sends a message to encourage young people and Carmelites who work with them to participate in the celebrations.
In the words of Fr. Miceal, WYD "has proven to be the kind of event where young people find inspiration, companionship and nourishment for their lives".
Prior General's visit to the Mesagne Community
In the year that saw the parish community celebrate the fifth centenary of the presence of the Carmelites in Mesagne, as well as the birth and inauguration of the "Beata Maria Teresa Scrilli" House of the Sisters of the Institute of Our Lady of Mount Carmel, the Minor Pontifical Basilica of Carmel in Mesagne welcomed, on the occasion of the beginning of the Novena in preparation for the patronal feast, the Prior General of the Order of Carmelites, Irish Father Míċeál O'Neill. In the course of his stay he met with the bishop of the diocese of Brindisi-Ostuni, His Excellency Msgr. Domenico Caliandro, and the mayor of Mesagne Toni Matarrelli. Father O'Neill presided over the Eucharistic Celebrations of the first two days, Wednesday, July 6 and Thursday, July 7.
In particular, on the evening of July 6, in the presence of the members of the technical-scientific committee promoting the periodic study sessions of a historical, social and cultural nature of the past months and in communion with all the priests of the Messapian city, who were invited to the event, the parish was engaged in the General's welcoming party, enlivened - from 9:30 p.m. onward - by the presence of soprano M° Chiara Marangio and pianist M° Damiano Tamburrino.
On the morning of July 7, at Palazzo Celestini, seat of the Mesagne City Council, the Prior General visited the parish of Our Lady Most Holy of Carmel on the occasion of the beginning of the Novena in preparation for the patronal feast and met with the mayor of the Messapian city, Toni Matarrelli, and the president of the city council, Omar Ture.
Father O'Neill was accompanied by the parish priest, Father Enrico Ronzini, and Father Cosimo Pagliara, prior provincial of the Neapolitan Province, to which the Mesagna basilica belongs.
Matarrelli, who called the General's visit "a great honor for Mesagne and for the parish in which I grew up," expressed words of appreciation and thanks for the industrious presence of the Carmelites in Mesagne since 1521. He paid tribute to the Prior General with a copy of the historian Diego Ferdinando's "Messapography" (edited by Domenico Urgesi and Francesco Scalera) and one of the volumes "Still Appia" (a photographic book capturing images of the Regina Viarum between Rome and Brindisi). He added the philatelic cancellation of the postcard depicting the city of Mesagne on the occasion of the 30th anniversary of the establishment of the Commissariato di Pubblica Sicurezza (Public Safety Commissariat).
In turn, the Carmelites made a gift to the city administration of the latest publications published by the Neapolitan Province, especially remembering the figure of St. Titus Brandsma, a Carmelite priest, theologian and journalist executed in the Dachau concentration camp for opposing National Socialist propaganda.
The Prior General, after the evening Eucharistic celebration (followed by a concert by internationally renowned harpist Claudia Lamanna), visited Mesagne in the late evening accompanied by a guide provided by the city administration.
Solemnity of Our Lady of Mount Carmel, July 16, 2024
A Joint OCARM-OCD Letter for the Year of Prayer and the Solemnity of Our Lady of Mount Carmel
"In Mary a Dawn of Hope: In Mary Our Way of Praying"
A joint letter of the two general superiors, Míċeál O'Neill, O. Carm., and Miguel Márquez Calle, OCD is being published on the Solemnity of Our Lady of Mount Carmel in 2024 which coincides with the Year of Prayer called for by Pope Francis to mark a time of preparation for the Jubilee Year in 2025.
A Video Message for the Celebration of the Solemnity of the Blessed Virgin Mary of Mount Carmel – July 16, 2024 from Fr. Míċeál O’Neill, O. Carm., Prior General of the Order
Dear sisters and brothers in the Carmelite family throughout the world:
the celebration of the solemnity of Our Lady of Mount Carmel this year coincides with the Year of Prayer, announced by Pope Francis as a time of preparation the celebration of the 2025 Jubilee. The desire of the Holy Father is that there should be a “symphony of prayer” throughout the world. His teaching on prayer is an invitation to the Carmelite family to play its part in praying and in helping others to pray.
IN SOLLEMNITATE B.V. MARIAE DE MONTE CARMELO
Flos Carmeli, vitis florigera,
splendor caeli, Virgo puerpera singularis.
Mater mitis, sed viri nescia,
Carmelitis esto propitia,
stella maris.
MÍCEÁL PRIOR GENERALIS
DOMUSQUE GENERALIS COMMUNITAS
16.VII.2024
Diocese of Málaga Features Interview with Carmelite Prior General to Highlight Devotion to Our Lady of Mount Carmel in July
The July issue of the magazine of the Diocese of Málaga (Spain) focused on Our Lady of Mount Carmel. As July 16 is the feast day, several of the articles focused on the devotion of the people and how they celebrate the feast marking the Christian summer calendar. The cover of the magazine showed the image of Our Lady of Mount Carmel who is the patroness of Marbella.
Major Events Throughout History That Took Place on July 16th
On the occasion of the Solemnity of Our Lady of Mount Carmel, we can look back at the major events throughout History that took place on July 16th.
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