The Triennial Elective Chapter of the Carmelite community of the Monastery of "Flos Carmeli" in Jaboticabal, Brazil, was celebrated on July 25-27, 2022.

The results of the elective chapter were as follows:

Prioress | Priora | Priora:  
Ir. Francisca Marlene Rocha, O. Carm.

1st Councilor  | 1ª Consejera | 1ª Consigliera:
Ir. Maria do Carmo Silveira Moraes, O. Carm.

2nd Councilor | 2ª Consejera  | 2ª Consigliera: 
Ir. Vera Lúcia Alves, O. Carm.

Director of Novices | Maestra de Novicias | Maestra delle Novizie
Ir. Maria do Carmo Silveira Moraes, O. Carm.

Treasurer | Ecónoma  | Economa: 
Ir. Francisca Marlene Rocha, O. Carm.

Sacristan | Sacristán | Sacrestana:
Ir. Vera Lúcia Alves, O. Carm.

• Lectio Divina August 2022 [PDF] Download  pdf here(931 KB)
• Lectio Divina August 2022 [ePub] Download  default here(240 KB)
• Lectio Divina August 2022 [Mobi] Download  default here(1007 KB)

12 August Optional Memorial

Bl. Isidore Bakanja, a member of the Boangi tribe, was born in Bokendela (Congo) between 1880 and 1890. In order to survive, even as a boy, he had to work as bricklayer or in farms. He was converted to Christianity in 1906.

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9 August Memorial (Feast in the provinces of Europe: Patron of Europe)

Sister Teresa Benedict of the Cross died in the gas chamber the same day that she arrived at the camp at Auschwitz, Sunday 9th August 1942, and her body was burned in one of the crematoria there. She was beatified on 1 May 1987 and canonized on 11 October 1998 by Pope John Paul II. On 2 October 1999 the same Pope proclaimed her co-patron of Europe.

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7 August Feast

He was the first saint who received devotion in the Carmelite Order, and was even considered it patron and protector (or “father”), a title he shared with another saint of his time, Angelo of Sicily.

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On the feast of the Blessed Virgin Mary of Mount Carmel, July 16, Pope Francis published his Message for the World Day of Prayer for Creation (September 1), in which, without precedent in his ministry, he calls on all countries to take urgent and bold measures at the upcoming World Climate (COP27) and Biodiversity (COP15) Conferences. He makes a forceful call for the rapid phase-out of fossil fuels.

Read the full message here

False security
(Luke 12:13-21)

All too often we are made aware of the vulnerability and uncertainty of life.

Things can suddenly change. We don’t know what will happen today, tomorrow or even in a few moments’ time. Such experiences can make us profoundly anxious, and we look for ways to protect ourselves and what we own against life’s adverse events. It is not only a problem for wealthy people like the rich man in the Gospel today. It can be a problem for all of us. We seem to have an instinctive need to build a sense of security by amassing goods and wealth.

A strong focus in the Luke’s Gospel is that nothing is more destructive of life and humanity than the need to acquire, hold on to and increase wealth.

The problem is not the riches we possess but that our need to possess them gets in the way of our relationship with God, our only true security. That same need also gets in the way of our concern for others. We become reluctant to share what we have in case we may need it one day.

In many ways the Gospel is about the fundamental orientation of a disciple’s life - do we live for ourselves and our possessions, or for God and the Kingdom? Do we own our possessions, or do they own us? What do we value most in life? 

Thirsting after material things distorts us, narrows our focus and corrupts our moral sense. As disciples of Jesus, we try to keep God at the centre of our lives. In Baptism and Confirmation we pledge ourselves to be willing workers with God in making God’s dreams and hopes for us all a reality.

A successful life in God’s eyes is not about storing up material treasure for ourselves (the parable of the rich man in this Sunday’s Gospel) but about being a source of real treasure for others (the servant parable in next Sunday’s Gospel). Quite often, the prayers of the Mass ask God to help us to use wisely the good things of the earth.

God’s wisdom always directs us towards using who we are and what we have to enrich the lives of others. 

Living according to the heart of God helps us keep all things in their right order and opens us up to God’s wider vision of reality.

• Celebrating At Home -  pdf 18th Sunday in Ordinary Time [PDF](2.86 MB)
• Celebrating At Home -  default 18th Sunday in Ordinary Time [ePub](1.85 MB)
• Celebrando en Familia -  pdf 18 Domingo del Tiempo Ordinario(566 KB)
• Celebrando in Casa -  pdf XVIII Domenica del Tempo Ordinario(565 KB)

 27 July Memorial

Born in the Frisian city of Bolsward, Holland, in 1881, St. Titus Brandsma joined the Carmelites in 1898 at the age of 17. He made his first profession in 1899 and then he was ordained to the priesthood in 1905. On July 26, 1942, he was killed by lethal injection in the Dachau concentration camp by the Nazis. He was beatified as a martyr by Pope John Paul II on 3rd November 1985 and was canonized by Pope Francis on May 15, 2022, in St Peter’s Square.

A brief Biography

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International Hymn for the Canonization

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Mass with the Carmelite Family - St. Paul Outside the Walls
May 14, 2022
Celebrant: Míċeál O’Neill, O. Carm. - Prior General of the Carmelite Order

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Mass of Canonization - St. Peter’s Square
May 15, 2022
Celebrant: Pope Francis

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Papal Homily on May 15 (in various languages):

[Arabic - English - French - German - Italian - Polish - Portuguese - Spanish]

Mass of Thanksgiving - Altar of the Chair (St. Peter’s Basilica)
May 16, 2022
Celebrant: Willem Jacobus Cardinal Eijk, Archbishop of Utrecht

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The Highlights of the Canonization of St. Titus Brandsma
with Fr. Roderick Stories

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The feast of the Protectors of the Order is celebrated with special solemnity that is the feast of Saints Joseph, Joachim and Anne. The names of the parents of Mary are known from the apocryphal “Proto-Gospel of James” (II century).

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