O.Carm
Palm Sunday of the Passion of the Lord
Love Revealed
(Luke 23:1-49)
For those who cannot attend mass, gather some green branches from your garden. After the blessing these can be given to everyone present. The greenery is a reminder that the story of Jesus does not end in death, but life.
Sign of the Cross
and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
Preparing to hear the Word
to be the Church,
the Body of Christ in this world.
We are not a building, but a people,
gathered and grounded in
the Word of God,
the love of Christ,
and the unity of the Holy Spirit.
During Lent we have been preparing
for the celebration of Easter
by works of love and self-sacrifice.
Today, in union with the whole Church we remember Christ’s entry into Jerusalem
to complete his saving work as our Messiah:
to suffer, to die and to rise again.
We, too, enter this week of holiness
and welcome Christ as our Saviour.
Blessing the Palms
In the Roman Empire people used palm branches and other greenery as a sign of welcome and respect as important people entered the towns and cities. The Gospels record that this is what many people in Jerusalem did for Jesus.Almighty God, hear our prayers:
let your blessing be upon us and these branches.
Today we joyfully acclaim Jesus our Messiah and King. May we honour you every day by living always in him for he is Lord for ever and ever. Amen.
The Passion of Jesus according to Luke
They began their accusation, ‘We found this man inciting our people to revolt, opposing payment of tribute to Caesar, and claiming to be Christ, a king.’ Pilate put to him this question, ‘Are you the king of the Jews?’ ‘It is you who say it’.
Pilate then said to the chief priests and the crowd, ‘I find no case against this man.’ ‘He is inflaming the people with his teaching all over Judea; it has come all the way from Galilee, where he started, down to here.’ When Pilate heard this, he asked if the man were a Galilean; and finding that he came under Herod’s jurisdiction he passed him over to Herod who was also in Jerusalem at that time.
Reader 2 Herod was delighted to see Jesus; he had heard about him and had been wanting for a long time to set eyes on him; moreover, he was hoping to see some miracle worked by him. So he questioned him at some length; but without getting any reply. Meanwhile the chief priests and scribes were there, violently pressing their accusations. Then Herod, together with his guards, treated him with contempt and made fun of him; he put a rich cloak on him and sent him back to Pilate. And though Herod and Pilate had been enemies before, they were reconciled that same day.
Reader 3 Pilate then summoned the chief priests and the leading men and the people. ‘You brought this man before me as a political agitator. Now I have gone into the matter myself in your presence and found no case against the man in respect of all the charges you bring against him. Nor has Herod either, since he has sent him back to us. As you can see, the man has done nothing that deserves death, so I shall have him flogged and then let go’. But as one they howled, ‘Away with him! Give us Barabbas!’ (This man had been thrown into prison for causing a riot in the city and for murder.)
Reader 1 Pilate was anxious to set Jesus free and addressed them again, but they shouted back, ‘Crucify him! Crucify him!’ ‘But why? What harm has this man done? I have found no case against him that deserves death, so I shall have him punished and then let him go.’ But they kept on shouting at the top of their voices, demanding that he should be crucified. And their shouts were growing louder.
Pilate then gave his verdict: their demand was to be granted. He released the man they asked for, who had been imprisoned for rioting and murder, and handed Jesus over to them to deal with as they pleased.
Reader 2 As they were leading him away they seized on a man, Simon from Cyrene, who was coming in from the country, and made him shoulder the cross and carry it behind Jesus. Large numbers of people followed him, and of women too, who mourned and lamented for him. But Jesus turned to them and said, ‘Daughters of Jerusalem, do not weep for me; weep rather for yourselves and for your children. For the days will surely come when people will say, ‘Happy are those who are barren, the wombs that have never borne, the breasts that have never suckled!’ Then they will begin to say to the mountains, ‘Fall on us!’, to the hills, ‘Cover us!’ for if you use the green wood like this, what will happen when it is dry?’ Now with him there were also leading out two other criminals to be executed.
Reader 3 When they reached the place called the Skull, they crucified him there and the two criminals also, one on the right, the other on the left. Jesus said, ‘Father forgive them; they do not know what they are doing.’ Then they cast lots to share out his clothing.
Reader 1 The people stayed there watching him. As for the leaders, they jeered at him. ‘He saved others; let him save himself if he is the Christ of God, the Chosen One.’ The soldiers mocked him too and when they approached to offer him vinegar they said, ‘If you are the king of the Jews, save yourself.’ Above him there was an inscription: ‘This is the King of the Jews.’
Reader 2 One of the criminals hanging there abused him. ‘Are you not the Christ?’ he said. ‘Save yourself and us as well.’ But the other spoke up and rebuked him. ‘Have you no fear of God at all? You got the same sentence as he did, but in our case we deserved it; we are paying for what we did. But this man has done nothing wrong. Jesus, Remember me when you come into your kingdom.’ ‘Indeed, I promise you, today you will be with me in paradise.’
[All pause for a moment]
Reader 1 When the centurion saw what had taken place, he gave praise to God and said, ‘This was a great and good man.’ And when all the people who had gathered for the spectacle saw what had happened, they went home beating their breasts. All his friends stood at a distance, so also did the women who had accompanied him from Galilee, and they saw all this happen.
- pdf Celebrating At Home - Palm Sunday of the Passion of the Lord [PDF](1.50 MB)
- default Celebrating At Home - Palm Sunday of the Passion of the Lord [ePub](2.73 MB)
- pdf Celebrando en Familia - Domingo de Ramos Pasión de Nuestro Señor Jesucristo(250 KB)
- pdf Celebrando in Casa - Domenica delle Palme Passione di Nostro Signore Gesù Cristo(334 KB)
- pdf Celebrando em família - Domingo da Ramos Paixão de Nosso Senhor Jesus Cristo(280 KB)
Carmelite Third Order Gathers in Fatima
Members of the Third Order of Carmelites from all over the world gathered for the General Assembly in Fatima, Portugal
From February 25 to March 2, 2025, members of the Third Order of Carmel convened in Fatima, Portugal, for a transformative General Assembly, attended by delegates from around the world. The gathering, which follows the successful International Lay Congress in Sassone, Italy in 2024, aimed to enhance the identity and unity of the Carmelite Family through improved communication, collaboration, and formation. Emphasizing their commitment to serving Christ amidst contemporary challenges, the Assembly recognized the vital role of lay witnesses in inspiring transformation across secular society.
The participants expressed deep gratitude to Fr. Míċeál O’Neill, Prior General, and Fr. Luis José Maza Subero, General Councilor, and the General Council for the historical significance of the Assembly for the Third Order. They reflected on the continuity within the Carmelite community, where the aspirations of predecessors are often realized by succeeding generations. Emphasizing the essence of being a Carmelite, they highlighted the importance of listening and heartfelt communication, while acknowledging the lay Carmelites' role in extending the love of Carmel and Mary to areas beyond the reach of friars and nuns. They also recognized the diverse richness of their laity and expressed appreciation for Fr. Michael Farrugia, Procurator General's dedicated work during the Assembly.
A key outcome of the Assembly was the establishment of a Provisional International Council (TASK FORCE), composed of delegates appointed from the different regions of the world, tasked with drafting regulations for future governance and preparing for subsequent assemblies. The Assembly underscored a collective mission to embody the charism of prayer, fraternity, and service while honoring the spirit of The Rule of St. Albert in the pursuit of a more united Carmelite community.
The new Provisional International Council of the Third Order of Carmel, which will function for a two-year term (2025-2027), is to draft International Statutes for the regulation and election of an International Council of the Third Order of Carmel, in accordance with point 74 of its Rule. The group will also facilitate communication and coordination within the Third Order and the Carmelite Family, as well as prepare for a General Assembly of the TOC to be held before March 2027.
The Provisional International Council (TASK FORCE) will be facilitated by two General Coordinators, and six Delegates, representing the regions of Asia, Africa, Europe, Oceania, Latin America, and North America. Each region has one Delegate, selected from among their peers by region. The two General Coordinators were nominated for plenary consideration from all the regions.
The Provisional International Council (TASK FORCE), elected during the Assembly in Fatima, consists of the following members:
General Coordinators:
Kelley Henderson, T.O.Carm, and Rosario Maria Vera Martin, T.O.Carm.
Delegates:
Leadership Changes Announced for the Carmelite NGO
The Carmelite NGO has announced a change in its top leadership effective on April 1, 2025. The V. Rev. William J. Harry, O. Carm., was appointed as president. The Rev. Eduardo Scarel, O. Carm., will serve as the vice-president. In making the announcement of the appointments, Sr. Maria Sheila Undang, O. Carm., president of the Congregation of Our Lady of Mount Carmel, asked that people “join in welcoming both … as they lead us into a future full of hope.”
Sr. Sheila also stated, “We are very grateful to Sr. Jane Remson for starting the Carmelite NGO and for her leadership for more than twenty years. … Her futuristic vision and commitment to promote justice and to create a loving and peaceful world through the Carmelite NGO’s advocacy in caring for the human and spiritual needs of humankind and the environment was very evident in her leadership.”
Fr. William has been primarily involved in the education and communication ministries. He also served as prior provincial, general councilor, commissary provincial, and president and principal of a large secondary school. He was a member of the Coordinating Board of the NGO from its inception until 2019. He currently is the director of the Communications Office for the Carmelite Order.
Fr. Eduardo holds a Ph.D. in Atmospheric and Oceanic Sciences and did post-doctoral studies in tropospheric and stratospheric climate variability. He has published in numerous publications and has participated in numerous conferences. He has served on the Coordinating Board of the NGO since 2013 and serves on its Executive Board. He also served on the Order’s International Commission for Justice, Peace, and Integrity of Creation for over 15 years.
Under the leadership of Sr. Jane the Carmelite NGO grew to be a respected voice at the United Nations and its member organizations. Members of the NGO have participated in many conferences of the UN held in various parts of the world. The NGO is now affiliated with the United Nations Environment Program (UNEP), the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), the Department of Global Communications (DGC), and the Global Coalition for Social Justice.
The NGO is also connected to other NGOs, such as Religious at the UN (RUN), the Justice Coalition of Religious (JCoR), NGO Committee to Stop Trafficking in Persons (CSTIP), and Catholic Climate Covenant (CCC).
The main office of the Carmelite NGO will be moved to Tucson, Arizona. The organization can be reached by email at: Questo indirizzo email è protetto dagli spambots. È necessario abilitare JavaScript per vederlo.
Celebrating At Home - 5th Sunday in Lent
Freedom & Forgiveness
(John 8:1-11)
The scribes and Pharisees, out to trap Jesus, parade a hapless woman before the crowd gathered to hear Jesus teaching. We can only imagine her embarrassment as they publicly accuse her of adultery. Noting that the law of Moses says that they should stone the woman to death, they ask what Jesus thinks.
Jesus, already seated, bends lower and writes on the ground. What he writes we do not know, but from his ‘lowly’ position Jesus quietly manages to turn the whole situation around.
At first he says nothing. When the scribes and Pharisees persist with their question, Jesus simply says, ‘Let the one without sin be the first to throw a stone at her’, and goes back to his writing.
We sense that an awkward silence followed before the once threatening scribes and Pharisees seem to just melt away. Jesus’ words seem to touch them deeply and melt away both their harsh attitude towards the woman and their desire to entrap him.
Like the woman, they are not condemned by Jesus but restored to right relationship with him and the woman – they no longer want to trap Jesus or harm the woman. They quietly leave. Jesus pronounces forgiveness for the woman and tells her not to sin anymore.
The Gospels of the last two Sundays were parables about God’s forgiveness and tender care in nurturing us back to life. In today’s Gospel we see God’s lavish forgiveness in action as Jesus deals with a concrete human situation of life-threatening judgement and condemnation.
We are called, not to be judges over others, but practitioners of God’s lavish compassion and mercy.
- pdf Celebrating At Home - 5th Sunday in Lent [PDF](2.83 MB)
- default Celebrating At Home - 5th Sunday in Lent [ePub](2.61 MB)
- pdf Celebrando en Familia - Quinto Domingo del Tiempo de Cuaresma(241 KB)
- pdf Celebrando in Casa - V Domenica di Quaresima(247 KB)
- pdf Celebrando em família - Quinto Domingo Da Quaresma(248 KB)
Prior General's Schedule for April 2025
Fr. Míċeál O'Neill, the prior general, has the following schedule planned for the month of April 2025:
April 1-8: Canonical visitation of the Dutch Province
April 9: Celebrate the Eucharist at the Assembly of the Italian Federation of Nuns
April 13-19: Canonical visitation of the Province of Betica
April 22-30: Australia—Fraternal visit and Provincial Chapter
Lectio Divina April 2025
Opening Prayer
Lord our God,
You have quenched our thirst for life with the water of baptism.
Keep turning the desert of our arid lives into a paradise of joy and peace, that we may bear fruits of holiness, justice, and love.
Lord, hear our prayer through Jesus Christ, our Lord.
The Eastern Indonesian Province Formed
The Eastern Indonesian Province Established on March 25, 2025
The Eastern Indonesian Province of the Order of Carmelites has been established, separating from the Province of Indonesia. The Province of Indonesia is currently the largest province in the Order, having been established by the Dutch Province in 1923. Even after the division it will remain the largest province in the Order.
The new province will be under the patronage of St. Titus Brandsma. It comes into existence on the Solemnity of the Annunciation of the Lord, March 25, 2025. The General Council of the Order named Marselinus Barus, O. Carm., as the first prior provincial. They also named Dominikus Dinong, O. Carm., Ferdinandus Tay, O. Carm., Aloysius Roja, O. Carm., and Innosensius Inno, O. Carm., as the members of the first provincial council. The first Provincial Chapter will be held within the year.
Fr. Marselinus, the new provincial, reflected on the new reality saying, “"As a new province, of course, we Indonesian Carmelites, especially Eastern Indonesian Carmelites, are very happy with the establishment of a new province considering the large area of Indonesian territory. With this new province, it is hoped that the work of the Carmelites in eastern Indonesia will grow. My hope is that the Eastern Indonesian Province of the Carmelite Order will continue to build fraternity and cooperation with the mother province and with other provinces around the world."
The new province will consist of one hundred and seventeen (117) friars of solemn profession and sixty-five (65) friars of simple profession who choose to be members. The area of the new province covers the ecclesial provinces of Makasar, Ende, Kupang and Merauke.
The process of becoming a province officially began during the Provincial Chapter of 2009. The provincial council and the commissary council were tasked with studying the possibility of the Eastern Indonesian Commissariat becoming a General Commissariat by 2025. However, taking into consideration the new development in the commissariat, the Provincial Chapter in 2022 voted in favor of the erection of a new province in Eastern Indonesia. For 10 days in August 2023, the prior general, Míċeál O’Neill, and the general councilor for Asia, Australia, and Oceania, Robert Puthussery, conducted a canonical visitation of the Eastern Indonesian Commissariat.
The formation of the first group of postulants in Eastern Indonesia started on the Feast of the Prophet Elijah (July 20th). A year later, on July 12th, those students began their novitiate receiving their habits from then prior general, John Malley. In 2006, the East Indonesian region was upgraded to a provincial commissariat.
The new province will have four canonically erected houses and three formation houses.
Celebrating At Home - 4th Sunday in Lent
The Forgiving Father
(Luke 15:1-3, 11-32)
A wealthy father has two sons. Very cheekily, the younger son asks for his share of the estate which would come to him on his father’s death. This is a young man who has places to go and things to see!
Remarkably, the father gives him half of his estate, not the one-third to which the son was entitled. No wonder the older son is put out. The younger son goes off and has a great time until the money runs out.
Financially ruined he has to earn his keep feeding pigs. He decides to return home, beg forgiveness and ask to be only a servant in his father’s household.
The father is anxiously waiting for the son when he returns. He runs to embrace him. The son begins his confession, but the father takes no notice. He does not chastise or lecture. He refuses to treat his son as a servant and immediately sets about restoring him to his rightful place in the household with the ring, the robe and sandals. He orders a feast to celebrate the fact that his son is alive and has returned. No wonder the older son is angry and resentful. But the father sets about reassuring him that his place in the household and in the father’s affection is secure and urging him to be reconciled with his brother. We are left wondering about what eventually happened.
The Gospel offers not just the hope of God’s forgiveness but the certainty of it.
The message today is: Rejoice in God’s abiding mercy!
- pdf Celebrating At Home - 4th Sunday in Lent [PDF](3.97 MB)
- default Celebrating At Home - 4th Sunday in Lent [ePub](6.97 MB)
- pdf Celebrando en Familia - Cuarto Domingo del Tiempo de Cuaresma(516 KB)
- pdf Celebrando in Casa - IV Domenica di Quaresima(510 KB)
- pdf Celebrando em família - Quarto Domingo Da Quaresma(509 KB)
Carmelites Discuss Challenges of Communication
Carmelites Gather to Discuss the Status of Communications Programs in the Order
The directors of the Order’s communication offices around the world gathered on Monday, January 27, in person as well as via zoom to participate in a discussion of the status of the various communications programs in the Order and the provinces. Each participant was asked to share three things they felt everyone should know about their ministry of communications.
They were also asked to complete a one-page survey which will be summarized to give a more complete picture of the state of our communications. There was quite a bit of enthusiasm generated during this meeting and future gatherings are being planned.
The Director of Communications for the Order, William J. Harry, spoke on the challenges and the opportunities we have to evangelize in today’s world with our new technologies. pdf That talk is available here in the three languages.(243 KB)
A second meeting via zoom is scheduled for May 21, 2025. The meeting will be in two parts, better accommodating the different time zones within the Order.
+ Asia/Australia/Oceania (09.00-12.00 Rome time)
+ Africa/Europe/Americas (17.00-20.00 Rome time)
The meetings are primarily conducted in English. So those who will be attending and require translation into Spanish or Italian, please contact the office by May 15th, if you will be attending and require a translator.
Santa Croce Conference Focused on Evangelization
Santa Croce Offers Professional Development Focused on Evangelization
For six days, communications directors from various parts of the Order met in Rome to participate in three events related to communications. The first was a three-day conference at the Pontifical University of Santa Croce entitled Communication and Evangelization: Context, Attitudes and Experiences. One of the university’s focuses is communications. This was the 14th professional seminar for Church communications offices.
The goal of the conference was to explore the Church’s evangelizing. This is something present in each diocese as well as religious order on various levels. The form of dialogue used brings together characteristics such as the primacy of charity, love of truth, respect for the person and his or her freedom, and the promotion of pluralism. In addition, the various dimensions of the Church's communication refer to the horizon of evangelization: internal communication, relations with journalists, creation of media and channels, presence on social networks, listening, dissemination of content, and institutional relations. When put together and used appropriately, these activities make the Church capable of proclaiming Christ, the Good News.
To explore the theme a number of presentations as well as panels of experts from various parts of the world were provided. Presentations were in English, Spanish, and Italian (with simultaneous translations for the large gatherings). The breaks provided the opportunity to connect with fellow workers in this particular vineyard.
The full program can be found at en.pusc.it/csi/ucc2025/progr
