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. 2015

Image: Ceramic of Our Lady of Mount Carmel by Adam Kossowski at Aylesford Priory, England

The 25th Meeting of the Carmelite Family in the Betica Province, took place in the Carmelite Church in Hinojosa del Duque (Cordoba, Spain), with St. Teresa of Avila as the main theme. The church in Hinojosa (which contains the remains of some of the Carmelite martyrs beatified in 2013 in Taragona) was declared a “Jubilee Church” on account of the 5th centenary. Fr. Rafael Leiva, O.Carm., gave a lecture on the doctrine of St. Teresa to a large audience, from many different places.

The Carmelite College of José Galvez (Peru) has published a very beautiful calendar, in which there are sayings and prayers of St. Teresa, with the idea that the students can reflect on them, on their own or in a group throughout this year.

From the 28th of June to the 2nd of July of this year, in the seminary in Mundelein (Illinois. U.S.A.) a symposium was held, on the theme, “St. Teresa’ Gift to the 21st Century”. A number of experts such as Leopold Gluekert, O.Carm., Donna Orsuto, Steven Payne O.C.D. spoke at the symposium and opened up a variety of aspects of the saint’s life and doctrine. The symposium was organised by the Carmelite Institute of North America and was introduced by the Prior General Fernando Millán Romeral, O.Carm., and by the director of the Institute, Patrick  McMahon, O.Carm.,

Lastly, from the 1st to the 4th of July, the 21st meeting of the Carmelite Family that the Iberian Region organise every year took place in Pozuelo (Madrid, Spain). This year the theme was, “Santa Teresa de Jesús, Mistica y Profeta” (St. Teresa of Jesus, Mystic and Prophet). More than a hundred Carmelites took part in the event (friars, sisters and lay people) from the whole of Spain, and Portugual, and countries of Latin America and from Africa. Talks were give on different themes connected with St. Teresa. The speakers included, Secundino Castro, O.C.D., Francisco Daza, O.Carm., and Salvador Ros, O.C.D..

photo: Symposium in Mundelein (Illinois. U.S.A.) - Fr. Fernando Millan, Prior General with a group of Carmelite Friars ans Sister from Trinidad and Tobago.

The Carmelite Commission for Justice, Peace and Integrity of Creation met in Rome from 15-20 June 2015. Those in attendance were: Jane F Remson, O.Carm (COLMC - Carmelite NGO), Annah Theresa Nyadombo, (HLMC, Zimbabwe), Eduardo Agosta Scarel, O.Carm (ACV-Arg), Mark Zittle, O.Carm (SEL) Hariawan Adji, O. Carm (Indo) Florent Dundji Dhenyi, O. Carm (Italy-Con) and Conrad Mutizamhepo, O.Carm (General Councillor and Praeses).

The meeting began with a day of reflection on the theme: The Ministry of Justice, Peace and Integrity of Creation in Carmel: Past, Present and Future – Challenges and Opportunities led by Fr Míceál O’Neill, O.Carm. Míceál gave a historical overview of Carmelite Justice and Peace work especially since the Vatican II chronicling the important developments emerging from the Council of Provinces, the General Congregation gatherings and General Chapters.

Thereafter the meeting addressed the issues on the agenda: reflection on the insights of Miceal’s presentation; listening to regional reports; collaboration between JPIC and Carmelite NGO; planning for the forthcoming Carmelite Family Justice, Peace and Integrity of Creation meeting during 2017; analysis of the questionnaire on social and environmental issues that is intended to be send to members of the Carmelite Family in the near future; a discussion on the Pope’s new encyclical Laudato Si and how Carmelites can participate in sensitizing their communities to the issues concerning social and environmental justice issues which are constitutive of the proclamation of the Gospel. The Carmelite Commission for Justice, Peace and Integrity of creation supports His Holiness Pope Francis on writing a very timely document to raise awareness and call the whole world community to take note of the serious questions raised by social and environmental questions. The Pope does not just highlight the challenges but also proposes a change of course for the whole of humanity to avert disaster.

Pope’s Prayer Intentions for July 2015

Universal: Politics - That political responsibility may be lived at all levels as a high form of charity. Evangelization:

The poor in Latin America - That, amid social inequalities, Latin American Christians may bear witness to love for the poor and contribute to a more fraternal society.

Lectio Divina July - Julio - Luglio 2015

The Elective Chapter of the Carmelite Monastery of Mayagüez, Puerto Rico, was held 22 June 2015. The following were elected:

• Prioress:  Sr. Lourdes M. De Jesús Crucificado Avilés Calderón, O.Carm.
• 1st Councilor:   Sr. M. Antonia De Jesús Sacramentado Acevedo Lorenzo, O.Carm.
• 2nd Councilor:  Sr. M. De la Trinidad Rodríguez Barbosa, O.Carm.
• Director of Novices:  Sr. M. Antonia De Jesús Sacramentado Acevedo Lorenzo, O.Carm.
• Treasurer:  Sr. M. De la Trinidad Rodríguez Barbosa, O.Carm.
• Sacristan:  Sr. Monserrate M. del Corazón Crucificado de Jesús Lugo Millán, O.Carm.

During the Provincial Chapter of the Irish Province held on 21-25 June 2015 following earlier elections were confirmed:

• Prior Provincial:  Fr. Richard Byrne, O.Carm.
• First Councilor:  Fr. Brian McKay, O.Carm.
• Second Councilor:  Fr. Fintan Burke, O.Carm.
• Third Councilor:  Fr. Éanna Ó hÓbáin , O.Carm.
• Fourth Councilor:  Fr. David Twohig, O.Carm.
• Commissary Provincial of Zimbabwe:  Fr. Vitalis Tendai Benza, O.Carm.