On 26 September 2013 Pope Francis appointed as consultor of the Office of Liturgical Celebrations of the Supreme Pontiff Fr. Giuseppe Midili, O. Carm., member of the Italian Province. Fr. Giuseppe is director of the Liturgical Office of the diocese of Rome and lecturer in pastoral liturgy at the Pontifical Liturgical Institute of St. Anselm in Rome.

Memorial of Saint Francis of Assisi

1) Opening prayer

O God, by whose gift Saint Francis was conformed to Christ in poverty and humility, grant that, by walking in Francis' footsteps, we may follow your Son, and, through joyful charity, come to be united with you. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.

2) Gospel Reading - Matthew 11: 25-30

At that time Jesus exclaimed, 'I bless you, Father, Lord of heaven and of earth, for hiding these things from the learned and the clever and revealing them to little children. Yes, Father, for that is what it pleased you to do.

Everything has been entrusted to me by my Father; and no one knows the Son except the Father, just as no one knows the Father except the Son and those to whom the Son chooses to reveal him.

'Come to me, all you who labor and are overburdened, and I will give you rest. Shoulder my yoke and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. Yes, my yoke is easy and my burden light.'

3) Reflection

• In the Gospel we will listen to the invitation of Jesus: “Learn from me for I am meek and humble of heart”. The Gospel shows the tenderness with which Jesus welcomes and accepts the little ones. He wanted the poor to find rest and peace in him.

• The context of chapters 11 and 12 of Matthew. In this context it is stressed and made evident that the poor are the only ones to understand and to accept the wisdom of the Kingdom. Many people did not understand this preference of Jesus for the poor and the excluded.

John the Baptist, who looked at Jesus with the eyes of the past had doubts (Mt 11: 1-15)

b) The people, who looked at Jesus with their own interests were not capable of understanding Him (Mt 11: 16-19).

c) The great cities around the lake which listened to Jesus’ preaching and saw the miracles did not want to open themselves to his message (Mt 11: 20-24).

d) The wise and the doctors who judged everything according to their own science were not capable of understanding the preaching of Jesus (Mt 11: 25).

e) Not even his relatives understood Him (Mt 12: 46-50).

f) Only the little ones understood Him and accepted the Good News of the Kingdom (Mt 11: 25-30).

g) The others want sacrifice, but Jesus wants mercy (Mt 12: 1-8).

h) The reaction against Jesus impels the Pharisees to want to kill Him (Mt 12: 9-14).

i) They said that Jesus was Beelzebul (Mt 12: 22-32).

j) But Jesus did not draw back. He continues to assume the mission of Servant, as described in the prophecies (Mt 12: 15-21). This is why He was persecuted and condemned to death.

• Matthew 11: 25-26: Only the little ones understand and accept the Good News of the Kingdom. Jesus addresses a prayer to the Father: “I bless you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, for hiding these things from the learned and the clever and revealing them to little children. Yes, Father, for that is what it pleased you to do!” The wise and the doctors of that time had created a series of laws which they imposed upon the people in the name of God. They thought that God demanded this observance from the people. But the law of love, brought by Jesus, said the contrary. What is important is not what we do for God, but rather what God, in his great love, does for us! People understood the words of Jesus and were filled with joy. The wise thought that Jesus was not right. They could not understand this teaching which modified the relationship of the people of God.

• Matthew 11: 27: The origin of the New Law: The Son knows the Father. Jesus, the Son, knows the Father. He knows what the Father wanted when, centuries before, He gave the Law to Moses. What the Father wants to tell us, He handed  to Jesus, and Jesus revealed it to the little ones because they opened themselves up to his message. Today, also, Jesus continues to teach many things to the poor and to the little ones. The wise and the intelligent do well if they become pupils of the little ones!

• Matthew 11: 28-30: “Come to me all you who labor and are overburdened, and I will give you rest”. Jesus invites all those who are tired to find rest in him. These are the people who are tired under the weight of the impositions and the observances which the law of purity demanded. And He says: “Learn from me, for I am gentle and humble of heart”. Many times this phrase has been manipulated to ask people to submit themselves, to be passive. What Jesus wants to say is the contrary. He asks people to leave aside the professors of religion of that time, to rest and to begin to learn from him, Jesus, who is “gentle and humble of heart”. Jesus does not do like the Scribes who pride themselves on their own science, but He is like the people who live humiliated and exploited. Jesus, the new teacher, knows from experience what happens in the heart of the people and how much the people suffer.

• The invitation of divine wisdom to all those who seek it. Jesus invites all those who are oppressed under the weight of the observance of the law to find rest in him, because He is gentle and humble of heart, capable of relieving and consoling the people who suffer, who feel tired and depressed (Mt 11: 25-30). In this invitation resounds the beautiful words of Isaiah who consoled the people who lived in exile (Is 55: 1-3). This invitation is bound to divine wisdom, which invites persons to the encounter with her (Ws 24: 19), saying: “her ways are filled with delight; her paths all lead to contentment” (Pr 3: 17). And he adds: “Wisdom brings up her own children and cares for those who seek her. Whoever loves her, loves life, those who seek her early will be filled with joy” (Si 4: 11-12). This invitation reveals a very important characteristic of the feminine face of God: tenderness and acceptance which consoles and gives life to people and leads them to feel well. Jesus is  the protection and the maternal womb which the Father offers to people who are tired (cfr. Is 66: 10-13).

4) Personal questions

• What produces tension in you and what gives you peace? For you, to live in community, is it a source of tension or of peace?

• How can these words of Jesus help our community to be a place of rest for our life?

5) Concluding Prayer

Yahweh is tenderness and pity,

slow to anger and rich in faithful love;

his indignation does not last for ever,

nor his resentment remain for all time. (Ps 103: 8-9)

Holy Father's Prayer Intentions for September 2013

Value of Silence. That people today, often overwhelmed by noise, may rediscover the value of silence and listen to the voice of God and their brothers and sisters.

Persecuted Christians. That Christians suffering persecution in many parts of the world may by their witness be prophets of Christ's love.

Lectio Divina September - Septiembre - Settembre 2013

• Sunday, September 1, 2013  
  Lectio: 22nd Sunday of Ordinary Time (C)
• Monday, September 2, 2013  
  Lectio: Luke 4,16-30
• Tuesday, September 3, 2013  
  Lectio: Luke 4,31-37
• Wednesday, September 4, 2013  
  Lectio: Luke 4,38-44
• Thursday, September 5, 2013  
  Lectio: Luke 5,1-11
• Friday, September 6, 2013  
  Lectio: Luke 5,33-39
• Saturday, September 7, 2013  
  Lectio: Luke 6,1-5
• Sunday, September 8, 2013  
  Lectio: 23rd Sunday of Ordinary Time (C)
• Monday, September 9, 2013  
  Lectio: Luke 6,6-11
• Tuesday, September 10, 2013  
  Lectio: Luke 6,12-19
• Wednesday, September 11, 2013  
  Lectio: Luke 6,20-26
• Thursday, September 12, 2013  
  Lectio: Luke 6,27-38
• Friday, September 13, 2013  
  Lectio: Luke 6,39-42
• Saturday, September 14, 2013  
  Lectio: The Exaltation of the Holy Cross - Jn. 3,13-17
• Sunday, September 15, 2013  
  Lectio: 24th Sunday of Ordinary Time (C)
• Monday, September 16, 2013  
  Lectio: Luke 7,1-10
• Tuesday, September 17, 2013
  Lectio: Luke 7,11-17
• Wednesday, September 18, 2013
  Lectio: Luke 7,31-35
• Thursday, September 19, 2013  
  Lectio: Luke 7,36-50
• Friday, September 20, 2013  
  Lectio: Luke 8,1-3
• Saturday, September 21, 2013  
  Lectio: St. Matthew, the Evangelist - Mt 9,9-13
• Sunday, September 22, 2013  
  Lectio: 25th Sunday of Ordinary Time (C)
• Monday, September 23, 2013  
  Lectio: Luke 8,16-18
• Tuesday, September 24, 2013
  Lectio: Luke 8,19-21

• Wednesday, September 25, 2013  
  Lectio: Luke 9,1-6
• Thursday, September 26, 2013  
  Lectio: Luke 9,7-9
• Friday, September 27, 2013  
  Lectio: Luke 9,18-22
• Saturday, September 28, 2013  
  Lectio: Luke 9,43b-45
• Sunday, September 29, 2013  
  Lectio: 26th Sunday of Ordinary Time (C)
• Monday, September 30, 2013  
  Lectio: Luke 9,46-50

This day was dedicated to continuing our reflections on the Chapter Theme. In the morning, Michael Plattig, O.Carm., Professor of Spirituality at Münster University and a member of the German Province, presented, Living Charism and Mission for the Carmel: A Word of Hope and Salvation. He considered Carmelite Identity and Charism as the basis from which we can find words of hope and salvation for the world today. He said, “We Carmelites owe the Church the proclamation of God who redeems and liberates us, who wants to live in a relationship with us, a relationship of love and confidence, of reverence and of respect for the freedom of the other.” The Chapter was invited to ponder deeply on our history and prayer in order to find the hope that is so elusive for so many today.

In the afternoon, the Chapter was pleased to hear from Doctor Nuria Calduch-Benages, a religious of the Missionary Daughters of the Holy Family of Nazareth and a professor of Biblical Theology. She invited us to consider the figure of Miriam, sister of Moses, as an example of one who lives and acts on hope. Indeed, Chapter 2 of the Book of Exodus has many examples of women who live and act on hope, even in opposition to the power of kings and Pharaohs. Miriam’s patient waiting on the banks of the Nile along with her prudent action enabled Moses to live and go to be the liberator of Israel. She then asked us, “Are we men and women of hope? Do our thoughts, words and actions reflect a love of life or of death? On what do we base our hope? As Miriam thanked God by singing the canticle of Exodus 15, and as Mary of Nazareth thanked God by singing the Magnificat, what is our canticle of hope and thanksgiving?

In the evening, we had the honor and pleasure to attend Mass with Bishop Filippo Iannone, O.Carm., the Vice-Regent of the Diocese of Rome. He found it a delight to celebrate with his brother Carmelites and share the beauty of our faith and hope.

Tomorrow, September 7, the Chapter will participate in the Day of Fasting and Prayer for Peace in Syria, following the request of Pope Francis. It will be for us a day of fasting and penance, along with our petitions to the good God for peace in the world.

The Elective Chapter of the Carmelite Monastery of Porlamar, Isla Margarita, Venezuela, was held 21 August 2013. The following were elected:

• Prioress:  Sr. Norma del Carmen Sánchez Mora, O.Carm.
• 1st Councilor:   Sr. Rosa Coromoto Pérez Ramírez, O.Carm.
• 2nd Councilor:  Sr. Mariela del Carmen León León, O.Carm.
• Director of Novices:  Sr. Ana Violeta Pereira Montilva, O.Carm.
• Treasurer:  Sr. Mariela del Carmen León León, O.Carm.
• Sacristan:  Sr. Carmen Luisa Sotillo, O.Carm.

The Elective Chapter of the Carmelite Monastery of Cabanatuan, Philippines, was held 19 August 2013. The following were elected:

• Prioress:  Sr. M. Dorotea Santiago, O.Carm.
• 1st Councilor:   Sr. M. Leoncia Sampana , O.Carm.
• 2nd Councilor:  Sr. M. Teresa Canillo, O.Carm.
• 3rd Councilor:   Sr. M. del Carmen Cacayurin, O.Carm.
• 4th Couniclor:   Sr. M. Dolores Asuncion, O.Carm.
• Director of Novices:  Sr. M. Teresa Canillo, O.Carm.
• Treasurer:  Sr. M. Regina Gutierrez , O.Carm.
• Sacristan:  Sr. M. Dolores Asuncion, O.Carm.

Parents and Teachers. That parents and teachers may help the new generation to grow in upright conscience and life.

The Church in Africa. That the local Church in Africa, faithfully proclaiming the Gospel, may promote peace and justice.

Lectio Divina August - Agosto - Agosto 2013

• Thursday, August 1, 2013  
  Lectio: Matthew 13,47-53
• Friday, August 2, 2013  
  Lectio: Matthew 13,54-58
• Saturday, August 3, 2013  
  Lectio: Matthew 14,1-12
• Sunday, August 4, 2013  
  Lectio: 18th Sunday of Ordinary Time (C)
• Monday, August 5, 2013  
  Lectio: Matthew 14,13-21
• Tuesday, August 6, 2013  
  Lectio:The Transfiguration of the Lord
• Wednesday, August 7, 2013  
  Lectio: Matthew 15,21-28
• Thursday, August 8, 2013  
  Lectio: Matthew 16,13-23
• Friday, August 9, 2013  
  Lectio: Matthew 16,24-28
• Saturday, August 10, 2013  
  Lectio: St. Lawrence, deacon and martyr - Jn. 12,24-26
• Sunday, August 11, 2013  
  Lectio: 19th Sunday of Ordinary Time (C)
• Monday, August 12, 2013  
  Lectio: Matthew 17,22-27
• Tuesday, August 13, 2013  
  Lectio: Matthew 18,1-5.10.12-14
• Wednesday, August 14, 2013  
  Lectio: Matthew 18,15-20
• Thursday, August 15, 2013  
  Lectio:The Assumption of Our Lady
• Friday, August 16, 2013  
  Lectio: Matthew 19,3-12
• Saturday, August 17, 2013  
  Lectio: Matthew 19,13-15
• Sunday, August 18, 2013  
  Lectio: 20th Sunday of Ordinary Time (C)
• Monday, August 19, 2013  
  Lectio: Matthew 19,16-22
• Tuesday, August 20, 2013  
  Lectio: Matthew 19,23-30
• Wednesday, August 21, 2013  
  Lectio: Matthew 20,1-16a
• Thursday, August 22, 2013  
  Lectio: The Queenship of the Blessed Virgin Mary
• Friday, August 23, 2013  
  Lectio: Matthew 22,34-40
• Saturday, August 24, 2013  
  Lectio: St. Bartholomew, Apostle
• Sunday, August 25, 2013  
  Lectio: 21st Sunday of Ordinary Time (C)
• Monday, August 26, 2013  
  Lectio: Matthew 23,13-22
• Tuesday, August 27, 2013  
  Lectio: Matthew 23,23-26
• Wednesday, August 28, 2013  
  Lectio: Matthew 23,27-32
• Thursday, August 29, 2013  
  Lectio: The Martyrdom of St. John the Baptist
• Friday, August 30, 2013  
  Lectio: Matthew 25,1-13
• Saturday, August 31, 2013  
  Lectio: Matthew 25,14-30

The Elective Chapter of the Carmelite Monastery of Jaboticabal, Brazil, was held 22 July 2013. The following were elected:

• Prioress:  Sr. Maria do Carmo Silveira Moraes, O.Carm.
• 1st Councilor:   Sr. Francisca Marlene Rocha, O.Carm.
• 2nd Councilor:  Sr. Silvana Cristina Gameiro, O.Carm.
• Director of Novices:  Sr. Silvana Cristina Gameiro, O.Carm.
• Treasurer:  Sr. Francisca Marlene Rocha, O.Carm.
• Sacristan:  Sr. Silvana Cristina Gameiro, O.Carm.