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    No. 3 – MAY – JUNE 2000

    English Edition 

    CONTENTS



    ACTIVITIES OF THE MEMBERS OF THE GENERAL COUNCIL
    Visit to the Irish Province; Financial affairs; 
    Provincial Chapters; 
    General Assembly of the Provincial Commissariat of India; 
    Annual General Assembly of the Australian Province

    FROM THE POSTULATOR GENERAL

    CARMELITE CLOISTERED NUNS
    Mayagüez, Puerto Rico; 
    Guiguinto, Philippines

    GOOD FUTURE FOR CARMELITES IN EAST TIMOR

    CARMELITE CHRONICLERS MEET IN THE PHILIPPINES

    TITUS BRANDSMA WILL HAVE A MUSEUM IN HIS NATIVE TOWN

    INSTITUTE OF OUR LADY OF MOUNT CARMEL
    175th Anniversary of the birth of the foundress; 
    A new foundation in the Philippines

    JUBILEE CELEBRATIONS
    The Carmelite Family of Lazio; 
    CISA Community;
    The Carmelite Family of Campania

    THOUSANDS OF FAITHFUL TAKE PART IN THE PROCESSION IN HAIFA

    CARMELITE PUBLICATIONS

    NEWS IN BRIEF
    Peruvian Commissariat holds first Chapter; 
    Formation meeting for Carmelite juniors and students; 
    New doctor in spirituality; 
    40 Theologians and scientists to meet in England; 
    VIIth Meeting of the Carmelite Family of the Iberian Region

    UPDATE OF ADDRESSES AND TELEPHONE NUMBERS

    CARMELITE MILESTONES

    CARMELITE NUNS AROUND THE WORLD: CARMEL OF THE SACRED HEART OF JESUS

    CARMELITE MOVEMENTS: COMMUNITY OF THE HOLY TRINITY

     

    ACTIVITIES OF THE MEMBERS
    OF THE GENERAL COUNCIL

    Fr. Joseph Chalmers, Prior General

    At the beginning of March 2000, I began a visitation of the Irish Province together with Fr. Míceál O’Neill, Councillor General. From 1-17 March we visited all the communities. We normally began with Evening Prayer during which I introduced the visitation, then a period of community recreation. The following morning was spent with the community looking at developments within the Order and issues within the Province in light of the forthcoming Provincial Chapter. The afternoon was devoted to individual interviews. At the end of the visitation, Fr. Míceál and I had a session with the Provincial Council. When we returned to Rome, we wrote a letter to all the communities of the Province giving our impressions. There followed a General Council meeting in Rome after which I left for Chicago (USA) where I met with the Provincial of the PCM Province and various financial advisers to discuss the decree which had been passed by the General Congregation in Bamberg (Germany) to set up a commission to find new ways of raising money for the needs of the Curia. I also went to the Netherlands for further discussions about the same issue. I returned to Rome for Holy Week and I was able to attend the Holy Thursday Mass of the Lord’s Supper and the Service of the Passion on Good Friday in St. Peter’s Basilica, both of which were celebrated by the Pope. I celebrated the Easter Vigil with the community in CISA and then on Easter Sunday I left for New York with Fr. Míceál O’Neill to attend the Chapter of the North American Province of St. Elias. During the Chapter Fr. Michael Driscoll took office as the new Provincial, and Frs. Sean Harlow, Kenneth Murphy, Francis Dixon and Eugene Foley as Provincial Councillors. The Province committed itself once more to the missionary outreach in Vietnam and Trinidad, which had been taken on in the past few years. The day after the Chapter, I celebrated Mass for those celebrating jubilees within the Province.

    In early May I attended the Chapter of the Maltese Province with Fr. Alexander Vella, Councillor General. Fr. Amadeo Zammit was re-elected Provincial for a second triennium and Frs. Joseph Saliba, Robert Farrugia, Martin Schembri and Michael Farrugia were elected as Provincial Councillors. Before the Chapter, I attended the opening of a new community centre in our parish at Fgura. The Deputy Prime Minister of Malta opened the centre. We returned to Rome on 13 May for a meeting of the General Council.
     

    Fr. Anthony Scerri, Councillor General

    From 18 - 23 April 2000 I visited the communities of Bangalore, Karukadam, Karukutty, Vandanmed, Alathur and Thrissur of the Provincial Commissariat of India. From 24 - 28 I presided at the General Assembly of the Commissariat, held in our monastery in Thrissur. During the General Assembly, at which the Provincial of the Upper German Province, Fr. Richard Winter, was also present, the following were elected: Provincial Commissary - Fr. John Adapoor, Councillors - Fr. Jacob Thurutipally, Fr. Robert Thomas Puthussery, Fr. Bosco Njaliath and Fr. Dennichan Ponkallunkal.

    One major decision taken during the Assembly was that the Commissariat would send two friars to establish the mission in Kenya next year. The Commissariat already has a difficult mission in Andra Pradesh. Other decisions concerned the acquisition of property in the future, the finances of the Commissariat and formation. The Commissariat of India is young and energetic and full of promise for the future of the Order in India and elsewhere.

    From 1 - 5 May I took part in the Annual General Assembly of the Australian Province held at Whitefriars Monastery in Melbourne. The Assembly set itself the task of reviewing the decisions of the Provincial Chapter of 1998, namely, 1. To attend to the size and vitality of communities; 2. To develop a structure for formation; 3. To set up a centre for spirituality; 4. To initiate strategic planning.

    The first part of the Assembly grappled with the results of surveys carried out by the Committee for Strategic Planning. These surveys and the discussion during the Assembly gave a clearer notion of future directions for the Province. Other sessions of the Assembly were given to vocations and formation. At present the Province has one novice from Papua New Guinea and a number of men in Australia who are showing some interest in the Order.

    In his address to the Assembly, the Provincial, Fr. Frank Shortis, pointed out that the programme for post-graduate studies for our Carmelite brothers from Indonesia, India and the Philippines is going well and expressed his hope that the programme will grow in the future. He also mentioned the possibility of the Province being able to help in the establishment of the Order in East Timor. I mentioned the possibility of having some vocations from Wallis and Futuna and Noumea. The Assembly said that the Australian Province would be willing to receive these vocations for formation.
     

    FROM THE POSTULATOR GENERAL

    The General Postulation has proposed a revision of the cause for the canonisation of Blessed Nuño Alvares Pereira, Carmelite religious, grand Constable of Portugal, to whom was granted permission for the cult as blessed in 1918. For Portugal, Blessed Nuño is the Santo Condestável, but it would be good to formalise his canonisation by means of a miracle. Thus it is timely to inform the faithful to solicit the intercession of Blessed Nuño in times of need that their petitions may be presented to the Lord, and, if it were God’s will, that they be granted. Certainly, many people, particularly in Portugal, have been taught by their parents to have devotion to Blessed Nuño, and have received miracles by his intercession, but these extraordinary events have not been divulged to those who could prove their authenticity.

    That is why the Postulator General was invited by the Council of the General Commissariat of Portugal to clarify the situation. At the Postulator’s suggestion, the Council of the General Commissariat nominated Fr. Francisco Rodrigues, Councillor for the Apostolate, as Vicepostulator. He is the person to whom notification of thanksgiving/miracles through the intercession of Blessed Nuño should be addressed. Thus the task of gathering proof and witnesses, if any, and the study of these will proceed.

    Pope Pius XII was prepared to decree the canonisation of Blessed Nuño, but the ambassador then said that the time was not right for the canonisation of the Santo Condestável, the hero of Portugal. Since then there has been little interest in the cause.

    The diocesan inquiry concerning the martyrs of the Province of Arago-Valentina is drawing to its conclusion. After questioning all possible witnesses and gathering the probatory documents of the presumed martyrdom, in order not to prolong the process, I have thought it right to exclude from the same process those Servants of God for whom we do not have sufficient proof. These are included in another process called historical, where martyrdom may be proved solely from documents. Due to delays in starting the Cause of the Servant of God Ramón Montero Navarro, a meeting was set up with the Bishop of Città Reale, the Postulator General, the Vicepostulator, Fr. Ismael Martínez Carretero, the Author of the cause, the President of the TOC in Tomelloso, Dª Rosario, and a member of the Commission "pro Causa di Ramón". At this meeting the Bishop asked for further information before appointing a tribunal. At present we are investigating the possibility of introducing the Cause of Canonisation of Mother Asunción Soler, foundress of the Carmelite Sisters of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, also that of Fr. José Maria Casanovas, restorer of the Carmelite Province of Pernambuco and founder of the Missionary Carmelite Sisters, and that of Fr. Marcel Roussel, founder of the Missionary Family "Donum Dei".
     

    CARMELITE CLOISTERED NUNS

    On 14 February 2000, the community of the monastery of Santa Maria del Monte Carmelo held its elective chapter, presided by the bishop, with the following results:
    Prioress: Sr. Maria de la Trinidad Rodriguez
    Councillor and Bursar: Sr. Carmen Josefina Morales
    Councillor and Mistress of Novices: Sr. Marisel Teresita Negron
    Sacristan: Sr. Mª Antonia Acevedo * On 14 February 2000, Mgr. Angel Santiago, Rector of the Diocesan Major Seminary, inaugurated the newly built Carmel Formation Centre, which is adjacent to the Carmelite Monastery of the Holy Family. Present were a good number of priests, tertiaries, benefactors and friends. The Centre, which is a very simple construction, will serve as a meeting hall for special assemblies and courses of nuns, at the community and federal level, and for the activities of the Third Order's triple Chapter. Due to the growing number of tertiaries, the previous Tertiary Hall was no longer adequate and a bigger space was needed for those special occasions when other communities join the nuns and for common activities. The community of nuns has also long desired to provide opportunities for small groups of religious and lay people who are looking for a few days of solitude and silence in the monastery for their annual retreat or monthly recollection. The nuns hope that the Carmel Formation Centre will be a place of encounter with God and with one another.

    * The day after the inauguration of the Carmel Formation Centre in the Monastery of the Holy Family in Guiguinto, a group of seminarians and priests belonging to the Carmelite Third Order were received, professed or renewed their promises during the solemn celebration of Eucharist and Vespers of the nuns. The Presider, Fr. Domingo Salonga, Spiritual Director of the triple chapter of Tertiaries in Guiguinto, in his homily, stressed the importance of prayer, as the essential element of a real Carmelite life. Eight seminarians were received into the noviciate, nine made their temporary profession, five renewed their vows and four made their final profession.
     

    GOOD FUTURE FOR
    CARMELITES IN EAST TIMOR

    This story begins with the Hermanas de la Virgen Maria del Monte Carmelo from Orihuela, Spain, who established foundations in East Timor many years ago when it was still a protectorate of Portugal. They remained there during the Indonesian occupation and are still there at present. Over ten years ago, several young men became interested in the Carmelite charism and spirituality and so went to the Sisters in Fatuhada, Dili, to find out more about Carmel. The Sisters began looking after these young men. From this group, some expressed their desire to join the Order. An agreement was then reached between the Sisters and the Indonesian Province that the Sisters would look after these young men as pre-postulants. Those who were deemed to have a genuine vocation were then sent as postulants to Stella Maris in Malang. This has been going on every year to the present.

    Because the Indonesian Province has a second postulants’ house dedicated to Bl. Dionysius on the island of Flores, the young men are now sent to Flores which is closer to East Timor both in distance and in culture. The first fruit of the endeavour of the Sisters has been reaped this year with the ordination to the diaconate of the first East Timorese Carmelite, Fr. Agusto Sampaio Da Costa Hopefully, Fr. Agusto will be ordained to the priesthood this year. Each year for many years to come it is foreseen that other Carmelite East Timorese young men will be ordained to the priesthood.

    Due to these happy circumstances, the Indonesian Province has decided to make its first foundation in East Timor, especially in the field of spirituality in co-operation with the Carmelite Sisters who have a retreat house in Bobonaro. The bishop of Dili, bishop Ximenes Belo SDB, has been quite agreeable in negotiations and has asked the Indonesian Province to take a parish. For a start, the Province accepted Maubara, one of the stations of Liquica. Thus, in 1998, two Carmelite priests were sent to East Timor, but as a result of the war of independence, this mission was completely destroyed and many people in East Timor were killed including ten religious sisters and four priests.

    At present two Carmelite priests are back in East Timor, working hard among refugees who live in deplorable conditions, particularly since the Indonesian government stopped its aid to refugees on 31 March. All the churches and religious Orders and Congregations in Indonesia are doing their utmost to help these refugees, but this is still far from sufficient to lessen their sufferings.

    For further information, please contact the Hermanas Carmelitas <hcarmindo@telkom.net> or the Indonesian Province <hpurwanto@mailcity.com>.
     

    CARMELITE CHRONICLERS MEET
    IN THE PHILIPPINES

    In the last issue of CITOC we reported a meeting of Carmelite chroniclers in the Antilles, saying that as far as we knew it was the first for our Order. Recently, another meeting of this kind was held in the Philippines with the aim of systematising the Commissariat's archives, documentation and internet / web presentation.

    The participants together with Fr. Jose Femilou,
    the Franciscan Provincial Archivist.

    The meeting of chroniclers of Carmelite communities, which took place on 15-16 February 2000 in Quezon City, was organised by the Secretariat of the Philippines Commissariat and the Titus Brandsma Centre - Media Program. The gathering saw the participation of twelve community representatives and one from the Carmelite Third Order. With the theme "Unleashing Our Collective Memory And Enriching Our Present Identity Towards A Dynamic Filipino Carmel", the meeting was able to identify the documentation needs of the Commissariat in matters concerning both chronicles and archives. It was reported that vital documents concerning the founding of Carmel in the Philippines by the Dutch Carmelite missionaries in 1957 to the early 1960's are in need of immediate preservation, while other documents have yet to be collected for the Commissariat's archives. Those present at the meeting also identified areas for specialised training in the preservation and evaluation of documents. It was agreed that an orientation paper on archives and a guideline for keeping chronicles will be drafted and discussed at the local community level before presenting it to the Chapter meeting in October 2000. The aim of these papers is to achieve a consensus among all community members on the values and requirements for the keeping of chronicles and archives.

    Fr. Jose Femilou, OFM, provincial archivist of the Franciscans, Mr. Ambeth Ocampo (former Benedictine monk), a renowned Philippine historian, and Mr. Jason Banico of Andersen Consultancy, an IT Management Company, helped to enrich the two-day meeting of Carmelite chroniclers.

    Recently the Carmelite Review (March-April 2000) of the PCM American Province paid special attention to communication and media in our Order. It is pleasing to see such attention among our members, communities and provinces because we are thus sharing in the mission of Christ who became one of us to communicate to us the endless love of the Father for his people.
     

    TITUS BRANDSMA WILL HAVE A MUSEUM
    IN HIS NATIVE TOWN

    World famous Carmelite Fr. Titus Brandsma (Bolsward 1881 - Dachau 1942) will have a museum devoted to his multifaceted personality and remarkable life. The museum will open at the end of this year in his native town of Bolsward, Friesland, in the north of Holland. The exhibition will be largely based on the archives of the Brandsma-Hettinga family, which has been acquired by the Documentary Centre for Catholic Friesland Foundation. Museum and Documentary Centre are located in a three-storey house on the canal side in the historical centre of the Frisian Hanseatic city. The museum has so far received wide support from the Dutch society. A large fundraising campaign will soon start to finance the project.

    The Titus Brandsma Museum, an initiative of the Documentary Centre for Catholic Friesland, wants to preserve permanently in a visual and tangible way the inspiration that the person of Titus Brandsma still widely exercises over people. The exhibition is mainly based on the elaborate archive which, during the last century, the Brandsma-Hettinga family gathered concerning the person, life and works of Titus Brandsma. The Dutch Carmelite Province has promised co-operation with regard to the use of the Order’s collection. Furthermore, the museum will provide a place for the present exhibition of devout objects, which the Documentary Centre has been exhibiting for some years. Finally the archive collections of the Documentary Centre will provide sufficient material for the creation of various temporary exhibitions.

    Reconstruction and redecorating: The house acquired recently in the centre of Bolsward to serve as the Documentary Centre is at the moment under examination by the governmental Institute Collection Netherlands (ICN), which studies the mechanical and structural require-ments necessary to guarantee appropriate museum conditions. Two of the three storeys in the main building will offer space for the exhibitions, the third will lodge the storerooms, the personnel and management offices and the Documentary Centre. Also a Meditative Centre will be created reproducing the atmosphere of the prison cell in which Titus Brandsma spent the last months of his life. The present building behind the house will be demolished to make place for a new entrance from the church square. A third exhibition wing can be constructed in due time in the large back garden. The organisation of the Titus Brandsma Museum will depend entirely on voluntary work.

    Large fundraising campaign: The costs of the total project (acquisition, reconstruction, redecorating) will amount to an estimated investment of HFL. 1.3 million. A financial basis has already been laid through the loan of HFL. 100.000 by four Frisian institutions and one private person. The diocese of Groningen has supported the initiative and has made a generous donation. In April, the city council of Bolsward is to decide on a proposal by the College of Mayor and Aldermen to a once-only subsidy of HFL 80.000 to the Titus Brandsma Museum, and to guarantee the deficit for the first two years. The Provincial of the Dutch Carmelite Province has also promised support and co-operation, notably concerning contributing to the collection. Soon an elaborate action will start to acquire funds, sponsors and donors for the museum. Various persons have already been contacted to be members of a Recommendation Committee. The Mayor of Bolsward is willing to be Chairman of the Committee.

    Right time and place: Even though any time would have been right to establish a Titus Brandsma museum, the Board of the Documentary Centre holds the opinion that now the time is ripe. It surely is no coincidence that recently the Dutch Catholic community proclaimed Titus Brandsma as Catholic of the 20th century and that his canonisation by Pope John Paul II is expected in the near future. It is also logical to establish this museum in the city of Bolsward since it is the town of Titus Brandsma’s youth. Finally the city - throughout the last century known as "Rome of the North" - has a relatively large and vital Catholic parish.

    Target groups: The Titus Brandsma Museum focuses on the tourist with a cultural penchant in general, and more especially on people from a Christian and humanistic background, interested in the spirituality of Brandsma. Besides adults who by tradition generally still know the impact of the person of Titus Brandsma, the museum will also attract young people. For that purpose an educational programme will be set up for elementary education. Finally any tourist enjoying the picturesque town centre of Bolsward and strolling between the 16th century city hall, the city boarding house and the 15th century Martini church and who happens to pass by the museum, naturally will be welcome.

    For further information please contact: Mr. Tjebbe T. de Jong MA, Chairman of the Board of the Documentary Centre for Catholic Friesland: E-mail <tjebbe.de.jong@hetnet.nl>.
     

    INSTITUTE OF
    OUR LADY OF MOUNT CARMEL

    Maria Teresa Scrilli, foundress of the Istituto di Nostra Signora del Carmelo (INSC), was born in Montevarchi (Arezzo), Italy, on 15 May 1825. To celebrate this anniversary, from 12 to 15 May 2000, the Carmelite sisters organised several activities. Among these were a conference entitled "The Church and the education of women in Tuscany of the 19th century: the experience of Maria Teresa Scrilli" given by Prof. Sita Serenella Macchietti; many Eucharistic celebrations presided by eminent ecclesiastical figures; the inauguration of an exhibition and the placing of a memorial stone at the house where the foundress was born; the naming of a street after Sister Maria Teresa Scrilli and a play entitled "Maria Teresa of Jesus".

    The Istituto di Nostra Signora del Carmelo is committed to a life of constant prayer, contemplation and service of youth, the sick, the aged and parish work. Today the ideal of Maria Teresa Scrilli is carried on by her daughters spread throughout the world, in Italy, Brazil, Canada, India, the Philippines, Poland, the United States and the Czech Republic in some forty houses.

    A year ago, on 11 April 1999, the Carmelite sisters of the Istituto di Nostra Signora del Carmelo started a new foundation in Manila, Philippines. The community is made up of Sr. Angelina, Sr. Jessy, Sr. Alby and two postulants. The house where they live is a house of prayer and formation for young people who wish to share in the charism of Carmel, "A praying community in the midst of the people". The sisters were encouraged to realise this project in the Philippines because some young people there asked to join their Institute. And, according to the Church’s directives, the Institute decided to form their young candidates in their own land, among their people where, in the future, they will develop their own apostolate in ways suggested by their charism: education of youth, from the earliest years to the end of their adolescence.
     

    JUBILEE CELEBRATIONS

    On 2 April 2000, the third Feast of the Carmelite Family of Lazio (Italy) was celebrated. Friars, sisters and lay people took part in the celebration. The meeting started in the Basilica of Sts. Silvestro and Martino ai Monti where the participants celebrated Lauds and the Eucharist. Then, in procession, they went on pilgrimage to the Basilicas of S. Maria Maggiore and S. Giovanni Laterano. In the afternoon, the programme continued in Sassone (Rome) with a talk on the theme "Crossing the Holy Door with Mary, with the brothers and sisters, towards Christ the Lord". The talk was given by Fr. Roberto Toni (Ita) and was followed by a time of prayer and of fraternal gathering. On Sunday, 7 May 2000, the community of the St. Albert’s International Centre (Rome) together with some members of the General Curia, the postulants of the Neapolitan Province and other guests, celebrated the jubilee with a day of recollection. Five important moments were the penitential rite on Saturday night; a "pilgrimage" to St. Peter’s, going through the Holy Door; the celebration of the Eucharist in St. Peter’s Basilica at the altar of the tomb; a conference entitled "The Eucharist and the Holy Year. The context of Carmelite spirituality based on Edith Stein", by Prof. Angela Ales Bello; and sung vespers on Sunday night. In the jubilee year of 1500, the confraternity of leather merchants, together with many Neapolitans, made a pilgrimage to Rome carrying with them the icon of the Bruna Virgin. On their way there and back, prodigious events took place by the intercession of the Madonna. On 24 June of the same year, by order of Frederic II of Aragon, many sick people gathered in the Carmelite church to implore, by the intercession of Mary, the wished for health. As a result, cures were reported. Because the day was a Wednesday, to this day the uninterrupted practice grew of the "Wednesdays of the Carmine".

    To commemorate the fifth centenary, the Carmelite community of the Carmine Maggiore in Naples has set up the following programme: 17 May – Eucharistic celebration presided by Fr. Filippo Iannone (Brun), Vicar General of the Archdiocese of Naples; 24 May – Eucharistic celebration presided by Mgr. Lucio Renna (Neap), Bishop of Avezzano; 31 May – Eucharistic celebration presided by Fr. Joseph Chalmers, Prior General; 7 June – Eucharistic celebration presided by Mgr. Enzo Pelvi, Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of Naples; 14 June – A pilgrimage of the Carmelite Family of Campania with a concelebrated Eucharist presided by Cardinal Michele Giordano, Metropolitan Archbishop of Naples; 23 September – Diocesan pilgrimage to Rome with the icon of the Bruna Virgin led by Cardinal Giordano.
     

    THOUSANDS OF FAITHFUL TAKE PART
    IN THE PROCESSION IN HAIFA

    The traditional marian procession in Haifa, which brings together thousands of faithful from Israel and Palestine, and the other great public manifestation of the Catholics in the Holy Land, the procession of Palm Sunday, this year held a surprise on the summit of Mount Carmel. Around the famous Sanctuary it was possible to realise a large square in an area vacated by the Israeli armed forces. Here the procession ended magnificently with a discourse given by the Patriarch Michel Sabbah and with his blessing. In the past people crowded outside the Sanctuary which could only hold a few hundred persons. This has always been the most beautiful celebration during the marian month in the Holy Land, a month which is lived intensely in the parishes and in Christian families. This year of the Great Jubilee, the participation was greater than ever. The procession, led by the Discalced Carmelites, left from the parish church in the centre of Haifa, then wound its way along the slopes of Mount Carmel up to the Stella Maris sanctuary. Here Patriarch Sabbah recalled that after the Resurrection, Mary stayed with the Apostles and the first disciples, united in one spirit. Keeping in mind the challenges of the new millenn-ium, he then appealed for unity among Christians in the Holy Land under the protection of Mary.
     

    CARMELITE PUBLICATIONS

    Books:

    AA.VV.,
    Cerni essentia veritatis (Miscelánea homenaje al P. Xiberta de la Región Ibérica Carmelita), Región Ibérica Carmelita, 1999, pp. 415. (E-mail: fmillan@teo.upco.es)

    AA.VV.,
    La Regola del Carmelo, "il Calamo", Roma, 2000, pp. 158. (Website: www.ilcalamo.com)

    ABELA, Serafin, O.Carm.,
    Il-Karmelitani fi Fleur de Lys 1946-2000, Edizzjoni Il-Karmelu, 1999, pp. 101. (E-mail: antpar@keyworld.net)

    Carmelite Directory 2000,
    Province of Our Lady Help of Christians, Australia,(Edited by David Hofman, O.Carm.), Carmelite Communications, Melbourne, 2000, pp. 40. (E-mail: carmcent@netspace.net.au)

    Carmelo di Concenedo,
    Alessandra di Rudiní Carlotti - La tempesta della passione e la pace dell'anima, Mimep-Docete - Padri Carmelitani Scalzi, Milano, 2000, pp. 224. (E-mail: mimep@mailcoop.net)

    Carmelo di Concenedo,
    Musica e viaggi nel cuore dei "Tre" - Biografia della Beata Elisabetta della Trinità, Mimep-Docete - Padri Carmelitani Scalzi, Milano, 2000, pp. 256. (E-mail: mimep@mailcoop.net)

    Carmelo di Concenedo,
    "Punto" contro Hitler: Un sorriso agli aguzzini - Beato Tito Brandsma, Carmelitano martire, Mimep-Docete - Padri Carmelitani Scalzi, Milano, 2000, pp. 256. (E-mail: mimep@mailcoop.net)

    CAVIGLIA, Giuseppe, OCD.,
    Il Card. Anastasio Ballestrero - Memoria e presenza, Mimep-Docete - Padri Carmelitani Scalzi, Milano, 2000, pp. 240. (E-mail: mimep@mailcoop.net)

    Commissione mista O.Carm - OCD per il Giubileo 2000,
    Roma carmelitana - Un pellegrinaggio fra le memorie carmelitane della Città Eterna, Curie Generalizie O.Carm - OCD, 2000, pp. 240. (E-mail: seggen@ocarm.org)

    GARRIDO, Pablo María, O.Carm.,
    El solar carmelitano de San Juan de la Cruz (Los conventos de la antigua provincia de Castilla 1416-1836), BAC, Madrid, 2000, pp. 519. (E-mail: resiunicarm@retemail.es)

    Nella ricorrenza del 50° anno di erezione a parrocchia 1949-1999,
    Parrocchia S. Maria del Carmine, Roma, 1999, pp. 64.

    O'SULLIVAN, Tracy; PEREIRA, Berthold, O.Carm.,
    Justice and Peace, (Carmelite Spiritual Directory Project - Horizons 18), Carmelite Communications, Melbourne, 2000, pp. 44. (E-mail: carmcent@netspace.net.au)

    RENNA, Mons. Lucio M., O.Carm.,
    Con Maria pellegrini nel tempo verso l'Eterno, Diocesi di Avezzano, 1999, pp. 40.
    In Cammino verso la Resurrezione, Diocesi di Avezzano, 2000, pp. 36. (E-mail: curiamarsi@ermes.it)

    SCAPIN, Santino, carmelitano,
    Lampada per i miei passi . . . (Lectio divina su vari passi biblici), Centro Stampa Carmelitano, Roma, 2000, pp. 224. (E-mail: santino@lugo.queen.it)

    Compact Disk:

    AA.VV.,
    Intimità - Avventura ta' mhabba mieghu, Patrijiet Karmelitani Terezjani, Malta, 2000.

    Video Cassette:

    Thérèse - Living on Love - The Life and Impact of Thérèse of Lisieux,
    (A Television Documentary), The Elijah Project and Frank Frost Productions, Inc., 55 minutes. (E-mail: Robco@attglobal.net)

    -------------------------
    N.B. For inclusion of publications and other information in this list, CITOC requests that a copy of the new publication and a short notice about its content be sent to: CITOC, Curia Generalizia dei Carmelitani, Via Giovanni Lanza 138, 00184 - Rome, Italy.
    With regard to the Carmelite Library, another copy should be sent to: The Carmelite Library, Via Sforza Pallavicini 10, 00193 - Rome, Italy. Publications for review in CARMELUS: A copy should be sent to: The Book Review Editor, CARMELUS, Via Sforza Pallavicini 10, 00193 - Rome, Italy.
     

    NEWS IN BRIEF

    The Provincial Commissariat of the Prophet Elijah and St. Thérèse of the Child Jesus of Peru held its first Chapter on 4-7 January 2000 in Villa Carmelitas, Lurin. Fr. Jerry Payea was elected Commissary Provincial and Frs. James Geaney and Miguel Bacigalupo were elected councillors. During its first meetings the Commissariat Council designated Fr. Miguel Bacigalupo secretary and formed commissions in the areas of Vocation, Formation, Finance, and Communication.

    The Carmelites from the PCM Province arrived in Peru in 1949. The Commissariat maintains communities in the Lima area as well as in the Prelature of Sicuani. Eighteen Carmelites minister in Peru. Eight are Peruvian natives. Fr. Raul Maravi, a Peruvian, is doing Biblical studies in Rome, Italy.

    From 4 to 6 March 2000 a formation meeting for young Carmelite religious was held in Brazil. Those who took part were the juniors of the Carmelite Missionary Sisters of St. Therese of the Child Jesus, the Carmelite Sisters of Divine Providence, the students of the Commissariat of Parana and of the Province of Rio de Janeiro. The aim of the meeting was to go deeper into Carmelite spirituality in order to give greater witness among the people. The participants reflected, above all, on the theme of the Trinity in the light of the teachings of the Carmelite saints: Elizabeth of the Trinity and Mary Magdalene de’ Pazzi. Fr. Dionysius Kosasih (Indo) successfully defended his doctoral dissertation in spirituality on 10 May 2000 at the Gregorian Pontifical University (Rome). The title of his thesis is "The Prophetic Dimension of the Carmelite Charism – New Developments since the Second Vatican Council in the light of the Biblical, Theological and Historical Foundations". Fr. Bruno Secondin (Ita) was the moderator of his thesis. Fr. Gregory Klein (PCM), has been awarded a John Templeton Foundation fellowship in Oxford, England for July 2000. He is one of 40 theologians and scientists from the English speaking world who will gather at the Ian Ramsey Centre for the Interdisciplinary Study of Religious Beliefs in Relation to the Sciences and Medicine at Oxford University, England. The purpose of this program is to (a) provide assistance and collegial support for the development of sound pedagogy in science and interdisciplinary courses in religion; (b) present theories and methodologies relating to religion and science; (c) explore frontier thinking and examine critical issues in science, theology and philosophy; and (d) foster a community of teachers and scholars in the exploratory field of religion and science. From 2 to 5 July 2000, the VIIth Meeting of the Carmelite Family of the Iberian Region will be celebrated in the Diocesan Seminary of Avila (Spain). The following conferences will be given: "Carmelite Avila" by Fr. Balbino Velasco (Cast), "The Eucharist in Carmelite mystical authors" and "The Eucharist in Edith Stein" by Fr. Francisco Javier Sancho Fermin, OCD, "Biblical foundation of the Eucharist" and "Theological reflection on the Eucharist" by Fr. Pelegrin Blazquez, O.P., "Anthropological expressions of the Eucharist" by the Bishop of Avila, Mgr. Adolfo González. The programme includes a visit to the city and the museum of St. Teresa and will conclude with a concelebration presided by Mgr. Adolfo González, Bishop of Avila.
     

    UPDATE OF ADDRESSES AND
    TELEPHONE NUMBERS

    Changed phone / fax numbers

    Rio de Janeiro Province
    Convento de São José, Rua Clodomiro Amazonas, 50, Itaim-Bibi, 04537-000 Sao Paulo, SP, Brazil. Tel: 011-3845.8323; Fax: 011-3849.5567
    Italian Province
    Comunità Carmelitana, Santuario della Madonna, Via Conte Agostino Pepoli, 194, 91100 Trapani, Italy. Fax: 0923.503028
    Polish Province
    - Klasztor OO. Karmelitów, waj. Wloclawskie, Obory 38, 87-645 p. Zbójno, Poland. Tel. (054) 2870059
    - Klasztor OO. Karmelitów, woj. Wloclawskie, Trutowo, 87-619 Wola k. Lipna, Poland. Tel. (054) 2894487
    - Klasztor OO. Karmelitów, woj. Siedeckie, 21-481 Wola Gulowska, Poland. Tel. (025) 7559880
    Upper German Province
    Convento do Carmo, Cx. Postal 31, 78978-000 Rolim De Moura, RO, Brazil. Tel. 069-442.6072

    New e-mail addresses

    Rio de Janeiro Province
    De Oliveira, Lino
    Ferrari, Silvio
    Frezarini, Marcelo
    Oliveira, Jadival
    Xavier Gomes, Evaldo    		 <freilino@cmg.com.br>
    <conventao@uol.com.br>
    <zarini@visualnet.com.br>
    <jadval@svn.com.br>
    <evaldo@attglobal.net>
    Indonesian Province
    Cahyo Sulistiono, Antonius Denny
    Djawa, Yohanes Don Bosco    		 <dencs@mailcity.com>
    <Bosch_Efrata@mailcity.com>
    Philippine Provincial Commissariat
    Caigoy, Reynold
    Dolotina, Gabriel
    Endriga, Dioscorro
    Escobal, Aris
    Jusayan, Artemio
    Lacal, Marlon
    Rosas, Noel
    Sunari, Bonaventura
    Zapanta, Max
    Formation Center, Cebu
    Novitiate House, Manila    		 <rey1861@yahoo.com>
    <gdd@mcc.cebu.amanet.net>
    <doodz@hotmail.com>
    <arise75@hotmail.com>
    <artemiojusayan@britannica.com>
    <mlacal@hotmail.com>
    <isaiah20@britannica.com>
    <ventura@btnmail.com>
    <max503@hotmail.com>
    <carmelcebu@pacific.net.ph>
    <spring@info.com.ph>
    Australian Province
    Moffat, Anthony
    Reforeal, Esmeraldo(Neer-Phi)
    O. L. of Mt. Carmel Parish, Wentworthville
    St. Joseph Parish, Port Melbourne    		 <tmoffat@pacific.net.au>
    <students@one.net.au>
    <olmcwenty@atu.com.au>
    <carmport@netspace.net.au>
    Italian Province
    "Il Carmine", San Felice del Benaco (BR) <carmine.accoglienza@tin.it>
    Carmelite Cloistered Nuns
    Antequera, Spain <liliana.campos@teleline.es>
    Upper German Province
    Kodiyan, Sunny <sunnykodiyan@gmx.de>
    PCM American Province
    Kollar, Anton <ajkollar@excelonline.com>
    St. Elias American Province
    Josten, Stephen <steveocarm@eircom.net>

    (N.B. For an update list of all Carmelite e-mail addresses see page http://www.ocarm.org/citoc.news/emailadd.htm)
     

    CARMELITE MILESTONES

    Novices

    8 January 2000
    Francisco de Assis Costa Filho (Pern)
    José Washington de Santana (Pern)
    Ruterlan Jacele de Sousa (Pern)
    Sergionei Ancelmo da Silva (Pern)
    26 February 2000
    Paul Lonot Sireh (Aust)

    Simple Professions

    9 January 2000
    Cicero Pereira Alencar (Pern)
    José Cláudio de Alencar Batista (Pern)
    Cidmário Bezerra de Arruda (Pern)
    Erivan Nuto Liberalino (Pern)
    Juracy Barbosa Alves Junior (Pern)
    Donizete M. da Silva (GerS-Par)
    Flávio Barbosa dos Santos (GerS-Par)
    Junior C da Silva de Oliveira (GerS-Par)

    25 Years Simple Profession

    15 August 2000
    Mª Bernardita Blanco Alarilla (CAB)
    Mª L. Casanovas i Capdevila (VIC)
    23 August 2000
    M. Alberta della Croce Diana (CER)
    29 August 2000
    Martin Sankey (Brit)
    Anthony Lester (Brit)
    31 August 2000
    Tadeusz Janowiak (Pol)

    50 Years Simple Profession

    6 July 2000
    Mª P. San Romualdo Egido (MAD)
    25 July 2000
    Luis Ma. Ruano Ramírez (Baet)
    José Donaire González (Baet)
    31 July 2000
    Lukasz (Wincenty) Semik (Pol)
    Ryszard (Wenanty) Bryg (Pol)
    13 August 2000
    Juliana Alonso Mediavilla (VLS)
    24 August 2000
    M. Francesca Ciliberti (CAE)
    M. Raffaella Mazzamurro (CAE)
    27 August 2000
    Elías (Miguel) Arribas Sombria (Cast)
    Felipe Mayor Villar (Cast)
    Andrés (Francisco) Ortíz Pérez (Cast)
    Juan De Dios Sanz (Cast)
    Roberto Ballesteros Bayón (Cast)
    30 August 2000
    Robert (Franklin) Tasker (PCM)
    Ignatius (Guy) McPartland (PCM)
    John Malley (PCM)
    Joseph (Rocco) Di Leonardi (PCM)
    John (Tiernan) O'Callaghan (PCM)
    Kevin Shanley (PCM)
    Albert (Roy) Ontiveros (PCM)

    Solemn Professions

    18 March 2000
    Aleksander Pikor (Pol)
    Zbigniew Czerwien (Pol)
    Janusz Janowiak (Pol)
    7 May 2000
    Dása Bártková (VET)

    Diaconate Ordinations

    25 March 2000
    Michael Cox (Brit)

    Priestly Ordinations

    25 March 2000
    Michelangelo Pellegrino (Neap)
    15 April 2000
    Giampiero Molinari (Ita)
    27 May 2000
    Almir Geraldo M. de Andrade (Pern)
    Francisco Damião Silva (Pern)

    25 Years Priestly Ordination

    13 July 2000
    Francisco Sabino (Angelo) Duarte (Lus)
    20 July 2000
    Paul-Günther (Richard) Winter (GerS)
    Gerald (Peter) Toner (Hib)
    22 August 2000
    John Powell (Aust)
    29 August 2000
    Paul Chandler (Aust)
    Hugh Brown (Aust)
    30 August 2000
    Edward Adelmann (PCM)

    50 Years Priestly Ordination

    2 July 2000
    Hendrikus Egberink (Neer)
    Gerhardus (Otgerus) Steggink (Neer)
    5 July 2000
    Arcangelo Siciliano (Brun)
    9 July 2000
    Martinus van Gelderen (Neer)
    Bernardus Nijhuis (Neer)
    Franciscus Schreuder (Neer)
    Franciscus (Cosmas) Peters (Neer)
    16 July 2000
    James McCouaig (Hib)
    Patrick (Eltin) Griffin (Hib)

    Necrology

    31 December 1999
    Terry Pfender (PCM)
    12 February 2000
    Mark Dittami (PCM)
    18 March 2000
    Brendan Hourihan (SEL)
    2 April 2000
    Brocard Sewell (Brit)
     

    CARMELITE NUNS AROUND THE WORLD

    CARMEL OF
    THE SACRED HEART OF JESUS

    Address: Rua António de Gouveia
    7800, Beja, Alentejo
    Portugal.

    Diocese: Beja
    History:
    The Carmel of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, in Beja, was founded on 22 April 1954 with six religious, four Portuguese and two Spanish, originating from the Carmel of St. Anna in Seville (Spain).

    On 18 July 1953, the Portuguese religious who were in the Spanish monastery, wrote to the bishop of Beja, Mgr. José do Patrocinio Dias, asking for permission to make a foundation in his diocese. The bishop, who for a long time desired to have a monastery of contemplative life in his diocese, accepted the request of the religious with great joy. After obtaining the necessary permissions from the Major Superiors and the Congregation for Religious Institutes, the foundation was started. The religious arrived in Beja on 22 April 1954 and lived in a temporary house belonging to the diocese, generously offered by the bishop and adapted to cloistered life. The bishop, Mgr. José do Patrocinio Dias, never ceased to show his affection for "his Carmelites" and visited them almost daily to find out what they needed. Also Fr. Bartolome Xiberta, Assistant General, always paid great attention to the community, either by correspondence or by visiting them personally for "Spiritual Exercises".

    Over the years, the house became too small. A married couple from Beja, Mrs. Maria Benedicta Guerreiro dà Cruz Martins and Mr. Francisco Maria dà Cruz Martins, who were aware of the needs of the community, offered the nuns a piece of land for the construction of a new monastery. The building of the monastery was started immediately because some of the nuns were not well and because of the limited scope of the house to be cloistered. On 21 June 1963, the Solemnity of the Sacred Heart of Jesus and the day Paul VI was elected Pope, the first stone of the new monastery was blessed by the bishop of the diocese, Mgr. José do Patrocinio Dias. During the ceremony the bishop expressed the hope that the building works would proceed without great obstacles and that the monastery would be finished soon. On this occasion, the auxiliary bishop, Mgr. Antonio Cardoso Cunha, a great friend of Carmel, was present as well as other civil and ecclesiastical authorities.

    In fact, many difficulties were met with in the building of the new monastery, especially the lack of funds. However, with God’s help and the collaboration of many persons, on 24 May 1971, the nuns moved into the new monastery. The bishop of the diocese, Mgr. Manuel dos Santos Rocha, presided at the Holy Mass. The monastery was solemnly inaugurated on 16 July 1973 in the presence of many relatives, friends, religious and civil authorities. The bishop of the diocese presided over the proceedings.

    On 6 August 1977, after a long dialogue with Fr. José Cardoso, Procurator General of the Order, and Fr. Antonio Monteiro, Provincial Commissary of Portugal, the community unanimously accepted to pass from the jurisdiction of the local ordinary to that of the Order.

    From its very foundation, the community has been especially dear to the people of the city. They appreciate the life of the Carmelites who are entirely consecrated to the Lord in prayerful service to their brothers and sisters.
     

    CARMELITE MOVEMENTS - 4

    COMMUNITY OF THE HOLY TRINITY
    (Komunitas Tritunggal Mahakudus)

    Historical background

    The Community of the Holy Trinity is a lay covenant community, founded by Putri Karmel and Carmelitae Sancti Eliae (cf. CITOC 1999, 43-44) during a retreat held on 9-11 January 1987 in Malang, Indonesia. The main idea underlying the formation of this group is to give a solid and on-going Catholic and spiritual formation for the lay people who are active and eager to know the Lord in a deeper and more intimate way.

    Through Initial Retreats it was observed that many lay people had a genuine and deep conversion and an experience of God. Many of these experiences renewed their life deeply and permanently. After this conversion their life was changed totally. Through these spiritual experiences their way of life and their world-view were changed deeply. They experienced a radical shift in values, where they saw everything in a new light, the light of faith. After these retreats Jesus became a real living person for them, whereas before He was rather distant and vague. They experienced Him as their Lord and Saviour and He became the centre of their life. Many experienced a dramatic change and renewal, and not a few experienced a freedom from certain bondage. Their joy and happiness was visible on their faces and the obvious change could easily be observed. Prayer, reading and pondering the Word of God had become a real need for them. Many spent more than one hour every day in prayer and Scripture reading. They really hunger and thirst for the word of God and for a deeper knowledge of God. It is interesting to note that many of the members were formerly unchurched people.

    From these observations and considerations, it was concluded that they needed a community and formation so that they could grow spiritually. For this reason, in a retreat held in January 1987, the idea was proposed to them to build a covenant community, where these people would be able to commit themselves and receive a continuous formation. To this proposal many responded enthusiastically. Thus the Community of the Holy Trinity was born. They grow steadily from day to day, in number and in maturity. A few months ago they counted about 1500 members, young and old.

    Life, spirituality and apostolate

    The whole life of the community is based on life in cells. The whole community is divided into cells. Several cells form an area, several areas form a district and several districts become a region, and eventually several regions will form a province. Up to the present, the community has only 2 regions.

    The life of the community is focused on the cells. As the human body consists of many cells, so it is with this community. Each cell consists of 4-15 members. The life principle of the cell is growth. A healthy cell must grow and multiply. Every one has to have a missionary spirit and bring another person to the cell, so that the number of people in the cell grows continually and when they reach 15, they have to be divided into two new cells, thus each cell remains small and can preserve personal relationships and intimacy among the members.

    The cell is led by a cell-servant and assisted by an assistant cell-servant, chosen from the cell. The word servant is used for the leader in order to remind them that to be a leader is to serve. These cell servants have to undergo training for several weeks in order to enable them to lead their cells and after that they still receive on-going formation. When a cell has grown into two new cells, the assistant becomes the new cell-servant. Normally each cell meets twice a month, but there are cells which meet every week. During the cell meetings they praise and worship the Lord with songs and prayer; they share reflections on a passage of Scripture, chosen beforehand, and they share their daily experiences in the light of faith. After that they pray for each other according to individual needs, and during the week they pray for each other through special intentions. In this way a Christian brotherhood is formed. Beside cell meetings, they also hold an area meeting regularly, usually for instruction.

    Each member has to make a gradual commitment. First, every member has to dedicate at least an hour a day for prayer and Scripture reading, attend at least one Eucharist during the week, and confess regularly. People are incorporated gradually into the community. They have to undergo a program of formation and stay a certain length of time in order to be able to graduate from one stage to the next. This formation is given in the spirit and in line with the rich heritage of Carmel.

    The members of the community come from very different backgrounds: young and old, simple and very educated people, doctors, lawyers, business-men, simple working people, and members of the armed forces. There are also students' cells, which are flourishing. The cells are spreading over several cities in Indonesia and several cells are establishing themselves in Australia, New Zealand and the United States, but until now only among Indonesian migrants.

    The community is open to whatever needs there are in the Church. However, priority is given to the formation of its members. For the time being much time and energy is spent on this formation, thus, as a community, they don't have any specific outside project. But these communities form their members in such a way that they become the salt of their respective parishes and work and minister to the people around them in union with their pastors. Many of the members have prominent and important positions in the parish. Until the present, besides ministering to each other in the community, they care for the sick and the lonely, helping the poor, ministering among the prisoners.
     
     

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