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No. 5 – SEPTEMBER – OCTOBER 2000 English Edition  CONTENTS ACTIVITIES OF THE MEMBERS OF THE GENERAL COUNCIL  Various meetings Visit to Lithuania Visit to Indonesia International meeting for Carmelites in initial formation CONVOCATION OF THE GENERAL CHAPTER OF THE CARMELITE ORDER 2001: MARIAN YEAR FOR THE WHOLE CARMELITE ORDER JOHN PAUL II AND THE BLESSED VIRGIN OF MOUNT CARMEL PROVINCIAL CHAPTERS Irish Province Upper German Province FROM THE PROVINCE OF BETICA O.CARM - OCD COMMISSION OF LATIN AMERICA IRISH CARMELITES CELEBRATE THEIR ARRIVAL IN ARDNACRANNY CARMELITE STUDIES - DISTANCE EDUCATION THE PHILIPPINES TITUS BRANDSMA AWARD COURSE IN HISTORY AND SPIRITUALITY OF THE CARMELITE ORDER CARMELITE NUNS Camanà (Arequipa), Peru  Aracena (Huelva), Spain Cordoba, Spain Cabanatuan City, Philippines SISTERS OF THE Virgin Mary OF MOUNT CARMEL CARMELITE MISSIONARY SISTERS OF ST. THERESE OF THE CHILD JESUS CORPUS CHRISTI CARMELITES CARMELITE PUBLICATIONS NEWS IN BRIEF New Doctor in Spirituality Exhumation of the remains of the Servant of God, Rev. George Preca Liberia Project UPDATE OF ADDRESSES AND TELEPHONE NUMBERS CARMELITE MILESTONES CARMELITE NUNS AROUND THE WORLD: CARMEL OF THE HOLY FAMILY

Fr. Joseph Chalmers, Prior General

• Various meetings

In mid August I was once again in Rome during the time of the Youth Jubilee. This was a wonderful time and a moment of grace. I attended a celebration for groups connected to our Carmelite communities at Sassone, where we followed the Way of the Cross. After this event I took some holiday time in Scotland.

In September I attended the meeting of Carmelite Major Superiors in Latin America, which took place in Peru. Fr. Míceál O’Neill, General Councillor, was the facilitator and I gave two talks.
 

Fr. Míceál O’Neill, General Councillor

• Visit to Lithuania

I read a request from Bishop Bartulis of Siauliai and on the basis of that request I decided to visit Lithuania. I arrived from Poland on 27 May 2000 and went to stay at the newly constructed Carmelite monastery in Pastuva, outside Kaunas. Over the following four days I got to know the community in Pastuva, celebrated with them each day, picked up the remarkable story of their foundation, visited Siauliai and the capital Vilnius and prayed constantly in an atmosphere of everything is possible when God is in the project. I was being shown the places where Carmelites lived and worked before their expulsion by the Russians in the last century. I was being introduced to the story of this people who have shown remarkable resistance in the face of waves of oppression: first the Russia of the Czars, then independence, then the Germans and finally the brutal and very ill-conceived occupation by the Soviets.

I saw two of our houses in Vilnius: "All Saints", now under the care of the diocesan clergy, and "St. George", for many years a warehouse and restoration workshop for books. In the diocese of Siauliai I saw three churches which belonged to the Carmelite Order: in Kadeni, an old wooden church as well as the convent, have been restored and are under the care of the diocesan clergy; in Kolenai, a church called the "Church of Our Lady of Mount Carmel", surrounded by the most beautiful countryside, restored, under the care of the local clergy; finally I was brought to see the former Carmelite church in Linkova. Here the Carmelite air is strongest. The church, under the care of the diocesan clergy, celebrates the feast of Our Lady of Mount Carmel each year. The convent stands by the church. It got a new roof ten years ago so that inside the ruins are amazingly free of damp. If we did return to any of our houses this would probably be the place. I would like to return next year to Linkova for the Feast of Our Lady of Mount Carmel. If there are any readers who would be interested in joining me please let me know in good time.
 

Fr. Anthony Scerri, General Councillor

• Visit to Indonesia

On 9 July, I joined the Prior General who had arrived in Jakarta the day before. From Jakarta we went to Flores where we held meetings with the formation communities in Maumere (novices) and Wuroweret (students) as well as our parish in Mauloo and the retreat house in Mageria. We also visited the enclosed Discalced Carmelite nuns. In Flores we have 32 novices, 37 students, 12 priests and 3 solemnly professed brothers.

From Flores we then went to the newly independent nation of Timor Loro Sae where we have two friars and six convents of the Carmelite congregation Hermanas de la Virgen María del Monte Carmelo. The situation in Timor has to be seen to be believed and even then it is difficult to understand what happened there. Every building in Dili and in the remotest village has been systematically pillaged, destroyed and burnt. As we were driven to various parts of the island we were shown several places where massacres took place and where people were dumped into lakes and the sea or buried hurriedly in mass graves. Our two brothers and the Carmelite Sisters had horrific stories to tell. What is even more sad is that UNTAET (United Nations Transitional Administration of East Timor) is terribly corrupt and is doing nothing for the starving and traumatised people of Timor. The aid that is sent to Timor does not reach the people but is used by the new masters to build luxurious accommodation, acquire luxurious cars, get exorbitant wages and take week-end holidays in Bali and Australia. There is no rebuilding of any significance taking place. When an Australian Josephite Sister begged for some rice for a village of returned refugees who have absolutely nothing, she was told that "those people are not used to rice and it is not good to get them used to rice"! She got nothing! The only people doing any good work among the people are the religious, including our Carmelite brothers and sisters. They are really wearing themselves out to help the people survive. Our brothers and sisters in Timor need all the support we can give them.

From Timor Loro Sae we went to East Java and again visited our formation communities, the enclosed Carmelite nuns, the Hermanas de la Virgen María del Monte Carmelo and the Putri Karmel. In Java we have 21 novices and 42 students.

The Provincial Chapter began on 24 July with a Eucharist celebrated by the Prior General. Many of the members of the Chapter were young and this gives hope for the future of the Province in Indonesia and in Asia. The Chapter covered many important matters which naturally must be attended to in a fast growing Province. There is also a growing sense of Carmelite identity and emphasis was given to contemplation and community life. The Province is deeply committed to the mission in Timor Loro Sae and has accepted another mission in Asia.

The newly elected Council is as follows: Fr. Heribertus Heru Purwanto, Provincial, Fr. Henricus Pidyarto, Vice-Provincial, Frs. Sixtus Caturyanta Pudjadarma, Albertus Agung Herwanto, Dionisius Kosasih and Yohanes Indrakusuma, Councillors.
 

Fr. Alexander Vella, General Councillor

• International meeting for Carmelites in initial formation

The students arrived on 23 July. There were 41 participants from 19 countries representing 17 Provinces, Commissariats and General Delegations. Fr. Charles Mallia (Mel) acted as translator. The Prior General took part in the activities of the last week of the meeting.

From 24 to 27 July and again from 5 to 9 August, we stayed at the "Carmelite Pilgrim Centre" near "Stella Maris", the convent of the Discalced Carmelites in Haifa. From 28 July to 4 August we went to Jerusalem to visit the city and the south of the country. While in "Stella Maris", we really felt at home. The Discalced Carmelite Sisters who run the hostel could not have been more welcoming, especially the superior, Sr. Eliana, a native of Mount Carmel, who greatly contributed to the smooth running of the meeting. So also with the superior of the friars, Fr. Bonifacio, who was saw to our every need. On the last night of our stay in Haifa, we dined with the community of friars.

The first day of our meeting we visited the ruins of our first convent in Wadi ‘es Siah where we read the Rule and celebrated evening prayer. We went back there on the last day for the celebration of the Eucharist, presided by the Prior General, after which each person sought a shaded place to pray in solitude.

Apart from visiting the sacred places, we tried to live in an atmosphere of prayer and we had some conferences and lectio divina. Some of the conferences were meant to give the participants a better understanding of the country and the places we visited, others focused on various aspects of our spirituality as background to a better understanding of the new Ratio Institutionis Vitæ Carmelitanæ which the participants were the first to receive.

The evaluation of the participants at the end of the meeting was very positive. Apart from the impact made by the Holy Land, the participants greatly valued the experience of the universality of the Order.
 

CONVOCATION OF THE GENERAL CHAPTER
OF THE CARMELITE ORDER

In a recent letter addressed to all Superiors of Provinces, General and Provincial Commissariats, the Prior General of the Carmelite Order, Fr. Joseph Chalmers, convoked the General Chapter of the Order. The Chapter will be held from 4 to 21 September 2001 at the "Istituto Madonna del Carmine" in Sassone (Rome), Italy. The theme of the Chapter is "Carmel: the continuing journey" – "We have written these things briefly for you, thus providing a formula for your way of life, according to which you are to live" (Carmelite Rule, n.24).

In his letter of convocation, the Prior General explains the choice of the theme thus: "After many years of study and reflection, our Order today has come to a greater awareness of the nature of its contemplative charism, which gives life to its following of Christ, in prayer, fraternity and service in the midst of the people, after the example of the Virgin Mary and the Prophet Elijah. This theme is a further development of the theme of the 1995 General Chapter, that is, «Carmel: a place and a journey in the third millennium»."

The General Chapter, which is celebrated every six years, is the supreme authority within the Carmelite Order. It is the main sign of unity of the Order in its diversity. It is the fraternal meeting where, together, the brothers reflect in order to remain faithful to the Gospel and the Carmelite charism, and sensitive to the needs of the times and places. By means of the General Chapter, the whole Order, led by the Spirit of the Lord, seeks to know the will of God at a particular moment in history in order to serve the Church better. Thus, in keeping with the theme chosen, the next General Chapter will aim to study efficient ways of translating the documents of the Order into daily practice. The challenge, then, is not to produce more documents but to put the present documents into practice. The General Chapter will also set out to examine some principles of the Carmelite tradition in order to try and work out methods that may help the communities of the Order to continue their journey of living the Carmelite life in depth. Moreover, the Chapter will have the task of electing the Prior General and the members of the General Council for the next six years.

Who are the members of the General Chapter? It may be said that the members of the Chapter come from all sectors of the hierarchy of the Order. Indeed, present will be all the Superiors General and Provincial (that is, the Prior General, ex Priors Generals, members of the General Council, Priors Provincial, Commissaries General, etc.) and delegates elected by the Provinces and Commissariats (each with a number corresponding to its size). Thus, the General Chapter will represent all the friars of the Order and all the 35 nations where there are Carmelites at present.

Clearly, a General Chapter is a very important event, not only for the friars, but for the whole Carmelite Family. That is why the Prior General invites all the religious, men and women, and the lay people to pray that this General Chapter may be a success so that the whole Order may be faithful in walking in the footsteps of Jesus Christ after the example of the Virgin Mary and the Prophet Elijah.
 

2001: MARIAN YEAR FOR THE WHOLE
CARMELITE ORDER

According to a pious tradition, the year 2001 is the 750^th anniversary of the giving of the Scapular. This is a wonderful opportunity for the whole Carmelite Order to deepen the Marian aspect of its original tradition. Carmel is a Marian Order and Our Blessed Lady has played a crucial role in the development of its spirituality. She is Carmel’s Patroness, Sister and Mother. The Scapular is a precious symbol of the commitment of Carmelites to Mary and her commitment to them.

In view of this anniversary, the General Council of the Carmelite Order has organised a series of events for the whole Order. Among these are:

• First, it has proclaimed the year 2001 a MARIAN YEAR for the whole Order.
• The publication of a joint letter by both Superiors General, Fr. Joseph Chalmers, O.Carm., and Fr. Camilo Maccise, OCD, on "Mary in Carmelite spirituality". The letter will be addressed to all the members of the Carmelite Family.
• An On-going Formation course in November 2000, in preparation for the anniversary, will focus on the figures of Our Lady and the Prophet Elijah.
• The publication of a Marian calendar.
• A joint meeting of the General Councils, O.Carm. and OCD, at the shrine of Our Lady and St. Simon Stock in Aylesford, England, during May 2001.
• The publication (in Italian, English and Spanish) of two books, The Lady of the Place and a Marian Anthology, two texts on the Marian-Carmelite tradition of the Order.
• A Marian Seminar for experts in Mariology, which will be held in May 2001 for Carmelites and Discalced Carmelites, and the publication of all the papers.
• A special celebration of the anniversary during the General Chapter 2001 of the Carmelite Order.
• An audience with the Pope for both the O.Carm. and OCD General Councils.

JOHN PAUL II AND
THE BLESSED VIRGIN OF MOUNT CARMEL

• Message to the Church of Naples

Making reference to the miracle which took place five hundred years ago, the Pope says, "It is from this event that the practice of the Carmelite Wednesdays spread as an expression of Marian devotion, where, as in other analogous manifestations of popular faith, it is possible to perceive a reflection of the maternal goodness of the Most Blessed Virgin. This significant event brings back to my mind and heart the memory of the homage which I had the joy of paying to this icon on the occasion of my visit to the Archdiocese of Naples almost ten years ago. As I did then, I now stand spiritually before the Vergine Bruna in the Piazza Plebiscito and I repeat to her, "Protect, O Mother, the City of Naples. Guide your children on the way of justice and fraternity! Strengthen their faith, make them courageous witnesses of the Gospel and bold builders of peace".

• Angelus of 16 July 2000 - Val d'Aosta, Italy

As I look at these mountains, my thoughts turn today to Mount Carmel, praised in the Bible for its beauty. We are, in fact, celebrating the feast of Our Lady of Mount Carmel. On that mountain, located in Israel near Haifa, the holy prophet Elijah strenuously defended the integrity and purity of the chosen people's faith in the living God. On that same mountain some hermits gathered in the 12th century after Christ and dedicated themselves to contemplation and penance. The Carmelite Order arose from their spiritual experience.

Walking with the Blessed Virgin, the model of complete fidelity to the Lord, we will fear no obstacles or difficulties. Supported by her motherly intercession, like Elijah we will be able to fulfil our vocation as authentic "prophets" of the Gospel in our time.

Today's liturgy for the 15th Sunday in Ordinary Time urges us to make this ascetic and apostolic effort. It invites us to follow the example of the prophet Amos and the Apostles, who were chosen by the Lord to cooperate in his work of salvation.

May Our Lady of Mount Carmel, whom we call upon today with special devotion, help us tirelessly climb towards the summit of the mountain of holiness; may she help us love nothing more than Christ, who reveals to the world the mystery of divine love and true human dignity (cf. Opening Prayer).

• After leading the recitation of the Angelus

Dear brothers and sisters, I thank you all for your heartfelt participation and cordially bless you.
 

PROVINCIAL CHAPTERS

• Irish Province

• Upper German Province

FROM THE PROVINCE OF BETICA

• Mission in Burkina Faso

After several meetings with a group of young men who wish to follow the Carmelite way of life, and after a period of discernment by the community, five of these young men will be admitted to their postulancy in October 2000 in the house in Bobo-Dioulasso. We pray that the Lord and our Holy Mother may protect these five first vocations beginning their formation in their own land.

• Venezuelan Carmel

• 75^th Anniversary of the canonical crowning of the picture of Our Lady of Mount Carmel

• On 2 May, Mons. José Luis Reperto Betes, Dean of the Cathedral of Jerez, made a proclamation. On this occasion the Choir of the basilica sang, directed by Fr. Antonio Pérez (Baet). From 4 to 6 May a triduum was held. The preachers were Mgr. Carlos Amigo, Archbishop of Seville, Mgr. Ignacio Noguer, Bishop of Huelva and Mgr. Antonio Vitalino Fernández Dantas (Lus), Bishop of Beja (Portugal). The triduum of thanksgiving (from 8 to 10 May) was preached by Frs. Rafael Leiva Sánchez, Provincial of Betica, Miguel Barbero Moreno (Baet) and Carlos Quijano Sánchez, OCD.
• On Sunday, 7 May, a Pontifical Solemn celebration was held in the Cathedral, presided by Mgr. Rafael Bellido Caro, Bishop of Jerez. After the celebration a grand procession with the picture of the Virgin took place in the streets of Jerez. The civil authorities, among them the Admiral of the Fleet, and many faithful devotees of Our Lady of Mount Carmel accompanied the procession.
• On 17 June, the XIIIth Meeting of the Carmelite Family was held in Jerez. About 500 Lay Carmelites participated from various cities where the TOC exists. All these faithful met around the Crowned Virgin of Mount Carmel. It was a day of fraternity for all the members of the Carmelite Family.

O.CARM - OCD COMMISSION
OF LATIN AMERICA

The members of the O.Carm - OCD Commission of Latin America met from 25 June to 1 July 2000 to explore the theme "Experience of God and of fraternity at the service of our people in Latin America and the Caribbean Islands". More than 80 religious and lay people were present at this meeting, which also included a day for the Carmelite Family. The Commission produced a document, a synthesis of the whole meeting, to be sent to all the communities of the region.

The document is divided into three parts: a) The situation which concerns and challenges us; b) The Light of the Word and of our tradition for discernment; c) Commitments and expectations. The last section produced several suggestions to advance fraternity between the two Orders:

• O.Carm - OCD meetings at various levels: live-ins, retreats, formation, regional superiors, students, family occasions (professions, anniversaries, ordinations)
• Collaboration between the various Institutes
• Joint publications
• Support for new foundations
• Joint celebrations for the 750^th anniversary of the Carmelite Scapular
• Encouraging Carmelite groups and lectio divina
• Humanising the community according to our style of life
• That both General Councils fix a date for the commemoration of the giving of the Rule
• Write a sole history of Carmel in Latin America and the Caribbean Islands
• An experience of life through some project such as a house of spirituality
• To nominate a place which may be transformed into a common symbol of Carmel in Latin America
• Institute the feast of Christ the prophet.

IRISH CARMELITES CELEBRATE
THEIR ARRIVAL IN ARDNACRANNY

On 28 May 2000 more then 500 people attended the 650^th anniversary celebrations of the arrival of the Carmelites at Ardnacranny, Tang, the first Carmelite monastery in Westmeath, Ireland. The highlight of the celebrations was a concelebrated Mass in the grounds of the friary presided by Fr. Bernard O'Reilly (Hib), Prior in Moate.

During his homily Fr. O'Reilly outlined the origins of the Order on Mount Carmel in Haifa, Israel, its development in Europe, its arrival in Ireland and in Ardnacranny. Among the renowned Irish Carmelites he mentioned Fr. Dinny Murphy who took the Order to Los Angeles, Fr. Larry Flanagan who took it to New York, Fr. Eugene Ward who founded the first Carmelite community in Zimbabwe, Fr. John Scally who took the Order to LLandeilo in Wales, and other Irish friars who opened Carmelite houses in Australia and New Zealand. Fr. O'Reilly also mentioned Fr. John Vincent Coffey, who was well known and esteemed for his preaching, visiting hospitals in Dublin and working with the underprivileged.

The community of Ardnacranny has been served by the Carmelites down through the years and in return the community has supported and at times, in spite of the threat to their lives, have sheltered the Carmelites in times of persecution. At the dissolution of the monasteries in Ireland, the Carmelite monastery at Ardnacranny suffered the same fate as the other religious houses and a lease of it was made to James Dillon of Dunimoney who was a protector of Catholic clergy and who was nicknamed "The Prior" by the local gentry. A number of descendants of the Dillon families, who protected the Carmelites, among other clergy, were present at the Carmelite celebrations.
 

CARMELITE STUDIES - DISTANCE EDUCATION

Many people who are interested in studying the Carmelite tradition are not able to attend a residential program. The Carmelite Institute in the United States is making available a two year program of studies through mail and internet. Participants are invited to study the Carmelite tradition in their own homes and cities.

Upon acceptance, a participant will receive the course syllabus. The syllabus will specify assigned readings, written assignments, and due dates. Instructors are members of the Carmelite Family, or other interested scholars with expertise in particular areas of the Carmelite tradition. They will prepare the syllabi, read written assignments and guide comprehension and further reading through their responses.

A Certificate in Carmelite Studies will be awarded to participants who complete the six required courses and one elective course chosen from a list of available courses. Individual courses may be taken without the intent of obtaining a Certificate. For further information please contact: The Carmelite Institute, 1600 Webster Street, N.E. Washington, D.C. 20017-3145, USA. Tel: (202) 6353534, Fax: (202) 6353538, Web Site: www.carmeliteinstitute.org.
 

THE PHILIPPINES TITUS BRANDSMA AWARD

The Philippines Titus Brandsma Award is the Philippine version of the International Award given by the Union Catholique Internationale de la Presse (UCIP), the world forum of professionals in the secular and religious media. The aim of the award is to promote among the Philippine journalists and media educators humane values in the spirit of Bl. Titus Brandsma, who stood for the cause of truth, even in the face of death. The award seeks to recognise the Filipino Media professionals who remained firm in times of compromise and bias.

A jury of five persons will select the awardees from the nominations sent by institutions or individuals from all over the Philippines. The deadline for the submission of entries for the 1^st award was 30 July 2000. The award consists of a special trophy, a certificate and a sum of twenty thousand pesos (Php 20,000) offered by the "Titus Brandsma Media Program", which will be presented during a special ceremony of the "Catholic Mass Media Awards" (CMMA) on 27 September 2000. For further information please contact: The Secretariat, Titus Brandsma Award - Philippines, 24 Acacia St., New Manila, Quezon City. Tel: 7267763, Fax: 7218677, E-mail: tbcmedia@csi.com.ph.
 

COURSE IN HISTORY AND SPIRITUALITY
OF THE CARMELITE ORDER

In September 2000, the Istituto San Pier Tommaso of the Italian Carmelite Province in Rome began a course in the History and Spirituality of the Carmelite Order, recognised by the Pontifical Theological Faculty "Marianum". The cyclic course, given for three weeks each year over three years, aims at offering an adequate basic understanding of Carmelite history and spirituality.

During the first year, the lecturers, Frs. E. Boaga, G. Grosso, L. Boriello, B. Secondin, C. Bellotti, S. Possanzini, G. Midili, A. Ruiz, will treat the following subjects:

• Reform: concept, typology, panorama and examples.
• The Prior General, John Soreth.
• The Reform of St. Teresa
• St. Teresa of Jesus.
• St. John of the Cross.
• St. Mary Magdalene of Florence.
• The Touraine Reform.
• Ven. John of St. Samson.
• Directories and manuals of formation and spiritual life.
• The Elijan question: polemic on Elijah founder.
• Elijah model of life.
• Mysticism and Marian presence. Ven. Michael of St. Augustine.
• Mary Petyt; Serafina of God.
• Prayer, contemplation, meditation; the relationship between personal and community prayer.
• Carmelite rite or Roman rite?
• Apostolic service and missions. Relationship with the Church.
• The Carmelite Family between the XVI and XVIII centuries.
• Problems and perspectives arising from the life of the Carmelite Family in the XVI – XVIII centuries.
• The Scapular: history, theology and pastoral mediation.
• The mediation of iconography.

CARMELITE NUNS

• Camanà (Arequipa), Peru

• Aracena (Huelva), Spain

• Cordoba, Spain

• Cabanatuan City, Philippines

• "It is good to have perspective of the future in our life. Now, we are thinking of a proper house for our beloved Tertiaries which may also be used by others for retreats and conferences. We desire to invite you to the laying and blessing of its first cornerstone to be officiated by our beloved Bishop, the Most Reverend Sofio G. Balce, on July 15 after the Eucharistic celebration that will start at 5:30 p.m.. Part of the love offering that we shall receive will be used in the construction of this house which will be for the good of many souls. The construction will be finished at the time when God and St. Joseph, our procurator, will permit...
• During this Jubilee year, there is another more important vision: the new foundation of our federation in Tanay, Rizal. How much we have asked our Blessed Mother for the fulfilment of this project! For Jesus and Mary, nothing is impossible."

SISTERS OF THE Virgin Mary
OF MOUNT CARMEL

• New foundation in Butembo, Congo

CARMELITE MISSIONARY SISTERS OF
ST. THERESE OF THE CHILD JESUS

• Inauguration of a new school in the Philippines

One month later, on 13 June, the scholastic year began in the new classrooms with over 200 students. Beginning this year, there will be the first year of primary school as well as a kindergarten.

• New mission in the diocese of Musoma in Tanzania

With this third foundation in Tanzania, the Carmelite Missionary Sisters of St. Therese of the Child Jesus will try to serve with love and dedication the needs of the most needy, furthering evangelisation and human promotion by means of catechetics, a kindergarten and a home economics centre. For those who wish to help the new foundation, the address of the sisters is: Carmelite Missionary Sisters, P.O. Box 93, Musoma-Butiama, Tanzania – East Africa.
 

CORPUS CHRISTI CARMELITES

• A Distinctive Caribbean Jubilee Retreat

• 50 Years of religious life

CARMELITE PUBLICATIONS

KHO, Franciscus, [Dionysius Kosasih, O.Carm.], The Prophetic Dimension of the Carmelite Charism, (Excerpta ex dissertatione ad Doctoratum), Pontificia Universitas Gregoriana, Romae, 2000, pp. 148. (E-mail: hpurwanto@mailcity.com)

La Croce di Luca in Napoli,Vicende storiche e artistiche di un monastero carmelitano, (a cura di Pasquale Rossi), Elio de Rosa editore, Napoli-Roma, 2000, pp. 112. (E-mail: info@cosmofilm.it)

LOPEZ-MELUS, Rafael María, Carmelita, Guía Mariana, AMACAR, Onda, [2000], pp. 80.

McGREAL, Wilfrid, O.Carm., Reflections, The Friars, Aylesford, 2000, pp. 40. (E-mail: wilfridmcgreal@hotmail.com)

PACCIOLLA, Aureliano, O.Carm., Persona e guarigione - Psicologia, religione e magia: fusioni e confusioni, (Collana Aurea - Psicologia e interdisciplinarietà), DueSorgenti, Roma, 2000, pp. 336. (E-mail: pacciolla@pronet.it)
It has always been very difficult to pinpoint why one becomes mentally ill and how one can be cured. This book brings together the intuitions of old wisdom and the most reliable scientific research. Thus it will be possible to gather the most essential correlation between person and a cure. The second aim of this book is to invite the various persons who work in the field of mental health (medical doctors, psychiatrists, psychologists, ministers of religion, educators and formators) to learn to identify and verify the role of the so-called magic thought in growing, falling sick and recovering.

Provincia Bética Carmelitana - Un recuerdo del pasado, memoria del presente, desafío para el futuro - Quinientos años de presencia 1499-1999, (preparada por el P. Antonio Ruiz Molina, O.Carm.), Provincia Bética, Sevilla, 2000, pp. 128. (E-mail: ocarmse@alcavia.net)

RODRIGUEZ CARRETERO, Miguel, O.Carm., Epítome historial de los Carmelitas de Andalucía y Murcia, (preparada por el P. Ismael Martínez Carretero, O.Carm.), Sevilla, 2000, pp. 445. (E-mail: ocarmse@alcavia.net)
The author of the manuscript, who calls himself "native of the small city of Castro del Rio and son of the Convent", writes between the years 1807 and 1817. The book’s journey begins with the erection of Province of Betica (26 February 1499) and the history of its first four convents (Gibraleón 1309 – 1320, Seville 1358, Escacena 1416 and Écija 1429) until 1806. He divides the history into five parts: Provincial Chapters, Priors Provincial, Chapter Decrees, Foundation of new convents and illustrious Betica Carmelites of each period, up to the Provincial Chapter in Jerez (1806). The same author has some appendices and complementary notes concerning the foundations and illustrious persons up to 1817. Fr. Ismael respects the original style and enriches the book with a well-documented and thoughtful presentation as well as some indices.

TERESA DI GESU' BAMBINO, S., Le mie poesie, Mimep-Docete - Edizione OCD, Milano, 2000, pp. 512. (E-mail: mimep@mailcoop.net)

TERESA DI GESU' BAMBINO, S., Le mie preghiere, Mimep-Docete - Edizione OCD, Milano, 2000, pp. 126. (E-mail: mimep@mailcoop.net)

VIGANI, P. Maurizio, OCD., Pregare con Cristo vivo in noi - L'orazione mentale alla scuola di Elisabetta della Trinità, Mimep-Docete - Edizione OCD, Milano, 2000, pp. 223. (E-mail: mimep@mailcoop.net)

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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

• New Doctor in Spirituality

• Exhumation of the remains of the Servant of God, Rev. George Preca

In preparation for his imminent beatification, on 7 July 2000, with the authorisation of the Congregation for the Causes of Saints and in the presence of the Maltese ecclesiastical authorities and various experts, the exhumation of the remains of the Servant of God, Rev. George Preca, was carried out. When the tomb was opened, thirty-eight years after his death, his remains were found in an exceptional state of preservation. The experts present at the exhumation gathered all the information on the body and wrote a detailed report to be sent to the Vatican to be further processed. Later, the Congregation for the Causes of Saints sent Dr. Nazzareno Gabrielli to Malta, expert in biochemistry, to advise the ecclesiastical authorities on ways of preserving the remains of the Servant of God. Rev. George Preca, Carmelite Tertiary, well known for his sanctity, will be the first Maltese to be raised to the honours of the altar. (Photo: 10 May 2000 - Prior General at the tomb of the Servant of God.)

• Liberia Project

UPDATE OF ADDRESSES AND
TELEPHONE NUMBERS

Addresses of new houses

Upper German Province
Karmel Johannes Soreth im Coll. Borromaeum, Domplatz 8, D-48143 Munster, Germany. Tel: +49-251-4189346, Fax: +49-251-4189357, E-mail: plattig@muenster.de

New e-mail addresses

Corpus Christi Carmelites

Ali, Marcella  Dean, Bertill  Maynard, Lauretta  O'Garro, Jeanillia Rreneau, Annie Carmel, Sheffield, England  Novitiate, Trinidad

<ellamarcella@hotmail.com> <lhphy@wow.net> <lindamae@juno.com> <joyem@caribsurf.com> <anault2@hotmail.com> <cc.carmelites@talk21.com> <mtcarm@hotmail.con>

Irish Province

Burke, Fintan (Provincial)

<fdburke@eircom.net>

Dutch Province

Buenafe, Christian Kempen, Gerard A.

<toots@mcc-net.net> <g.a.kempen@cable.a2000.nl>

Philippines Provincial Commissariat

Provincial House Titus Brandsma Seminar House

<ocarmphi@qinet.net> <titus@csi.com.ph>

Castilian Province

Agosta, Eduardo Andrés  Cámara López, Tomás Galzerano, Abel Augusto  Rosales, Atilio  Torres, José Ernesto  Casa de formación, Buenos Aires

<freaas@hotmail.com> <tdelacamara@hotmail.com> <frayabelito@hotmail.com> <fratilio@hotmail.com> <frjoseto@hotmail.com> <semcarmelita@uol.com.ar>

Catalonian Province

Gil, Jorge M.

<jorgemgil@cantv.net>

Indonesian Province

Sianipar, Godlif Januarius

<godlif@yahoo.com>

PCM American Province

Cormac Marsh, Ivan Hogan, Ben  Russell, Gavin

<marshi@stthom.edu> <bhogan@ewol.com> <CARMELFRRS@aol.com>

Upper German Province

Stampfer, Justin

<320085331016-0001@t-online.de>

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

New Web sites

Transfiguration Church, Tarrytown, NY
http://transfigchurch.org/

Karmel Nederland
http://www.karmel.nl

Lay Carmelites of Atlanta Georgia (US)
http://www.laycarmelites.com

Carmel of Our Lady of Grace, Christoval, Texas (US)
http://home.att.net/~carmelite

Santuario della Madonna del Granato
http://www.ocarm.org/madonnadelgranato/

TOC Lay Carmelte Community of St. Justin, Toms River (NJ)
http://www.stjustin.org/toc.htm
 

CARMELITE MILESTONES

Novices

September 2000
Fernando Barbero Garcia (Baet)
Jorge Fernandez Sanchez (Baet)

Simple Professions

9 July 2000
Carmen Nelis Almánzar Quezada (LAV)
19 August 2000
Stephen Mutua Mweu (Arag)
Carlos Manuel Rosario (Arag)
Pablo R. de la Cruz Hernández (Arag)
8 September 2000
José Carlos Matos Saraiva (Lus)
Rui Pedro Leite Ferreira (Lus)
Valentim Manuel Moreira Fonseca (Lus)
10 September 2000
Sergio Somé (Baet)
Pedro José Lopez Suarez (Baet)
Juan Antonio Soldado Corrales (Baet)

25 Years Simple Profession

8 December 2000
M. Natividade Gomes (MON)
20 December 2000
M. del Rosario Somoza Carabuena (DUM)

50 Years Simple Profession

1 November 2000
Roberto (Gerardo) Bonsignore (Ita)
Giovanni (Eliseo) Contardi (Brun)
21 December 2000
M. Carmela Massaro (ROC)

Solemn Professions

29 June 2000
José Petrônio de Miranda (Flum)
22 July 2000
Marianna Caprio (VET)
9 September 2000
Miguel Ángel Diaz Moreno (Baet)
Antonio Fernández Segovia (Baet)

Diaconate Ordinations

15 June 2000
Dionisio V. Ramos (Neer-Phi)
16 July 2000
Kevin Alban (Brit)
3 September 2000
Dacir Furlan (GerS-Par)

Priestly Ordinations

3 June 2000
Denis Pimentel (Pern)
12 July 2000
Antonio Maria Calvieri (Neap)
15 July 2000
Miguel Guzzo Coutinho (Flum)
22 July 2000
Alonzo Gustavo Malaquias (Flum)
6 August 2000
Agostinho Marques de Castro (Lus)
19 August 2000
Vitalis Benza (Hib-Zim)

25 Years Priestly Ordination

14 December 2000
Joannes Baptista Mursodo (Indo)

50 Years Priestly Ordination

23 December 2000
Olindo (Pier Tommaso) Cimini (Ita)
Seraphim Abela (Mel)

Necrology

12 June 2000
Milagros Pérez Mora (OSU)
14 June 2000
Clemens Jansen (GerI)
21 June 2000
Henricus Mollink (Neer)
22 June 2000
Ma. de Jesús Garzón González (ARA)
25 June 2000
Joseph Neville (Hib)
5 July 2000
Cletus W. Sullivan (PCM)
8 July 2000
Pancrazio Silveira (Flum)
28 July 2000
M. Josefa Aguado Fillol (VAL)
29 July 2000
Matthias Warneke (GerS)
15 August 2000
Clemente Costa Neves (Flum)
19 August 2000
Namle Bouwhuis (Neer)
 

CARMELITE NUNS AROUND THE WORLD

Address: Tabe, Guiguinto
3015 Bulacan, Philippines

Diocese: Malolos

History: The first news about a possible foundation in the Philippines came to the "Carmel of St. Anne" in Seville, Spain, from Fr. Bartolome F. Ma. Xiberta, General Assistant. In a letter dated 14 October 1963, he informed the community that a Filipino Bishop, Manuel P. del Rosario, visited the Curia Generalizia in Rome asking for a foundation of Carmelite contemplative nuns in his diocese of Malolos. The community welcomed with joy and enthusiasm the idea of a foundation in the Far East. With its 42 nuns, most of them young, and with a flourishing noviciate, besides its historical tradition of 3 filial foundations and two groups of nuns sent to help other communities in need. The community offered the Bishop 8 solemnly professed religious. The diocese answered immediately with the official acceptance and the assurance of a house with enclosure for the 8 foundresses as well as sustenance and spiritual assistance.

Another year passed before the contacts with the diocese were resumed. All the while Fr. Xiberta continued encouraging the nuns with his letters full of fervour and love for our Order. In his last letter he wrote to Seville: "The Philippines is certainly at the end of the world, but still nearer than the moon, and men have already reached the moon in three days. The Lord arrives there in less than an instant, and Our Most Bl. Mother is there waiting for you". At the same time he announced a visit of Fr. Kilian Healy, Prior General, to the Philippines with his promise to study there the conditions of the foundation. The news he brought back were all very good.

On January 1965 a new official petition from Bishop del Rosario was received and followed by the immediate preparations for the departure: English classes for the foundresses, passports and visas, permissions from the archdiocese of Seville, the most indispensable things for the divine worship and life in a temporary house. Fr. Fidelis Limcaco, of the Philippine Provincial Commissariat, Fr. Jaime Andrade, Provincial of Betica, the communities of friars in Buen Suceso (Seville) and Jerez, the Third Order of both Chapters, the Carmelite monastery in Allentown (U.S.A.) and some individual benefactors facilitated the preparation. The last big trial before the departure was the serious thrombosis suffered by Bishop del Rosario while he was attending the sessions of Vatican Council II in Rome. Visited by Prior General and the new Assistant General, Fr. Rafael Ma. Lopez Melus, who worked untiringly for the foundation, the Bishop signed the letter of petition for the visas.

On 26 October 1966 the Archbishop of Seville, Card. Bueno Monreal, consigned the crucifixes of missionaries to the eight nuns, namely: Sr. Ma. Inmaculada Rodriguez, Sr. Ma. del Pilar Ruiz, Sr. Ma. del Henar Rodrigo, Sr. Ma. de los Angeles Perez, Sr. Corazon de Maria Sardiñas, Sr. Ma. del Mar Sanchez, Sr. Ma. de Jesus Hervas and Sr. Ma. de Gracia Franco. The departure of the foundresses took place on 29 October 1966, after the 1^st Vespers of the solemnity of Christ the King and a solemn "Salve" sung by the nuns, the friars, tertiaries, relatives and friends who crowded the chapel. While Sr. Ma. del Henar and Sr. Ma. de Gracia remained behind waiting for their visas, the other six left for a three days trip by train to Marseilles. Fr. José Vioque (Baet) was the excellent chaperon who helped solve problems of customs in Port Bon and Cebere in the frontier of France, and made pleasant the naturally hard farewell to Spain. The group reached Marseilles early in the morning of 2 November just in time to have an intimate Eucharist at "St. Paul College of Chartres" and to rest until the next day scheduled for the sailing of the "Cambodge".

During the crossing of Suez Canal one of the sisters got very sick with high fever and symptoms of meningitis. The Lord and our Most Bl. Mother provided a true miracle for her not to be forced to land in Aden (Rep. of Yemen), a free port where it would have been hard to find a hospital or residence run by Catholic Sisters. After the check up by a team of Public Health, the patient was permitted to continue the trip up to Bombay where, upon the sisters' request by phone to Cardinal Gracias, she, together with another sister who was exhausted by the sea-sickness, were fetched by the secretary of the Cardinal. He brought them from the boat to the clinic where they were confined for 10 days and, then, they continued their trip to Manila by plane. The other four travellers continued their sailing until Colombo (Sri Lanka). After the fearful experience of a maritime typhoon, they arrived in Singapore where a new adventure was awaiting them! The group of missionaries (Dominican and Carmelites) who landed in Singapore with the plan to resume the voyage at the appointed schedule, missed the boat, and, helped by the Bishop in charge of Foreign Missions, were able to travel by plane to Bangkok, where the "Cambodge" was waiting to sail after 2 days for Manila.

They arrived in Manila on 28 November 1966 at 9:00 a.m. and were fetched at the pier by some Tertiaries who took them to Sta. Catalina Ladies Residence of the Dominican sisters where they stayed until the small temporary house in Meycauayan, Bulacan, was totally repaired and ready for use.

The erection of the "Carmelite Monastery of the Holy Family" in Meycauayan, took place on 11 December 1966. Bishop del Rosario, still impeded by partial paralysis, was able to officiate the blessing of the temporary house. He fixed the limits of the enclosure and assigned Mgr. Felix C. Sicat, parish priest of St. Francis, to take care of the nuns, a mission that he fulfilled perfectly until his last illness. The two sisters who remained in Spain waiting for their visas arrived by plane on 24 September 1967.

On the Feast of St. Thérèse of the Child Jesus in 1971, the definitive monastery in Guiguinto, Bulacan, in the compound of the "Immaculate Conception Seminary", was inaugurated and blessed after the solemn Eucharistic concelebration presided by Bishop del Rosario. In five years the community had grown to 16 members.

With God's blessing and the protection of the Most Bl. Mother, Carmel in Guiguinto has been graced with affluence of vocations and a good index of perseverance. This made possible the launching of 2 new foundations: 1983 - "The Carmel of Our Lady of Nazareth" in Cabanatuan City; 1993 - "The Carmel of the Immaculate Heart of Mary" in Madori, Burgos, Pangasinan. At present, Guiguinto Carmel counts 32 members, of which: 16 are solemnly professed nuns, 10 sisters with temporary vows, 5 novices and 1 postulant.

Annexed to the monastery is a Chapter of the Third Order Carmelite divided in 4 groups: 86 women, 18 men, 49 seminarians, 4 deacons and 33 priests. Each group holds its respective meetings for formation and spiritual activities. The location of the monastery in the compound of the triple diocesan seminary is a challenge for the sisters to become really the heart of the local Church and to offer continuous prayers and sacrifices for seminarians and priests.