Back to Index  Email address  Contact Webmaster

No. 1 – JANUARY – FEBRUARY 2001 English Edition  CONTENTS ACTIVITIES OF THE MEMBERS OF THE GENERAL COUNCIL Various meetings; Kenya; Liberia; Formation; Assemblies. GUIDED BY MARY AND BY THE LIGHT OF THE JUBILEE MEETING OF O.CARM-OCD PROVINCIALS OF THE IBERIAN REGION DELEGATES TO THE GENERAL CHAPTER 2001 A SECOND FOUNDATION IN MEXICO JOINT CARMELITE FORUM THE RELICS OF ST. THÉRÈSE TO VISIT IRELAND CARMELITE CLOISTERED NUNS Barcelona, Spain; Zaragoza, Spain; Carpineto Romano, Italy; S. Giovanni La Punta, Italy; Cordoba, Spain; Zaragoza, Spain. GENERAL ASSEMBLIES FOR LAY CARMELITES St. Lucia, West Indies; Trinidad & Tobago. CARMELITE PUBLICATIONS NEWS IN BRIEF Missio Expo 2000; Priestly ordination in Bobo-Dioulasso (Burkina Faso); 50th Anniversary of the Missionary Family "Donum Dei"; Anniversary of Fr. Riccardo Palazzi, O.Carm.; Massaccio, father of humanism in painting; Diocesan process for the beatification of Fr. Esteve (1905-1990). UPDATE OF ADDRESSES AND TELEPHONE NUMBERS CARMELITE MILESTONES CARMELITE NUNS AROUND THE WORLD: CARMEL OF THE HOLY TRINITY AND OUR LADY OF MT. CARMEL

ACTIVITIES OF THE MEMBERS OF
THE GENERAL COUNCIL

Fr. Joseph Chalmers, Prior General

• Various meetings

Early in January I met up with Fr. Wilmar Santin in Bogota (Colombia) for a meeting with representatives of Lay Carmelite Groups under the aegis of the Titus Brandsma General Delegation. It was a most interesting meeting and wonderful to see the commitment of so many lay people who travelled from far and wide to take part. Unfortunately it was only possible for Fr. Wilmar and I to be present for a few days, as we had to return to Rome. Also in January I attended part of the course for formators in Fatima, at which I gave two talks, one on prayer and the other on community.
 

Fr. Anthony Scerri, General Councillor

• Kenya

• Nairobi is an important centre of religious studies for English speaking Africa. While some of our African brothers are able to study in Europe or North America, this is very costly and limited to just a few. For their future development, our African foundations need to have formators, lecturers and experts in various fields of theology and philosophy. By having a foundation in Nairobi we can offer to more of our brothers in Africa the opportunity to go on with further studies.
• In Kenya we have a significant presence of the Carmelite Family. We have one monastery of Carmelite nuns in the diocese of Machakos, a community of the Missionary Family "Donum Dei" and some 400 Third Order members under the direction of a Consolata Father, Fr. De Marie.
• We have Kenyan students in the Provinces of Catalonia and Arago-Valentina.

On 1 December 2000 a meeting was held in Barcelona (Spain) at which were present Fr. Manuel Bonilla, Provincial of Catalonia, Fr. Luis Gallardo, Provincial of Arago-Valentina, Fr. Christian Körner, Provincial of Upper Germany, Fr. Piet Wijngaard, Provincial of Britain, Fr. John Adapoor, Provincial Commissary of India and myself. Many important questions were discussed concerning the mission in Kenya and the planning for this mission took another step towards its realisation. There remain some difficulties, but we hope that these can be overcome soon.

• Liberia

In January 2000, at the invitation of Bishop B. Dotu Sekey of the diocese of Gbarnga, I visited Liberia and spoke to some of these young men. As a result of my visit, I asked Fr. Piet Wijngaard, Provincial of Britain, if the British Province were willing to take responsibility for the formation of these young men and eventually set up a foundation in Liberia. At a meeting of the Provincial Council, the British Province graciously and generously accepted this challenge.

Without delay, Frs. Francis Kemsley and Brendan Grady of the British Province went to Liberia to evaluate the situation and to discern with the young men their vocation. Early in November 2000, the first two Liberian candidates, Eric Meitor Soclo and Joe Sekou Pah, arrived in London to begin their formation. Other candidates in Liberia are waiting to start their formation too.

We congratulate the British Province and the candidates on a fine start, and pray that the good Lord will repay their generosity abundantly.
 

Fr. Alexander Vella, General Councillor

• Formation

The course for formators was supposed to have taken place on Mount Carmel in Israel, but because of the Arab-Israeli conflict we had to change the venue to our "Casa Beato Nuno" in Fatima, Portugal. Our Portuguese brothers immediately rallied and helped greatly in the organisation.

From 22 October to 10 November I worked with Frs. Falco Thuis and Antonio Ruiz to organise an on-going formation course open to the whole Carmelite Family. The theme of the course, which was held in Sassone (Rome), was "Mary and Elijah". On this occasion I was able to present the new RIVC to the participants. I also gave three talks on Elijah in the Bible.

• Assemblies

From 13 to 19 November I was in Nantes, France, to take part in the Annual Assembly of our Delegation. At present there are seven friars in France, one of whom is a Frenchman, Bro. Yves de Sainte Marie. During my visit I was pleased to see that from year to year the number of people frequenting our church is growing. A good number of people come to both the morning and evening prayer of the community. Two very large groups of Third Order members are in formation. The Centre of Study organises conferences on Carmelite themes, which are greatly appreciated.

The Delegation is preparing to leave Bourges, but a community from our Polish Province will continue the Carmelite presence in the diocese that first welcomed us on our return to France. The Delegation is studying various possibilities of starting a community in Angers. On 14 November I went there with some friars of the Delegation to meet the Episcopal Vicar for Religious, who showed us three churches that the diocese is prepared to put at our disposal. We can choose any of the three churches. In Angers we visited the ruins of our ancient convent where John Soreth died and was buried. The Delegation chose Angers instead of Bourges because of its proximity to Nantes and because Angers is a University City that offers greater possibilities for vocations. We hope to have a formation community in Angers because the Catholic University has a theological faculty, which offers the possibility of a good theological formation for our students.

The greatest problem of the Delegation is still that of the small number of friars. While they pray and work towards getting French vocations, at present it is still necessary to have at least two more friars who could leave their Province to give a hand to this foundation even for just a few years.

During my stay in Nantes, on 19 November, the skull of the venerable John of Saint Samson was solemnly transferred from Bourges to Nantes. After the celebration of the Eucharist by the General Delegate, Fr. Gianfranco Tuveri, there was another suitable celebration for the placing of the reliquary in the lobby of the convent. The Postulator General, Fr. Felip Amenos, who was with me during this visit, made several contacts and hopes to be able to initiate the cause for the beatification of John of Saint Samson before the General Chapter.
 

GUIDED BY MARY AND BY
THE LIGHT OF THE JUBILEE

On Wednesday, 20 December 2000, at 19.00, just a few days before Christmas, at the evening prayer in St. Peter’s square, the Prior General, Fr. Joseph Chalmers, invited hundreds of pilgrims, among whom large group of religious and lay Carmelites from Rome, to "Prepare to welcome Christ guided by Mary".

In his commentary on the Gospel of the Annunciation to Mary of the birth of Jesus (Lk 1:26-38), the Prior General presented the example of life and the fundamental role of Mary in the history of salvation planned by God for humankind. "This is a year in which we walk in the light of the Jubilee, and, during this time of Advent, our steps draw us closer to Mary, our Mother, ever present in our lives to lead us to God.

With her we await the now imminent birth of her Son. In the Gospel we have just heard proclaimed, we see Mary disturbed at the greeting of the angel, but then she welcomes the announcement of light. God has chosen her to be the Mother of the Saviour. The most famous singers of the world have, throughout the centuries, put to music touching melodies on this event and millions of lips every day pronounce the same words in the Ave Maria. Let us not grow tired of hearing and repeating in our thoughts and hearts the annunciation of salvation.

Sometimes it is difficult for us to believe that a project of love on the part of God is hidden in our events. Sometimes we feel so involved in the problems of life, wrapped by the darkness of doubt that it is difficult to believe in light. In moments like these, let us not forget that Mary, before being Mother, is our Sister in faith. When we read: "And the angel departed from her", let us think that Mary remained alone with her faith like everyone else. A brilliant faith that enlightened her life, the same faith that can and must enable us to live our days in this world full of enormous burdens but also of incomparable joys.

When we cast our gaze around us and lack of confidence assails us, when it seems unlikely that Love can have the last word on indifference and lies, when the hope that the Lord will finally wipe the tears off every face fails…let us repeat in our hearts the words of the angel: "With God nothing is impossible". God calls us to co-operate with Him, even if He has no need of us. It is up to us to decide whether to collaborate with Love or, in order to further strengthen our selfishness, to fight with Him who is the Way, the Truth and the Life. After all, what is it that is asked of us? The secret is hidden in the little things of every day. If we look at them with the eyes of faith, they acquire eternal value. The poor words of our prayers that try to remind the world that God is among us and the loving care with which we approach others are the "stones" which the Lord uses to build the heavenly Temple.

If we could but see that which God is working in our life’s story through the daily sufferings and the silent signs of love that we experience, we would exult! Mary, the wise Virgin of Nazareth, is the true disciple of Jesus. She replied in the fullness of faith to the events of her life without wishing to examine the reasons of the Almighty. She trusted and gave her all for the realisation of the great things prepared by God. May the words of Mary be the musical rhythm of our life: "Behold the handmaid of the Lord, be it done to me according to your word".

Then at last we shall listen to the Word of our God as the echo of a new life and the throb of eternal light that breaks into the greyness of our busy days devoid of interior impulses. We shall hear the words of the prophet as addressed to us: "Divest yourself of the garments of affliction, put on the splendour of glory that comes to you from God forever". When we are capable of wrapping ourselves in the divine garments, then we shall live in the light a boundless peace and in our homes together with our loved ones we shall be the people of God on the way to the fullness of love.

The ways you walked, Mary, were inaccessible but you knew where to step: you had Jesus as an interior guide, the will of God as light in the darkest times. Love guided you. Teach us to rediscover the beauty of a life given, the taste of a sacrifice offered in secret, the joy of the "fiat" of faith. Mary, you knew how to obtain from the Word of the living God the strength to live your days in peace. May we today succeed in filling the void of love with our fragile love, to heal the wounds of wars with our feeble peace, to rekindle hope in hearts with our small prayer. For us everything is small, but in the Spirit of your Son we become as powerful as you are, house of God! Amen."
 

MEETING OF O.CARM-OCD PROVINCIALS
OF THE IBERIAN REGION

On 14 November 2000, feast of All Carmelite Saints, taking advantage of the General Assembly of Religious Superiors, the annual meeting of O.Carm-OCD Provincials took place in Madrid (Spain) at the seat of CONFER. The following religious took part: O.Carm Provincials: Fr. Luis Gallardo Ganuza (Arag), Fr. Rafael Leiva Sànchez (Baet), Fr. Juan de Dios Sanz (Cast), Fr. Manuel Bonilla Gutiérrez (Cat); OCD Provincials: Fr. José Fernández Marín (Andalusia), Fr. Manuel Martín de la Sierra Gómez-Carpintero (Delegate of the Provincial of Aragon and Valencia), Fr. Ciro García Fernández (Burgos), Fr. Gratiniano Turiño Ballesteros (Castile), Fr. Antonio Viguri Ugarte (Navarrina). Frs. Josep Castella Sarriera (OCD Provincial of Catalonia and the Balearic Islands), Pedro Lourenço Ferreira (OCD Provincial of Portugal) and Henrique Martins (O.Carm General Commissary of Portugal) were absent.

Some of the points discussed during the meeting were:

• An Iberian Carmelite Directory: containing information on the houses of friars, nuns, sisters and lay people of both Orders for all those who wish to acquaint themselves with Carmel.
• Joint celebrations on the occasion of the 750^th anniversary of the Scapular: meeting of Third Order members or of Fraternities in cities where both Orders are present, taking advantage of the occasion to diffuse Carmelite Marian spirituality through the medium of print (books, magazines, cards); a pilgrimage and a meeting of religious in some sanctuary or important O.Carm-OCD Iberian church with some connection to the giving of the Scapular.
• Various information: The visit of the relics of St. Therese of Lisieux to Spain in 2003; a meeting of OCD Extraordinary Definitors celebrated in India and another to be celebrated this year in Nairobi (Kenya); a course for young O.Carm religious in initial formation on Mount Carmel; meeting with the O.Carm. General Councillor concerning a new foundation in Kenya; the O.Carm foundation in Burkina Faso; the Venezuelan Carmel; meeting of Major Superiors in Lima (Peru); O.Carm and OCD General Chapters; OCD distance Institute of Spirituality.

DELEGATES TO
THE GENERAL CHAPTER 2001

The names of provincial delegates to the General Chapter 2001 received to date are:
Province of Arago-Valentina: Fr. Salvador Villota and Fr. Desiderio García
Province of Betica: Fr. Manuel Sánchez León and Fr. Fernando Millán Romoral
Province of Castile: Fr. Celso Prieto and Fr. Miguel Arribas
Province of Catalonia: Fr. Felip Amenós and Fr. Luis Bosch
Province of Great Britain: Fr. Brendan Grady and Fr. Patrick O’Keeffe
Province of Malta: Fr. Joseph Saliba and Fr. Martin Schembri
Province of Poland: Fr. Piotr Spiller and Fr. Dariusz Borek
American Province of St. Elias: Fr. Mario Esposito and Fr. Redemptus Valabek
American Province of the Most Pure Heart of Mary: Fr. Gerald Payea, Fr. John Russell and Fr. Daniel O’Neill
Upper German Province: Fr. Michael Plattig and Bro. Günter Benker.
 

A SECOND FOUNDATION
IN MEXICO

Since 1995 the American Province of the Most Pure Heart of Mary assumed the responsibility to establish the Carmelite Order in Mexico. That same year the first house was opened in the parish community of Torreon, which at the same time served as a house of formation. Now the Province moved to the next step and opened a second house, completely for formation, in the historic Tlalpan of Mexico City.

The move to Mexico City was precipitated by a number of factors. The first is the educational situation in Torreon. The diocesan school which the Carmelite students attended was not an accredited institution. Secondly, there is no school of theology in Torreon, which meant that the Province had to purchase a house of studies somewhere else to accommodate this level of formation. Casa del Carmen is centrally located, where there are a number of other male religious who commute to the same schools which the Carmelite students attend. The two-building complex recently rented also has a small chapel, which is more than adequate for the seven students and three solemnly professed Carmelites who now live there. Two of the students, with first vows, are studying theology. Five candidates are studying philosophy. Two of them will begin their noviciate in Lima (Peru) next January 2001. The students are well aware of the Province desire to pursue this option, and have enthusiastically embraced the idea that they are founders of a new opportunity for the Order.

Br. Rodolfo Aznaran, solemnly professed, is the Director of Formation. He belongs to the Provincial Commissariat of Peru. The Commissary released him for formation ministry in Mexico City so that they would have a stake in the establishment of the Order in Mexico. Fr. Charlie Countie is the prior of the community and Fr. Tom Jordan is the vocation director.
 

JOINT CARMELITE FORUM

On the 5^th to 7^th January a Joint Carmelite Forum took place in the Discalced Carmelite Retreat Centre at Boars Hill, Oxford, England. There were representatives from the Carmelite and Discalced Friars, from Britain and Ireland, the Discalced Carmelite Nuns from Britain and Ireland, the Corpus Christi Carmelite Sisters, the Leaven and secular representatives. The Forum reflected upon spirituality today in Britain and Ireland; Where is Carmel in the spirituality of Ireland and Britain today?; Where will Carmelite spirituality be moving in the future? Contributions were given by Fr. Eugene McCaffrey, OCD, Sr. Teresa Clements, DMJ, Sr. Anne, OCD of Ware Carmel, and Fr. Christopher O’Donnell O.Carm. (Hib).

There was a clear desire from the gathering to have a closer co-operation between the Carmelites of the different traditions. The group hopes to reflect upon the best way of setting up a programme for spiritual accompaniment in a Carmelite context. It was felt that more of the Carmelite texts should be published in English. Hopefully there will be another Forum later this year or next year in Ireland. The Carmelite representatives on the Committee are Frs. John Keating (Hib), Francis Kemsley (Brit), Discalced Carmelites and representatives from the Carmelite nuns in Britain and Ireland.

A message was received from Fr. Joseph Chalmers, Prior General, and Fr. Camillo Maccise, OCD, Superior General. It was read at the opening of the conference and here is included part of the text: "Carmelite spirituality has as its aim to emphasise experience of God in openness to the transcendent, while having one’s feet firmly on the ground. It is necessary to live and transmit committed contemplation, since this is the only realistic option. Our saints always attached an apostolic dimension to prayer. This type of prayer embraces the joys and hopes, the sorrows and difficulties of humanity. Without committed contemplation, there is a great risk of falling into a type of spirituality which evades reality and therefore avoids the sacred duty of listening to the Word of God and putting it into practice."
 

THE RELICS OF ST. THÉRÈSE
TO VISIT IRELAND

Fr. J. Linus Ryan (Hib), National co-ordinator, informs that on Easter Sunday, 15 April 2001, the remains of St. Thérèse, will arrive at Rosslare, Ireland, for a visit of 75 days. The organising committee hopes that this visit will be an occasion for a deep renewal of all Christians in Ireland.

According to a detailed programme, the relics of the Saint will visit the cathedral of each of Ireland's 26 dioceses, all Carmelite churches and oratories, as well as Knock Shrine, Holy Trinity Abbey, Kilnacrott, St. Patrick's Purgatory, Lough Derg and Mountjoy Prison. The visit has been deliberately arranged so as to facilitate the minimum amount of travelling, particularly for the poor and the sick. In preparation to the visit several activities are envisioned: talks on the life and teaching of Thérèse; instructions on the Catholic meaning of relics and the power of Thérèse's intercession; explanations on 'The Little Way', 'Spiritual Childhood' and 'Offering to God's Merciful Love' as a vibrant form of holiness open to all; literature on the saint (in parishes, schools, families and groups); liturgical meetings and other celebrations. Besides these activities, all priests and sisters who will host the relics at 75 venues, spread throughout the 32 counties, will meet with the organising committee at the Carmelite Conference Centre, "Gort Muire" Ballinteer, Dublin on 25 January - Feast of the conversion of St. Paul, for a planning and information day.

Full itinerary of St. Thérèse Relics Visit to Ireland is to be found on internet (www.sttherese.com) and on the booklet St. Thérèse Relics - Irish Visit, published by the national co-ordinator. For further information contact: Fr. J. Linus Ryan, O.Carm., St. Thérèse Relics Visit, St. Thérèse Office, Carmelite Community, Terenure College, Dublin 6W, Ireland. Tel: 087 2430 920, E-mail: sttheres@indigo.ie.
 

CARMELITE CLOISTERED NUNS

• Barcelona, Spain

• S. Giovanni La Punta, Italy

• In the Federal House in Cordoba, from 19 to 26 September, a course for all the nuns in the Federation will be given on the theme of "Government". The course will be led by Fr. Manuel Carrasco, C.M.F.
• Following the invitation of the Prior General, Fr. Joseph Chalmers, who, on the occasion of the 750^th anniversary of the giving of the Scapular, declared 2001 to be a Carmelite Marian Year, a course will held for all the nuns on the theme of "Mary and Carmel". The conferences will be given by Frs. José Vioque, Miguel Barbero and Antonio Ruiz, all Carmelites of the Province of Betica.

• Initial Formation: For three weeks in May the following themes will be treated: Psychology and community life (Fr. Desiderio García, O.Carm.), Spirituality and Liturgy (Rev. Francisco Raya) and History of the Order (Fr. Antonio Ruiz, O.Carm.).
• On-going Formation: For three weeks in September conferences will be given on mental health and human values and the religious, responsible freedom, and an anthropological reading of the Old Testament and the Psalms.

Books:

BOYCE, James, O.Carm.,
Carmelite Liturgical Spirituality, (Carmelite Spiritual Directory Project - Horizons 12), Carmelite Communications, Melbourne, 2000, pp. 40. (E-mail: carmcent@netspace.net.au)

Carmelite Liturgical Guide 2001,
Carmelite Communications, Melbourne, 2001, pp. 16. (E-mail: carmcent@netspace.net.au)

COLOMBO, Mariassunta; LABIO, Mario,
Il Vangelo del giorno - Spunti di meditazione e formazione - Tempo di Avvento, Edizioni Carmelitane, Roma, 2000, pp. 108. (E-mail: carm.miss.stbg@mclink.it / edizioni@ocarm.org)

CUCCA, M. Anastasia di Gerusalemme, O.Carm.; DE SIMONE, Marianerina, CMSTBG,
La veste più bella - Lo Scapolare, dono di Maria al Carmelo e alla Chiesa, Centro Stampa Carmelitana, Roma, 2001, pp. 96. (E-mail: carmel@mclink.it / carm.miss.stbg@mclink.it). This book written by Sr. M. Anastasia, Carmelite nun from Ravenna (Italy), and Sr. Marianerina of the Carmelite Missionary Sisters of St. Therese of the Child Jesus, was published on the occasion of the 750^th anniversary of the Carmelite Scapular. The text simply presents an anthology of the best scientific research carried out in recent times concerning the Scapular.

L'Exsultet di tutta una vita - P. Riccardo Palazzi, O.Carm., (1948-1999),
(a cura di Roberto M. Russo & Giuseppe Vidili), Centro Stampa Carmelitana, Roma, 2000, pp. 104. (E-mail: carmel@mclink.it)

LÓPEZ-MELÚS, Rafael María, O.Carm.,
La Gloria de Dios - Lema de Madre Asunción Soler Gimeno, Hermanas Carmelitas del Sagrado Corazón de Jesús, Madrid, 2000, pp. 205. (E-mail: CSCJCG@planalfa.es). This book is published on the occasion of the 75^th anniversary of the foundation of the Hermanas Carmelitas del Sagrado Corazón. It is a story born of the deep love of Fr. López-Melús for Mother Assunzione and the Congregation founded by her. In these pages the author, who knew the Mother personally, passes on his experience and his witness to the life and virtues of the foundress.

LÓPEZ-MELÚS, Rafael María, O.Carm.,
Alabanzas a María, Editorial Apostolado Mariano, Sevilla, [2000], pp. 235.

LÓPEZ-MELÚS, Rafael María, O.Carm.,
Caminos de Santidad I - Decálogos que dirigen, Edibesa, Madrid, 2000, pp. 396.

LÓPEZ-MELÚS, Rafael María, O.Carm.,
Caminos de Santidad II - Semillas que dan vida, Edibesa, Madrid, 2000, pp. 366.

LÓPEZ-MELÚS, Rafael María, O.Carm.,
Caminos de Santidad III - Destellos que iluminan, Edibesa, Madrid, 2000, pp. 336.

LÓPEZ-MELÚS, Rafael María, O.Carm.,
Caminos de Santidad IV - Bienaventuranzas que bendicen, Edibesa, Madrid, 2000, pp. 336.

LÓPEZ-MELÚS, Rafael María, O.Carm.,
Caminos de Santidad V - Ejemplos que edifican, Edibesa, Madrid, 2000, pp. 384.

LÓPEZ-MELÚS, Rafael María, O.Carm.,
Caminos de Santidad VI - El reto de la santidad - Debo, puedo, quiero ser santo, Edibesa, Madrid, 2000, pp. 264.

MERCIECA, Dionisju, OCD,
Edith Stein: Santa Tereza Benedetta tas-Salib, Karmelitana Terezjana – Mill-Ateizmu ghall-Qdusija, Santwarju S. Tereza tal-Bambin Gesù, Birkirkara, 2000, pp. 47. (E-mail: marocd@mail.global.net.mt)

O'DONNELL, Christopher, O.Carm.,
A Loving Presence: Mary and Carmel, (Carmelite Spiritual Directory Project - Horizons 6), Carmelite Communications, Melbourne, 2000, pp. 96. (E-mail: carmcent@netspace.net.au)

Pedofilia - una guida alla normativa ed alla consulenza,
(a cura di Italo Ormanni e Aureliano Pacciolla) DueSorgenti, Roma, 2000, pp. 388. (E-mail: pacciolla@pronet.it). This text is the fruit of the collaboration of nineteen experts (magistrates, doctors, psychologists and tutors from different parts of Italy, also the Police Department for Communications) who, in a structured and well co-ordinated index present paedophilia from three points of view: juridical, psychological and that of the paedophiles themselves. This makes the volume one of the most original works published in Italy or elsewhere.

RYAN, J. Linus, O.Carm.,
St. Thérèse Relics - Irish Visit,National Co-Ordinator, St. Thérèse Relics Visit, Dublin, 2000, pp. 24. (E-mail: sttheres@indigo.ie)

SAN GWANN TAS-SALIB,
Kollox ghal Alla wahdu – L-ewwel volum tal-kitba ta’ San Gwann tas-Salib, (traduzzjoni ghall-Malti minn P. Angeliku M. Busuttil, OCD), Pubblikazzjoni Karmelitana Terezjana, Malta, 2000, pp. 496. (E-mail: marocd@mail.global.net.mt)

Calendars 2001:

Agenda Carmel 2001 - 750° Anniversario dello Scapolare,
Centro Stampa Carmelitana, Roma, Italia. (E-mail: carmel@mclink.it)

Calendario Mariano - Carmelitano 2001,
Il Carmelo del Garda, Santuario della Madonna del Carmine, S. Felice del Benàco, Italia. (E-mail: carmine.accoglienza@tin.it)

Calendario Virgen del Carmen 2001,
AMACAR - Apostolado mariano-carmelitano, Onda (Castellón), España.

Djarju parrokkjali 2001,
Parrocca Madonna tal-Karmnu, Fgura, Malta. (E-mail: carmfgu@mail.global.net.mt)

El Carmen 2001,
Museo de Ciencias, PP. Carmelitas, Ctra. De Tales s/n 12200 Onda (Castellón), España.

St. Thérèse Relics - Irish Visit,
St. Thérèse Missionary League, Dublin, Ireland. (E-mail: sttheres@indigo.ie)

Compact Disks:

Un . . . . coro solo, un anima sola,
1975 - 10 novembre - 2000: XXV di Fondazione "Associazione Piccoli Cantori di Torrespaccata", Roma. (E-mail: zaplum@libero.it). In two CDs, the Associazione Piccoli Cantori di Torrespaccata (APCT) offers 52 musical excerpts, mostly Christmas and religious songs. Fr. Lucio Zappatore (Ita) established the APCT twenty-five years ago with the aim of promoting culture in all its aspects, but especially in the musical sector. "To teach music in order to educate through music" is the motto that inspires the choir of the APCT. The APCT follows the pedagogical principles of the Choral Method of the Hungarian musician, Zoltan Kodàly. At present the APCT has about 200 members who, precisely for educational reasons, do not take part in any choir competition.

Audio cassettes:

RUSSELL, John, O.Carm.
A Journey with St. Therese of Lisieux: Doctor of the Church, Alba House Communications, Canfield, Ohio. (E-mail: jrussell@carmelnet.org)

-------------------------

N.B. For publications to be included in this rubric, please send a copy and a brief presentation of the material to: CITOC, General Curia of the Carmelites, Via Giovanni Lanza 138, 00184 Rome, Italy.
 

NEWS IN BRIEF

• Missio Expo 2000

PCM American Province
Casa del Carmen, Morelos # 71, Col. Centro Histórico De Tlalpan, Delegación Tlalpan, 14000 Mexico, D.F. Tel: (+11-52) 55738210 Fax: (+11-52) 56558940

Change in addresses

Upper German Province
Karmelitenkloster, Dreifaltigkeitsgasse 10, 83435 Bad Reichenhall, D - Germany. Tel: (+49-8651) 96930, Fax: (+49-8651) 969315.

New phone / fax numbers

Carmelite Cloistered Nuns
Federación "Mater Unitatis", Monjas Carmelitas, Monasterio de la Encarnación, Avenida César, Augusto, 1, 50004 Zaragoza, Spain. Fax: (976) 439399

Italian Province
Comunità Carmelitana, Parrocchia S. Maria del Carmine, Corso d'Italia, 85, 56100 Pisa, Italy. Fax: 050.2207857
Comunità Carmelitana, Carmine Maggiore, Via G.Grasso, 13/A, 90134 Palermo, Italy, Tel & Fax: 091.6512018

New e-mail addresses

Carmelite Sisters of Divine Providence

Casa Central, Belo Horizonte, Brazil

<diviprov@bhnet.com.br>

PCM American Province

Bartolo, Salvador (Mel) Bonneau, Roger  O'Brien, Joe  Supple, Richard  Provincial Procurator  Provincial's Secretary (Patricia Meier) St Patrick Parish, Niagara Falls, Ontario, CA

<sanelias@terra.com.pe> <RogerBonneau@msn.com>  <stpatrick@becon.org>  <ricsup@yahoo.com> <doneill2@mediaone.net> <pmeier@carmelnet.org> <stpatrick@becon.org>

Missionary Family "Donum Dei"

Lima, Peru

<mtleauviveperu@terra.com.pe>

Carmelite Cloistered Nuns

Federación "Mater Unitatis", Zaragoza

<materunitatis@wanadoo.es>

Indonesian Province

Budiono, Ignasius  Sub-Commission for Vocation, Java

<ignasius_budiono@hotmail.com> <skpj_ocarm@yahoo.com>

Italian Province

Brogi, Massimo Cera, Mariano Farcas, Augustin Gamberoni, Simone Ghiurca, Adrian Pani, Ubaldo

<brogimassimo.f@libero.it> <mariano@uol.it> <augustfarc@hotmail.com> <simoneocarm@hotmail.com> <adrgelid@yahoo.it> <pubaldo@libero.it>

Irish Province

McChrystal, Paul

<mcchry@eircom.net>

Indian Provincial Commissariat

Carmel Jyothi, Bangalore

<carmelj@satyam.net.in>

Dutch Province

Balen, Tjalling van

<balenocarm@zonnet.nl>

Corpus Christi Carmelites

Ermay, M. Virginia

<SisterMaryVirginia@yahoo.com>

Portuguese General Commissariat

Araújo, Fernando Manuel Afonso  Araújo, Rui Manuel Afonso  Castro, Manuel Gomes de  Ferreira, Rui Pedro Leite  Monteiro, Pedro José Martins  Novais, Domingos Matos  Teixeira, Ismael Pereira  Torres, Rogério da Silva Comunidade Carmelita de Beja  Noviciado Carmelita (Felgueiras)  Seminário Carmelita (Sameiro)

<fmaa@portugalmail.pt>  <rmaa@portugalmail.pt>  <pe.castro@portugalmail.pt>  <ruipedropereira@portugalmail.pt>  <pedrojmm@netc.pt>  <domibar2000@hotmail.com>  <isma@portugalmail.pt>  <rogtorres@portugalmail.pt> <carmelitas@ip.pt>  <novicarm@clix.pt>  <semin_carm@hotmail.com>

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

Educandário Sagrada Família
http://www.educandariosagradafamilia.com.br/

Congregação das Irmãs Carmelitas da Divina Providência
http://www.bhnet.com.br/~diviprov/historia.htm

JUCAR
http://www.pagina.de/jucar

Parrocchia S. Maria Regina Mundi (Roma)
http://digilander.iol.it/mariareginamundi/
 

CARMELITE MILESTONES

25 Years Simple Profession

25 March 2001
Ana María Bernardo Domingo (BUR)

50 Years Simple Profession

3 April 2001
Mª del Pilar Molina García (VDA)
21 April 2001
M. Michelina Rinaldi (SGP)

Solemn Professions

2 December 2000
Pedro Martins Monteiro (Lus)
Rogério Da Silva Torres (Lus)
Rui Manuel Afonso Araújo (Lus)
6 December 2000
Max Zapanta (Neer-Phi)
Marlon Lacal (Neer-Phi)
Gilbert Sabado (Neer-Phi)

Diaconate Ordinations

19 November 2000
Rothmans Darles de Campos (Flum)
3 December 2000
Ismael Pereira Teixeira (Lus)
6 December 2000
Max Zapanta (Neer-Phi)
Marlon Lacal (Neer-Phi)
Gilbert Sabado (Neer-Phi)
30 December 2000
Roberto M. Russo (Ita)

Priestly Ordinations

29 October 2000
Jaison Kuthanapillil (GerS-Indi)
Philip Nirappel (GerS-Indi)
Thomas Thalachirayil (GerS-Indi)
Charles Kuzhinjalil (GerS-Indi)
2 December 2000
Stefano Scalzo (Ita)
13 January 2001
Dionisio V. Ramos (Neer-Phi)
2 February 2001
Michael Cox (Brit)

25 Years Priestly Ordination

19 April 2001
Michael (Martin) Ryan (Hib)
25 April 2001
Thomas Buitendijk (Neer)

50 Years Priestly Ordination

10 March 2001
José (Agustín) Cobos Diaz (Baet)

Necrology

20 November 2000
Franco Falzon (Mel)
1 December 2000
María del Henar Bayón Muñoz (HSM)
27 December 2000
Stephen Josten (SEL)
Raymund Krempel (GerS)
Josef (Honorius) Spikker (Neer)
28 December 2000
Dolores Basarte Ornaque (ZAR)
30 December 2000
María de los Angeles Cabrerizo Bernal (ZAR)
 

CARMELITE NUNS AROUND THE WORLD

Address: Cloistered Carmelite Nuns
P.O. Box 44
5800 Lawa-an,
Roxas City, Philippines
Archdiocese: Capiz
History:
Dumaguete Carmel planned to start a new foundation through the encouragement of Mgr. Fidelis Limcaco just after the 25th anniversary of their foundation on 16 November 1983. Coincidentally, the Bishop of Dipolog City, Mgr. Felix Zafra, happened to visit them. The nuns told him about their plan for a new foundation. He was so interested that he invited them to make the foundation in his diocese. They accepted his invitation but eventually Mgr. Zafra was transferred to the Diocese of Tagbilaran, Bohol. Hence his plan for a new foundation in Dipolog City did not materialise.

A year passed by, when the same bishop together with the archbishop of Roxas City, Capiz, Mgr. Gordoncillo, visited the nuns. The archbishop invited the nuns to make their new foundation in his archdiocese as Mgr. Zafra was prepared to wait for another occasion. The nuns joyfully accepted his invitation and continued praying that it be realised. Not long afterwards, Mgr. Onie Gordoncillo visited the nuns again to inform them of his immediate visit to the General Curia of the Carmelites in Rome and of his intention to ask for the approval for a new foundation in his archdiocese from the then Prior General, Fr. John Malley. Mother Angelica Verdugo García, the Prioress of Dumaguete Carmel, prepared all the necessary papers for the new foundation and sent them to Rome for approval.

On 14 September 1989, Mother Angelica and Sr. Ma. Catalina Elum Delmo left for Roxas City to survey the place. They were received hospitably by Archbishop Gordoncillo, Archbishop Emeritus Antonio Frondosa and Mgr. Fuerte. They offered them almost 4 hectares of land at the foot of the mountain and near the seminary. The sisters appreciated very much the site as this reminded them of the real Mt. Carmel in Palestine where the Carmelite Order originated. It was on 8 November 1989 when the permission arrived from Rome. That same day the two sisters left for Roxas to look for a temporary dwelling for the founding group. Luckily Mr. & Mrs. Jose A. Mabasa offered them their residence as they were residing in Manila.

Third Sunday of Advent 1989 marked the long awaited announcement of the departure of the six nuns, which was set for 9 January 1990. The six nuns were: Srs. Ma. Maravillas Magas, Ma. Saturnina Gacoscosim, Ma. Catalina Elum, Ma. Ana Abrogar, Ma. Linda Garcia and the only junior, Ma. Restituta Bunac. On 8 January 1990 the commissioning ceremony was held and the bishop of Dumaguete presided. The ceremony was attended by all the seminary priests, some priests from the diocese, the choir of seminarians, many friends and benefactors. On 9 January, at 5:00 p.m., following a concelebrated Mass by two seminary fathers, the six founding nuns accompanied by Mother Angelica and Sr. Ma. Teresa, left for Roxas City. They arrived at 7:55 in the evening and were cordially welcomed by the archbishop. They stayed with him for 11 days as the Mabasa residence was still being prepared. Their installation took place on 20 January 1990. Here they stayed for 14 months and 7 days as they again moved to their guesthouse, near the monastery site, on 30 March 1991.

The laying of the first stone of the new cloister was held on 16 November 1991 and presided by Archbishop Emeritus, Antonio Frondosa, in the presence of the Prior General, Fr. John Malley, the Provincial Commissary of the Philippines, Fr. Eddie Albiño, Mgr. Fuerte and other priests of the archdiocese. This day coincided with the foundation day of the monastery of origin, Dumaguete Carmel! The construction of the monastery was slow due to lack of funds but it was during this time that vocations began to come. On 13 November 1994 the nuns moved permanently to their new monastery. In spite of the fact that after six years much work had still to be done, the nuns hope to find generous hearts who would assist them, especially in the expenses of the surrounding wall so as to stop the drug addicts and looters from getting inside and stealing their animals and poultry.

Presently the community consists of 12 nuns: 5 solemnly professed, 4 juniors, 2 novices and a postulant.
 
 
 

750th Anniversary of the Carmelite Scapular 1251-2001

"Mary is always ready to purify our hearts but we must accept her as our model." – St. Mary Magdalene de’ Pazzi "Those who promise to be devout children, will examine themselves and their actions to see whether they are according to the mind of God and of the loving Mother." – Ven. Michael of St. Augustin "Jesus united the creature with the Creator and Mary divinity with humanity." – St. Mary Magdalene de’ Pazzi "It is fitting that we should behave according to the will of Mary, the Mother of God." – Ven. Michael of St. Augustin "The Word came down in Mary, drawn by her purity and humility." – St. Mary Magdalene de’ Pazzi "God has decided not to grant any grace except through Mary." – Ven. Michael of St. Augustin