Rejoice, Queen of heaven,    alleluia, For he whom you merited to bear,    alleluia, Has arisen as he said,    alleluia, Pray for us to God,    alleluia HAPPY EASTER

 to all the members of the Carmelite Family

ACTIVITIES OF THE MEMBERS OF
THE GENERAL COUNCIL

Fr. Joseph Chalmers, Prior General

• Various meetings

On 4 February, I attended, along with a number of other Carmelites, a Mass to celebrate the 7^th centenary of the birth of St. Andrew Corsini in the Corsini Chapel in St. John Lateran Basilica (Rome). Cardinal Sodano, the Vatican Secretary of State, celebrated the Mass in the presence of many members of the Corsini family. A few days later, I celebrated Mass in the "Sandro Pertini" Hospital, Rome, where two Carmelites are chaplains. In mid-February, I gave some talks on prayer to diocesan priests and lay people in England and then I left for Africa with Fr. Anthony Scerri.

• Carmelite Family in Kenya

The Carmelite Family is growing in Kenya. Apart from the Discalced friars, nuns and sisters, and our own enclosed nuns, we also have a community of the "Donum Dei" Missionary Family, which is finding some local Kenyan vocations. We also spoke with an Italian Consolata priest who has been setting up several Third Order groups throughout Kenya for many years. Fr. Scerri and I met a representative group of tertiaries in Nairobi. They were very interested to hear about the "Marian Year" and other projects of the Order.

I write this while we are preparing to go to Burkina Faso where the Baetica Province made a foundation last year with the help of the Italian Province. It will be my first visit to that country and I shall write about my experiences, God willing, in the next edition of CITOC.

Fr. Anthony Scerri, General Councillor

• Meeting about Timor Loro Sae

At present there are 14 Timorese studying in Malang and Flores. One was ordained in 2000 and two more are due to be ordained in 2001. In East Timor there are three Carmelite Friars, two Indonesian and the newly ordained East Timorese. They are looking after a station called Maubara in the parish of Liquica and also ministering to our Sisters of the Congregation Hermanas de la Virgen María del Monte Carmelo who have six houses in Timor Loro Sae. They have recently been granted a parish in the Suai area, an area which will soon become a diocese.

Until the present there are no difficulties for the Timorese to study in Indonesia. However, there may be difficulties when the United Nations hand over the government to the Timorese. The Indonesian Province is seeking permission to set up a formation house in Dili. Fr. Heribertus suggested that the Indonesian Province continue to supply manpower for the mission but that Australia take responsibility for the future of the mission. This proposal will be presented to the Provincial Chapter in Australia in May 2001 for discussion and possible approval.
 

• Visit to Kenya

On 18 February we moved to Nairobi and stayed with the Discalced Carmelites who could not have been more hospitable and helpful. With the Missionary Family "Donum Dei" we visited one property in the Nairobi diocese in view of our future foundation. The Discalced Carmelites also took us to look at several pieces of land in the Ngong diocese and accompanied us to visit Bishop Davies of the Ngong diocese. The Bishop was most gracious and welcoming. We would be welcome to acquire land and build a formation house in the diocese of Ngong, which is within less than half an hour drive from Tangaza College and the Catholic University.

There are many matters to be considered together with the Provinces of Upper Germany, Arago-Valentina and Catalonia, and the Indian Commissariat, before we are in a position to write to either the Archbishop of Nairobi and/or the Bishop of Ngong. I hope to have more meetings both in Europe and in Kenya to carry forward this project which is of vital importance for the future of the Order in Africa.

Fr. Alexander Vella, General Councillor

• Course for formators

The course dealt with the major themes in the RIVC. We started with a presentation of the document. Then, with the help of Fr. Joseph Abad (Aust), master of novices of the French General Delegation, we set aside a whole day for reflection on the religious life in today’s Church and its future. On 11 and 12 January we had Fr. Kees Waaijman (Neer) with us. Fr. Waaijman took the title of the document, "Formation for Carmel: A Journey of Formation", and opened for us the riches of the term "transformation" in spirituality. The following day, Fr. Romualdo Borges de Macedo (GerS-Par), master of novices in his Commissariat, guided us in a reflection on our role as formators in the light of the RIVC.

After this introductory week, we examined the main themes of the RIVC dedicating two days to each theme. These were: 1) Formation for contemplation, 2) Formation for prayer, 3) Formation for fraternity, 4) Formation for service. Bro. Günter Benker guided our reflection on contemplation, the Prior General, Fr. Joseph Chalmers, on prayer and fraternity and Fr. Dionysius Kosasih (Indo), master of novices, on service.

We also dedicated one day to Mary and Elijah. Sunny Bruijns, formator of the Dutch Province, shared with us her reflections on the spiritual journey of Mary and I did the same for Elijah. The following day, we concentrated on the elements of our charism, trying to seek to understand better the fact that contemplation constitutes the heart of the charism and unites the three constitutive elements (RIVC 23). Finally, with the help of Fr. Giovanni Grosso (Ita), member of the international commission for formation, we discussed the Programme of Carmelite studies, which is the third part of the RIVC.

For methodology, we chose to follow the way of Lectio divina. We did not just have conferences, but each of the participants was invited to participate actively in the course by listening and reflecting, praying and sharing with others the basic values of the Carmelite life. The method of Lectio divina helped us to make the ideals described in the document relevant to our real situation.

My thanks go to our Portuguese brothers who did everything possible to make our course and our stay in Portugal not only easy but also pleasant. Beside the excellent hospitality offered us by the "Casa Beato Nuno", many brothers helped in welcoming the participants at the airport, accompanying us in our visits to Fatima, Lisbon and other cities, and lodging some participants in their communities before and after the course.
 

SYMPOSIUM OF
CARMELITE PSYCHOLOGISTS

On Thursday, 22 February 2001, Carmelites who are psychologists, teachers, researchers, therapists, and spiritual guides, gathered at the Carmelite Curia Generalizia (Rome) for a five-day symposium seeking to address the question: What have Carmelite psychologists learned about the spiritual journey from their life and work as psychologists? Associated with this, there was a second question: What is the contribution psychology can make to the understanding and development of Carmelite spirituality? Each participant had already written a paper on a chosen topic, which was read by all the other participants ahead of the meeting.

The participants and their topics were:

• Fr. Hank Ormond, O.Carm. (PCM), "Being Yourself and Belonging to God: Dealing with the Many Hungers of the Human Heart". The longings of the human heart are a place of encounter with God.
• Fr. Aureliano Pacciolla, O.Carm. (Neap), "Elements and process of growth and transformation" - What favours growth, What hinders growth, How does growth take place? Human maturity and transformation. Growth is a sign of health, physical, psychological and spiritual.
• Fr. Kevin Culligan, OCD, "Empathy", a way to facilitate the exploration of the inner life, beyond the worlds of psychotherapy and spiritual guidance.
• Fr. Charles Serrao, OCD, "Growth in Community Living", The Ground Rules for life in community, Obstacles, Ways of fostering Growth.
• Fr. Dominic Savino, O.Carm. (PCM), "Rational Emotive Behaviour Therapy", Irrational beliefs cause intense feelings of anger, fear, anxiety and depression. Cognitive Therapy related to Carmelite Spirituality.
• Fr. Ildefonso Peñas, OCD, "What we want and what we can offer: Are people today interested in Intimacy and in the Experience of God? To answer some of these questions Ildefonso turned to a selection of psychologists, poets and mystics.
• Fr. Quinn Conners, O.Carm. (PCM), "Addictions, Recovery and the Dark Night" the addictive process as ultimately a spiritual experience from the perspective of the Dark Night.
• Ms. Maria Luisa Rodríguez, OCDS, "Spirituality and Psychology, a System" in which she analysed how all life, thought and experience exist within a system, where the elements are all related one to the other.
• Fr. Luis Jorge González, OCD, "Jesus as a model of psycho-spiritual development" showing Jesus to be the one who possesses the fullness of life and who leads others to the same fullness.
• Frs. Michael Plattig (GerS) and Hein Blommestijn (Neer) had to withdraw from the programme at a very late stage due to ill health.

The reaction to this first meeting was very positive. It was obvious that the topic of psychology and spirituality, opens many doors and offers real help to those who are conscious of the need to grow as individuals, in community, and in the direction of human maturity and union with Jesus Christ. The symposium was organized by Fr. Charles Serrao, OCD, and Fr. Míceál O’Neill, O.Carm., on behalf of their respective General Councils.
 

GENERAL CHAPTER 2001

• Preparatory Commission

This meeting studied the replies of the Provinces and Commissariats to the questionnaire sent by the Commission. Based on these replies, the Commission made a selection of main themes to be presented to the Chapter. These themes are: (a) work in Carmelite parishes, (b) community life, (c) service of the most needy, (d) formation and social communications. For reflection on these themes, the Lectio divina methodology will be followed, starting from each person’s meaningful experiences. According to the Commission, these experiences could be enlightening and may offer a series of criteria that may be useful in other social contexts. These experiences will show the process of development and their source in our identity as Carmelites.

During the meeting several possibilities as to the Ordo Capituli were examined in order to adapt this to the Constitutions. The Commission also prepared a first draft of the Calendar for the Chapter. For a smooth running of the Chapter, some thought was given to some elements that need to be included in the Chapter, such as the visit of the Superior General of the Discalced Carmelites, liturgical celebrations (including a Marian celebration on the occasion of the 750^th anniversary of the Scapular), a meeting with representatives of the Carmelite Family, etc. Finally, the Commission examined other possible ways of enhancing the theme of our General Chapter, that is, the journey continues.

• Provincial Delegates

NEW BLESSED MEMBER OF
THE CARMELITE THIRD ORDER

On 8 May 2001, John Paul II, on his return from a visit to Syria, will stop in Malta to beatify, on the following day, Fr. George Preca. Who is this Maltese who after forty years of his death is recognised by the Church for his heroic virtues? We shall answer this question by quoting from the Maltese newspapers published in 1962 at the time of Fr. George’s death.

Fr. George addressing people on 15 August 1954 on the occasion of the blessing of the land where was built the centre of the Societas Doctrinae Christianae (SDC) at Blata l-Bajda, Malta.

IL-POPLU, 3 August 1962:
"The day after the death of Professor Anastasio Cuschieri, O.Carm., Malta suffered another painful loss in the person of Fr. George Preca of the MUSEUM. We are losing persons who will not be easily replaced."

THE BULLETIN, 28 July 1962:
"Fr. George is no longer among us. Who can forget him? He will certainly be remembered by the thousands of souls who sought his counsels in order to gain peace of conscience, children who ran after him to ask his blessing, the thousands who had the good fortune to read his writings, who are his permanent monument."

BULLETIN (AUSTRALIA), 24 August 1962:
"Fr. George Preca has completed the mission entrusted to him by the good Lord. He has made the world a better place by raising within the Church a lay society, which apparently is destined to grow under his inspired guidance and to spread throughout the world. He was well known as a confessor, spiritual director, writer and master of spirituality. People loved him, because rather than preach, he spoke spontaneously from his lived faith. It is generally held that it was he who saved our islands from religious ignorance."

IT-TORCA, 28 July 1962:
"It was his dream to see the people of these islands well founded in the love of God and of neighbour; to see them live as brothers, united in one faith, always at peace and harmony among themselves. Such was his holiness that he was respected by most people in Malta and Gozo as the Man of God."

IL-BERQA, 3 August 1962:
"Fr. George loved people immensely; his homilies came from the heart. Who can ever tell how many hearts he consoled, how many works of charity he inspired, how many souls he brought closer to God? He was a priest of sacrifice and edification till the last breath of his life. Priests like Fr. George always stay alive, even after death, in the luminous wake of virtues that they leave behind."

LEHEN IS-SEWWA, 28 July 1962:
"Fr. George always abhorred profoundly whatever was worldly. Money never took a hold on his heart. In fact he never carried money with him. The same may be said for honours. He always sought to hide and we never saw him in places of noise and pleasure. He was always a man of sacrifice and always exemplary in all things."

SUNDAY TIMES OF MALTA, 29 July 1962:
"Fr. George spread throughout the island devotion to "Verbum Dei", to the miraculous medal and to the Carmelite Scapular. Fr. George’s monument will never disappear from our midst, because it is not a monument in marble or bronze, but a living monument: the Society of the MUSEUM founded by him."

THE BULLETIN, 31 July 1962:
"We do not have a spiritual force in Malta that can compare with that of the Society of the MUSEUM. Like all founders of great religious movements, Fr. George has left us in legacy a deeply rooted apostolic organisation, which works mainly among the working class. We have no priest who is more respected and venerated than the late Fr. George Preca."
 

The Superior General of the SDC, Mr. Victor Delicata, presenting the Prior General, Fr. J. Chalmers, with a copy of the Positio for the cause of beatification of Fr. George. (Photo: Fr. A. Vella, O.Carm., General Councillor, Fr. J. Chalmers, Mr. V. Delicata, Fr. A. Zammit, O.Carm., Provincial, Mr. J. Formosa, General Secretary, SDC).

IL-HADDIEM, 5 August 1962:
"The merits of the apostolic works accomplished by Fr. George are incalculable. However, his greatest merit is that of having been the pioneer of lay apostolate in our islands. To measure the dimensions of the figure of Fr. George we must take into consideration this brilliant fact. Fr. George was the first to conceive the idea of organising lay people to evangelise. It was entirely an original idea of his. No one before him had ever thought of lay groups, organised in every parish, solidly formed and active in the apostolate. It is good to remember that this happened 55 years ago in 1907."

MALTA TAGHNA, 4 August 1962:
"There shone in Fr. George that simplicity and enthusiasm, which are some of the characteristic and authentic signs of sanctity. His philosophy of life was completely directed towards love and sacrifice. Small people, when they come in contact with a genuine saint, they quickly feel his holiness and are not deceived. And that is why all, generation after generation, always loved Fr. George and ran after him. They ran after him too on the day of his funeral, because there were some 20,000 who gathered in Hamrun to pay their last tribute to his mortal remains."

For further information: CITOC, 1999 (135-136), 2000 (99)
http://www.ocarm.org/
http://www.sdcpreca.org
 

50^th ANNIVERSARY OF
THE PROVINCIAL COMMISSARIAT OF PARANA

This year, the Commissariat of Parana (Brazil), founded by the Upper German Province, celebrates its 50^th anniversary of existence. Celebrations are planned for the whole year, especially for the feast of Our Lady of Mount Carmel.

The first founder of the Commissariat, Fr. Ulrich Goevert, arrived in Parana in August 1951 and took the pastoral responsibility for the parish of St. Sebastian in Paranavai, which was then still considered a missionary area in the middle of the jungle. Later the Upper German Province sustained this mission by sending fourteen other religious. In 1955, Fr. Bonaventure Einberger began the building of the seminary in Graciosa. Meanwhile the pastoral commitment continued to grow by accepting various parishes: Cidade Gaúcha (1967-1993), Vila Fany (1967), Tapira (1968-1993), Dourados (1984), Rolim de Moura (1994) and Curitiba (2000).

Of the fifteen German Carmelites who went to Parana, five died, five went back to Germany and the rest are still in Brazil. At present the Provincial Commissariat of Parana has one bishop, nineteen priests, one deacon, one solemnly professed brother, five solemnly professed students, twelve simply professed students and four novices, for a total of forty-three religious.
 

DEDICATION OF
A NEW ALTAR IN CISA

On 17 February 2001, the solemn dedication of a new altar took place in the chapel of St. Albert’s International Centre. Bishop Lucio Renna, O.Carm., bishop of Avezzano, presided at the celebration. He was assisted by Fr. Mark Attard, Prior. The community and many friends of the community were present.

The meaningful ceremony began at 6.00 p.m. with a procession of priests to the chapel. The greeting of the bishop, the blessing of water and the sprinkling of the priests, people and the new altar with the holy water, introduced the liturgy of the Word. After the homily, which was delivered by the bishop, and the recitation of the Creed, the Litany of the Saints was sung and the coffer with the relics of saints was placed. The relics were placed at the foot of the column of the new altar and are those of Blessed Franco, Saint Angelo and Saint Valentine. These were previously placed in one of the side altars of the same chapel. A page recording the dedication of the altar, the names of the saints and the signature of the bishop and the prior, was also placed in the coffer. After the coffer was placed and sealed in the column of the altar, the central and most meaningful moments of the ceremony took place:

• the prayer of dedication, which, according to a long tradition, expresses the intention to dedicate the altar to God forever and asks for God’s blessing;
• the anointing of the altar with the oil of chrism, symbol of Christ, the anointed of the Father by the Holy Spirit;
• the placing on the altar of a small incense brazier followed by the incensing of the altar, the bishop, priests and people, symbol of the sacrifice of Christ that rises to God in the odour of sweetness and so that the prayers offered by the assembly may be accepted and be pleasing to God;
• the wiping of the altar, after the anointing, and the covering of the altar with a cloth prepared for the celebration of the Eucharist, symbol of the table of the Lord, where the sacrificial meal of Christ immolated is to be celebrated;
• finally the giving of a lighted candle by the bishop to the prior to light the candles on the altar, thus bathing the altar and the chapel in festive light in memory of Christ, light to enlighten the world.

A CONGRESS ON
BISHOP AMADOR ARRAIS, O.CARM.

On the occasion of the 4^th centenary of the death of Bishop Amador Arrais, O.Carm., the Secretariat for Co-ordination and Pastoral Action of the diocese of Beja (presided by Fr. Antonio Domingos), in collaboration with the Carmelites of the General Commissariat (represented by Fr. Manuel Freitas), organised a congress on 16-17 February 2001 on the life, work and times of this famous son of Portugal. The congress was opened in the presence of both bishops of Beja, the bishop of Portalegre e Castelo Branco and of several distinguished guests. Fr. Emanuele Boaga (Ita) gave a paper on "The Carmelite Order at the Time of Bishop Amador Arrais", and Fr. Balbino Velasco Bayon (Cast) gave a paper on "The Carmelite Order in Alentejo in XVIth Century". Besides the conferences, the programme included an iconographic presentation of the diocese of Beja, a concert of sacred music from XVIth century and a discussion on the Church in the same century. About a hundred persons took part in the congress.

Bishop Amador Arrais, O.Carm., was born in Beja. At the age of 15 he joined the Carmelite Order. He became auxiliary bishop of Évora and later the third bishop of the diocese of Portalegre. He is the author of the literary work entitled Diálogos, which is one of the classics of Portuguese literature, and which, together with Os Lusíadas, has contributed to the setting of the Portuguese language before the Castilian influence. He died on 1 August 1600 in Coimbra (Portugal).
 

700^th ANNIVERSARY OF
THE BIRTH OF SAINT ANDREW CORSINI

(Carmelite church, Mdina, Malta)

On Sunday, 7 January 2001, at 11.30, in the Carmelite Basilica in Florence (Italy), a solemn pontifical Eucharist was celebrated in memory of the 700^th anniversary of the birth of Saint Andrew Corsini, Florentine Carmelite and bishop of Fiesole. Cardinal Silvano Piovanelli, Archbishop of Florence, presided at the Eucharist. Among the concelebrants were the bishop of Fiesole, Luciano Giovannetti, the Provincial of the Italian Province, Fr. Carlo Cicconetti, and the Provincial of the Discalced Carmelites, Fr. Graziano Sbrolli.

By special privilege, the feast of Saint Andrew Corsini is celebrated in Florence on 7 January, while the Order celebrates the feast on 9 January and the universal Church on 4 February. In Rome, on 4 February, a solemn commemoration was held in the Basilica of St. John Lateran, in the chapel of the Corsini family, dedicated to the saint. Cardinal Angelo Sodano, Secretary of State, celebrated a solemn Eucharist at which were present the Prior General, Fr. Joseph Chalmers, and a large number of Carmelite friars and sisters.

Saint Andrew Corsini was born in Florence in 1301. He entered religious life in the convent of his native city. At the General Chapter held in Metz (Germany), he was elected Provincial of Tuscany in 1348, and the following year he was nominated bishop of Fiesole. He ruled his diocese with admirable examples of charity and with great eloquence. He distinguished himself for his apostolic zeal, prudence and love of the poor. With his own hands he distributed bread to the needy. He was respected and liked by all. Many, both rich and not so rich, came to him to seek peace after years of struggle and hatred that destroyed many families and cities. He died on 6 January 1374. He was canonised on 29 April 1629. His incorrupt body lies in the Carmelite Basilica in Florence before the famous Brancacci Chapel. Several celebrations will be held during this year until 4 February 2002 to recall the figure of this Saint known as "Father of the poor" and "Worker for justice".
 

14^th ANNUAL CARMELITE SEMINAR

The Carmelite Forum will offer a Summer Seminar for the fourteenth year at Saint Mary’s College, Notre Dame, Indiana, from 10 to 16 June 2001. The theme for this seminar will be "Reading and Praying the Carmelite Classics" and will honour two Carmelite nuns whose unique gifts and wisdom have greatly enriched the field of Carmelite Spirituality over the last four decades.

Lectures at the seminar will include Keith J. Egan on "Reading and Praying the Carmelite Classics", Daniel Chowning, OCD, on "John of the Cross and Healing", Kevin Culligan, "Pondering the Lord’s Law and Watching Prayer", Dianne Traflet on "Edith Stein: Carmelite Years", Mary Frohlich on "Teresa, Foundress and Storyteller: Reading the Foundations", John Welch, O.Carm.(PCM), on "The Carmelite Way: A process of Transformation". These speakers will also offer workshops on various Carmelite Classics including Edith Stein and Thérèse of Lisieux. A special feature of this summer’s seminar will be a Desert Day on 13 June, as a time for silence, solitude and prayer so that the seminar will offer some experience of the Carmelite charism.

Anyone who is interested in growing in appreciation of Carmelite spirituality for personal spiritual growth and for the enrichment of one’s ministry is welcome to this week where Carmelite values and vision are shared by a community of those who find Carmel’s Way a friend for the journey to God. Information, brochures and posters are available from The Center for Spirituality, Saint Mary’s College, Notre Dame, IN 46556-5001. Tel. 219-284-4636; Fax: 219-284-4855; E-Mail: mlukasze@saintmarys.edu
 

IRMÃS CARMELITAS
DA DIVINA PROVIDÊCIA

• General Chapter

CARMELITE CLOISTERED NUNS

• Madrid, Spain

• Fisciano (Salerno), Italy

• Sutri (Viterbo), Italy

• Vetralla, Italy

Only two days later, the Carmel of Vetralla welcomed representatives of the Chile and Argentina Embassies who commemorated the renewed peace between these two countries through the good offices of cardinal Antonio Samorè who is buried in the chapel of the monastery. That providential diplomatic assistance was remembered during the Eucharistic celebration presided by Card. Achille Silvestrini.
 

CARMELITE PUBLICATIONS

Books:

Antologia dello Scapolare,
(a cura di Giampiero Molinari, O.Carm.), Centro Stampa Carmelitana, Roma, 2001, pp. 320. (E-mail: carmel@mclink.it). This anthology aims at presenting basic information concerning that which has been published from the time of Vatican Council II to the present, and hence to take a first step towards "rethinking" and "reformulating" devotion to the Scapular in a way that is more meaningful for our times. The book is divided into five sections: (a) several studies, articles, research papers published in Italian, (b) devotion to the Scapular in the life and writings of various pontiffs, (c) documents of the Order, (d) a witness of the Scapular – blessed Isidore Bakanja, (e) a bibliography for further study.

BOAGA, Emanuele, O.Carm.,
La Signora del Luogo - Maria nella storia e nella vita del Carmelo, Edizioni Carmelitane, Roma, 2001, pp. 228. (E-mail: edizioni@ocarm.org). In the presentation of this volume, the author uses the same style and didactic methodology as he did in his previous publication "Come pietre vive…nel Carmelo" and helps the reader to acquire a systematic understanding of the whole Marian dimension of Carmel. Fr. Boaga, a well-known scholar in the fields of Carmelite history and spirituality, leads the reader to examine facts in order to discover in them a more realistic and deeper meaning and to understand the interior dynamics that has moved generations of Carmelites in their love for the Blessed Virgin, Mother of God, and then to invoke her as Patroness, Mother and Sister.

COLOMBO, Mariassunta; LABIO, Mario,
Il Vangelo del giorno - Spunti di meditazione e formazione - Tempo di Quaresima, Edizioni Carmelitane, Roma, 2001, pp. 190. (E-mail: carm.miss.stbg@mclink.it / edizioni@ocarm.org). This is a biblical liturgical help for the days of Lent. It follows the same methodology as the previous volume for Advent. For every day there is a suitable passage from the Gospel, followed by a message highlighting the theme, then an exegetical reading of the text, some spiritual thoughts taken from the Fathers of the Church and from St. Therese of Lisieux as well as from the Spiritual Diary of the Servant of God, Mother Maria Crocifissa Curcio, Foundress of the Congregation of the Carmelite Missionary Sisters of St. Therese of the Child Jesus.

North American Province of Saint Elias,
2001 Directory, Provincial Office, Middletown, 2000, pp. 56. (E-mail: proelias@frontiernet.net)

SAGGI, Ludovico, O.Carm.,
Santa Maria del Monte Carmelo, (ristampa), Centro Stampa Carmelitana, Roma, 2001, pp. 60. (E-mail: carmel@mclink.it)

Statuten der oberdeutschen Provinz der Karmeliten,
Provinzialat der Karmeliten, Bamberg, 2001, pp. 34. (E-mail: ba3531@bnv-bamberg.de)

Posters:

Speculum Carmelitanum,
Centro Stampa Carmelitano, Roma, 2001, size 50x70 cm. (E-mail: carmel@mclink.it). This is an enlargement of the frontispiece of the book Speculum Carmelitanum (1680 edition). The poster is printed on ivory paper with the prayer Flos Carmeli at the centre. The picture represents the prophets Elijah and Elisha watering and looking after "Carmel’s vine" which bears the fruit of the Virgin Mary with her divine Son and the saints of the Carmelite Family.
 

NEWS IN BRIEF

• Servant of God Mother Mary Ellerker of the Blessed Sacrament

• The Marian Year in Malta

• Seminar on the Carmelite Rule

• Do not be afraid to open the doors of the internet to Christ!

UPDATE OF ADDRESSES AND
TELEPHONE NUMBERS

Change in addresses

Carmelite Cloistered Nuns
Monasterio Carmelita, "N. Señora de América y S. José", Los pinos, Cacique, Monción, Dominican Rep.

Changed phone / fax numbers

Dutch Province
Karmel, Vincent van Goghplein, 4, 7606 HP Almelo, Holland. Tel: 0546.536410, Fax: 0546.536429
Provincial's Fax: 0546.536422
Italian Province
Padri Carmelitani, Basilica Parrocchiale S. Martino ai Monti, Viale Monte Oppio, 28, 00184 Roma, Italy. Fax: (+39) 06.48919133

New Web sites

Istituto Santa Maria del Carmine, Foggia
http://web.tiscalinet.it/ismcarmine/
The Irish Carmelites
http://www.irishcarmelites.com/index.html
Orden de los Carmelitas - Comisariado Peruano
http://www.carmelitasperu.org.pe

New e-mail addresses

St. Elias American Province

Driscoll, Michael Duffy, Edward Nagle, Richard St. Albert's Priory, Middletown

<frpeanuts@aol.com> <dufffred@asiaaccess.net.th> <naglepadregolf@email.msn.com> <stalbert@frontiernet.net>

Philippines Provincial Commissariat

De La Cruz, Antonio

<frtonycruz@hotmail.com>

PCM American Province

McInerney, Blaise

<blaise@htn.net>

Institute of our Lady of Mount Carmel

Istituto S.M. del Carmine, Foggia

<istitutodelcarmine@tiscalinet.it>

Provincial Commissariat of Parana

Noviciado, Graciosa

<carmelgraciosa@uol.com.br>

Irish Province

Brennan, Philip (Director of Vocations) Byrne, Robert

<pbrennan@irishcarmelites.com> <robyrne@irishcarmelites.com>

Neapolitan Province

Carmelitani, Caivano

<carmcaivano@libero.it>

Italian Province

Basile, Giuseppe

<useppeb@tin.it>

Corpus Christi Carmelites

Nero, Clare Marie

<lhhn@wow.net>

Castilian Province

Prieto Bermejo, Celso  Provincial / Secretario Provincial

<celsoprieto@empresas.retecal.es> <elhenar@empresas.retecal.es>

Carmelite Missionary Sisters of St. Thérèse of the Child Jesus

Provincia Italia-Malta, Roma

<carm.pim@tiscalinet.it>

Dutch Province

Tilet, Arie

<Arie.Tilet@tbi.kun.nl>

Indonesian Province

Lumban Gaol, Pahala Petrus Hasudungan

<mrpah@lycos.com>

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

14 January 2001
Aparecido Antunes Paschoal (Flum)
Francisco Antônio R. de Barros (Flum)
Benedito da Silva (Flum)
Osmar Aloizio Resende (Flum)
João Paulo de Carvalho Sulva (Flum)
Graziano Aparecido Costa (Flum)
Wellington C. de Oliveira (Flum)
Júlio César Rastoldo (Flum)
2 February 2001
C. Vilela Roquim da Silva (GerS-Par)
Ademir Luiz dos Santos (GerS-Par)
Hernandes Fernando de Souza (GerS-Par)
Jaques Altemir Mees (GerS-Par)
Júlio César de Oliveira Soares (Pern)
R. F. da Silva (Francisco Rabelo) (Pern)
José Pereira Maia (Maia) (Pern)
Genildo Mário de Queiroz (Pern)

Simple Professions

6 January 2001
Valmir Aquino Lima (Flum)
Edvaldo Francisco de Moura (Flum)
Weliton Angelino (Flum)
11 February 2001
Carla Zinno (CAR)
25 February 2001
Paul Lonot Sireh (Aust)

25 Years Simple Profession

18 June 2001
Paul Denault (SEL)

50 Years Simple Profession

2 May 2001
Johannes (Robertus) Hanenberg (Neer)
Antonius (Albertus) Wessels (Neer)
13 May 2001
Mª Trinidad Labrador Carranza (ZAR)
21 May 2001
Juana María Perez Diaz (HUE)
31 May 2001
Mª de Jesús Alonso Velasco (VDA)
17 June 2001
J. (Eduardo) Carmona Sanchez (Baet)
Manuel de Anguiano y Villegas (Baet)

Solemn Professions

17 December 2000
João Alves Bezerra (GerS-Par)
Gilberto Granja de Souza (GerS-Par)
7 January 2001
Adilson Cidrão Carreta (GerS-Par)

Diaconate Ordinations

14 February 2001
Germán Mamani Condori (Mel-Bol)
Milton Murillo Ortiz (Mel-Bol)
25 February 2001
Luiz Reinaldo Marin (GerS-Par)
1 March 2001
Aniceto Maia Da Costa (Indo)
Nelinho Americo Ferreira Soares (Indo)
Yoseph Utus (Indo)
Albertus Medyanto (Indo)
Agustinus Paryono (Indo)
Albertus Christian Han (Indo)
Antonius Wahyu Anggono (Indo)

Priestly Ordinations

10 February 2001
Dacir Furlan (GerS-Par)

25 Years Priestly Ordination

8 May 2001
Joseph Atcher (PCM)
15 May 2001
Eugene Bettinger (PCM)
21 May 2001
Patrick McMahon (PCM)
29 May 2001
Viktor (Viktor) Heger (GerI)
James Hess (SEL)
Francis Dixon (SEL)

50 Years Priestly Ordination

19 May 2001
Lluís (Gerard) Bosch i Lloret (Cat)
9 June 2001
John (Anton) Kollar (PCM)
Francis McCarthy (PCM)
Lester (Bertin) Smith (PCM)
Edwin (Christopher) Byrnes (SEL)
Charles (Timothy) Donohue (SEL)

Necrology

9 November 2000
Patrick Gleeson (PCM)
14 December 2000
George Kennedy (PCM)
17 January 2001
Ma. de los Angeles Pons Boldú (VAL)
2 February 2001
Ma. Isabel Torres (TRU)
3 February 2001
Josephine de Roeper (ECH)
4 February 2001
Cecilia Nuijten (ECH)
24 February 2001
Maria Grazia Calenne (CAR-JES)
 

CARMELITE NUNS AROUND THE WORLD

Address: Avenida César Augusto, 1
50004, Saragozza
Spain

On 30 June 1615, in sede vacante, Mgr. Gabriel de Sosa, canon of the metropolitan church of La Seo and vicar general of the city, authorised the foundation. This was the second authorisation on the part of the Church since at first Bishop Pedro Manrique had conceded it on 5 March 1614, but because of his death his vicar had to renew the permission. Apart from the death of the bishop, there was another great difficulty, namely that the city did not allow new foundations that would be a financial burden on the city. But the insistence of the Carmelite friars prevailed over the resistance of the government and the city council. Indeed, the permission of the city council of Saragozza was given on 27 January 1615 after the friars of the Province of Aragon promised in writing that they would help to maintain the foundation of the Carmelite nuns. The construction of the church began in 1704 and was completed in 1724 thanks to the contribution of the archbishop of Saragozza, Manuel Pérez de Araciel.

The foundress, M. Serafina Bonastre and three other religious from the monastery of the Incarnation in Valencia left the city of Turia on 4 July 1615 and arrived in Saragozza four days later, warmly welcomed by the citizens. The following Saturday, 11 July, the solemn opening was celebrated with the investiture of the foundress, Ana Carrillo. The next day four other young ladies received the habit, two of them nieces of the foundress. Abbot Carrillo celebrated the Mass.

In the monastery of the Incarnation vocations abounded, even when the financial situation was not good. From the beginning, because of the fervour of the religious, the monastery acquired great fame of holiness. Three nuns, the Escobar sisters, were instrumental in rendering the monastery famous throughout the Order. The graces and mystical character of the religious were recounted by Fr. Faci in his Vida de Mariana Villalba. Sr. Serafina Bonastre was a model of the spiritual life of the monastery. She excelled especially in her devotion to the Virgin Mary. This Marian character was maintained throughout the history of the monastery "whose roots and foundations are the constant meditation of the venerable life of Christ". The Jesuit Oxea put together the autobiography of the holy nun and this was finally published by Fr. Lumbier (1675). Sr. María José de Jesús was another bud that adorned the first dawns of the monastery. She died in 1625.

The war of independence and the situation of the monastery, near the gates of the city, conditioned the life of the nuns when the French army occupied the city. The nuns, on the left of the entrance to the city, at the Puerta del Carmen, and the friars on the right, were in constant contact to know what was going on during the war. The friars addressed the defenders and the nuns helped where they could with their work and assistance. Between June and August of 1808 the nuns could have abandoned their monastery before the advancing forces, but they stayed on.

However, during the second siege of December 1808 to February 1809 things were different. The nuns were obliged to leave the monastery and all else among bullets and bombs. This time they had to seek asylum in different places until the end of the war. Deprived of their monastery, which on 17 December 1809 became the Hospital of Our Lady of Graces, the nuns did not desist from their commitment to reclaim it. Their constant request was always refused by the authorities under the pretence that the rooms were needed for the hospital. On 3 June 1814 they received the transfer of the monastery according to the royal decrees of transfer of buildings to religious and on 20 August 1815 the nuns took back their monastery but losing part to the hospital. This was compensated by medical service and medicine for the nuns.

Due to urbanisation, the nuns were obliged to build a new monastery. The first stone was laid on 3 April 1962 and the opening was held on 14 November 1965. Its present position in front of the Puerta del Carmen, recalls its origins and its history. The place where the monastery and garden used to be, is now a very busy part of the city. Here also the Carmelite friars made a foundation and have a parish and a prestigious university college.

After Vatican II the monastery became a centre for nation and international meetings for the adaptation of constitutions of religious life. On 10 December 1980 the Federation "Mater Unitatis" was established, including the Carmelite monasteries of the Betica Province. This community played a very important part. The monastery was placed at the service of the Federation in 1985 and some fifty courses of initial and on-going formation, monographic courses and federal assemblies have taken place there. Today the community is made up of religious who carry out liturgical and formation activities by means of live-ins and meetings in accordance with their contemplative life.
 

750th Anniversary of the Carmelite Scapular     1251-2001

"Every work of the Carmelite must be inspired by his/her love for Mary, through whom she offers his/her whole being to God." – Arnold Bostius "If we wish to conform ourselves to Mary, in order to enjoy fully a state of intimacy with God, after her example, we must necessarily be "other Maries". We must allow Mary to live in us." – B. Titus Brandsma "May the loving thought of Mary accompany you day and night, during your prayers, your work, your conversations, in the midst of your joys and sorrows, in your rest. May she always take first place in your memory." – Arnold Bostius "Carmelites should live a life so like that of Mary, that they live with, in, through and for Mary…Our devotion to Mary must lead us to become almost other mothers of God, so that God may also be conceived in us and generated by us." – B. Titus Brandsma "As the Mother of God, the Virgin Mary chooses the souls she wishes to lead to her beloved Son and to bedeck with bridal robes for his honour and pleasure." - St. Teresa Benedicta of the Cross "The Carmelites have chosen a Rule, many points of which the Blessed Virgin Mary observed in her own life." - John Baconthorpe "How pleasing the faith of Our Lady was to the Heavenly Father! It was her faith that made Jesus grow more and more each day in her. If we have such faith it will make Jesus grow in our hearts." - Bl. Mary of Jesus Crucified "The imitation of Mary is necessary and an obligation for the soul that must live always before God, so as not to be separated from God for any reason, so as to be able to savour the Crucified and to possess Him." – St. Mary Magdalene de’ Pazzi