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No. 2 – MARCH – APRIL 1999 English Edition   CONTENTS ACTIVITIES OF THE MEMBERS OF THE GENERAL  COUNCIL Chapter: Province of Rio de Janeiro   Chapter: Provincial Commissariat of Paranà   Chapter: Province of Pernambuco   Electoral Assembly: Province of Great Britain   Visit at the Sandro Pertini Hospital   Meeting of the International Commission for Lay Carmel CONVOCATION OF THE INTERNATIONAL  MEETING OF FORMATORS ANNIVERSARIES AROUND THE PROVINCES 25th Anniversary of the Upper German Province in India   Fifth Centenary of the Betica Province   50th Anniversary of PCM American Province in Peru   50th Anniversary of the Maltese Province in Latin America   25th Anniversary of the Parish of Mostacciano (Rome) INTERNATIONAL ONGOING FORMATION  COURSE 1999 CARMELITE NUNS LAY CARMELITES IN THE ENGLISH SPEAKING  CARIBBEAN CARMELITE PUBLICATIONS NEWS IN BRIEF "The Man Upon Whom the Finger of God Has Rested"   Solemn Profession on Mount Carmel   Carmelite Family in India   Elijah, who are you?   New appointments for Carmelites in East Timor, Indonesia   Venerable Angelo Paoli, O.Carm.   Appointed to the diocese of Beja, Portugal   9th Meeting of Young Carmelites in Venezuela   St. Andrew Corsini: Eucharistic "heart" of the Lateran Basilica UPDATE OF ADDRESSES AND TELEPHONE  NUMBERS CARMELITE MILESTONES CARMELITE NUNS AROUND THE WORLD CARMELITE MOVEMENTS

The earth is awash
with great splendour,
let it rejoice and be glad;
the light of the eternal King
has conquered the darkness of the world!

ACTIVITIES OF THE MEMBERS OF
THE GENERAL COUNCIL

Fr. Joseph Chalmers, Prior General

• Chapter: Province of Rio de Janeiro

• Chapter: Provincial Commissariat of Paranà

• Chapter: Province of Pernambuco

• Electoral Assembly: Province of Great Britain

• Visit at the Sandro Pertini Hospital

I spent two weeks in Rome and then flew to Vietnam.
 

Fr. Lucio Renna, Delegate for Lay Carmel

• Meeting of the International Commission

1. The project for Lay Carmel: to see if and how it was being carried out according to the previously agreed programme. In general the project is progressing according to schedule, although there is some slight delay in the revision of the Third Order Rule and Ritual. Regarding commitments for 1999, some Provinces are more advanced than others. It was suggested therefore, that the General Delegate should send a letter, possibly together with an invitation from the relevant General Councillor for the area concerned, proposing celebrations and meetings for areas and Provinces following the themes set out by the International Congress at Fatima in 1998.
2. The draft Third Order Rule: a study has been prepared for the revision of the Third Order Rule in the light of the new Code of Canon Law, the Carmelite Constitutions and Christifideles laici. The new text, which is largely based on the previous version, was examined point by point and some additions made. It will now be translated into English, French, Spanish and Portuguese. The next step proposed by the Commission is to submit the new text to the General Council and the appropriate Vatican Congregation for approval.
3. International Lay Carmelite Congress: the date (Holy Week, 2000) and place (Sassone) were re-confirmed. The general theme will be "Lay Carmel between the ‘already’ and the ‘not yet’: a gift and a responsibility in the Church at the service of the world". Specific topics: 1) Called by our past: a) telling the key points of our history; b) emphasising in the story the spiritual values incarnated by our saints. 2) Living history in the present: a) a look at the present underlining positive and negative aspects; b) how Carmel, and especially Lay Carmel, can meet the challenges and expectations of our age. 3) Pitched towards God’s future: a) to be formed and to form in the light of God and of history as lay Carmelites; b) witnesses to a Carmelite specificity.

CONVOCATION OF THE INTERNATIONAL
MEETING OF FORMATORS

With a letter of 6 January 1999, the Prior General, Fr. Joseph Chalmers, and Councillor General for Formation, Fr. Alexander Vella, in accordance with our Constitutions, article 129 convened the international meeting of all the formators of the Order to revise and update the Ratio Institutionis Vitae Carmelitanae (RIVC) which is the document in which all aspects of the formative process are defined.

The meeting will take place at the Carmelite retreat centre of San Felice del Benaco (near Brescia, Italy) from 28 September to 5 October 1999. The meeting is for formators at all levels and vocations promoters. Each Province, Commissariat and Delegation is expected to send at least one formator to this meeting. The formators in each region of the Order have already been involved in work to update the RIVC and at this meeting a final draft will be presented for discussion. The RIVC will then be presented to the Prior General and Council for approval.
 

ANNIVERSARIES
AROUND THE PROVINCES

• 25^th Anniversary of the Upper German Province in India

Fr. Joseph Kotschner, the then Provincial planned and organised this task with a long vision. He went to India, visited many dioceses and talked with the bishops about the idea. As a result of all these contacts the first batch of students arrived in Bamberg (Germany) on 29 December 1973. Two other groups followed in 1974 and 1976. From all these three batches only four candidates completed their Philosophical and theological studies successfully in Germany. They were ordained priests during 1981-83 and begun their ministry in India. In the meantime, on 15 August 1982, Bishop George Punnakottil laid in Kerala the foundation stone of the first Carmelite house for the Order "Carmel Nivas". During the following years the Indian Carmelites increased in number and opened four other houses.

In 1991 the Indian foundation was made a region with Fr. Thomas Kizhakkemury as regional superior and in 1993 the status was elevated to a Provincial Commissariat with Fr. Sunny Kodiyan as first Commissary. At present the Provincial Commissariat of India has 60 professed members out of which 36 are solemnly professed. Among them, 27 are priests and all the rest are in priestly formation. There are also 10 postulants and 27 aspirants in various levels of formation.

• Fifth Centenary of the Betica Province

• 50^th Anniversary of PCM American Province in Peru

Recently the school purchased a piece of property about 20 miles from the Colegio which will serve as a retreat house for the students and other Carmelite apostolates as well as a centre of recreation for the students and their families. Villa Carmelitas, as it has been named, can accommodate 60 students in six separate bungalows. It also has a very beautiful church with a seating capacity of 100 people and a dining room - conference hall complex. The property of 15,000 sq. ms. has a swimming pool, a volleyball / handball court, an outdoor dining pavilion and two separate picnic areas. A football / basketball court is also in the planning stages. In addition there is a small bungalow which will serve as chaplain's quarters and two small bungalows for the caretaker and the cook and their respective families. At present about 4,000 sq. ms. have been planted as a vegetable garden to supply the kitchen. In the near future chickens will also be added to help supply the kitchen with eggs and meat. There is room for future expansion because there is a large stable area that can easily be prepared to house an additional 30 people. The Villa is very attractive and is located in an area which is still in the developing stages. The previous owners had so designed the property that it resembles a small provincial town.

The second project involves the construction of a gymnasium with a seating capacity of about 3,000 people at the high school. The gymnasium complex is designed to incorporate into its structure a grandstand which already exists behind the goal posts of the soccer field. Approximately 450 sq. ms. of the building will be used for specialised classrooms and workshops. Construction of the gymnasium began during the month of October 1998. Hopefully the dedication of the gymnasium will coincide with the 50th anniversary celebration in July of 1999.

• 50^th Anniversary of the Maltese Province in Latin America

To commemorate this anniversary and to understand better the situation and needs of Maltese missionaries, in January and February 1999, the Provincial, Fr. Amadeo Zammit and the Provincial Councillor for the Missions, Fr. Albert Brincat, visited the seven Maltese friars and two Bolivian students in Peru and Bolivia. During his stay the Provincial conferred the Ministry of Acolyte on Bro. Germán Mamani and the Ministry of Reader on Bro. Milton Murillo, the first two Bolivian members of the Province.

On another occasion, 2 February 1999, at Villa Fatima (La Paz) in Bolivia, the Provincial opened and blessed a Carmelite Centre for Spirituality (CECARE) and a retreat house, "Saint Teresa of the Child Jesus". According to Fr. Valerian Mercieca, Provincial Delegate and the one behind the initiative, the objectives and aims of this centre are two-fold: "It is a place where young people and adults can meet one another for spiritual retreats organised by the community. It also offers an opportunity to participate in and share Lectio Divina with the community. In order to reach these goals, courses have been arranged on the Bible, catechetics, theology, and so on.

• 25^th Anniversary of the Parish of Mostacciano (Rome)

INTERNATIONAL ONGOING
FORMATION COURSE 1999

From 17 January to 5 February, 27 members of the Carmelite Family from various countries, gathered in the Istituto Madonna del Carmelo at Sassone (Rome) to take part in an Ongoing Formation Course organised by a commission made up of Frs. Falco Thuis (Neer), Antonio Ruiz Molina (Baet), Alexander Vella (General Councillor for Formation) and Henk Hoekstra (General Delegate for Mass Media and Communication in the Order).

The daily programme was made up of morning prayer, breakfast, two talks, Mass, lunch, a talk, plenary discussion, evening prayer and dinner. The topics dealt with during the course were:

• "The development of the media: an overall vision"; "Cinema and spirituality"; "Films and videos on Carmelite subjects" (Henk Hoekstra, O.Carm.)
• "The use of media in the Order: overall picture"; "Great Carmelite communicators" (Antonio Ruiz Molina, O.Carm.)
• "Titus Brandsma, promoter of Catholic journalism"; "Carmelite periodicals and information services" (Joan Hemels)
• "The Collective Carmelite memory"; "Institutum Carmelitanum" (Emanuele Boaga, O.Carm.)
• "The Titus Brandsma Institute in Nijmegen" (Falco Thuis, O.Carm.)
• "The Carmelite Institute in Washington" (Patrick McMahon, O.Carm.)
• "Pop music and religious music" (Fabio Pasqualetti, SDB)
• "CD-ROM: electronic and multimedia publishing" (Caterina Cangià, SDB)
• "Means of communication and evangelisation" (Pierre Babin, OMI)
• "Carmelites and the Internet" (Anthony Cilia and William Harry, O.Carm.)
• "E-mail, satellite phones, etc. and religious orders" (Jean Paul Guillet)
• "Models of communication and models of Church" (Robert White, SJ)
• "Media and religious orders" (Gaston Roberge, SJ)

At the end of our three weeks together the Ongoing Formation Group feels that it is right to tell you something about what we have experienced and learned together. Above all, the experience in Sassone has been a positive one of fraternity, co-operation and mutual understanding of our diverse cultures. Indeed, our experience has been greatly enriched by the fact that we come from a whole variety of countries and backgrounds. The experts who came to talk to us gave us many points for reflection and for further discussion and certainly these three weeks represent only a beginning of our study of the question of mass media. However, we would like to draw some conclusions from what we have heard and learned which provide some concrete suggestions for further action in this field. To begin with, we realise that we have passed from a generation based on books (a literary culture) to one based on audio-visual means of communication. We welcome this new cultural context in which we work, and we acknowledge the need to dialogue with it in order to pass on our Carmelite values in this age. Our Constitutions already invite us to work with the mass media (no.34 § 2), but we must pass from simply treating the media as external instruments to a relationship with the media in which evangelisation takes place because the way of communicating and what is communicated become increasingly one. While we recognise the value of the culture that surrounds us we also realise that in some sense it is incomplete and imperfect. By dialoguing with those who in fact shape modern culture, through the use of TV, CD-ROM and the Internet, we feel sure that we can promote human values in an eschatological perspective towards a better future. In order to put these principles into practice, we would like to suggest the following concrete proposals:

Commitments undertaken by the group

1. Put summary of this Ongoing Formation Course on Internet and in CITOC.
2. Compile a catalogue of videos, music cassettes, CDs and CD-ROMs of Carmelite interest.
3. Send duplicate books on Philosophy and Theology in English to Zimbabwe.
4. Give all possible help and support to the presentation of the history of the Order on CD by Fr. A. Ruiz.
5. Latin texts and English translation from Medieval Carmelite Heritage (Frs. A. Staring and R. Copsey) to be put on the Internet.

1. Encourage all Provinces to produce Internet pages.
2. Make a commitment to provide Internet equipment to parts of the Order where there are not sufficient means.
3. Put a strong statement on the need for communication training in RIVC – technical, spiritual and social.
4. Move into CD design and production.
5. Establish provincial communications group.
6. Establish international communications group, which would provide a forum for the General Delegates for Culture (Higher Studies), Communication and Formation to work together.
7. Discuss social communications at international meetings (e.g. General Congregation, Bamberg 1999)
8. Produce video in various languages on Carmel.
9. Set clear objectives for each year (Year 1, acquire the equipment; Year 2, learn how to use the equipment: Year 3 produce useful materials with the equipment).
10. Establish divisions for electronic publication in the major institutes of the Order.

May Mary, the Mother of the Word, be with us in our search for the true face of God and in our efforts to make the truth of his love known wherever we are called to serve.
 

CARMELITE NUNS

• Cordoba (Spain)

The course for juniors will begin on 11 April with a concelebrated Mass presided over by Fr. Rafael Leiva Sánchez, Provincial. This course will take place in the federation’s house in Cordoba and will last nine weeks. The following topics will be dealt with:

• "History of the Order: the Reforms" (Fr. Antonio Ruiz, O.Carm.)
• "Sacred Scripture: Pentateuch – Exodus" (Fr. Jaime Andrade, O.Carm.)
• "Importance of Formation in the light of the First Institutes, Vita Consecrata and our legislation (Fr. Joaquin Cano, CMF)
• "Liturgy: historical and liturgical development of Baptism, Confirmation and Sacrament of the Sick" (Fr. Manuel Jurado, O.Carm.)
• "Music" (Rev. José Galindo Garcia)
• "Dogma: Baptism and Eucharist" (Rev. Gaspar Bustos)
• "Introduction to the Sacraments and Penance" (Fr. Fernando Millán, O.Carm.)
• "Sacred Scripture: The Prophets" (Rev. Jacinto Núñez)
• "Spirituality: Prayer" (Fr. Alfonso Moreno, O.Carm.)

• Vetralla (Italy)

LAY CARMELITES IN
THE ENGLISH SPEAKING CARIBBEAN

The presence of Lay Carmelites in the English speaking Caribbean has a long history of more than 60 years. Throughout this period several people dedicated their life to spread the spirituality of Carmel among the people of God. At present the registered membership is approximately 400. There are 8 Lay Carmels in Trinidad and 3 in St. Lucia. Three new Lay Carmels are blossoming in the garden of the Caribbean, namely St. Vincent, Dominica and Antigua. In order to co-ordinate activities among these groups, a National Council for the Third Order was formed, with its first president Br. Frank Cooper, and Regional Co-ordinator, Sr. Adriana Noel of the Congregation Corpus Christi Carmelites. Members are actively involved in the parishes. As a community of Lay Carmelites they have accepted, at the request of the Archbishop, Mgr. Anthony Pantin, to continue the Apostolate of the Sick. The terminally ill, whose names are registered, receive a Certificate ensuring them of their prayers. On the feast of Our Lady of Lourdes many parishes celebrate Holy Mass for the sick and Lay Carmelites provide transportation for those who could attend.

In order to experience community three activities are organised annually by the National Council: a General Meeting, a retreat and a social event. Lay Carmelites are also assisted in their formation by a quarterly magazine Carmeletter. In view of the third millennium, the Caribbean Lay Carmelites have a three fold program in On-going formation: (a) to become more Carmelite; (b) to make Mary, the Mother of Carmel, better known and loved; (c) to build lay communities who genuinely love God and their neighbour. At present the National Council is very active in conducting an out-reach programme to encourage youths between the ages of fifteen and twenty to become members of the Carmelite Third Order.

Lay Caribbean are very grateful to the Carmelite Fathers in the United Kingdom and in the United States (particularly to the Carmelites of St. Elias Province who last year opened a new foundation in Trinidad), and to the Archbishop of Port-of-Spain for their spiritual guidance and support.
 

CARMELITE PUBLICATIONS

BÄUMER, Regina; PLATTIG, Michael,
Aufmerksamkeit ist das natürliche Gebet der Seele, Echter, Würzburg, 1998, pp. 346.

Il Carmelo in Italia – 1999,
(a cura: P. Riccardo Palazzi e Fr. Roberto M. Russo), Centro Stampa Carmelitana, Roma, 1999, pp. 192.

Carmelite Liturgical Guide 1999,
Carmelite Communications, Melbourne, 1998, pp. 16.

LOPEZ MELUS, Amador (Rafael Mª), carmelita,
Nuestra Familia López Melús, Zaragoza, 1999, pp. 200.

Meditar Dia e Noite na Lei do Senhor,
Centro da Família Carmelita, Lisboa, 1998, pp. 32.

Order of Carmelites – North American Province of Saint Elias – 1999 Directory,
Provincial’s Office, Middletown, 1998, pp. 48.

Penanggalan Liturgi 1999,
Ordo Karmel, Provinsi Indonesia,Tahun A/I, pp. 74.

RYAN, J.L., O.Carm.,
Giving Thanks for 100 Years of St. Thérèse’s Writings, The Thérèsian Trust, Dublin, 1998, pp. 20.

RYAN, J.L., O.Carm.,
The Act of Oblation of St. Thérèse to the Merciful Love of God, The Thérèsian Trust, Dublin, 1998, pp. 20.

ZAPPATORE, Lucio Maria,
Parrocchia è bello! Esperienze (si fa per dire . . . .) Pastorali (e dintorni), Libreria Editrice "Il Pozzo di Giacobbe", Trapani, pp. 208.

25° Parrocchia – Santa Giovanna Antida – Brescia,
Editrice La Rosa, Brescia, 1998, pp. 36.
--------------------------

Calendario Carmelitano 1999
Calendario Carmelitano 1999 – Santuario della Madonna - Trapani
Gli Anni Santi dal 1300 al 1600 attraverso gli Annulli delle Poste Vaticane e stampe dell’epoca. (A cura di Riccardo Palazzi e Roberto M. Russo) Centro Stampa Carmelitana, Roma, Italia.

Our Lady of Mount Carmel, pray for us.[1999 Calendar]
Order of Carmelites, Kerala, India.

Kalendarju 1999
Santuarju Bazilika Minuri Madonna tal-Karmnu, Valletta, Malta.

El Carmen 1999
Museo de Ciencias, PP. Carmelitas, Ctra. De Tales s/n 12200 Onda (Castellón), España.
-------------------------

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

NEWS IN BRIEF

• "The Man Upon Whom the Finger of God Has Rested"

• Solemn Profession on Mount Carmel

• Carmelite Family in India

• Elijah, who are you?

• New appointments for Carmelites in East Timor, Indonesia

• Venerable Angelo Paoli, O.Carm.

• Appointed to the diocese of Beja, Portugal

• 9^th Meeting of Young Carmelites in Venezuela

• St. Andrew Corsini: Eucharistic "heart" of the Lateran Basilica

UPDATE OF ADDRESSES AND
TELEPHONE NUMBERS

Addresses of new houses

Dutch Province in the Philippines
Carmelite Noviciate "Spring of Carmel", 22 Anahaw St., Gloria 111 Subd., Bgy. 1128 Culiat, Quezon City, Philippines. Tel: (+63 – 2) 4557433

Pernambuco Province in Mozambique
PP. Carmelitas, C.P. 544, Missão de Gorongosa, Beira, Mozambique. Tel: (+258 – 3) 320136

New phone / fax numbers

Castilian Province in Argentina
Seminario Carmelita "Elias Profeta", C. Aconcagua, 3652, 1825 Monte Chingolo, Lanus Este (Buenos Aires), Argentina. Tel: (+54 – 1) 2482662

Polish Province
Klasztor OO. Karmelitów, Ul. Kosciuszki 2, 48 -120 Baborów, Poland. Tel: (+48 - 77) 4869120
Klasztor OO. Karmelitów, Chyzne 157, 34-481 Chyzne, Poland. Tel: (+48 - 18) 2631926
Klasztor OO. Karmelitów, ul. Profesorska 3, 80-856 Gdansk, Poland. Tel: (+48 - 58) 3011595
Klasztor OO. Karmelitów, Lipiny 60, 39-220 Pilzno, Poland. Tel: (+48 - 14) 6721295
Klasztor OO. Karmelitów, ul. Biernackiego, 9a, 20 - 089 – Lublin, Poland. Tel: (+48 - 81) 7471204
Klasztor OO. Karmelitów (Provincial’s house), ul. Karmelicka 19, 31-131 Krakow, Poland. Tel: (+48 - 12) 6326752 / 6321173; Fax: 6326970
Klasztor OO. Karmelitów, Obory 38, 87-645 Zbójno, Poland. Tel: Chrostkowo 59, 0601555983
Klasztor OO. Karmelitów, Ul. Karmelicka 3, 39-220 Pilzno, Poland. Tel: (+48 - 14) 6721043
Klasztor OO. Karmelitów, Il. Kowelska 1, 264940 Wlodzimierz Wolynski, Ukraine. Tel: (00383342) 22829

New e-mail addresses

PCM American Province

Glueckert, Leopold Jones, Herb Larkin, Bart Lee, Robert E. McMahon, Pat Payea, Jerry Skotnicki, Andrew

<Twitmeistr@aol.com> <carmelitas@junin.itete.com.pe> <bart@ewol.com> <genlee4@aol.com> <pihall@bigfoot.com> <jerryp@correo.dnet.com.pe> <askotnicki@juno.com>

Catalonian Province

Giraldo, Javier Maza, Luis Comunidad de Carmelitas, Porlamar

<cfcarmelitas@cantv.net> <mazzluis@hotmail.com> <gprats@enlared.net>

Corpus Christi Carmelites

Florence, Mary

<marycarmel@digitalis.net>

Portuguese General Commissariat

Freitas, Manuel R.

<pfreitas2@ip.pt>

Indonesian Province

Eko Putranto, Eustachius

<eputranto@hotmail.com>

Italian Province

Grosso, Giovanni Leta, Pietro Marras, Sebastiano

<segrepro@pcn.net> <lepi@pcn.net> <ecoprov@pcn.net>

Arago-Valentine Province

Gallardo, Luis Colegio Virgen del Carmen, Onda Colegio Virgen del Carmen, Villarreal

<cocav@planalfa.es> <vcarmeno@planalfa.es> <vcarmenv@planalfa.es>

Betica Province

González Cerezo, Francisco A.

<sjosebm@planalfa.es>

Upper German Province

Thyparambil, Alex Mathews Schandl, Felix

<karmel@stnet.net> <karmel@stnet.net>

Irish Province

Dunne, Sean

<dunnesean@tinet.ie>

Australian Province

Clark, Bruce

<bclark@netspace.net.au>

Carmelite Cloistered Nuns - Wahpeton (USA)

Carmel of Mary

<carmelofmary@neuk.net>

New Web sites

Carmel of Mary – Wahpeton, North Dakota, USA
http://massintransit.com/nd/carmelmary-nd-wahpeton

Novices

18 January 1999

Cláudio Florentino Alves (Flum) Luiz Ant. Altris Cordeiro Júnior (Flum) Sílvio de Freitas Pereira (Flum) Fernando Bezerra Leite (Flum)

Simple Professions

10 January 1999

Gilberto Ferreira de Souza (GerS-Par) João Lopez Penha (GerS-Par) Luiz Neri Bratilieri (GerS-Par) Marcos Apar. Atiles Mateus (GerS-Par) Ronaldo José de Carvalho (GerS-Par) Valdeci de Souza Lima (GerS-Par) Vilson Rech (GerS-Par)

25 Years Simple Profession

22 May 1999 21 June 1999

Teresita del Carmen Gil Aguiar (TAF) Rosa María Guzman Rodríguez (SLC)

50 Years Simple Profession

4 May 1999 25 May 1999

Rosario Barbancho González (UTR) Teresita San Juan Estrada (PIE)

Diaconate Ordinations

18 February 1999

Ignatius Suyadi (Indo) Gregorius Tola (Indo) Ignatius Budiono (Indo) Andreas Yudhi Wiyadi (Indo) Agustinus Suyadi (Indo) Heribertus Supriyadi (Indo)

Priestly Ordinations

21 December 1998 29 December 1998

Rico Ponce (Neer-Phi) Cerineo Jaranilla (Neer-Phi)

25 Years Priestly Ordination

5 May 1999 18 May 1999 23 June 1999

Paul Medina (Neer) John Izabal (PCM) David Innocenti (PCM) Andrzej Malicki (Pol)

50 Years Priestly Ordination

22 May 1999 7 June 1999

Alfred Tabone (Mel) Peter (Ellis) Reinert (PCM) Alban Quinn (PCM) Carl Pfister (PCM)

Necrology

7 December 1998 24 December 1998 24 January 1999 2 February 1999

Desmond Anthony Clarke (Hib) Manuel Ortiz Casau (Baet) Agostino Picchi (Ita) Rocco Labriola (Flum)

 

CARMELITE NUNS AROUND THE WORLD

Address: Karmel ‘St. Jozef’
Westelijk Halfrond 3
1183 HN, Amstelveen
Nederland.

The monastery of ‘St. Jozef’ in Amstelveen has a rather eventful history. It was first founded in 1870 in Xanten (Germany), by the cloistered nuns of ‘Elzendaall’ in Boxmeer (Holland). In 1876 the sisters of the monastery ‘St. Jozef’ had to leave Germany because of the ‘Kulturkampf’ laws. They couldn't return to Elzendaal and so they founded a temporary house in Boxmeer. But having two convents quite near to each other was not an ideal situation. So in 1969 the community of ‘St. Jozef’ moved to Amstelveen, where a monastery was built as an annex to the new Carmelite parish church. Therefore the ‘St. Jozef’ Carmel in Amstelveen has three founding dates: 1870/1876/1969.

In the following years some sisters moved into other monasteries in Holland, some died and others, for health reasons, preferred to live alone. Eight years later, in 1977, Fr. Johan Egberink, the then Prior Provincial, invited four other Carmelite cloistered nuns to go and continue their monastic life in Amstelveen. This new small group moved into the monastery. During a period of more than twenty years the sisters lived in Amstelveen, so experiencing many changes. The original community of six sisters was reduced to three members, who are matured in age but still active in living their religious vocation, living for God, the community and all the people of God.

CARMELITE MOVEMENTS - 1

Short history

In our century we see the birth of many new institutions, lay as well as religious. Among them are Putri Karmel (Daughters of Carmel) and Carmelitae Sancti Eliae (CSE). Putri Karmel is a religious community of women, whereas CSE is for men. God has called them into existence through the instrumentality of a Carmelite priest, Fr. Yohanes Indrakusuma, member of the Indonesian Province. Putri Karmel was founded in 1982, in Ngadireso, a small village in the diocese of Malang, East Java, and CSE in 1986 in the same place. The two communities were flourishing and attracting many people to their place, and this caused a lot of trouble and opposition. In 1988 the CSE brothers, together with Fr. Yohanes, had to move out of Malang and they settled in Cikanyere, a small village in the diocese of Bogor, about 100 km from Jakarta, on land purchased for them by two generous benefactors. The departure was very painful, but in God’s unfathomable providence it proved to be a great blessing for the community and God’s people in West Java.

In 1992 the expansion began for Putri Karmel with a new community in the diocese of Ruteng, Flores. In 1993 a study house was purchased in Malang, in a very providential way, showing how the Lord was with them. Then in 1995 a new community was founded in Cikanyere, West Java, in the diocese of Bogor. Finally, in 1997, they founded, almost simultaneously, two new communities, one in the diocese of Medan, North Sumatra, and the other outside Indonesia, in Sabah, East Malaysia, where they were received heartily by the bishop. In this community there are five Malaysians sisters. In all these places they are all very esteemed and loved by the local bishops, by the people and in most parts also by the local clergy.

The Carmelitae Sancti Eliae is primarily a religious community, not a clerical one, even though there are some clerics among their members, but they have no priests yet. At present they have two houses (one of which is a "desert community", a purely contemplative community) and a big retreat centre (with a capacity of 252 beds) in Bogor. In Malang they have a study house and another retreat centre. Both centres are run together with Putri Karmel.

Spirituality and way of life

The two communities have the same spirituality, way of life and ministry. Fundamentally they follow the spirit of the Carmelite Rule and Traditions, accentuating the contemplative aspect, integrated with the Charismatic Renewal. From the latter they learned the openness and docility to the Holy Spirit and His gifts, especially in ministering to people. They opted for an open-contemplative way of life with a predominance on the life of prayer and contemplation. Until now their monasteries are built in solitary places. This is what they call the basic community. Beside the divine office they spend 2 hours daily in silent prayer (mediation/contemplation), one in the morning and another in the evening. For this they use preferably the lectio divina or the Jesus Prayer. Scripture reading has a prominent place in their life.

From this basic way of life spring the active-contemplative community and the desert-community. The active-contemplative community is more open to various ministries, mainly spiritual, but always in accordance with their spirit. The desert-community is a purely contemplative one, without any active ministry. Their first mission is to stand before the Lord, like Moses who prayed on the mountain while Joshua was in war with the Canaanites. Both institutions have their own desert-community. The sisters and brothers can stay there either for good or temporarily.

Ministry

Their ministry is mainly spiritual and they do by this by conducting different kinds of retreats, teaching people the way of prayer and contemplation, counselling and praying for healing, especially inner healing. Through their retreats and prayers God brought many people to conversions and to the knowledge of God. It is almost a weekly occurrence that people are being converted, even during the ordinary Sunday Eucharist. During the "initiation retreat" it is very frequent that non-practising Christians come to confession after 5, 10, 15, or even 20 years. It is really a tremendous grace and a great privilege to be allowed to witness God’s infinite merciful love in operation. That is why, especially in Cikanyere, Bogor, that for the last two years, our programs for the whole year were already fully booked in February of that year. In order to be able to participate in a retreat they have to wait a long time, not withstanding the fact, that the centre has 252 beds available and more than 20 programs a year. The retreat centre in Malang is as crowded as in Bogor, and for some retreats they even accommodate more than 400 people.

The sisters and brothers are in great demand among the people and they are invited everywhere. They travel to many places in Indonesia. These last two years they are also invited abroad to Malaysia, Singapore, Australia and even to the USA, although they minister mainly among the Indonesians abroad, except in Malaysia and Singapore.

A very interesting ministry is among the youth. Every year, during school holidays, the CSE brothers organised what they called a "Spiritual Youth Camp", a kind of retreat, for a whole week each time. There, many lives are converted and renewed. These last few years these camps attracted 2300-2800 young people each year. The Lord is pouring down abundantly his saving love among His people at the dawn of the Third Millennium.

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