THE CARMELITE WEB SITE

No. 5 - JULY 1999

	CONVOCATION OF THE INTERNATIONAL MEETING OF CARMELITE FORMATORS
	25TH ANNIVERSARY OF INDIAN CARMEL
	NOMINATED BISHOP OF AVEZZANO IN ITALY
	5TH CENTENARY OF THE BETICA CARMELITE PROVINCE
	LAY CARMELITES IN THE ENGLISH SPEAKING CARIBBEAN
	50TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE AMERICAN CARMELITE PROVINCE IN PERU
	NEW APPOINTMENTS FOR CARMELITES IN EAST TIMOR, INDONESIA
	50TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE MALTESE CARMELITES IN LATIN AMERICA
	BEATIFICATION OF FR. HILARY JANUSZEWSKI, O.CARM.
	700TH ANNIVERSARY OF CARMELITE PRESENCE IN ROME
	250TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE DEATH OF MARIA MADDALENA MAZZONI
	50TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE RETURN OF CARMELITES TO AYLESFORD, ENGLAND
	50TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE SECULAR INSTITUTE "THE LEAVEN"
	THE KING OF THE WALLIS ISLANDS WEARS THE CARMELITE SCAPULAR

CONVOCATION OF THE INTERNATIONAL MEETING OF CARMELITE FORMATORS

With a letter of 6 January 1999, the Prior General of the Carmelite Order, Fr. Joseph Chalmers, and Councillor General for Formation, Fr. Alexander Vella, in accordance with the Carmelite Constitutions, article 129, convened the international meeting of all the formators of the Order to revise and update the Ratio Institutionis Vitae Carmelitanae (RIVC - The Carmelite Guide to Formation) 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 Carmelite 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 of the Carmelite Order for approval.

For further information:
E-mail: Fr. Alexander Vella, O.Carm.

25TH ANNIVERSARY OF INDIAN CARMEL

Last December the Indian Carmelites celebrated the 25th anniversary of their existence as a group. The decision to start a foundation of the Order in India was taken during the 1973 Provincial Chapter of the Upper German Carmelite Province.

Fr. Joseph Kotschner, O.Carm., the then Prior Provincial, planned and organised this task with a long term 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 Indian 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 1981-1983 and began 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, O.Carm., as regional superior and in 1993 the status was elevated to a Provincial Commissariat with Fr. Sunny Kodiyan, O.Carm., 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.

For further information:
E-mail: Fr. Thomas Kizhakkemury, O.Carm.

NOMINATED BISHOP
OF AVEZZANO IN ITALY

On 9 June 1999, His Holiness, John Paul 11, nominated Fr. Lucio Renna, O.Carm., Procurator General of the Carmelite Order, Bishop of Avezzano (Abruzzi) in Italy.

Fr. Lucio was born in S. Pietro Vernotico (Brindisi), Italy, on 22 September 1941 and joined the Carmelite Order in 1957. After the noviciate he professed the vows on 12 September 1958 and on 8 December 1962 he made his solemn profession. Fr. Lucio Renna studied philosophy in Naples and theology in Rome at the Pontifical Lateran University. After priestly ordination in Bari, on 2 April 1966, Fr. Lucio obtained a doctorate in theology from the Lateran University and a civil degree in philosophy from the University of Lecce.

Fr. Lucio has written various books on Carmelite spirituality and taught theology in the Marianum University in Rome, at Santa Fara in Bari and at the Institute of Religious Sciences in Matera. Before his election as Procurator General of the Carmelite Order and General Delegate for Lay Carmelites, Fr. Lucio was Prior Provincial for 18 years of the Neapolitan Province, 13 years as Episcopal Vicar for Religious for the diocese of Bari, Provincial and National Delegate for the Cloistered Nuns and Lay Carmelites, and President of CISM in Puglia.

The ordination of the new bishop will take place on 12 September 1999 at the cathedral of Avezzano.

For further information:
E-mail: Fr. Anthony Cilia, O.Carm.

5TH CENTENARY OF
THE BETICA CARMELITE PROVINCE

On 27 February 1999 in the house Buen Suceso in Seville (Spain) the programme of celebrations for the fifth centenary of the foundation of the Betica Carmelite Province (26 February 1499) was launched with a concelebrated Mass presided over by Fr. José Peralbo Ranchal, O.Carm., Prior Provincial. Before the Mass Fr. Ismael Martínez Carretero, O.Carm., gave a conference titled "A Meeting with History" in which he spoke of the key events and most notable religious in the Province over the last 500 years.

These five centuries have been graced by the presence of a large number of illustrious Carmelite religious. We remember Fr. Juan de las Ruelas, O.Carm., author of a work on the physical beauty of the Virgin; Fr. José Velasco, O.Carm., who is called by a scholar "the martyr of the Immaculate" because of the case (which lasted twelve years and in which the king and the pope intervened) in which he was involved on account of a homily concerning this mystery; Fr. Agostín Núńez Delgadillo, O.Carm., a preacher sought after in the whole of Spain and author of several books; Mgr. Pedro Carranza, Carmelite bishop of Buenos Aires; Mgr. Juan de Llamas, Carmelite bishop of Panamá, Fr. Antonio Vásquez de Espinosa, O.Carm., (1570), an expert on the history of the discovery of the western Indies (America); Fr. Ortiz de la Estrella, O.Carm., famous for his sanctity, and at whose funeral Blessed Diego de Cádiz preached and "an infinite cortege of people" took part. More recently, among the sons of the Carmelite Province we find not only virtuous religious but also famous authors, musicians and preachers. Among these mention must be made of the ten religious, Servants of God, who lost their lives defending the faith in 1936.

For further information:
E-mail: Fr. Antonio Carmona Márquez, O.Carm.

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 otherwise could not 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 young people between the ages of fifteen and twenty to become members of the Carmelite Third Order.

For further information:
E-mail: Fr. John Horan, O.Carm.

50TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE AMERICAN CARMELITE PROVINCE IN PERU

In preparation for the commemoration of the first fifty years of the mission of the American Province of the "Most Pure Heart of Mary" in Peru, the local Carmelite community has a number of projects underway. Two very significant projects involve El Colegio Carmelitas (Our Lady of Mount Carmel School) in Miraflores.

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.

For further information:
E-mail: Fr. Jerry Payea, O.Carm

NEW APPOINTMENTS FOR CARMELITES
IN EAST TIMOR, INDONESIA

Since 8 years ago, the Indonesian Carmelite Province welcomes every year some candidates who come from East Timor, though no Carmelite Fathers / Brothers ever worked over there. They know the Carmelite Order through the Sisters of Our Lady of Mount Carmel who have been working in East Timor since 1974. After a long process of negotiation, the Bishop of Dili, East Timor, Mgr. Carlos Filipe Ximenes Belo, SDB, gave permission to the Indonesian Carmelite Province to send two priests to start a Carmelite foundation in his diocese.

On 5 January 1999, two young Carmelite priests, accompanied by Fr. Francis Sulistyo, O.Carm., vice Prior Provincial, set foot on the Island of East Timor to begin their ministry. They are Fr. Henry Gheta, O.Carm., and Fr. Matthew Siringo-ringo, O.Carm. Mgr. Belo appointed Fr. Henry Gheta chaplain of a retreat house in Maubara and Fr. Matthew Siringo-ringo pastor of a parish in Liquica.

For further information:
E-mail: Fr. Heribertus Heru Purwanto, O.Carm

50TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE MALTESE CARMELITES
IN LATIN AMERICA

This year the Carmelite Province of Malta celebrates the fiftieth anniversary of its missionary activity in Latin America. In recent years Maltese Carmelites worked in Peru and Bolivia, but today they are present only in Bolivia. There are also two religious from the Province working in the Peruvian mission of the American Province of the "Most Pure Heart of Mary".

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, O.Carm., and the Provincial Councillor for the Missions, Fr. Albert Brincat, O.Carm., visited the seven Maltese friars and two Bolivian students in Peru and Bolivia. During his stay Fr. Provincial conferred the Ministry of Acolyte on Bro. Germán Mamani, O.Carm., and the Ministry of Reader on Bro. Milton Murillo, O.Carm., the first two Bolivian members of the Province.

On another occasion, 2 February 1999, at Villa Fatima (La Paz) in Bolivia, Fr. 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, O.Carm., 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.

For further information:
E-mail: Fr. Valerian Mercieca, O.Carm.

BEATIFICATION OF
FR. HILARY JANUSZEWSKI, O.CARM.

On 13 June 1999, during his apostolic visit to Warsaw (Poland), the Pope beatified 108 Polish martyrs of the Second World War, victims of Nazi persecution. In the group, which includes 3 bishops, 52 diocesan priests, 26 regular priests, 8 religious, 2 seminarians, 8 sisters and 9 lay people, are a Carmelite, Fr. Hilary Januszewski, and a Discalced Carmelite, Fr. Alfonso Maria of the Holy Spirit (Mazurek).

Fr. Hilary Januszewski was born on 11 June 1907 in Krajenki (Poland) and was given the name of Pawel. He received a Christian education from his parents, Martin and Marianne. He attended the college in Greblin (where his family lived from 1915), and then continued his studies at the Institute of Suchary, but had to abandon these due to economic difficulties of the family. Meanwhile his family went to Cracow where he took up other studies and in 1927 entered the Order of Carmel. He completed his noviciate in Leopoli and on 30 December 1928 made his simple profession. At the end of his philosophical studies in Cracow he was sent to Collegio Internazionale Sant'Alberto, Rome. He was ordained priest on 15 July 1934. He obtained his lectorate in theology and the prize for the best students of the Roman Academy of St. Thomas and in 1935 returned to Poland to the monastery in Cracow.

On his return to Poland he was appointed professor of Dogmatic Theology and Church History at the institute of the Polish Province in Cracow. On 1 November 1939, Fr. Eliseus Sánchez-Paredes, Provincial, appointed him prior of the community. At that time, Poland had already been occupied by the Germans a few weeks earlier. One year later, the invaders decreed the arrest of many religious and priests. On 18 September 1940 the gestapo deported four friars from the Carmel in Cracow. In December, when other friars were arrested, Fr. Hilary decided to present himself in exchange for an older and sick friar. From that day his Calvary began. He was sent to the prison of Montelupi (Cracow), then to the concentration camp of Sachsenchausen and in April 1941 to the concentration camp of Dachau. There he was a model of prayer life, encouraging others and giving hope for a better tomorrow. Together with the other Carmelites, among whom was Blessed Titus Brandsma, they often joined in prayer.

Meanwhile in barrack 25 of the concentration camp, typhus was spreading. To help the sick, 32 priests presented themselves to the authorities. A couple of days later, Fr. Hilary Januszewski spontaneously joined the group. His apostolate lasted 21 days because, infected by typhus, he died on 25 March 1945, a few days before the liberation of the concentration camp. His body was cremated in the crematorium of Dachau. Fr. Hilary Januszewski represents all the Polish Carmelites who died and gave their lives to God and their brethren during the Second World War.

For the beatification, Fr. Joseph Chalmers, Prior General of the Carmelite Order, sent a letter to all Carmelite communities. The letter is entitled Hilary Januszewski, Carmelite - "Faithful in little, faithful in much...". The Prior General traces the life of the new blessed and the value of his witness for today's world.

For further information:
E-mail: P. Felip Amenós, O.Carm.
O.Carm. Web: http://www.ocarm.org/

700TH ANNIVERSARY OF CARMELITE PRESENCE
IN ROME

On the occasion of the 700th anniversary of Carmelite presence in the parish of Sts. Silvester and Martin, His Holiness, John Paul II, on 1 May 1999 sent a letter to the community recalling some historical moments of the parish and the dedication of the Carmelites to the people of God. We quote some passages from the letter:

"It is seven hundred years since my predecessor Boniface VIII, in the bull Oblata Nobis of 1 May 1299, granted the Basilica of Sts. Silvester and Martin in Rome to the Brothers of the Blessed Virgin of Mount Carmel.

Remembering the warm welcome you gave me on the occasion of my pastoral visit on 17 February 1980, I am happy to address my joyful greeting to you, Very Rev. Fr. Prior, to the community of Carmelite Friars and to all parishioners, while I willingly unite myself in the common hymn of praise and thanksgiving to the Lord on this happy anniversary.

Turning my gaze to the history of your Basilica, I cannot but recall that, like a precious jewel case, it houses the Titulus Equitii, connected with the name of St. Silvester, the Pope of the "Constantine peace": a title among the most ancient preserved in Rome. Because of its position close to the Basilica of St. Mary Major and to the Domus Aurea, it has, throughout the centuries, become the destination of constant pilgrimages and source of comfort for the piety of so many of the faithful.

I am here thinking of the meaningful presence of eminent titular Cardinals such as Serge II who rebuilt the Basilica, St. Charles Borromeo, the Theatine St. Joseph Maria Tomasi, Pope Pius XI, blessed Alfred Ildefonse Schuster, a Benedictine, the Servant of God Paul VI. Connected also through their special devotion to this Basilica were St. Joseph Benedict Labre, fervent devotee of the Virgin of Carmel, St. Gaspare del Bufalo, founder of the Missionaries of the Most Precious Blood, who was baptised there. And again, the Supreme Pontiffs Adrian VI, Innocent X and Pius VII.

This happy anniversary which you are celebrating this year, is an invitation to rediscover in depth your charism. During these seven centuries of life, the community of this monastery has experienced the manner in which divine Providence guided the religious who lived there, the many friars who paused there in devout prayer, towards an authentic ascetical and spiritual life. Among those many, it is sufficient to make reference to prominent Carmelite figures such as, for instance, the Priors General Nicholas Audet, who took part in the Council of Trent, John Baptist Rossi, whose example St. Teresa of Jesus admired, Giovanni Antonio Filippini, who restored the Basilica to its present splendour, and Paul of St. Ignatius, who worked for the religious reform of the whole Order. Near the Basilica was the seat of the General Curia of the Carmelites and it was there that the first Confraternity of Carmel was canonically erected and then from there spread to the whole world.

How can we forget, then, that humble friar, the Venerable Angelo Paoli, "father of the poor" and "apostle of Rome", who may be considered, ante litteram, the founder of "Caritas" in the district of Monti? It was he who first placed the Cross in the Colosseum thus starting the pious exercise of the Via Crucis which I too have the honour to preside at every Good Friday in that monument rich in history and ancient vestiges. To these select persons one must add the countless host of simple people who daily kneel at the feet of the Virgin of Carmel to implore her maternal protection.

I trust that this centenary celebration will stimulate all the members of the Carmelite Order to continue with renewed zeal on the road to sanctity and fidelity to their original charism. As I wrote in the post-synodal Exhortation Vita Consecrata, the Religious "have not only a glorious history to remember and to recount, but also a great history still to be accomplished!" (n.110). I, therefore, exhort you to look to the future, "where the Spirit is sending you in order to do even greater things" (ibid.).

May the Virgin Mary, Mother and Sister of Carmel, clothe with her mantle your community, religious and parochial, in the same way she enfolds tenderly her Divine Son in the sixteenth century painting venerated in the Basilica. May she guide your every activity and comfort you in moments of trial and difficulty. May she always protect you and obtain for you the gift of fidelity to Christ.

With these wishes, I impart to the whole religious community and to all who frequent the Basilica a special Apostolic Blessing."

For further information:
E-mail: Centro Stampa Carmelitana, Roma

250TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE DEATH OF
MARIA MADDALENA MAZZONI

This year the Carmelite Sisters of the Graces (SCG) are celebrating the 250th anniversary of the death of Mother Maria Maddalena Mazzoni (1683 - 1749), foundress of their Congregation. For this occasion a busy programme has been prepared: conferences, round tables, Eucharistic celebrations, reflections, presentations, etc., covering almost every month of the year.

Caterina Mazzoni was born in Bologna on 30 December 1683. She was baptised the day after her birth. She spent her childhood in the practice of Christian virtues. She wanted to become a religious, but out of obedience to her parents, at the age of 19 she was married to Pier Francesco Sangiorgi. Six children, whom she formed in the Christian faith, were born to this marriage. After twelve years of married life and the death of three children and of her husband, she was disoriented for a while, and she herself was on the verge of death. But she recovered physically and spiritually and, under the guidance of Fr. Fernando Salvi, a Carmelite from the church of St. Mary of the Graces in Bologna, she dedicated herself to the spiritual life. At the insistence of Caterina, Fr. Salvi admitted her to the Carmelite Third Order (8 September 1721) with the aim of living a deep interior life inspired by Carmel while still living with her family. He changed her name from Caterina to Maria Maddalena after the Carmelite saint from Florence.

In 1723, in the presence of Fr. Salvi - who continued to be her spiritual director for the duration of the life left to him - she was allowed to take the vow of obedience, then, on the feast of St. Teresa of Jesus, in the church of St. Mary of the Graces, in public he gave her the religious habit of a Carmelite tertiary. With renewed spirit, Mazzoni gave herself more and more to works of mercy, especially teaching christian doctrine to young and old, and visiting the sick and persons in prison. With the idea of gathering together around her other souls in a common life of perfection, and with the aim of educating particularly needy young girls, on 8 May 1724, together with 5 or 6 companions, she started the "Small Carmel" or "Tiny Carmel of Mary". On 13 December of the same year, she and her first companions made their religious profession. This was the beginning of the Congregation known today as Carmelite Sisters of the Graces.

As superior for 25 years, she passed on to her sisters an example of deep prayer which is still present today. Her earthly life, marked with frequent suffering in the body and in the spirit, came to an end on 26 December 1749 at the age of 66. She was buried in the church of the Graces in Bologna and on 28 May 1812, her body was translated to the communal cemetery.

For further information:
"Suore Carmelitane delle Grazie" - Fax: (+39) 051585181

50TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE RETURN
OF CARMELITES
TO AYLESFORD, ENGLAND

This year, the Anglo-Welsh Province is celebrating the 50th Anniversary of the return of the Carmelites to Aylesford. For the occasion there will be a special celebration of thanksgiving on 31 October 1999, the exact date of the return.

The Aylesford Priory, founded in 1242 on land donated by English Crusader Sir Richard Grey of Condor, was used by the Carmelites until 1538. In 1949 "The Friars" was put up for sale and the Carmelites throughout the world were in favour to purchase it back. The repossession took place on the Vigil of All Saints, 31 October 1949. Fr. Malachy Lynch, the first prior, began the work of restoration. In 1951, permission was given to transfer some of the relics of St. Simon Stock from Bordeaux, where he died in 1265. A large procession was formed in the village and the relics were handed over on the medieval bridge to the Bishop of Southwark by the Archbishop of Bordeaux. The procession then made its way through the village and back to the priory where St. Simon Stock had lived some 700 years before.

The spirit and devotion of the Carmelite Friars has not changed since they first came to Aylesford. Here the community forms a nucleus around which other people can gather and find spiritual encouragement. The work of Aylesford is not just carried on by the friars, but they are assisted by numerous others, who share in and contribute to the smooth running of the priory. Throughout the year thousands of people visit the priory for meetings, retreats, spiritual direction, etc. It is estimated that around 200.000 people visit the place each year. Aylesford Priory, is a place of rest and prayer located some 30 miles Southeast of London in Kent.

For further information:
E-mail: P. David Fox, O.Carm.

50TH ANNIVERSARY OF
THE SECULAR INSTITUTE "THE LEAVEN"

This year sees the Golden Jubilee of the Secular Institute "The Leaven", its foundation and aggregation to the Carmelite Order. The members of a Secular Institute live in the world and profess the evangelical counsels of poverty, chastity and obedience. They live in the heart of the world and claim no privileges which would separate them from the rest of the faithful, but they take on all the spiritual commitments of a life totally dedicated to God.

In 1949 the Institute had only 3 members. At present "The Leaven" has 22 members: 12 in final vows, 6 in temporary vows and 4 candidates (novices). They do not live in community but in their own homes and in different parts of Great Britain. In spite of this, their spirit of community and love is very strong and each of them knows she is supported by the other. They all meet once a year for an annual retreat; they also have two or three renewal weekends each year and a meeting on a Saturday once a month in different areas of the country and those near enough to attend do so.

The apostolate of "The Leaven" is part of the Church's mission: to reveal Christ to all mankind that through him God may be glorified. They have no specific work and within the Institute there are teachers, nurses, secretaries, factory workers and social workers. Their aim is to sanctify their work and environment by personal witness, transforming presence, encouraging words.

For further information:
E-mail: P. David Fox, O.Carm.

THE KING OF THE WALLIS ISLANDS
WEARS THE CARMELITE SCAPULAR

In November of last year, Marie-Joseph Perriot-Comte, Responsible General of the Missionary Family "Donum Dei", visited for the first time the communities in the Wallis Islands in Oceania. At the airport she was welcomed by five girls from the Family who immediately took her to the King of the islands because he was to receive the scapular of Carmel.

The King of Wallis is greatly honoured by his people. He is surrounded by six ministers who must respect traditions, customs and established laws, and see that these are respected by others. In order to enter into the presence of the King one has to follow minutely the indicated protocol and approach him with great respect and reverence. In spite of all this, the King of Wallis is a very simple and very good person. During her meeting with the King, Marie-Joseph explained to him the meaning of the scapular of Carmel and its importance. At these words the King was happy and moved. After some hymns and prayers, in an atmosphere of great recollection, he allowed himself to be vested with the habit of Our Lady.

The King was so happy to have received the scapular of Carmel that in the afternoon he rang Marie-Joseph to invite her to the ceremony of Kava, the Feast of Christ the King, at which he was to preside the following Sunday, and also to share, together with other important national people, a dinner in his house.

For further information:
E-mail: Famille Missionnaire "Donum Dei"

30 June 1999