No. 11 - SEPTEMBER 2000
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MESSAGE TO THE CHURCH OF NAPLES FROM JOHN PAUL II |
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The origin of the cult to St. Mary of Carmel, so-called "Vergine Bruna", goes back to the XIIIth century and is connected with an icon of the Virgin with the Child kept in a small church dedicated to St. Nicholas of Bari. According to one tradition, the said icon was brought by the Carmelite friars who were forced to leave Mount Carmel and landed in Naples about the middle of the XIIIth century. In 1500, on the occasion of the jubilee proclaimed by Pope Alexander
VI, the confraternity of tanners went on pilgrimage to Rome carrying the
icon of the Bruna Virgin. On the journey, which they accomplished on foot,
"many miracles to several people in various lands" took place by the intercession
of the Virgin. When they arrived in Rome, they exposed the picture of the
Bruna in the Vatican Basilica for the veneration of the faithful and there
Pope Alexander VI himself also paid homage to it. On the way back the same
graces and prodigies took place again so much so that it was decided to
place the picture, which previously had been kept in the crypt of the small
church of St. Nicholas, above the main altar to take the place of a picture
of the Assumption.
By order of Frederic II of Aragon, on 24 June of that same year, 1500, many sick people gathered in the Carmelite church to implore, through the mediation of Mary, the desired cure. Later, many cures were reported. Now 24 June was a Wednesday. Making reference to the miracle which took place five hundred years ago, the Pope says, "It is from this event that the practice of the Carmelite Wednesdays spread as an expression of Marian devotion, where, as in other analogous manifestations of popular faith, it is possible to perceive a reflection of the maternal goodness of the Most Blessed Virgin. This significant event brings back to my mind and heart the memory of the homage which I had the joy of paying to this icon on the occasion of my visit to the Archdiocese of Naples almost ten years ago…. As I did then, I now stand spiritually before the Vergine Bruna in the Piazza Plebiscito and I repeat to her, "Protect, O Mother, the City of Naples. Guide your children on the way of justice and fraternity! Strengthen their faith, make them courageous witnesses of the Gospel and bold builders of peace". For further information:
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The Carmelite foundation in Burkina Faso, started by the Province of Betica on 17 January 2000 in Bobo-Dioulasso, is producing its first fruits.  The community made up of Frs. Francisco Daza Valverde, Eugène Kaboré, Desiré Kouakou Tanoh and Ubaldo Pani is engaged in the pastoral care of a section of the Cathedral parish in Bobo-Dioulasso. They hold spiritual exercises, meetings and other activities, and Fr. Eugène also teaches Sacred Scripture in the Major Seminary. The Bishop of Bobo-Dioulasso, Mgr. Anselme Sanon, whose relationship with the community is excellent, would like to see Carmelite friars take charge of a section of the city. After several meetings with a group of young men who wish to follow the Carmelite way of life, and after a period of discernment by the community, five of these young men will be admitted to their postulancy in October 2000 in the house in Bobo-Dioulasso. We pray that the Lord and our Holy Mother may protect these five first vocations beginning their formation in their own land. For further information:
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The members of the O.Carm - OCD (Carmelite Order - Discalced Carmelite Order) Commission of Latin America met from 25 June to 1 July 2000 to explore the theme "Experience of God and of fraternity at the service of our people in Latin America and the Caribbean Islands". More than 80 religious and lay people were present at this meeting, which also included a day for the Carmelite Family. The Commission produced a document, a synthesis of the whole meeting, to be sent to all the communities of the region. The document is divided into three parts: a) The situation which concerns and challenges us; b) The Light of the Word and of our tradition for discernment; c) Commitments and expectations. The last section produced several suggestions to advance fraternity between the two Orders:
For further information:
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Many people who are interested in studying the Carmelite tradition are not able to attend a residential program. The Carmelite Institute in the United States is making available a two year program of studies through mail and internet. Participants are invited to study the Carmelite tradition in their own homes and cities. Upon acceptance, a participant will receive the course syllabus. The syllabus will specify assigned readings, written assignments, and due dates. Instructors are members of the Carmelite Family, or other interested scholars with expertise in particular areas of the Carmelite tradition. They will prepare the syllabi, read written assignments and guide comprehension and further reading through their responses. A Certificate in Carmelite Studies will be awarded to participants who complete the six required courses and one elective course chosen from a list of available courses. Individual courses may be taken without the intent of obtaining a Certificate. For further information:
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The Philippines Titus Brandsma Award is the Philippine version of the International Award given by the Union Catholique Internationale de la Presse (UCIP), the world forum of professionals in the secular and religious media. The aim of the award is to promote among the Philippine journalists and media educators humane values in the spirit of Bl. Titus Brandsma, who stood for the cause of truth, even in the face of death. The award seeks to recognise the Filipino Media professionals who remained firm in times of compromise and bias. A jury of five persons will select the awardees from the nominations sent by institutions or individuals from all over the Philippines. The deadline for the submission of entries for the 1st award was 30 July 2000. The award consists of a special trophy, a certificate and a sum of twenty thousand pesos (Php 20,000) offered by the "Titus Brandsma Media Program", which will be presented during a special ceremony of the "Catholic Mass Media Awards" (CMMA) on 27 September 2000. For further information:
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In September 2000, the Istituto San Pier Tommaso of the Italian Carmelite Province in Rome began a course in the History and Spirituality of the Carmelite Order, recognised by the Pontifical Theological Faculty "Marianum". The cyclic course, given for three weeks each year over three years, aims at offering an adequate basic understanding of Carmelite history and spirituality. During the first year, the lecturers, Frs. E. Boaga, G. Grosso, L. Boriello, B. Secondin, C. Bellotti, S. Possanzini, G. Midili, A. Ruiz, will treat the following subjects:
For further information:
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 On 22 May 2000, the bishop of Butembo-Beni, Mgr. blessed the first house in the Congo of the Sisters of the Virgin Mary of Mount Carmel. Sikuli Paluku Melchisedech. The Superior General, Sr. Ma. del Carmen Aparicio, was present as well as Carmelite religious men and women, aspirants, several parish groups and neighbours. Among the many gifts of welcome given to the sisters were firewood and a goat. The aspirants presented the community with a sack of potatoes, a rooster, fresh eggs and a bouquet of flowers. The sisters work in the hospital of the mission, especially with undernourished children, as well as in the school and the parish. In her report, the Superior General concluded with these words: "I see a bright future for Carmel in Africa and what will happen in this future will depend greatly on our fidelity. The Lord will continue to show his love… I hope that we can welcome this love and share it with our brothers and sisters." For further information:
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At a meeting of the Provincial Council of the British Province held in
May 2000 it was decided that Frs. Francis Kemsley and Brendan Grady, Carmelites, would
go to Liberia for a visit to meet with a small number of Liberians who
have expressed a desire to become Carmelite friars. As the British Province does
not have sufficient friars to make a new foundation in Liberia, the plan
is that suitable aspirants will go initially to the formation house in
East Finchley (London) for a further period of discernment before possible formation
as Carmelites. The friars hope that those Liberians who persevere will,
in time, return to their native land to found the first foundation of Carmelite
friars there.
