On January 16-17, 2023, the provincials, commissaries and delegates general of the European Geographical Area met in St Albert’s International Centre (CISA) Rome for their fourth general meeting of the sexennium.
The first day began with the Eucharist which was celebrated by Tadeusz Popiela, a member of the Polish Province and prior of St Albert’s, who welcomed the participants and reminded them that as we face the challenges of our various offices, our human abilities will get us only so far. We need to emphasise that Christ is at the centre of our community.
In assembly, Richard Byrne, general councillor for Europe, reported to the Area noting some practical details especially for any forthcoming provincial or commissariat chapters. He noted that these meetings are not just moments to communicate information but are occasions to continue to get to know each other, to look at the common issues in Europe and take joint decisions. In addition, they can be moments to also learn from each the experience of each other and be moments of support and encouragement for each other. Each participant then shared with the meeting the current reality of their own entity also outlining recent initiatives or challenges within their own context.
In regional groups, the participants then moved to discuss vocations reflecting on the 2017 message from Pope Francis on Pastoral Work For Vocations and looking for concrete proposals for the ministry of vocations. After sharing, they agreed that each of the three regions (Iberia, Italy-Malta and North European) would organise their own meeting of vocational personnel within the next twelve months.
The second day began with Eucharist which was celebrated by Jose Deepak Aracka, member of the Indian Province and sub prior of St Albert’s. In regional groups, the participants then shared their personal experience of leadership noting their best practices under several themes including their role in ‘self-care.’
Building on the work of the General Congregation held in September 2023 in Rome, the progress each participant had made regarding their plan of practical action to support the brothers to live the ‘joy’ of consecrated life and the living of the vows was reviewed. In addition, how best to support local priors was discussed and other themes from the General Congregation that will need attention at future meetings were noted.
The participants received an extensive report of the European common novitiate house which is held in the Convent of San Andrés in Salamanca, Spain. This program has been in place for ten years. Reports were also presented on the other houses of formation in Europe especially those houses in Barcelona, Rome, and Dublin.
Eduardo Andrés Agosta Scarel, a member of the Province of Aragon-Castile-Valencia, was invited to give the participants some ideas on how to continue working and developing the idea of Care for Creation as envisaged in the Decree of the General Chapter (2019). He noted that we participate as an Order in two spaces at the international level: the climate summit, and the biodiversity summit. Among other things, these call us to the divestment of fossil energies and to lead by example with visible changes in our habits and customs.
Information was given regarding the forthcoming “Carmelite Day” during the World Youth Day meeting in Lisbon on August 2, 2023. Finally, the members agreed to meet again in Rome in January 2024 and the meeting closed with a prayer asking the Holy Spirit to guide the European Area in its initiatives and projects.
