OCARM-OCD General Councils Meet in Rome to Discuss a Variety of Mutual Interests
On March 12, 2026, the two General Councils, OCARM and OCD, met at the General House of the Discalced Carmelites. It was a relaxed occasion marked by fraternal dialogue. After praying the Third Hour, each member of the Council was introduced. The General Secretaries, Fr. Giampiero Molinari, O. Carm., and Angelo Lanfranchi, OCD, prepared the agenda:
1. Report on the OCARM General Chapter. (Malang, Indonesia, September 9–26, 2025). Fr. Desiderio García, O. Carm., Prior General, reported that they had just begun their six-year term and explained the title chosen to guide it: ‘You Must Do Some Work’ (R 20). Our Contemplative Fraternity DiscernsIits Mission.” Next, Fr. Rolf Nepomuk, O.Carm., General Councilor for the Americas, presented the main points of the Chapter’s final message.
2. Fr. Miguel Márquez, OCD, Prior General, outlined the themes they are working on during this six-year term: restructuring of our presences, growth and decline in certain geographic areas, collaboration and internationality, the most urgent challenges, and a review of the Constitutions of the friars and the Discalced Carmelites.
3. This year we celebrate the centenary of the proclamation of St. John of the Cross as a Doctor of the Church (1926) and the tercentenary of his canonization (1726). To mark these occasions, the Teresianum (Rome) and CITES (Ávila) are organizing an International Congress on June 22–26, 2026, titled: “Mysticism: Paradise Lost or Promised Land.” It will be available to follow online. Worksheets have also been prepared, which can be downloaded from www.carmelitaniscalzi.com for reflection and community meetings.
4. This year we celebrate the anniversary of the bull Ut vivendi normam (January 30, 1226), which allowed the Carmelites to live according to the Formula vitae. A series of materials for community reflection is currently being developed. Fr. Richard Byrne, O.Carm., General Councilor for Europe, reported on possible initiatives that could be prepared: a joint letter from the Prior General and the General Superior, a Mass at St. Peter’s in Rome, an audience and message from the Pope, the Schola Carmelitanaat the CISA in September 2026, a special edition of Carmelus, etc.
5. Fr. Marco Chiesa, OCD, General Postulator of the OCD, presented the Latin texts (Proprium Missarum OCD – Lectionarium OCD) approved by the Dicastery for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments. The OCARM will gratefully adopt these common texts to prepare the Proprium Missarum OCARM – Lectionarium OCARM. It was noted that the changes the Holy See is currently making to the Rite of Professions must be taken into account for the subsequent revision of the Rites of Professions specific to the OCARM and OCD Orders.
6. Work continues on a historical guide titled “Carmelite Rome.” This is a map (also available in digital format) designed to facilitate a pilgrimage to the most emblematic sites associated with Carmelite history and spirituality (Basilica of San Martino ai Monti, Church of Santa Maria Traspontina, Church of Santa Maria delle Vittorie, International Center of St. Albert, etc.).
