92/2008-03-10
Annual Pilgrimage of the "Society of the Little Flower"
Annual Pilgrimage of the "Society of the Little Flower"
The annual pilgrimage of the "Society of the Little Flower" (the "Society of Saint Thérèse"), which very generously helps Carmelite missions throughout the world, took place at Aylesford, England on 28th September last. More than 400 people gathered in a festive atmosphere. In the morning, following an address of welcome by the Prior General, Fr. Fernando Millán Romeral, O.Carm., Fr. Joseph Chalmers, O.Carm. gave a conference on the spirituality of St. Thérèse and her response to the mystery of evil. In the evening, the Prior General presided at the Eucharist together with concelebrants Frs. Joseph Chalmers and Wilfrid McGreal, O.Carm., Provincial of the British Province. The Prior General in his homily pointed out how St. Thérèse revealed in her own life the centrality of love and developed it to the point of being missionary, even though she lived her life in a cloistered monastery. At the end of the Eucharist many roses were blessed and distributed to the participants.
93/2008-04-10
Vitam coelo reddiderunt (R.I.P.)
Vitam coelo reddiderunt (R.I.P.)
17-09-08: P. Jean Marie Nzilamba Mughasa, Ita
28-09-08: P. Gerhard Hector, GerS
First place to the Carmelite College, Lima, Peru
At the IV Exhibition of Science, Culture and Technological Innovation of MERCOSUR, Associated and Invited Countries, held in Posadas, Argentina from the 8th to 12th September, first prize went to the Carmelite College in Lima, Peru. The College of Our Lady of Mount Carmel in Lima, which is part of the Peruvian Commissariate, participated for the first time in this international educational event. Their contribution was a study entitled “The influence of Caral (the most ancient culture of the Americas, going back to the year 2500 B.C.) in the economic and cultural development of the first human settlements of the late pre-ceramic period in Peru.” After five days of presentation and demonstration of an adequate methodological study, they took first place from among all the other participants.
During the meeting, 70 different types of projects and work were exhibited from the educational institutes of countries such as Bolivia, Brazil, Costa Rica, Chile, Colombia, Cuba, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico, Paraguay, Peru, Uruguay, Venezuela and Argentina. All of whom contributed to the realization of this fourth international event, which saw the participation of more than 300 students and teachers.
JPIC ministry of the TOC hailed as model for BEC
In the recently concluded Diocesan Month of Formation of the Diocese of Malolos (Philippines) last September, the JPIC ministry of the Regina Décor Carmeli TOC Community was hailed as a model program for BECs (Basic Ecclesial Community) in the diocese. This was started in 2007 as collaboration with the Parish of Our Lady of Mount Carmel, Pulong Buhangin, Sta. Maria through its parish priest, Fr. Elmer Ignacio. This was started by organizing families in the depressed area of SIKAP undergoing Lectio Divina and bible study which was headed by Luz Villanueva, TOCarm. After months of formation, these families were given a livelihood seminar about rag-making from waste textiles conducted by the local social welfare office which was arranged by Estelita Libiran, TOCarm. The parish then supplied a revolving fund to start this livelihood program. As to date, the program has spread to two more depressed communities and the demands for the rags have steadily increased. The rags are sold in the local market and it is used as cleaning materials. Because of the success of the program, the lay Carmelites are represented by Lydia Bugtong, TOCarm, coordinator of the JPIC ministry, in the BEC core group of the diocese.
(From TOC National Secretariat Philippines: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.)
Presentation of a new collection of books in Madrid
On 2nd October last, in the conference room of our house in Ayala, Madrid, there was a presentation of a collection of books entitled “Textos para un Milenio”. Taking part were our Prior General, Fr. Fernando Millán Romeral, O.Carm., one of the founders of the collection together with Mrs, Henar Pizarro Llorente, professor at the Pontifical University Comillas and director of the new collection, also Mr. José Antonio Lizondo, Fr. Giovanni Grosso, O.Carm. President of the Institutum Carmelitanum in Rome and Sr. Ana Molina, President of the Equipo Mixto of the Iberian Region who sponsored the project.
The first three volumes were presented relating to St. Francis of Siena: the work of playwright Agustín Moreto, El lego del Carmen (1652), the Zarzuela (operetta) similar in form to Estremera and the Maestro Arrieta (1883), and the novel of Fr. Luis M.ª Llop, O.Carm., entitled El hijo de la Gracia (1911).
The object of this new collection is to recover various texts from the history of Carmel, either in Castillian or other languages, which will be published together with a fitting introductory study on the author, the work and its context, in order to make these texts available to the general public in the Castilian language.
General Finance Commission – October 2008
The General Finance Commission of the Order held its first meeting of the 2007-2013 sexenium in the Curia house from 6 to 8 October. Members were brought up to date on the Order’s financial state with a review of the Curia’s income and expenditure and presentations on the Society of the Little Flower and on the Domus Carmelitana. Two lay experts on the commission guided discussions on the impact of the current financial crisis on investments and fund raising. The commission examined the Curia budgets for the coming year and began planning for the Triennial Bursars’ Meeting which will be held in October 2009. The next meeting of the commission will be in March 2009, and will take the form of a joint meeting with the Domus Management Board for some of the time.
Carmelite cultural activity in Rome
On the occasion of the 12th General Ordinary Assembly of the Synod of Bishops on "The Word of God in the life and mission of the Church", which is taking place in Rome these days, there was a round table on October 9th last directed by Fr. Bruno Secondin, O.Carm in the conference room of the Libereria Dehoniana on the Via della Conciliazione, Rome. The initiative was in relation to the experience of Lectio Divina which for many years has taken place very successfully in our church of S. Maria in Transpontina in Rome. Its many fruits are recorded in the Rotem collection, which already amounts to 15 published volumes. Among others participating at the round table were our Father General, Fr. Fernando Millán Romeral, O.Carm. (who underlined the importance of the Word in the charism of Carmel since its origins), Mons. Benedetto Tuzia, Auxiliary Bishop of Rome, Professor Jean-Louis Ska, S.J., exegete of the Biblicum in Rome and Mons. Giuseppe Liberto, Director of the Sistine Chapel. All underlined the importance of the experience of Lectio Divina and its pastoral, spiritual and pedagogic value.
Almost at the same time and close-by, the new book of Fr. Aureliano Pacciolla, O.Carm. was launched in the Marconi Room of Vatican Radio, entitled La vulnerabilitá psichica e il pericolo delle sette (The psychic vulnerability and danger of sects). Participating were Cardinal Oscar Andrés Rodríguez Maradiaga who presided, Professor Eugenio Fizzotti, head of Psychology of Religion at the Universitá Pontificia Salesiana, Rome and Professor Giuseppe Costa, Director of L.E.V. (Libreria Editrice Vaticana). The Vice-General, Fr. Christian Körner, O.Carm. was present on behalf of the General Curia. Fr. Aureliano presented a detailed analysis of the relationship between the two concepts and underlined the present reality and importance of the topic especially in those parts of the world where various types of sects are growing in an extraordinary way.
Vitam coelo reddiderunt (R.I.P.)
07-10-08: P. Philip Gabriel O’Brien, Hib
09-10-08: P. Joseph Piet Vollering, Neer
Beatification of Zélie and Louis Martin
St. Thérèse of Lisieux’s parents, Zélie and Louis Martin, were beatified today, Sunday 19th October in Lisieux. Pope Benedict’s legate, Cardinal José Saraiva Martins, presided over the solemn Eucharistic celebration in the Basilica of St. Thérèse. Among the very many pilgrims from all over the world were a large group from the Carmelite Family and the General Curia of the Order was represented by Fr. John Keating, Councillor General for Europe.
This is the first time in the history of the Church that both parents of a saint have been beatified together.
Meeting of formators of Northern Europe
From 6 -10 October 2008 a meeting was held for the formators of Ireland, United Kingdom, Germany, Poland, Czech Republic and the Netherlands, in the formation house in Boxmeer (the Netherlands).
The topic was vocation and discernment, facilitated by Kees Waaijman, O.Carm. (Ner). The participants began by exploring their own inner framework, being open and forming themselves, by means of biblical vocation stories and the three kinds of calling of John Cassian. Afterwards Fr. Kees explored with the participants the four most important aspects of diakrisis in the history of discretio spirituum. He ended with an understanding of discernment in our Rule: our Rule is an active discerning, discerning is the virtue of the virtues. The chapter (capitulum) puts it at the centre in our Rule. Our Rule indicates that this goes beyond the Rule itself.
The last day the participants talked about the situation in the different provinces and made arrangements for meetings with novices and formators for next year. The group also visited the Titus Brandsma Institute and Titus Brandsma Memorial in Nijmegen.
However, the most important part of the meeting was perhaps that the participants were themselves an open learning community.
Electoral Chapter of the Monastery of Fontiveros, Spain
The Elective Chapter of the Carmelite Monastery of Fontiveros, Spain, was held 6 October 2008. The following were elected:
Prioress: Sr. Maria del Pilar de la Trinidad Felipe García, O. Carm.
1st Councilor: Sr. Rosa Mª de Jesús Pérez Arias, O. Carm.
2nd Councilor: Sr. Fátima Mª de la Redención Luna Ceballos, O. Carm.
Treasurer: Sr. Fátima Mª de la Redención Luna Ceballos, O.Carm.
Honorary Chaplains of the Sanctuary of Lourdes
The recent Irish Province Pilgrimage to Lourdes for the Jubilee Year had two thousand participants. On the occasion of the Pilgrimage the Bishop of Tarbes and Lourdes, Monsignor Jacques Perrier, conferred the title Honorary Chaplain of the Sanctuary of Lourdes on Fr Martin Ryan, O.Carm., White Abbey Kildare, the chief organiser of the Annual Pilgrimage, and Fr. Eoin Moore, O.Carm., Terenure College.
Fathers Martin and Eoin were presented with the pectoral cross and diploma on October 1st during the evening celebration of the Eucharist in the Underground Basilica of St. Pius X.
The first Honorary Chaplains were appointed on the 50th Anniversary of the Apparitions and the use of the pectoral cross was granted by Pius X in 1909. The conferral of this honour is an expression of gratitude for the enthusiasm and generosity of the recipients in the service of the pilgrims and the Blessed Virgin Mary.
Philippine Carmelites - New Foundations
On 19 October a new Carmelite mission was officially inaugurated in the diocese of Beirina, Papua New Guinea. In its recent chapter, the General Commissariat of the Philippines decided to make the commitment to send three friars to this country in Oceania. This new mission is a sign of the missionary dimension of the Carmelite charism and of its vitality in the Philippines.
Last June four nuns from the monastery of Cabanatuan in the Philippines began a new foundation in Marmang in the diocese Malaybalay. This new house was begun in response to a request from the local bishop and is a way of sharing the Carmelite charism in the northern part of the island of Mindanao.
The Church of S. Maria in Traspontina in Rome hosts members of the Bishops’ Synod for a theatrical performance
On Thursday 23 October an evening of entertainment was offered to members of the Bishops’ Synod on the Word of God currently meeting in Rome. The Roman company “Jobel Theatre” presented GENESI, an artistic show inspired by the synod’s theme of the Word of God, and drawing particularly on the first book of the book of Genesis, where God’s creative word occupies a prominent place as that infinite love that generates creation.
Various artists from around the world took part in the performance: actors, singers, musicians, acrobats and dancers. The show took place in the round, without any separation between artist and audience, in a unique voyage of visual and audio effects. Members of the Traspontina community and representatives of the General Curia were present for the evening.
The Prior General’s Canonical Visitation to Africa
On October 13 the Prior General, Fr. Fernando Millán Romeral, began the first stage of his canonical visitation of Carmelites in Africa, accompanied by Fr. Desiré Unen Alimange, General Councillor for Africa. This visit is intended to give special attention to all the young Carmelite groups on this continent, in accordance with the wishes of the recent General Chapter in 2007.
The visit began in Nairobi, Kenya, in our community "Bustani ya Karmeli", whose members come from various provinces in the Order. During his time in Kenya, the Prior General received the profession of four nuns in the monastery of Juja Farm, and three nuns from Machakos. On November 2, Fr. Fernando will return to Kenya in order to preside at a celebration for lay groups that make up the Carmelite Family.
The second part of the visitation took part in Mozambique, where the General visited the Carmelite Sisters of the Sacred Heart who live in the area of Nampula and who offer an important service in difficult conditions. On Sunday 19 October in the parish of Khongolote, the members of the Pernambuco province celebrated ten years of their presence in Mozambique. The province was represented by Fr. José Roberval Mendes Pereira, O.Carm. Despite some trying times in the past, Carmel in Mozambique is growing and putting down good roots.
Meeting of Superiors from the Americas
The first meeting of superiors from the Americas was recently held in the retreat house ‘Flos Carmeli’ in Mairiporã, Brasil from 19 to 23 October. The meeting was chaired by the General Councillor for the Americas, Fr Raúl Maraví and those present included representatives of the eleven countries in the area, among whom provincials, commissaries and delegates of both friars and sisters. The meeting began with a brief reflection on the current state of the Order which has seen the unification of the Americas in one geographical area and on the great cultural and historical wealth of this continent.
The twenty four participants discussed and worked on the Order’s Global project 2007-2013 and its application in the Americas. The prayerful, family atmosphere of the group facilitated the planning of various activities and meetings to encourage mutual co-operation and the growth of the Order in the area.
The next meeting of Superiors from the Americas will take place in October 2010 in Caracas, Venezuela.
78/2008-09-09
Electoral Chapter of the Monastery of Sagrada Família, Torre de Moncorvo, Portugal
Electoral Chapter of the Monastery of Sagrada Família, Torre de Moncorvo, Portugal
The Elective Chapter of the Carmelite Monastery of Sagrada Família, Torre de Moncorvo, Portugal, was held 25-28 of August 2008. The following were elected:
Prioress: Sr. Maria da Sagrada Família Costa , O. Carm.
1st Councilor: Sr. Maria Imaculada Conceição Nevado , O. Carm.
2nd Councilor: Sr. Maria Imaculado Coração Martins , O. Carm.
3rd Councilor: Sr. Maria da Navidade Gomes, O. Carm
4th Councilor: Sr. Maria de Cristo Rei Valdigem, O.Carm.
Director of Novices: Sr. Maria Imaculada Conceição Nevado , O. Carm.
Treasurer: Sr. Maria Imaculada Conceição Nevado , O.Carm.
Sacristan: Sr. Maria Margarete do S.C. Jesus, O.Carm.
79/2008-11-09
Vitam coelo reddiderunt (R.I.P.)
Vitam coelo reddiderunt (R.I.P.)
09-08-08: P. Jesús Gomez Hernandez, Cast
26-08-08: P. John Long, PCM
01-09-08: P. Liborius van Bergenhenegouwen, Ner
02-09-08: P. Ignacio Oyarzabal Macaya, Arag
Formation Course of the Federation "Mater et Décor Carmeli", Spain
On 25th August, 2008, the Federation of the Carmelite Nuns "Mater et Decor Carmeli" (Betica Province, Portugal), began their course of initial formation for the year 2008 with a celebration of the Eucharist, celebrated by Very Rev. Rafael Leiva, O.Carm. Fr. Alfonso Moreno González, O.Carm. concelebrated. The course is open to all the solemnly professed nuns of the thirteen federated monasteries wishing to participate.
This year 11 temporary professed nuns from the monasteries of Aracena, Estepona, Osuna and Seville will take part. The main theme of the nine-week course is "The life of God in us". It will be divided in different parts: 1) Liturgy and song; 2) Manual work: painting; 3) Scripture: The Letters of St. John; 4) Moral Theology: the commandments; 5) Carmelite Spirituality: St. Teresa of the Child Jesus; 6) History of the Order: Origin of the nuns; 7) Theological anthropology; 8) Spiritual theology: Prayer.
As envisaged by the new Ratio of the nuns (n. 132), on the nature and objective of the juniorate, it is the desire of the Federation that the young nuns become aware of and learn a single science, that of faith and the Gospel.
Activities of the Prior General to France
On 4th September last, accompanied by Fr. John Keating, O.Carm., Councillor General for Europe, Fr. Fernando Millán Romerál, O.Carm. met with the members of the Carmelite NGO who were participating in an international meeting of the United Nations in Paris.
On 5th September, together with Renée Prieur, Delegate for formation for the male branch of the Missionary Family of Donum Dei, they met the young students from this group in Lisieux. The same day they were welcomed by the Rector of the Basilica Mons. Bernard Lagoutte, who brought them to see the relics of Louis and Zélie Martin, recently exhumed in preparation for their forthcoming Beatification. It was a moving and prayerful moment.
They moved on to participate in the General Assembly of the French Delegation in France and met with the two communities (Nantes and Angers), seeing personally the wonderful work being done by the brothers in the cultural, liturgical and pastoral fields. During this visit the Prior General received the Simple Profession of our novice, Brother Martin de la Croix.
Meeting of the General Commission and Secretariat for the Laity,Rome, 1-4 September 2008
The first meeting of the new General Commission and Secretariat for the Laity took place under the presidency of the General Delegate, P. Josef Jancár, from the 1st to the 4th September 2008. The Prior General, Fr. Fernando Millán Romeral welcomed the participants as guests of the General Curia, which is at the "centre of life of the Order". In his presentation he underlined some of the tasks of the Commission in the coming six years, for example in the fields of formation and communication, and also the deepening of the awareness of the laity regarding their identity as members of the Carmelite Family.
The Commission examined the Global Plan of the General Council for the laity for the coming six years, and Fr. Josef Jancár informed the members of the Commission and the Secretariat of their main responsibilities.
During the meeting various topics were addressed, among these were the planning of the International Congress of Carmelite laity, to take place in 2012, and a meeting of the Provincial Delegates for the laity. The meeting went on to discuss the apostolate and formation, which has been chosen as the theme of the congress. Other points addressed were: communications – either at national level between individual groups or at international level by means of the bulletin "Isidoro Bakanja"; the drawing up of a handbook for formation, that might serve all the communities but especially in those countries where one does not exist; the updating of the Directory of Carmelite Laity with a classification of the lay movements which do not form part of the Third Order. Much attention was also given to the topic of the financing of the permanent Secretariat for the Laity.
The next meeting of the General Commission and the Secretariat will take place in November 2009, in order to continue the preparation for the meeting of the Provincial Delegates and the preparation of the universal handbook for formation, and to plan the international congress of the laity.
First meeting of the International Commission for Justice and Peace, and Integrity of Creation of the Order
The first meeting of the JPIC commission was held in Sassone, Italy, from September 1-5, 2008. All members of the commission (Cees Bartels (Ner), David Scott Blanchard (PCM), Eduardo Agosta Scarel (Cast), Gilbert Sabado (Phil), Boniface Makau Kimondolo (Cat), Michael Agung Christiputra (Indo), and the General Councillor Albertus Magnus Herwanta) were present. Boby Sebastian (James) Tharakunnel of the St. Thomas Province (India), who has been appointed as an executive secretary of the commission, was also present. The Most Rev. Fr. General, Fernando Millan Romeral presided the opening Mass and gave an encouraging message. The commission members shared their experiences in the fields of their ministries. After listening to these the commission arrived at certain conclusions especially the need of JPIC commitment in the Order, and made a detailed presentation about strategic planning. The meeting discussed future plans and formulated an action-plan for the year 2008-2011. This action-plan will be presented at the plenary meeting in the General Council this month. After approved by the General Council, it will be disseminated to the whole Order.
Meeting for Lay Carmelites in Latin America
From August 17 through 24 thirty Carmelite friars, sisters and lay people from different countries of Latin America, gathered in Lurin, Peru, to discuss and develop several projects related to the formation of Lay Carmelites in the region.
Present at these meetings were the Prior General, Fernando Millán Romeral, O. Carm., and the Councillor for the Americas, Raúl Maraví, O. Carm. Father Fernando´s contributions greatly enriched the work of the group.
During this week many subjects were discussed: the identity of the Lay Carmelites, the locations and makeup of formation programs, the Secretariat and the Commission of the Lay Carmelites. Furthermore, the participants decided to organize a series of congresses for Lay Carmelites over the next few years. The first of these will be a Course of Formation for Formators of Lay Carmelites, which will be held in November 2009 in Recife, Brazil.
New Church and Priory in Almelo, The Netherlands
On Saturday 6 September the Dutch province celebrated the opening of a brand new priory and parish church in Almelo. Led by Prior Provincial, Ben Wolbers, the local community and members of the province blessed the priory building. This was followed later in the day by the consecration of the church by Mons. Willem Eijk, archbishop of Utrecht. The parish is dedicated to the Prophet Elisha and was created out of three former parishes in the town of Almelo. For more details and a photo album of the day, see www.elisapaz.nl
Electoral Chapter of the Monastery of Jesi, Italy
The Elective Chapter of the Carmelite Monastery of Jesi, Italy, was held 3 September 2008. The following were elected:
Prioress: Sr. Maria Chiara Sabbatini, O. Carm.
1st Councilor: Sr. Maria Rosanna Piras, O. Carm.
2nd Councilor: Sr. Maria Paola Colletta, O. Carm.
Director of Novices: Sr. Maria Paola Colletta, O. Carm.
Treasurer: Sr. Alma Maria J. Sponziello, O.Carm.
Sacristan: Sr. Maria Rosanna Piras, O.Carm.
Electoral Chapter of the Monastery of Osuna, Spain
The Elective Chapter of the Carmelite Monastery of Osuna, Spain, was held 13 September 2008. The following were elected:
Prioress: Sr. Maria del Amor Gómez, O. Carm.
1st Councilor: Sr. Maria de San José Luque Moreno, O. Carm.
2nd Councilor: Sr. Bernardita Vioque Ramos, O. Carm.
Director of Novices: Sr. Maria Victoria Escamilla Martín, O. Carm.
Treasurer: Sr. Bernardita Vioque Ramos, O.Carm.
Sacristan: Sr. Maria del Rosario León Gómez, O.Carm.
General Chapter of the Carmelite Sisters for the Aged and Infirm
The General Chapter of the Carmelite Sisters for the Aged and Infirm was held 6-17 September 2008 at Germantown, NY, USA. The following were elected:
Superior General: Mother M. Mark Louis Anne Randell, O. Carm.
Viçar General and 1st Councilor: Sr. Ann Elizabeth Brown , O. Carm.
2nd Councilor: Sr. M. Anthony de Lourdes Veilleux, O. Carm.
3nd Councilor: Sr. M. Michelle Anne Reho, O.Carm.
4nd Councilor: Sr. Patricia Margaret Rawdon, O.Carm.
Secretary General: Sr. Marie Richard Carmel Brusca, O.Carm.
Treasurer General: Sr. M. Veronica Robert Bien, O.Carm.
Electoral Chapter of the Monastery of Asunción, Huesca, Spain
The Elective Chapter of the Carmelite Monastery of Asunción, Huesca, Spain, was held 2-3 September 2008. The following were elected:
Prioress: Sr. Mª Carmen Ibarra Lorea, O. Carm.
1st Councilor: Sr. Mª Inés Nthenya Nzyuko, O. Carm.
2nd Councilor: Sr. Mª Annastacia Kavuu Kiswili, O. Carm.
3rd Councilor: Sr. Mª Concepción Durán Bestué, O. Carm.
4th Councilor: Sr. Mª Regina Mumbua Musyoka, O. Carm.
Director of Novices: Sr. Mª Annastacia Kavuu Kiswili, O. Carm.
Treasurer: Sr. Mª Inés Nthenya Nzyuko, O.Carm.
Sacristan: Sr. Mª Benedicta Mutwiwa Nzuve, O.Carm.
Days of retreat and study by the General Council
For the past few days, from 18th to 21st of September, having completed one year since the General Chapter of 2007, the General Council met in Sassone for some days of study, retreat and fraternal sharing. During these days the members of the Council examined together the Instruction: Faciem tuam, Domine, requiram (The service of the authority and obedience) published months ago by the Congregation for the Institutes of Consecrated Life and the Societies of Apostolic Life. They also reflected on the experience of the Council during this past year and looked forward to the next Council of the Provinces.
Developments in Lithuania
With the blessing of Cardinal Audrys J. Backis, archbishop of Vilnius, Elena Stulgiené, Danuté Kasubiené and Violeta Cecilija Tumasioniené made their simple profession within the Third Order of Carmel. The profession took place in the All Saints Church, the former Carmelite church in Vilnius. Mgr. Juozas Tunaitis, auxiliary-bishop of the archdiocese Vilnius was presiding in the Eucharist. The profession rite itself was led by Tjeu Timmermans O.Carm., coordinator of the Dutch Province for the Lithuania project. Míceál O’Neill O.Carm. (Hib), Felix Schandl O.Carm. (GerS) and Johan Hettinga O.Carm. (Ner) were also present at this profession ceremony. They were involved in the building up of a Carmel in Lithuania from the beginning.
In August Edvinas Reinys from Lithuania visited the house of formation of the Dutch Province in Boxmeer for some weeks. Edvinas is seriously considering entering the Order after finishing his studies as a teacher of religion. In October Roma Steckyté and Vida Jocyté will be accepted as candidates for the Third Order of Carmel. After their acceptance they will start a process of intensive formation.
Inauguration of the Carmelite Institute Malta
On Saturday, 4th October 2008, at 10.00 a.m., the Carmelite Church at Mdina, Malta, will be the venue of the inauguration of the CARMELITE INSTITUTE MALTA. The Prior General Fr Fernando Millán Romeral O.Carm. will be present for this occasion. The inauguration programme includes two lectures, one by Kees Waaijman O.Carm. (Ner) on “Carmel: An Empty Space for God”, and another by Eugene McCaffrey OCD on “Carmel: A Lover’s Quest”.
The Carmelite Institute Malta is a collaborative effort of the Maltese Carmelite Province and of the Maltese Province of Discalced Carmelites to promote in Malta the study of Carmelite spirituality and tradition. Its main goal is to offer courses in Carmelite spirituality and Mariology on various levels. In fact, starting October of this year, the Institute will be cooperating with the Faculty of Theology of the University of Malta to offer an MA programme in Spirituality. Students enrolled in this programme may opt to specialize in Carmelite Spirituality. As from next year, the Institute will also offer a non-academic programme in Carmelite Spirituality. The Carmelite Institute Malta has its seat at the Carmelite Priory, Mdina.
Fr Giovanni Grosso O.Carm., Preside of the Institutum Carmelitanum, is accompanying the Prior General on this visit, which is Fr Fernando’s first visit to Malta. The Prior General will also celebrate the Eucharist at the national shrine of Our Lady of Mt Carmel in Valletta, meet with young people from various Carmelite parishes and preside over the annual general meeting of the Third Order.
