9/2009-01-02
Causa Nostrae Letitiae - Ianuarius 2009
 
Initium Novitiatus
07-01-09  Julio Cesar Materano Peroto (Bet)
07-01-09  Pedro Javier Ramírez Ibáñez (Bet)
07-01-09  Luis Fernando Diaz García (Bet),
13-01-09  Paulo César Acosta Nisperuza (Ita)
13-01-09  Devis Orosco Jimenez (Ita)
13-01-09  Carlos Alberto Lagos Alfonso (Ita )
13-01-09  Janer Fernando Gòmez Torres (Ita)
13-01-09  Andrès Enrique Trujillo Herrera (Ita)    
13-01-09  Jerrry de Sousa Fonseca (Flum)
13-01-09  Donizete Aparecido Ferreira Lima (Flum) 
13-01-09  Joberlânio Martins de Lima (Pern) 
13-01-09  Romero Ferreira De Lima (Pern)
13-01-09  Josivaldo Nivaldo de Souza (Pern)
13-01-09  Costa José Jambo (Pern)
13-01-09  Sérgio Estefane Simone (Pern 
17-01-09  Caio Augusto Lima de Castro (GerS)
17-01-09  Danilo Garcia Lopes (GerS) 
17-01-09  Devanir da Silva (GerS)
17-01-09  Jhonatan Diógenes de Oliveira Alves (GerS)
 
Professio Temporanea                         
11-01-09  Antonio Farias (Pern) 
11-01-09  Antonio Rock (Pern) 
11-01-09  Cícero Valter (Pern)
11-01-09  Gilmar Alves (Pern) 
11-01-09  Jorge Costa (Pern)
11-01-09  Jose Adriano (Pern)
11-01-09  Marcilio Lira (Pern) 
11-01-09  Rubens Brito (Pern) 
11-01-09  Janicio Dias (Flum)
11-01-09  Rogerio Ribeiro (Flum)
18-01-09  Emilio Augusto Ferraciolli da Silva (GerS)
18-01-09  João Nilson Dantas Barbosa (GerS)
18-01-09  Marcelo Silveira Siqueira (GerS) 
18-01-09  Rogério Sebastião Tedesco (GerS) 
18-01-09  Luis Felipe Castro Cabarcas (Ita)  
19-01-09  Félix Andrés Rojas Rodríguez (Mel)  
21-01-09  Carmen Aurelina González (LAV)  
28-01-09  Praveen Lawrence (CSTSA)

Professio Sollemne
18-12-08  Rinaldo Francisco da Silva (Pern)
04-01-09  Fredy Márquez (Ita)
04-01-09  Rubén Dario Silva (Ita)  
14-01-09  Dominic John Somola (Brun) 

Ordinatio Diaconalis
31-01-09  José Manuel Granados Rivera (Bet)  
31-01-09  David del Carpio Horcajo (Bet)  

Ordinatio Sacerdotalis
07-01-09  Linto Paul Thekkekunnel (Ind)  

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10/2009-05-02
Convocation of the 16th Council of Provinces
 
With his letter of the 2nd February, 2009, the Prior General, Fr. Fernando Millán Romeral, O.Carm. convoked the 16th Council of Provinces. It will take place in the retreat house “Il Carmine”, San Felice del Benaco, Italy, from 3rd (arrivals) to 12th (departures) September 2009. The theme of the meeting will be:
"Embracing his Gospel: Carmelite community in faith, hope and love"
This theme has been chosen for two reasons: Firstly, “Embracing his Gospel” is taken from Article 2 of our Constitutions, words taken from the phrase: “Living in allegiance to Jesus Christ and embracing his Gospel as the supreme norm of our lives….”, and secondly, the General Chapter reflected on the topics of “Following Christ”, “prayer and prophecy in a changing world” but perhaps did not concentrate sufficiently on the issue of “community”. At this present moment in time, Pope Benedict has already written on the subject of Love and Hope, and there is an expectation of a letter on Faith. It is hoped that this Council of Provinces will address not just the theory of these virtues, but what a Carmelite community in faith, hope and love might realistically look like at the beginning of a new millennium. In the context of our own Constitutions, living in the midst of the people of today, “our communities will be authentic expressions of faith, hope and charity, and will be places conducive to full human development.” (CON 32)
In preparation for the Council of Provinces, a programme of reflections and prayers around the theme of the meeting have been prepared for four gatherings of communities. This programme of reflections will be sent to all the communities of the Order. It is hoped that these meditations will contribute to the reflections that will take place during the Council of Provinces.
Shortly, Fr. Mario Alfarano, Secretary General, will send to Priors Provincial, Commissaries General and Provincial, Delegates General and Presidents of the Regions a more detailed programme, Further information can be found on the website of the Order: www. ocarm.org

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11/2009-07-02
Officia Generalia - E-mail adresses
 
Procurator Gen. Josef Jancar - jjancar @ ocarm.org
Oeconomus Gen. Kevin Alban - kalban @ ocarm.org
Secretarius Gen. Mario Alfarano - seggen @ ocarm.org
Archivista Gen. Ivan Hrusa - ihrusa @ ocarm.org
Postulator Gen. Giovanni Grosso - postulazione @ ocarm.org
Webmaster Anthony Cilia - acilia @ ocarm.org
Citoc-online Christian Körner - citoc.info @ ocarm.org

 

The Prior General, Fr. Fernando Millán Romeral, O.Carm. accompanied by Fr. Raúl Maravi, Councilor General for the Americas, took part in the Assembly of the Titus Brandsma General Delegation in Bogotá, Columbia from 5th to 9th of January last. In an atmosphere of reflection and discernment a future outline for the development of this Delegation was drawn up and an evaluation of the high level of involvement with the so-called “Pequeños Carmelos” undertaken. The Prior General also visited the property at La Vega where the Delegation has build a small house for the elderly and for other activities.
On Sunday 11th January, they participated in the inauguration of the new Carmelite parish of the Italian Province at Aguachica, also in Columbia. The Archbishop of Ocaña, Mons. Jorge Enrique Lozano Zafra, presided at the celebration. Also present were the Provincial of the Italian Province, Fr. Claudio Bellotti, O.Carm. together with Columbian and Italian Carmelites and other religious and laity.
From Columbia the Prior General and Councilor General moved on to Peru, where from 13th to 16th January they participated in the Assembly of the Commissariat in Lurín (CITOC-on line 3/2009). They held various meetings with our communities and met with representatives of groups of laity of the Carmelite parish of Miraflores in Lima. They also visited the Carmelite Sisters (HVMMC) at José Gálvez.
Finally, they took part in the Assembly of the Commissariat of Bolivia at Tarija from 19th to 22nd January (CITOC-on line 4/2009), where the Prior General received the first profession of Brother Félix Rojas Rodrígues, who had just finished his novitiate in Brazil. The Prior General then opened the new parochial centre “El Encuentro- Profeta Elías” which offers a fine religious and social service. He also visited the Sisters of Mother Candelaria (HCMC) where the Sisters have opened a food centre and place for children with problems. Returning via La Paz, before returning to Europe, he celebrated the Eucharist with the laity of the Carmelite parish in the city.
Without doubt, this was a very fruitful visit, during which the Prior General and the Councilor General were able to witness with joy the development of Carmel in Latin America.

 

 
13/2009-13-02
Vitam Coelo Reddiderunt (R.I.P.)
 
19-01-09 Sr. Juana Mª Pérez Díaz (HUE)
25-01-09 Sr. Bertholda Huizendveld (ECH)
06-02-09 P. Timothy Donohue (SEL)

 
14/2009-15-02

We are forwarding to you  an invitation from  the “Commission for Justice Peace and Integrity of Creation” of the International Union of Superiors General (UISG) and the Union of Superiors General (USG), Rome: “February 20, 2009 is an important day for all persons in our global village but especially for those of us committed to living the Good News of peace and justice. The World Day of Social Justice is being observed for the first time following its unanimous adoption by the 192 member States of the United Nations during their November 2007 General Assembly. You are invited and asked to share with your members the enclosed prayer for this day. It was developed by members of the USG/UISG Secretariat Commission for Justice Peace and Integrity of Creation in Rome.”
For a copy of the prayer go to: http://jpicformation.wikispaces.com/EN_prayer

 
15/2009-18-02
Publication in Italian of the Order's website Lectio Divina
 
Lectio Divina, the method of daily prayer recommended by the Carmelite Rule (no.10), which is found in this volume, makes available to everyone today the Charism and spiritual heritage of the Carmelite Order.
This prayerful approach to the Word of God, this journey, which springs from the very beginnings of the history and the spirituality of Carmel - may now be found on the web (www. ocarm.org), so that the Gospel texts of Sunday can be shared with all who wish to reflect on and live by the Word of God and the Liturgy of the Hours in a more committed way. This is a project that has been welcomed and followed with great enthusiasm by numerous people around the whole world, and from many different states of the Christian life: laity, religious - men and women - priests and bishops.
Many Carmelites, various religious men and women, have collaborated in the writing of the text which was coordinated by Fr. Anthony Cilia (Mel): Fr. Carlos Mesters (Flum), Fr. Cosimo Pagliara (Neap), Sr. Maria Anastasia di Gerusalemme (Ravenna), Fr. Charlò Camilleri (Mel), Fr. Tiberio Scorrano (Ita), Sr. Maria Teresa della Croce Boschi (Cerreto), Fr. Bruno Secondin (Ita), Fr. Roberto Toni (Ita), Sr. Marianerina De Simone (SCMSTBG), Fr. Alexander Vella (Mel), and of no less importance has been the work of translators (for the website texts only): the late Fr. Manuel Anguiano, (Baet) for the Spanish version and Fr. Anthony Scerri (Aust) for the English version of the Lectio.
The publication Lectio Divina sui Vangeli festivi per l'anno liturgico B, (Edited by Anthony Cilia, O.Carm.), Elledici, Torino, 2009, pp.720, ISBN 978-88-01-04157-6. Euro 20.00" is in Italian. In a few months the Italian texts will be published for the Liturgical Year A and C.
It is hoped that this book will become a useful instrument for sharing this prayerful approach to the Word.

 
16/2009-19-02
General Chapter of the Congregation of Our Lady of Mount Carmel
 
The General Chapter of the Carmelite Sisters of the Congregation of Mount Carmel (COLMC) was held 15-19 January 2009 at the “Carmelite Spirituality Center” in Lacombe, LA., USA. The following were elected:
Superior General: Sr. Elizabeth Fitzpatrick, O.Carm.
1st Councilor: Sr. Andrée Bindewald, O.Carm.
2nd Councilor: Sr. Donna Girard, O. Carm.
3rd Councilor: Sr. Barbara Nell Laperouse, O.Carm.
4th Councilor: Sr. Janet LeBlanc, O.Carm.

 
17/2009-21-02
Blessed Nuno Will Be Canonized On The 26th April
 
On the 26th of April next, Blessed Nuno di Santa Maria Álvares Pereira will be canonized by His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI in St. Peter's, in the Vatican.
The Holy Father made the announcement during the solemn public Ordinary Consistory for the canonization of ten blesseds', which took place in the Sala Clementina of the Vatican Apostolic Palace, during the celebration of the Liturgical Hour of Sext.
Blessed Nuno lived in Portugal from 1360 to 1431 and was widowed in 1423. Following this he decided to enter the Carmelite convent in Lisbon, which he had himself founded. This was the culmination of years of service to the King, who had named him commander, that is, in charge of the army. In the convent he put on spiritual armour, at last fully able to live out his devotion to Mary, humility and above all charity, which filled his life from that moment on.
In the year 2000, the intercession of Blessed Nuno was made by Signora Guilhermina de Jesus and by her family following an accident involving boiling oil, that resulted in the loss of sight in one eye. After medical treatment without results, intercessory prayer was made through Blessed Nuno, which resulted in a recognized miraculous cure.
The Prior General, Fr. Fernando Millán Romeral, O.Carm. and members of the General Curia were present in the Sala Clementina on Saturday 21st February, to hear the Holy Father make the announcement.
Blessed Nuno is the first saint of our Order to be canonized since St. Mary Magdalene de' Pazzi on 28th April, 1669.

 
18/2009-24-02
Meeting with the students of CISA
 
With the joyful experience of the announcement of the date of the canonization of Blessed Nuno Alvarez Pereira received only hours earlier, there was a meeting the same afternoon of Saturday 21st February with the students of the Centro Internazionale Sant'Alberto (CISA), which is directly under the General Curia. The meeting organized by the General Councilor for formation, Fr. John Keating, O.Carm., was for all those in higher studies for a licentiate or doctorate.

Participating in the meeting was the Prior General, Fr. Fernando Millán Romeral, O.Carm., who encouraged the students to study in the context of the mission and service of the Church and the Carmelite Family. Pontifical Gregorian University Professor Donna Orsuto (who on other occasions has participated in Carmelite meetings) presented a series of very helpful and practical tips regarding the work involved in writing a doctoral thesis. The Regent of Studies, Fr. Mark Attard, O.Carm., underlined the importance of higher studies for the life of the Order. The President of the Institutum Carmelitanum, Fr. Giovanni Grosso, O.Carm. emphasized the necessity of studies on Carmelite topics and of the openness of the Institutum to collaborate in these projects. Following these interventions, each of the students gave a brief presentation of the work of their thesis or thesina. The meeting proved to be a very good experience with a fine sharing on the academic level regarding their topics, and on the preoccupations of the Carmelite students within the context of the scientific and ecclesial research of those at the Centro Internazionale Sant'Alberto. The meeting ended fraternally with supper together with members of the Curia community.

 
19/2009-26-02
Booklet for communities in preparation for the XVI Council of Provinces
 
The General Curia has sent to the Provincials, Commissaries and Delegates copies of a booklet in preparation for the XVI Council of Provinces on the theme: “Embracing His Gospel: the Carmelite community in faith, hope, and charity”. This booklet contains four guidelines for reflection and prayer, based on the Sacred Scripture and the Rule to use in all the communities, relating to the title of the Council of Province. It offers a way of working together during these coming months, through profound reflection and sharing beginning with our own actual situation, and at the same time helping the communities to grow in fraternal life.
The General Council has encouraged the superiors to gather the different reflections of the communities and of their Councils, as preparation for the Council of Provinces, thus mutually enriched by other parts of the Order, the work of this international Assembly will be enhanced.
You can also find the text of the document on the website of the Order: www. ocarm.org

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3/2009-17-01
Assembly of the Provincial Commissariat of Peru (PCM)
 
During the Assembly of the Provincial Commissariat of Peru (PCM) at Villa Carmelitas, Lurín, Peru, held 13-16 January 2009 were elected:
Commissary Provincial: Fr. Enrique Laguna Vargas O.Carm.
First Councilor: Fr. Michael Sgarioto O.Carm.
Second Councilor: Fr. Miguel Bacigalupo O.Carm.

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5/2009-21-01
Relics of the Parents of St. Therese of Lisieux at the Carmelite Monastery of Vetralla

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6/2009-23-01
Promulgation of the decree on the heroic virtues of the Lay Carmelite Liberata Ferrarons y Vives
 
On 17 January 2009 the Holy Father, Benedict XVI, received in private audience His Excellency Mons. Angelo Amato SDB pro-Prefect of the Congregation of the Causes of Saints. In the course of the audience, the Holy Father authorised the Congregation to promulgate the decree regarding the heroic virtues of the Servant of God, Liberata Ferrarons y Vivés, Lay member of the Third Order of Carmel, born in Olot (Catalonia, Spain) on 19 April 1803, and died on 21 June 1842 also in Olot.
This is the first important step on the road to beatification. It is now necessary to ask for a miracle through the intercession of the Venerable Liberata in order for her to be declared a blessed.