From 18th to 30th October 2010, the International Conference of Formators of the Carmelite Missionary Sisters of St. Thérèse of the Child Jesus took place at Focene di Fiumicino (Rome). The 37 participants, coming from Italy, Romania, Brazil, Canada, Tanzania and the Philippines, included the women in charge of the various stages of formation, together with the General Council, provincials, and general delegates.

The course centered on the theme of “The Person and Their Formation in the Ratio Institutionis, Making Carmel Flourish Again Today and in Actual Reflection.” During the first week, the presenters Giuseppe Roggia, SDB, Angela Ferreira Rocha, MC, Santiago Gonzales Silva, MC, and Mario Alfarano, O. Carm., developed the theme according to the human perspective, specifically feminine, missionary, and charismatic. During the second week, the Ratio Institutionis of the Congregation (8 years since its redaction) was elaborated, with the help of Sr. Marianerina de Simone, Sr. M. Lilian Kapongo, Sr. M. Elizabeth Ribeiro, and Sr. M. Ivana Calvo. The experience, rich in international and intercultural fraternity, concluded with the firm will to develop a united formative path for the entire Congregation through a clearer identity as a Missionary Carmelite of St. Therèse of the Child Jesus.

Last 3-7 November, a group of around 20 Carmelite experts in the areas of history, spirituality, biblical studies, and liturgy, gathered at Centro Internazionale S. Alberto (CISA) to examine the contemplative dimension of Carmel according to the first authors of the Order. Beginning with the medieval context, the first part of this seminar, which will continue in the coming years, studied the Carmelite Rule, the Flaming Arrow, the Ten Books of the Institution of the First Monks and various Carmelite authors of the 13th to 15th centuries.
The seminar highlighted the richness that appears in the texts of the well-known and lesser-known authors: all offer themes and elements authentically Carmelite. The particular way of using Scripture and the attention to the dynamic process of transformation towards a mystical union with God, of which diverse authors indicated its fruits rather than give a definition, were noted. The eschatological and glorious perspective was highlighted in various texts, the reciprocal call of the liturgy and prayerful meditation on the Word underline the centrality of Christ. The language used and the mystagogical dimension were also examined, and called for a focused rereading.

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