The Elective Chapter of the Carmelite Monastery of Jaboticabal, Brazil, was held 23 July 2010. The following were elected:

• Prioress: Sr. Francisca Marlene Rocha, O.Carm.
• 1st Councilor: Sr. Maria do Carmo Silveira Moraes, O.Carm.
• 2nd Councilor: Sr. Silvana Cristina Gameiro, O.Carm.
• Director of Novices: Sr. Silvana Cristina Gameiro, O.Carm.
• Treasurer: Sr. Maria do Carmo Silveira Moraes, O.Carm.
• Sacristan: Sr. Silvana Cristina Gameiro , O.Carm.

The Carmelite Order has presented a donation of €10,000 to help alleviate the suffering of those affected by recent floods in Brazil. This donation was made possible by the generosity of the donors to the Society of the Little Flower, the Curia's fundraising charity in Britain and Ireland.
The presentation was made at a Eucharist celebrated as part of the international gathering of Carmelite formators taking place at Camocim de São Félix, Brazil A cheque was given by the Prior General to fellow friar Don Antonio Muniz Fernandes, O.Carm., Metropolitan Archbishop of Maceió.
Some weeks ago Archbishop Antonio wrote to the Carmelite Family to publicize the grave situation that has arisen from the floods in the State of Algoas in the north east of Brazil.

The International JPIC Commission of the Order organized a seminar on Climate change in Harare, Zimbabwe, for our African Carmelite students (friars and sisters) between July 25 and 29, 2010. There was a good Carmelite representation. Fr. Eduardo Agosta Scarel (Cast) from Argentina spoke about the scientific basis of climate change and gave some clues on contemplative ecology. Fr. Boniface Kimondolo (Cat) from Kenya talked about the pastoral aspects of climate change in Africa. The seminar proved to be an eye opener to those who attended since the issue of climate change is still a big challenge in Africa. As a follow up of it the participants came forward with practical and concrete action plans in dealing with environmental issues. The participants visited many Carmelite communities of friars and sisters in Zimbabwe as part of the seminar.
Many thanks to those who were behind such a seminar and especially the Prior General and Fr. Albertus Herwanta, Fr. Désiré Unen Alimange, Fr. Boby Sebastian (Ind) as well as Fr. Martin Kilmurray, the Prior Provincial of Ireland, and Commissary Provincial of Zimbabwe Fr. Simplisio Manyika and his commissariat for making the seminar a success.

After many years of discussion and some previous experience of co-operation in various fields, the monasteries present in the two provinces and one general commissariat in Italy decided to formalize the relations between them. In the most recent prioresses' meeting held in Sassone from 26 to 28 April, 11 of the 12 canonically erected Italian monasteries decided that they would join together in a Federation.
The Apostolic See has accepted their request, and on 16 July this year canonically erected the Federation of "St Mary Magdalen de'Pazzi" of the monasteries of the nuns of the Order of the Blessed Virgin Mary of Mount Carmel". At the same time the statutes of the federation were also approved and Fr. Matteo Palumbo O. Carm. (Ita) was appointed as the first religious assistant to the federation for a period of three years.
We wish the federation every heavenly blessing and that this union will help the monasteries to grow for their good and the good of the whole Church.

The Pilgrimage of Hope for the young people of Europe concluded last Sunday with the recitation of the Angelus by the Pope at Castel Gandolfo. In his address the Holy Father spoke about prayer with reference to the Gospel of the day (Luke 11:1-13). From his balcony the Pope greeted the young people of the Carmelite pilgrimage.
At the end of the Angelus, the Prior General, Fr. Fernando Millán Romeral, O.Carm., together with some bishops were invited to meet the Pope individually. The Prior General used the occasion with the Pope to speak about the pilgrimage. The Pope lauded this initiative and hoped that the World Youth Day in Madrid in 2010 would be a great event for the Church. The Pope then inquired about what countries the young people had come from and about their age. Finally, he addressed the Prior General with these words: "The Carmelites, as in today's Gospel, are the ones who teach us to pray…."
Apart from this meeting, all the information on the pilgrimage with numerous photographs, can be seen on the official website of the Order:

On 20th July, on the feast of day of St. Elijah, our Father, the newly constructed chapel, dedicated to Our Lady of the Holy Rosary was blessed by His Grace Most. Rev. Dr. Francis Kallarakkal, the Archbishop of Verapoly and the Apostolic Administrator of Kottappuram diocese. Very Rev. Fr. Albertus Herwanta, the General Councilor for Asia-Australia and Oceania and the Very. Rev. Fr. Sojan Neendoor, the Prior Provincial of the St. Thomas province and many priests and religious and people from the locality were present for the Eucharist and the celebration.
It was a joyous occasion for the all members of the Latin delegation of St. Thérèse and St. Albert. On 21st of July an assembly with all the members present of the delegation was held and Fr. Albertus presided over the meeting.