First Day of the General Chapter 2019
Yesterday, 10 September 2019 at 9:30 am at the “Il Camelo”, Sassone, Rome, Italy, the Prior General, Fr Fernando Millán Romeral, presided the Holy Mass of the Holy Spirit, and thus begun the General Chapter of the Brothers of the Blessed Virgin Mary of Mount Carmel, (the Carmelites). The members of the General Council concelebrated with him.
In his homily the Prior General shared some reflections about the chapter structure of the Order. The Order is characterized by its chapter structure on an organizational, spiritual and theological level. The celebrant pointed out that Revelation is a dialogical event, and that understanding revelation grows through dialogue. Carmel lives by means of a spirituality of listening, sharing and discernment and it is realized in the fundamental structures of the Order, which favour community discernment. The General Chapter is the highest expression of this spirituality.
This charismatic project is only possible through the action of the Holy Spirit. It is He who purifies, renews and transforms us. By means of chapter structure we are called to enter into an authentic and dynamic conversion and transformation.
After the celebration of the mass, Fr Augustin Barbuţ, Director of “Il Carmelo” of Sassone welcomed all the participants. Fr Edison Tinambunan then explained the logo of the Chapter.
The first session of the Chapter was then held according to clause 271 of the Constitutions. The roll call of the Gremiali and guests was read out and also of the officials of the Chapter. Then the election of the President of the Chapter, who will preside until the election of a new Prior General, was held. Fr Miceál O’Neill (Hib) was elected President of the Chapter and he accepted
The second session of the Chapter started at 16:00. The participants approved the Ordo Capituli. The Prior General made his presentation, underlining the growth of the Order; the General Commissions, especially of Justice and Peace, Liturgy and Revision of the Constitutions; formation, intial and ongoing; protection of minors and vulnerable persons; the Carmelite Family, the concept of Carmelite Family, the nuns, recent foundations and closures; the Donum Dei family; the hermits belonging to the Order; the Third Order; the Carmelite bishops; the relationship with other ecclesial organizations like USG and CIVCSVA; the economy of the Order; the schools of the Order; the causes for beatification and canonization; and relations with the Discalced Brothers.
The Prior General expressed his gratitude for these 12 years of service to the Order. All present expressed their appreciation to the Prior General with a standing ovation.
First monastery in Mozambique opened
On the 22nd of August, the first monastery in Mozambique was opened, dedicated to Our Lady of Fatima, located next to the formation house of the Carmelite friars. This foundation, the desire of the monastery of Moncorvo (Portugal), is formed by two Portuguese nuns and three nuns from the Kenyan monastery of Machakos; it became a reality thanks to the Province of Pernambuco, responsible for the Mozambican mission, that donated the land, and to the financial contribution of the General Commissariat of Portugal. The inauguration celebration, led by the Archbishop of Maputo, Francisco Chimoio, OFMCap, was attended by the Prior General, Fr. Fernando Millán Romeral, the General Delegate for Carmelite Nuns, Fr. Mario Alfarano, the Councillor General for Africa, Fr. Conrad Mutizamhepo, the Provincial of Pernambuco, Fr. Sormani Barbosa, the Commissary of Portugal, Fr. Ricardo Rainho, the Superior of the Mozambican mission, Fr. Altamiro Tenorio da Paz, along with other priests, religious men and women, and numerous faithful.
In the same vein, on the 31st of July, the Holy See approved the new foundation of Kitui, in Kenya. The foundresses, all from the monastery of Machakos, will move to the new monastery as soon as the construction, which the bishop of Kitui is situating next to the new diocesan shrine, is completed.
Also on the 31st of July, the Holy See approved the entrance of the "Mater Unitatis" monastery of Montiglio, in Italy, into the Federation of St. Maria Maddalena de 'Pazzi. This monastery, the desire of Card. Pellegrino and of Sr. Maria Paola of the Holy Spirit, was founded in 1971 by the community of Florence and continues to have a strong connection with the spirituality and teachings of the Florentine saint.
Electoral Chapter of the Monastery of Porlamar, Venezuela
The Elective Chapter of the Carmelite Monastery of Porlamar, Venezuela, was held 17 August 2019. The following were elected:
Prioress: Sr. Norma del Carmen Sánchez Mora, O.Carm.
1st Councilor: Sr. Ana Violeta de la Trinidad Pereira Montilva, O.Carm.
2nd Councilor: Sr. Ludis Emilia de Cristo Rey González, O.Carm.
Director of Novices: Sr. Mariela del Carmen León León, O.Carm.
Treasurer: Sr. Ludis Emilia de Cristo Rey González, O.Carm.
Sacristan: Sr. Ana Violeta de la Trinidad Pereira Montilva, O.Carm.
Lectio Divina September 2019
Universal – Politicians, Scientists and Economists
That politicians, scientists and economists work together to protect the world’s seas and oceans.
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Carmelite European Youth Gathering
Some 40 participants from the provinces of Malta, Italia, Poland, Britain, Ireland, Arago-Castile-Valencia, Betica, the General Commissariat of Portugal, the French Delegation and some young people on behalf of the Hermanas de la Virgen Maria del Monte Carmelo (Orihuela, Spain), took part in the third section of the Carmelite European Youth project “Awakening” at the “The Friars”, Aylesford, England from the 14th to the 18th August, 2019. Two previous gatherings had taken place, one in Fatima and the second at San Felice del Benaco, Italy.
Each day addressed a different theme and the main speakers were Carmelites, Fr. Miceal O’Neill (Contemplation and Action), Fr. Michael Plattig (Incarnated Spirituality and the schools of spirituality), Fr. Desiderio Garcia Martinez (Paths of transformation: Teresa of Avila – a woman who comes out of her comfort zone) and Sabrina Rubio Perez and Javier Bernabeu Almela (Leadership). There were also recorded video interviews relating to three significant Carmelites saints as witnesses in their time; the Prior General, Fr. Fernando Millan Romeral (on Blessed Titus Brandsma), Fr. Lucio Maria Zappatore (on Blessed Angelo Paoli) and Sr. Olivia Kelly, OCD (on Therese of Lisieux). The programme was both dynamic and interactive. As part of the programme, the young people had the opportunity of participating at Evensong in Canterbury Cathedral. The event was organized by the Carmelite European Youth Committee, Frs. David Oliver (ACV), Luca Sciarelli (Ita), Dave Twohig (Hib), Bro. Joao Costa (Lus), Sabrina Rubio Perez (ACV) and Daniela Pereira (Lus) and led by Fr. John Keating (Curia).
The committee are deeply grateful to the Prior Provincial of the British Province, Fr. Kevin Alban, the Prior of Aylesford, Fr. Francis Kemsley and the Aylesford community for their generous support of this gathering and the wonderful welcome they received from the Aylesford staff and administration.
Carmelite celebrations in Sicily
Last Sunday, August 4, the Prior General, Fernando Millán Romeral, O.Carm., led the solemn celebration of the Eucharist in the diocesan sanctuary of San Ángel de Licata (Sicily, Italy) in which Father Roberto Toni, O. Carm., Provincial of the Italian Province and the Rector of the shrine, Don Angelo Pintacorona, were concelebrants, along with other priests. After the celebration, the Prior General announced some of the numerous acts (religious, cultural and catechetical) that are being scheduled for the celebration of the eighth centenary of the martyrdom of San Angel, and in an extraordinary way (by a special concession) he venerated the saint’s relics and laid a floral wreath before them. The Eucharist was attended also by the city authorities, headed by the "Vice-Mayor", a large representation of the Carmelite Third Order members from Licata and other Sicilian cities, as well as confraternities and associations dedicated to the Saint: “Pro Sant’Angelo”, “Portatori di Oltreponte” and "Vivere Licata." The next day, accompanied by the Provincial, he visited the Cardinal Archbishop of Agrigento, Francesco Montenegro, who took great interest in the centenary program and expressed his affection for the Carmelite family.
Taking advantage of his stay in Sicily, the Prior General celebrated the Eucharist in the Shrine of the Virgin of Trapani, on the occasion of the feast of St. Albert. Following the traditional, he opened the silver cover where the skull of the saint is located and blessed the "water of St. Albert." He also participated in the popular procession that takes the image of the saint, both to the town hall, where they were received by the mayor, and to the cathedral where the bishop, Monsignor Pietro Maria Fragnelli, pronounced a beautiful prayer before the patron of the city.
May Saint Angel and Saint Albert, the first saints of the Order, help us to be faithful to our charism and generous and creative in our Carmelite life.
Electoral Chapter of the Monastery of Jaboticabal, Brazil
The Elective Chapter of the Carmelite Monastery of Jaboticabal, Brazil, was held 30 July and 8 August 2019. The following were elected:
- Prioress: Sr. Francisca Marlene Rocha, O.Carm.
- 1st Councilor: Sr. Maria do Carmo Silveira Moraes, O.Carm.
- 2nd Councilor: Sr. M. Solange Nicácio de Melo, O.Carm.
- Director of Novices: Sr. Maria do Carmo Silveira Moraes, O.Carm.
- Treasurer: Sr. M. Solange Nicácio de Melo, O.Carm.
- Sacristan: Sr. Vera Lúcia Alves, O.Carm.
Electoral Chapter of the Monastery of Cabanatuan, Philippines
The Elective Chapter of the Carmelite Monastery of Cabanatuan, Philippines, was held on 13 August 2019. The following were elected:
- Prioress: Sr. M. Dolores of the Crucified Jesus Asuncion, O.Carm.
- 1st Councilor: Sr. M. Dorotea of the Soul of Christ Santiago, O.Carm.
- 2nd Councilor: Sr. M. Herminia of Jesus dela Cruz, O.Carm.
- 3rd Councilor: Sr. M. Regina of Jesus Gutierrez, O.Carm.
- 4th Couniclor and Treasurer: Sr. M. Teresa of Jesus Canillo, O.Carm.
- Director of Novices: Sr. M. Dorotea of the Soul of Christ, Santiago, O.Carm.
- Sacristan: Sr. M. Raquel of the Divine Mercy Ylagan, O.Carm.
Lectio Divina August 2019
Evangelization – Families
That families, through their life of prayer and love, become ever more clearly “schools of true human growth”.
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A Meeting of North American Lay Carmelites
From July 19-21, the so-called “Lay Convocation” was held at the Hilton Hotel in Chicago (USA), organized by the PCM and SEL Provinces. Nearly 400 people from various parts of North America took part. In addition to the laity, there was a representation of the Carmelite Sisters and the contemplative nuns of various monasteries. The theme of the meeting, "Elijah: Inner fire, outward zeal", was developed by various speakers: Fernando Millán Romeral, O.Carm. (Prior General), William Harry, O.Carm. (PCM Provincial), Nicholas Blackwell, O.Carm. and Glenn Snow, O.Carm. Likewise, a series of workshops were run in which the prophetic dimension of Carmel was reflected upon in relation to various issues and situations. At the final banquet, the Prior General received an affectionate farewell tribute from the American laity at the end of his period as Prior General of the Order.
