Carmelite NGO Celebrates "Freedom of Belief" on World Human Rights Day
After changing its name immediately after the canonization and the important renovations that took place in the last two years, the new "Casa San Nuno" was inaugurated in Fátima, Portugal, on 14th November in memory of all of the saints of the Order. All of the accommodations were reorganized, creating new rooms and gathering spaces named after Carmelite saints. The furnishings were also modernized, and it is now equipped with modern computer technology and other equipment for conferences and meetings.
The ceremony began with the celebration of solemn vespers, presided by the bishop of Leiria Fátima, António Marto. Afterwards, a PowerPoint presentation was shown, illustrating the history of the house and the improvements made. Among the others who participated in this meeting were: the mayor of Ourém, the rector of the sanctuary of Fátima, the head of tourism for the Leiria Fátima region, the Provincial of the discalced Carmelites, Fr. Pedro Ferreira, OCD, the President of CIRP (Conference of Religious Institutes of Portugal) and the Commissary General of Portugal, Fr. Agostinho Castro, O. Carm. The celebration was concluded by the Prior General, Fr. Fernando Millán Romeral, O. Carm., who underlined the international dimension of the house whose cornerstone was blessed by Prior General Killian Lynch, O. Carm. in 1955. Fr. Fernando highlight ed the importance of the house for Lay Carmelites. It was here that CITOC was born, which at the beginning meant "Centre of Information for the Carmelite Third Order."
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The History of the Carmelite Library
The Carmelite Library started in 1948 when books on Carmelite matters were separated from other works in the General Library of St. Albert’s International College in Rome. The first two librarians, Br. Otger Steggink and Fr. Serapion Seiger completed this task. In 1949 the Carmelite Library was in a room next to the then Chapter Room on the ground floor. Soon afterwards, on the orders of the then Prior General, Fr. Kilian Lynch, Frs. Pio Serracino Inglott and Ludovico Saggi added to this initial nucleus a large collection of books and periodicals from many houses in Italy and in other provinces.
Following this, provision was made for the acquisition of books published by various publishers from commercial bookshops and also from antiquarian booksellers. This is the practice that continues still. Another source of books is the application of the decree laid down by the 1953 General Chapter, and confirmed in 1995, that provinces and members of the Order should send two copies of their publications on Carmelite matters to the Carmelite Library.
After a reorganisation of the interior of the building, the Carmelite Library moved to its present position on the first floor.
The cataloguing and development of the library owes much to the labours of Frs. Pio Serracino Inglott (between 1953 and 1983), and Leo van Wijmen (from 1983 until 1999).
Since 1972 the Library has been entrusted to the Carmelite Institute.
The Bibliotheca Carmelitana is a private research library belonging to the Institutum Carmelitanum of the Carmelite Order. The library is situated in the Carmelite International Centre of St. Albert (CISA) at Via Sforza Pallavicini, 10 in Rome, Italy, near Castel Sant?Angelo. 
It is on the near the end and on the Bus routes: The centre is close to the end of the number 40 bus route and the number 23 bus passes by the door.
A research library of Carmelite printed material dating from the late 15th century to the present. It contains over 22,000 titles and over 400 periodical titles from both the Ancient Observance and the Teresian (Discalced) branches of Carmelites. There is also a selection of microfilms and microfiches. The library is available for scholars of the Carmelite history and spirituality.
HOURS
The library is not open to the public, but we do welcome scholars and serious students who wish to do research in our library. The library is available by appointment with the librarian.
Monday to Friday:
Morning: 9.00 a.m. - 12.30 p.m.
Afternoon: 4.00 p.m. - 6.30 p.m.
Saturdays: 9.00 a.m. - 12.30 p.m.
Sunday: cloesed
Also closed from July 15 until the Monday after the first Sunday in September and from the Saturday before Christmas until January 6th. During the year it closes on designated civil and religious holidays.
For further information please contact the librarian:
Fr. Ton van der Gulik, O.Carm.
Biblioteca Carmelitana
Via Sforza Pallavicini, 10
00193 Roma, Italy
Tel.: [39] 06 - 681.00.824
Fax: [39] 06 - 683.07.200
E-mail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
