On 1st October in Nijmegen (Netherlands), the memorial monument to Blessed Titus Brandsma was inaugurated. Participating in the moving ceremony were (in the following order): Fr. Falco Thuis, O.Carm., former Prior General and the driving force behind this initiative; Mr. Floris Tas, Deputy Mayor of Nijmegen; the architect who developed the project, Mr. Paul Hoeke; the artist who created the monument, Mr. Arie Trum; and the Prior General of the Order, Fr. Fernando Millán Romeral, O.Carm. In each of their speeches, these presenters underlined the relationship between Fr. Titus and the city and the rich symbology of the monument composed of different elements. Also present were Fr. Giovanni Grosso, O.Carm., Postulator General; the Prior Provincial of the Netherlands, Fr. Ben Wolbers, O.Carm.; and the new auxiliary bishop of the diocese, in addition to numerous other Carmelites, friend s and colleagues. In the days following, the monument was presented to various other groups of people: the district, the city, the Carmelite family, etc.
In the wall that surrounds the monument there are bricks that have the names of the various Carmelite communities throughout the world that contributed to the project. The ceremony concluded with the laying of the last brick, on which one can read:
PHOTOS
Announcement of the Titus Brandsma JPIC Essay Competition 2009-2010 for Carmelite Students
Papal Award for the founder and Prior of Mount Carmel Hermitage in Christoval, USA
Written byPope Benedict XVI has awarded Fr. Fabian M. Rosette, O. Carm., founder and Prior of Mount Carmel Hermitage in Christoval, TX, USA, the Cross Pro Ecclesia et Pontifice for distinguished service to the Church.
On 15 August 2010, during the Mass of Thanksgiving on the occasion of the 30th Anniversary of his Priestly Ordination, the Most Rev. Michael D. Pfeifer, OMI., bishop of San Angelo, conferred the Papal Award. The medal Pro Ecclesia et Pontifice is the highest award the Pope can bestow upon a Religious.
Fr. Fabian founded Mount Carmel Hermitage as a Diocesan Carmelite Hermitage in 1991, and in 2003 the community was aggregated into the Carmelite Order by former Prior General Fr. Joseph Chalmers, O. Carm. The Mount Carmel Hermitage website is www.carmelitehermits.org.
Meeting of Formators of the Order in Camocim de São Félix, Brazil
Written byThere was an International Course for Carmelite Formators from around the world in Camocim de São Félix, Brazil from 1st to 15th August 2010. The two-week course provided an opportunity for the 69 participants to engage in a common reflection on the Ratio Institutionis Vitae Carmelitanae (RIVC) making ten years since its publication.
There were four main areas of discussion: the roles of formator and formandi; the interior spiritual journey; human development and the vows; internationality, inculturation and fraternity. The presentations focused on the existing RIVC text together new material drafted for inclusion in a new edition.
Principal speakers were: Frs. Desiderio García Martinez (Arag), Michael Plattig (GerS), Quinn Conners (PCM) and Carlos Mesters (Flum). A paper from Charlò Camilleri (Mel), who had Visa difficulties, was read for the participants. There were also a number of special topics addressed by Frs. John Keating (Curia), Francisco de Sales Alencar (Pern), Albertus Herwanta (Curia), Giampiero Molinari (Ita) and Raúl Maraví (Curia).
The course, which was organized by the Order's International Formation Commission, experienced the warmth of the hospitality of the Province of Pernambuco and of its Provincial, Fr. Francisco de Sales Alencar, O.Carm. The Prior General, Fr. Fernando Millán Romeral, O.Carm was present during the first week. In his initial and closing remarks he invited the participants to a balanced and creative approach to formation.
Archbishop Antonio Muniz, O.Carm. visited the meeting for two days. Other Carmelite bishops in Brazil, who were unable to attend, sent greetings to the participants.
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.
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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.
