Electoral Chapter of the Monastery of Madrid, Spain
The Elective Chapter of the Carmelite Monastery of Madrid, Spain, was held 27-29 April 2016. The following were elected:
- Prioress: Sr. M. Noemí Temprano Reguilón, O.Carm.
- 1st Councilor: Sr. M. Inmaculada Ochoa Blázquez, O.Carm.
- 2nd Councilor: Sr. M. Rosario Almohalla Moreno, O.Carm.
- 3rd Councilor: Sr. M. Brunilda Rodriguez Velasco, O.Carm.
- 4th Couniclor: Sr. M. del Carmen Martínez Pérez, O.Carm.
- Director of Novices: Sr. M. Brunilda Rodriguez Velasco, O.Carm.
- Treasurer: Sr. M. Rosario Almohalla Moreno, O.Carm.
- Sacristan: Sr. M. Antonia Dominguez Cortés, O.Carm.
Provincial Chapter of the Province of Australia and East Timor
During the Provincial Chapter of the Province of Australia and East Timor held on 25-29 April 2016 were elected:
- Prior Provincial: Fr. Paul Cahill, O.Carm.
- First Councilor: Fr. Hugh Brown, O.Carm.
- Second Councilor: Fr. Aniceto da Costa, O.Carm.
- Third Councilor: Fr. Bruce Clark, O.Carm.
- Fourth Councilor: Fr. David Hofman, O.Carm.
Lectio Divina May 2016
The Pope's Prayer Intentions for May 2016
Universal: Respect for Women - That in every country of the world, women may be honored and respected and that their essential contribution to society may be highly esteemed.
Evangelization: Holy Rosary - That families, communities, and groups may pray the Holy Rosary for evangelization and peace.
Lectio Divina May - Mayo - Maggio 2016
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Triennial Bursars Meeting: Challenges for Today
Fr. Carl Markelz, O.Carm.
The Triennial Bursars’ Meeting of the Order was held in Fatima, Portugal from 4-7 November 2015. Fifty bursars, Carmelite friars and lay people, gathered for this conference to be renewed in this ministry, review the policies of the Order, and discuss the challenges for today. The meeting also included times for reflection and prayer, comprising a moving liturgy at the Shrine of Our Lady of Fatima. Participants stayed at Casa São Nuno, which is owned and operated by the Carmelites of the General Commissariat of Portugal.
The gathering began with a short address from our Prior General, Fernando Millan Romeral, O.Carm., who thanked all the bursars for this important ministry and encouraged them to continue being generous, transparent, and honest while also being prudent about financial decisions made in their provinces, commissariats, and delegations.
Next was our Keynote Speaker, Craig Morrison, O.Carm., faculty member at the Pontifical Biblical Institute in Rome, and professor of Aramaic Language and Literature. Craig first provided a prayer experience of Lectio Divina, and then used the text of Acts 5, the story of Ananias and Sapphira. He also examined some of the parables in the Gospel of Luke, and the many economic questions that arise in these texts. Later he shared some of the comments and homilies of Pope Francis regarding these parables. It was an important reflection that inspired many of the participants to share in language groups about their own personal experiences.
On the second day, after celebrating the liturgy at the Altar of the Apparitions at the Shrine of Fatima, the group heard from Bernadette Porter, RSCJ, general bursar of her congregation. She spoke on The Community of Goods and how centralized her congregation sees the finances and how they share their goods with developing areas of their community. It was a different model and structure than what is used in the Carmelites, but nonetheless it offered all participants a different way of seeing how all our goods are meant to be shared with one another.
On the third day, participants examined the document, Guidelines for the Administration of the assets in Institutes of Consecrated Life and Societies of Apostolic Life, from the Congregation for Institutes of Consecrated Life and Societies of Apostolic Life. This session was led by Albert Anuszewski, OSST, general bursar of his Order, who led people to a better understanding of this important document published in 2014. Other sessions, called Carmel 2015 Global Perspective, involved looking at all of the finances for our provinces, commissariats, and delegations, and they were led by the financial consultant and advisor to the Curia, Mr. Jurek Borucki.
One highlight of the entire conference was a panel discussion of laywomen bursars. Anne Steffens (SEL), Roxana Pilar Baldivieso Mogro (Malta-Bolivia), Anna De Giglio (Neapoletana) and Jolanta Kenny (Britain) shared their experiences of working with the Carmelites, and they also spoke about challenges they saw for the future. Regional bursars from four areas of the world, Northern Europe, Southern Europe, Americas, and Asia-Oceania-Australia, met to discuss issues that were important to their zones and set up future meetings to better networking and communicating with one another.
Overall the meeting was a great success! Many commented on the organization of the gathering while enjoying the breaks and meals as people were able to get to know one another and share in Carmelite hospitality! Many thanks to Casa São Nuno, and the General Commissariat of Portugal for hosting us and providing a great atmosphere for this important meeting.
PAN AMERICAN MEETING of Carmelite Formandi and Formators
Fr. Felix Avendaño, O.Carm.
Fraternity is the way that God, our Father, chose through His Son Jesus Christ for all people to reach salvation. Aware of the urgent need that every baptized person is called, the major superiors of the Americas have stressed the need for young religious, both formandi and formators, to live this experience of brotherhood in a deeper way and from common spaces where the Carmelite friars of the Americas can share their experiences and educational, cultural and spiritual riches. Therefore, the Pan American religious course was designed with the idea of encouraging more formation course in Carmelite spirituality, and also to support the foundation of that Carmelite fraternity which is integral to our charism.
In response to this initiative from superiors, friars belonging to various stages of formation and formation coaches, from Puerto Rico, Dominican Republic, Mexico, El Salvador, Trinidad and Tobago, Venezuela, Brazil, Peru and Argentina, accompanied by the General Director for the Americas, Fr. Raul Maraví, O.Carm, who organized the course, met at the Villa Carmelitas, Lima, Peru, from July 23 to August 9, 2015. During these 17 days as brothers we had spaces for personal and community prayer, studying, recreation, fraternal sharing, and the daily experience of the Eucharist.
One of the most striking elements of the course was the formation. During those days, a program that covered several topics, including the spiritual, human and psychological dimension, leadership and teamwork was provided. First, we had the presence of Fr. Gregorio Geaney, O.Carm., a member of the Commissariat of Peru, who presented us with the very dynamic Enneagram. Then we addressed the emotional reality with Dr. Edward Montagne, specialist therapist in psychoanalysis and many religious groups who contributed their research on affective human dimensions, emphasizing the importance of the tools provided by the field of psychology within the processes of formation in the religious life, so that we can have the necessary maturity required in the consecrated life style.
We were also accompanied by Mr. Jose Antonio Carreras and Mr. Germán Díaz, who gave us very dynamic tools to strengthen personal and community leadership, to address the most common problems that arise within the religious community, as well as instruments to promote dialogue, communication and better teamwork.
We are enthusiastically growing in Carmelite spirituality. In this important area for our Order, we participated in two conferences given by two renowned Carmelites with vast experience in Carmelite spirituality. Fr. Jack Welch O.Carm., from USA, provided an overview of what the origins of Carmel spirituality represent, the experience of the historical process, the Rule of Carmel as a paradigm of charism, changes and adaptations that Carmelites had to live with the at different stages and their influence on our current spirituality. They also offered a special presentation of the spirituality of the great saints of Carmel: Saint Teresa of Avila, The Interior Castle and dwelling, as a spirituality of union with God; John of the Cross, the spiritual richness of his poems and the theology of The Dark Night, and the inner reality of the believer in the complex experienced in their faith. Finally the experience of St. Teresa of Lisieux, Story of a Soul, as a synthesis of the spirituality of St. Teresa and John of the Cross, and the spiritual journey of St. Teresa as a profound experience of spirituality and Gospel values, from the simplicity and humility of their life.
Finally we had the presence of Fr. Carlos Mesters, O.Carm., from Brazil, whom with his extensive knowledge in the Biblical field, delved into the wealth of the Rule of St. Albert and spirituality for Lectio Divina for the Carmelite itineraries of faith in the light of the Word of God and of the great inspirational figures of Carmel, Prophet Elijah, Elias and the Virgin Mary.
As far as a pastoral experience, we visited several sites in the Parish of Our Lady of Our Carmel in Jose Galvez, a very poor area in the outskirts of Lima, where the Carmelite friars of Peru carry out social and pastoral work. We learned the humble and simple reality of the locals in a meeting with the children; also we went to the San Jose Center, a halfway house for addicts, and another center that serves as a shelter for teenage mothers abandoned by their families.
The meeting gave us space in which we could share the expectations and concerns regarding formation and our current challenges from the contexts of each country and the global horizons of our Order. There were many moments for fraternal exchange experiences, moments of recreation and leisure entrenching huge bonds of brotherhood between all participants. This opportunity has given a real space to expand our own vision of the Order, not just in the field of formation, including on the role of the Carmelite family in the ministry and in the local Churches of every country originally. This meeting has helped us to look with faith and hope to the future of our Order, it has helped us strengthen our Carmelite vocation, and to increase the desire that our family continues to grow vocationally, but above all as brothers, for that fraternity lived authentically as the Gospel is the best way we can deliver the message, to be true witnesses of Jesus Christ. That path of brotherhood happened during those days that we lived in the Villa Carmelitas, and with more enthusiasm and conviction we have decided to continue traveling now from our own communities with the help of our Carmelite brothers and the people of God.
Invitation letter to WYD 2016 from the Polish Province
Dear Brothers and Sisters and all the young people who gather around our Carmelite spirituality!
On behalf of our Polish province and Polish youth, we would like to invite you to a common celebration of WYD 2016 in Cracow. We received very enthusiastically the news of the Holy Father, Pope Francis, who announced that World Youth Day 2016 would be held in Krakow. We would like at this time, as one family of Carmel, to live and celebrate this feast for young people!
We invite you to Cracow from July 25th - 31st, 2016. We would like to especially invite young Carmelites to spend July 27th at our monastery in Cracow in the presence of Mary, Our Lady of Hope.
The upcoming World Youth Day will take place in the city of St. John Paul II - the initiator of meetings with young people, as well as in St. Sister Faustina - the Apostle of Divine Mercy. As the Polish province we also have a witness of mercy - Father Hilary Paul Januszewski, because we want our time together passed under the patronage of this Blessed Carmelite from Cracow - a martyr of Dachau, a martyr of love. Gazing upon the example of the witnesses of Divine Mercy, we invite you to consider words which guided us: live for others.
These words will accompany us during our meeting, they will help us to discover each other through the witnesses of our life and ministry, and through the beauty that hidden in serving our brothers and sisters, the Church, and our Carmelite Order.
We invite you to submit your groups on our website www.sdm.karmelici.pl, and where further important information will be available. Of course, do not forget to register your groups to the Central Committee of the World Youth Days in your Diocese.
We look forward to your arrival so that we can work together and feel the joy of life and the sacred spirit of our XIV century Carmelite convent in Cracow that is marked by the presence of the Holy Mother of Cracow.
You are truly invited!
See you in Cracow!
Carmel in Papua New Guinea Gateway to Oceania
Fr. Christian B. Buenafe, O.Carm.
Oceania is the region in between the continents of Asia and Australia, it consists of big and small island countries that stretch and spread out in the vast Pacific Ocean. These are the countries of Papua New Guinea, the Solomon Islands, Fiji and Samoan Islands, Cook Island and the Marianas group of islands, among others. The Order is present in the Asian and Australian continents, thus, our PNG foundation is our gateway to Oceania.
Celebrating the golden harvest of the O.Carm. mission in the Philippines (1958 - 2008), on its 50th year of faithful presence and dedicated service in the Church of the Philippines, after thorough deliberation and process of discernment, the General Commissariat of Carmel Philippines during its 2nd General Commissariat Chapter held on February 14-18, 2008 in Agusan Carmel in northern Mindanao, approved and adopted that mission ad gentes is the commissariat’s priority project and will be Carmel’s concrete gift to the Church and to the world on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of the Order’s foundation, presence and mission in the Philippines.
At the closing of the Chapter, the Commissary General, Fr. Artemio D. Jusayan, O.Carm., joyfully announced that the commissariat had accepted the invitation of the Bishop of the Diocese of Bereina in Papua New Guinea. Within the closing mass, after due consultation with the concerned friars, the three (3) pioneering friars were named and appointed to compose the founding community in our PNG mission; namely, Fr. Perfecto Adeva, Jr., O.Carm. (Prior), Fr. Reynold Jose Severin Caigoy, O.Carm. and Fr. Edwin Magbago, O.Carm. The friars underwent a series of preparations before they embarked on their new assignments. They underwent mission orientation, team building, spiritual reparation and retreat, family integration and vacation, medical check-ups and preparations and the like until they left for PNG on October 15, 2008. They were warmly received by Bereina Bishop Rochus Tatamai, MSC, the clergy and the Kuni people in Kubuna Parish (some 250 kms. away from the capital, Port of Moresby) on October 19, 2008 in a commissioning mass and grand welcome. They were appointed and installed as: Fr. Adeva- Formator of Diocesan seminarians, Fr. Caigoy- Pastoral Center Director, and Fr. Magbago- Parish Priest of Kuni Parish. Kuni Parish comprises all the areas (mountains, hills, plains, rivers, settlements, and the like) belonging to the Kuni people. The Diocese of Bereina entrusted to the Carmelite community the pastoral care of the Kuni people’s mission stations in Kubuna, Bakuiodo, and Ineka, the Alan Boismenu Diocesan Pastoral Center and the Formation House which are located in Kubuna. At the start, the community lived in Kubuna mission station together with diocesan seminarians, also administering St. Michael Church, the Formation House and the Pastoral Center. The government’s primary school nearby is also under the responsibility of the pastor as he is the Chair of the School Board.
The community lived a very simple life. The mission stations have no electricity and the villages are far distant from the mission stations, but the friars continued living their community dynamics with the same vigor and enthusiasm as when they were still in the Philippines. The following year, Fr. Reynold Caigoy, O.Carm. was asked to help in the installation and programming of the diocesan radio station Radio Torot (in honor of Blessed Peter Torot, the first martyr of the PNG) and was appointed Diocesan Youth Chaplain. The community immersed themselves in the life-situation of the Papua New Guineans as they studied and learned the Papua New Guinean and the Melanesian cultures.
It may be recalled that the birthing of the PNG mission was initially prepared by Fr. Anthony Scerri, O.Carm. who was the General Councilor for Asia-Australia-Africa in 2006, and with the assistance of Fr. Paul Sireh, O.Carm. of the Australian-Timor Leste Province. An initial study of a possibility to start the mission had been approved in 2007. Fr. Artemio Jusayan, O.Carm. and the late Fr. Christopher Exala, O.Carm., then Head of the Task Force Mission Ad Gentes and member of the Order’s International Commission for Evangelization visited the proposed mission site, held meetings with the Bishop, and explored some possible ministries if the Order were to go and start a mission in PNG. This dream and plan was finally realized in 2008 upon the arrival of the three (3) friars and they became a mission community of the Philippine General Commissariat and named St. Albert Friary of PNG Carmel.
In 2009, the Commissary General together with Frs. Peter Kramer and Anton Hoogland visited our PNG mission and spent some good time with our brothers in the mission areas. In 2010, two (2) student friars joined the community for ten (10) months as part of their integration year program, Brothers Pablo Ramirez and Marlon Beredo, O.Carm.
There are also young men who expressed their intention of joining the Order. The friars initially set up the aspirancy program, while some requirements are still to be completed, especially the academic, personality, and motivational aspects of the applicants. Brother Paul Kaptain Pakao, our first Papua New Guinean applicant who joined us in 2010 is now a novice in Manila.
In May 2011, Fr. Gerald Flor Gutierrez Gutierrez, O.Carm. joined the community and was appointed Formator for Diocesan Seminarians and Pastoral Vicar in Kuni Parish based in Kubona. In July of the same year, Fr. Christian Buenafe, O.Carm., the Commissary General made his canonical visitation, together with Fr. Harry Bloem, O.Carm. During his visit, the Commissary General and the PNG Carmelite friars held a meeting with Archbishop John Ribat, MSC of Port of Moresby who had formally invited and requested the Order to establish a community in the archdiocese and had initially offered a parish and a convent where we can stay. In October, the Order accepted the administration of Our Lady of the Rosary Parish in 6mile district in Port of Moresby. The parish and the convent is in the city and around 5 km. away from the country’s main airport. This development is very positive as we have our presence in the capital as there are more available, feasible and possible ministries and programs for the Order’s presence and missionary service. The parish is also big for it has 3 other mission stations outside the downtown city.
From January 11 to 23, 2013, Fr. Albertus Herwanta, O.Carm. made his canonical visitation in PNG, then met the brothers and visited our mission stations and areas. It was also a time for discernment and celebration of our fraternity as we face the challenges ahead.
In November 18, 2012, Br. Pablo Ramirez, O.Carm. returned to PNG for his pastoral year and returned to the Philippines in February 2013 to prepare for his priestly ordination. In April 2013, he was ordained to the priesthood and eventually was assigned to our community in PNG and arrived in the mission in June 2014. In August 2014, Fr. Ramirez was appointed Diocesan Youth Coordinator and Diocesan BEC (Basic Ecclesial Community) Coordinator. He is in charge of organizing the youth in the diocesan level and helping the parishes and mission stations in building basic Christian communities.
Also, Fr. Caigoy relinquished his other tasks and now serves as the Diocesan Pastoral Coordinator and helps all the parishes in their pastoral direction setting and skilling of priests and lay leaders’ pastoral management. From time to time, he also gives lectures and facilitates trainings in pastoral management, lay formation, catechesis and organizational development.
In April 2015, Fr. Salvic Pajarillo, O.Carm. joined our PNG community and was assigned in our parish in 6mile district in Port of Moresby as Parochial Vicar.
All in all, we have six (6) friars in this beautiful country of Papua New Guinea. The friars live in two separate community houses -- one in Kubuna and the other in Port of Moresby. They hold and conduct regular meetings, recollections, retreats, lectio divina, community prayers and Eucharist in their respective realities. They come together very regularly especially when they are all in the capital of Port of Moresby.
Sometimes, our friars give classes and courses in some Catholic schools. Also they give conferences and facilitate retreats to other religious congregations and religious groups in PNG. The Order through our missionaries is very much appreciated by the Bishops, the clergy, the religious and lay communities in the two dioceses where we are present.
Very recently, another milestone is the canonical visitation was conducted by Fr. Fernando Millan Romeral, O.Carm., Prior General, Fr. Benny Phang Kong Wing, O.Carm., Councilor General for Asia, Australia and Oceania, Fr. Christian Buenafe, O.Carm., Prior Provincial and Fr. Marlon Lacal, O.Carm., Provincial Councilor in early August this year. The visit was fruitful and hopeful for everyone as we had good moments of sharing and listening as Carmelite brothers, praying and breaking bread with the Kuni people, meeting with our lay leaders in our mission stations, tribal chiefs and the Kuni people, meeting with the Bishops, and visiting our OCD nuns, among others. The visit was a concrete sign of our joyful consecrated life, our faithful following of Jesus as we pledge our allegiance to Him, and celebrating our Carmelite fraternity in hope and love.
God is really the God of surprises. To date, God still surprises our brothers in the missions for every day God’s surprises unfold. Our brothers continue to discover new insights and learn new lessons in their missionary life every day. They had embarked a paradigm of pastoral ministry in a new culture and new reality of the Church. In our 7th year of Carmelite presence in PNG, God has given us many blessings. Our brothers are committed to the building of Basic Ecclesial Communities as a pastoral strategy in building the Church of the Poor in PNG. They are also working for the formation of lay leaders, empowering communities and organizing the youth. They have also taken tasks in the diocesan level as they are into parish ministry, youth ministry, lay formation program, formation of diocesan seminarians and social communication, among others.
The Order in the Philippines was founded by the Dutch Carmelites in 1958 and since then has established six canonically erected houses/communities with its mission stations located in eight dioceses in the Philippines, and our St. Albert mission community in PNG.
Let us take and continue the mission of Christ as He has sent us to proclaim the good news to all nations. We request and ask our Carmelite brothers and sisters to pray for our PNG Carmel mission that it may grow and flourish and we invite everyone to come to Carmel PNG-- our gateway to Oceania, the home of the Melanesian race.
May Mary, our Inahan sa Carmen sa Escalante keep our PNG mission in her loving maternal care, and Blessed Titus Brandsma, the patron of the Philippine Province lead us to Jesus our Lord and Brother. God bless PNG Carmel!
Awakening PROJECT San Felice del Benaco
Sabrina Rubio Perez
Last August we, the Carmelite youth from different parts of Europe where the Order is present, met for five days to celebrate the second part of the “Awakening” project. They were very intense days in which the sharing of experiences and training workshops helped us to better understand our belonging to the Order and to discover how the charism of Carmel is present in our everyday lives.
The venue for the meeting was the sanctuary of Our Lady of Carmel in San Felice del Benaco, Italy. And how could it be otherwise? We only have good words for the community living there. They opened the doors of their house and made us feel part of the family. They always attended to the needs of those present and did not miss any details during our stay.
As in the previous meeting in Fatima, the words of God to Elijah once again called us to “Get up...”, words that invited us to leave behind our self-interests and hit the trail, to live a few days of reflection and deepening of faith and experience the grandeur of the “Carmelite Family.” It is exciting to share with others who I am, our realities, so different and yet so similar and impregnated by the spirit of Carmel. Discovering the charism is a gift from God. It is not my property; I have not chosen it. It was He, a God-love who becomes human whenever I meet a brother or sister.
They were days in which we also shared many moments of prayer. There could be no real encounter if the Word were not present. The prayer with which we started the day gave meaning to all the tasks that were being proposed throughout the day. We prepare our “home” to be inhabited, inhabited by Him who makes all things new.
We began by sharing our realities after a wonderful introduction of the “Awakening” project by Fr. Dave and Victor, two members of the committee. From the gathering of different provincial groups, I enjoyed sharing the enthusiasm and affection of young people who feel close to the communities of friars and work together with them, the desire that our monasteries be open houses where we can meet and share the Life through the vocation of each one, through what God has in store for each one, through the process of faith that everyone is living, and through the unanimous feeling of being sons and daughters of God.
We become “seekers of God” through a story, ours. Father Dave helped us better understand our origins, to see Carmel as the “place of the heart where God dwells” and he invited us to share a lectio divina on the Rule and a time of silence in the chapel before celebrating Eucharist together.
However, before we went deeper into the history of the Order, it was necessary to make a stop along the way and answer three questions: who the world tells me that I am, how I see myself, and how I think God sees me. It was quite a proposal to recognize my essence, my more real me, who I am, what makes me unique, what God has placed in me, because the best gift I have to offer to God, and to others is who I am. Yet first I must find my place, and be willing to travel to my heart, because that is where life really happens. And there, when I discover who I am, my mission begins, because then I am ready to ask the Lord: “What do you want from me?”
We were very fortunate to have the presence of Fr. Míceál O’Neill with us in these days. He is a great communicator, and as a listener I can say it was a privilege to hear him speak about the women in Carmel. I must thank him for his support and his ability to be young in the midst of all of us. His presentation brought us to enjoy the dark night of the soul through the poetry of John of the Cross, and it was one of those moments that were magical, and not because supernatural things occurred, but because they left in one’s heart, extraordinary experiences. We finished the prayer walk silently together in the intimacy of the chapel.
As it could not be otherwise, Saturday was dedicated to the figure of Mary. Fr. Luca and myself were invited to recount our experiences in Carmel. I emphasize that, despite my fear of public speaking and my shyness, I felt very comfortable sharing my vocation as a mother and my love for Carmel. Motherhood was a key moment in my life: the birth of my son brought me to experience the unconditional “Yes” in which there are no doubts, in which one leaves it in the hands of God and is able to give life.
This small sharing gave way to Father General Fernando Millán with his paper “Three Witnesses of Love” in which, as always, with a very fresh language aimed at young people, he updated the story, he thrilled us by teaching us that we, too, are called to witness to the love of God in our everyday lives, and did not miss an afternoon of strolls, talks, photos, and great shared moments that all of us who were there will not forget.
Finally, we ended by opening a “window of hope” in which all provincial groups could express their wishes for the future and how they would carry out afterward what they lived in San Felice.
It only remains for me to thank in a very special way Fr. John Keating and all members of the European Committee of the Carmelite Youth who counted on me on this trip. The Awakening project has been a dream for many of us. It has come to an end, and now it is time to share feelings and to continue walking together. We young Carmelites want to continue writing our history and carry the message of Jesus Christ in the midst of the world through our charism and spirituality.
Report from Europe 2015
Fr. John Keating O.Carm.
In September of this year (2015), the Provincials, Commissaries and Delegates General of the European Geographical Area of the Order met at Saint Albert’s International Centre in Rome (CISA). This group meets every eighteen months to review the situation of Carmel across the continent and seek to address common endeavours for the future. At this meeting, conscious of the present situation of the peoples of the European continent and reflecting on the current crisis of those fleeing the dreadful situation in the Middle East, they sent a message to all European Carmelites concluding with these words: “Mindful that in the beginning we too were pilgrims, and urged by our contemplative and prophetic charism, we invite each community, to the extent that each one can, to be open to the kind of solidarity that this humanitarian situation demands and that the Church asks of us too.”
Regarding Carmelite life in Europe today, the provincials faced with the reality as they see it today looked for a common vision or strategy to be employed by the provinces in the future. There have been a number of provincial chapters over the past year, that have seen difficult but courageous decisions taken. The question of initial formation was high on their agenda. We now have an international European novitiate in Salamanca, Spain. Of the fifteen novices there this year nine of them are from Europe plus six from the Caribbean. A major building restoration of the residence in Salamanca is presently under way by the province of Aragon, Castile and Valencia (ACV), so as to provide for a new spiritual centre. Salamanca is not just a beautiful place, but symbolically important for the Order, as it was there at the convent of San Andres that Saint John of the Cross did his formation. Also, it was decided at the meeting to proceed with a common European formation community in Rome for those in simple profession. A group to study the practical implications of this decision is being established. Formation and vocations must be a major priority for all Carmelites in the European area so as to ensure that the mission of the Order can continue into the next generation. There are always challenges, and the ‘old continent’ faces a constantly changing reality both spiritually and socially. One cannot look upon this in a negative way, as it must be seen positively with a new hope that comes from a Christian vision of life. Despite the fact that the numbers of friars are decreasing, there is the pressure of how to maintain a presence everywhere. Some places, sadly, will close. The presence and mission of the Order is still strong and a significant part of the mission of the Church in Europe today. The Prior General has sometimes used a football metaphor for our European future - “it is not possible to continue to field a full team of eleven players, if we have only seven fit and available to play.” The approach has to be one of profound discernment, including dialogue among those involved in decision-making and those affected by it. The mission of Carmel is much more than property and structures.
Right across Europe there have been wonderful celebrations, congresses and activities marking the 500th anniversary of the birth of Saint Teresa of Jesus. Most of these events have been published in CITOC-on-line. In 2016, we will mark the 450th anniversary of the birth of one of our great Carmelite woman mystics, Saint Mary Magdalene de Pazzi (of Florence). The presence of our nuns across Europe is significant and vitally important for the whole Order. We were reminded of this when in July 2015 the Prior General, Fernando Millán Romeral, O.Carm. led the solemn celebration of the Eucharist of thanksgiving for the 400th anniversary of the foundation of the Monastery of the Encarnación in Zaragoza (Spain). All these events recall the mission and charism of the Order, recalling for us the many wonderful things happening in our European area and once again the challenge for all European Carmelites is to strengthen the Order’s presence through the contribution of our friars, nuns, sisters and numerous lay groups. Many groups of Carmelite laity are meeting in different parts of the continent for prayer, spiritual reflection, social services and through the work of the seven Carmelite run schools. The first stage of the Carmelite European youth project “Awakening” has been completed, as you will see in this edition of our magazine.
The Prior General had the opportunity recently to visit our community in Luncani, Romania, which is part of the Italian province. The Carmelite community there lives in a beautiful location, a spiritual centre, that welcomes many people including Catholic and Orthodox. The Polish province is opening a community in Lithuania this autumn, following many years of involvement especially by the Dutch province, a ministry that has laid the foundation for this new European mission.
As CITOC-on-line recalls regularly for us the passing of many of our brothers and sisters in Europe, it is important to recall the passing of those who have made a significant contribution both in this part of the world and as missionaries. We note just one of the many recently deceased, Fr. Pablo M. Garrido Herrero (ACV) who has served the Order so well as one of our very significant historians. May he find peace in his heavenly home.
Report from Asia-Australia-Oceania 2015
Fr. Benny Phang, O.Carm.
Asia is the birthplace of many great religions, and among them is Christianity. The apostolic exhortation Ecclesia in Asia praises God in explaining this continent, “It was in fact in Asia that God revealed and fulfilled his saving purpose from the beginning. He guided the patriarchs (cf. Gen 12) and called Moses to lead his people to freedom (cf. Ex 3:10). He spoke to his chosen people through many prophets, judges, kings and valiant women of faith. In “the fullness of time” (Gal 4:4), he sent his only-begotten Son, Jesus Christ the Saviour, who took flesh as an Asian! Exulting in the goodness of the continent’s peoples, cultures, and religious vitality, and conscious at the same time of the unique gift of faith which she has received for the good of all, the Church in Asia cannot cease to proclaim: “Give thanks to the Lord for he is good, for his love endures forever” (Ps 118:1)” (EA, 1). To spread the joy of the Gospel (EG, 1) to this vast land, the Asian apostles testified, “We proclaim the one we have seen, heard and touched” (cf. 1 John 1:1-3). This personal encounter and discipleship is indispensable. Without it none will be able to touch the soul of Asia (FABC Plen. Ass. X, 2012).
Australia is a country of striking landscapes and a rich ancient culture. It is the sixth-largest country in land area and is the only nation to govern an entire continent. Australia is home to one of the world’s oldest living cultures, with Aboriginal communities established nearly 60,000 years before European settlement. Today, Australia is one of the world’s most multicultural countries, rich in indigenous and immigrant cultures. Australia is a successful and prosperous nation, and one of the world’s strongest economies.
In the past, Portuguese and Spanish Roman Catholics along with Dutch and English Protestants were sailing into Australia waters from the seventeenth century. Therefore, this continent-country also bears abundant promises and hopes for Christianity planted there centuries ago.
As Asian Pacific inhabitants, we are invited to take part in the evangelization by being immersed in the Asian and Australian ways of living, which concur harmoniously with our Carmelite way of living. This way is expressed in living a contemplative way of life, engaging inculturation, inter-religious dialogue, and option for the poor. This is the best summarized as a contemplative dialogue with culture, religions and the poor. To realize these ideals, we are challenged to live authentically the identity we constantly profess throughout our Carmelite history by way of building praying and prophetic communities at the service of the Church and the world (cf. Final Message, Gen. Chap. 2013, 4b).
This geographic area known in the Order as Asia, Australia and Oceania (AAO) consists of two huge continents and thousands of islands. Around 30% of the members of the Order live in this vast area. Although the Carmelites in AAO inherit various ancient cultures and speak in very different languages, English is well accepted as a uniting language of the area; therefore, in the regional meetings or gatherings, English is employed.
Some activities done in the first half of this sessenium are: on the routine basis, formators and students gather every other year. The last formators gathering was in November 2014, and the students gathered in April 2015; both gatherings were held in the Philippines. The superiors gathering happened in November 2014 in Vietnam. In March 2015, there was the Third Order Carmelites gathering in Tagaytay, Philippines. Finally, in November 2015, we held an on-going formation course for the 1st to 5th year friars in active ministry in Malang, Indonesia with the theme: Nurturing the Carmelite Vocation in the Year of Religious Life. As the councillor for this area, I have visited almost every community in the area through fraternal visits in 2015: India in January to February, Indonesia-Papua New Guinea-Australia and the Philippines in July to September.
As councillor for formation, in collaboration with the General Formation Commission I have organized the on-going formation course on St. Teresa Avila and St. John of the Cross: “Silent Music, Sounding Solitude: Following in His Footsteps” in Avila & Salamanca, Spain from 7th to 17th September 2014. It has also been decided at the Commission meeting in Rome 2015 that in November 2016, Indonesia will be hosting the International Course for Formators and Vocation Promoters in Batu - Malang, on October 30 to November 13, 2016 with the theme: Walk With Us: “Growing in the Contemplative Dimensions of One’s Life” (RIVC, 10).
In the next four years, I have arranged some plans. The most important is the canonical visits. Those other plans are bursars gathering and the Carmelite Institutes and retreat masters gathering, the dates and venues for these gatherings are to be decided together with the superiors of the area. May God bless the Carmelites in this geographical area and lead us with His wisdom in planning the best for this area and for the whole Order.
