The 24th of September was the Carmelite Family Day. The day started with the Eucharist presided by Fr. Saverio Cannistrà O.C.D., who also shared with the assembly some reflections on the transmission of the Carmelite charism, underlining the challenges, the contents and the various methods in the transmission of charism and formation today.
Subsequently, some representatives of the various sectors of the Carmelite Family (Sr. Elena Maria Lopez Font O.Carm., Sr. Zélia Da Conceição Dias, CMSTGB, Francisco Javier Bernabeu Almela and Sabrina Rubio Pérez) gave their input in reply to the question of how we can be witnesses to this generation, starting from their own experiences as a nun, missionary sister and young lay Carmelites respectively.
In the afternoon, Fr. Mario Alfarano, Delegate for the nuns, presented his report, outlining the response of the Order to recent pontifical statements on cloistered life, the various foundations in recent times, together with other changes taken place in various of our monasteries.
The Prior General shared a reflection on “the Carmelite Family, good new for the Church and the World”, highlighting six keywords: Carmel, charism, contemplation, community, collaboration, celebration.
Following a shared reflection in linguistic groups and in plenary session, the day came to a conclusion with a fraternal family celebration .
