5th ALACAR ASSEMBLY
The 5th Assembly of ALACAR (Latin American Association of Carmelites) was held in the "Archdiocesan House María de Altagracia" in Santo Domingo (Dominican Republic) from November 6 to 11. This assembly is held regularly every three years in collaboration with the Discalced Carmelites. The theme of this assembly was "The martyrs of yesterday for today's Latin American Carmel: Edith Stein, Titus Brandsma and Oscar Romero." The lecturers were the two superiors general, Fernando Millán Romeral, O.Carm., and Saverio Cannistrà, OCD., Sister Sandra Henríquez, Carmelita Misionera from Chile and Bishop Oswaldo Escobar, OCD., of Chalatenango in El Salvador.
The meeting was attended by 120 people from almost every Latin American country, including religious men and women and lay people. Likewise, there was a small representation of the contemplative Carmelite nuns. In addition to the conferences and the group reflection, there were several very significant celebrations. For example, on the 9th, the Prior General led a solemn celebration of the Eucharist in the Cathedral of Santo Domingo, the first cathedral on the American continent, in which he expressed the desire to continue as Carmelites to serve the people of God in Latin America. In this sense, the group sent a letter of support to Bishop Silvio Baez, OCD., Auxiliary Bishop of Managua, on account of the difficult circumstances that are being experienced in Nicaragua.
Taking advantage of the presence of both General Superiors in Santo Domingo, on that same 6th of November, in the morning, a meeting took place in the Monastery of Santa Teresa in the capital with a large representation of nuns from the various monasteries of the Caribbean. The meeting consisted of a reflection on the Instruction "Cor Orans" and on other aspects of the cloistered life in Carmel. More than forty nuns participated in an atmosphere of joy and fraternity.
From the office of CITOC, we thank both General Councillors (P. Raúl Maraví O.Carm y P. Francisco Javier Mena, OCD), as well as the Carmelites in the Dominican Republic for their excellent work that ensured the success of this 5th ALACAR
Seminars on Monastic Life in Ávila (Spain)
The Spanish Episcopal Commission for Consecrated Life organized a Conference on Male and Female Monastic Life from the 4th to the 6th of October 2018 in order to put into practice the Apostolic Constitution of Pope Francis, Vultum Dei Quaerere and the Instruction, Cor Orans of the Congregation for Institutes of Consecrated Life and Societies of Apostolic Life (CIVCSVA). The aim was to help the contemplative nuns reach the proper goal of their specific vocation through Formation, the Federations and Associations, and the Cloister.
Those who attended the seminar included: Archbishop José Rodríguez Carballo, OFM, Secretary of the Congregation, who presented in a concrete and practical way the Instruction, Cor Orans and its application for the Cloistered Nuns; Jesus Catalá Ibáñez, Bishop of Málaga, President of the Commission for Consecrated Life of the Spanish Episcopal Conference; Cardinal Aquilino Bocos Merino, CMF. Msgr. Joaquín Mª López de Andújar, Bishop Emeritus of Getafe (Madrid), presented the Ordo Virginum in Spain and the Instruction Ecclesiae Sponsae Imago on the Ordo virginum.
The Carmelite Nuns of the Iberian Region who attended the Conference were: From the Federation Mater et Decor Carmeli, Sr. Mª Dolores Domínguez Pérez, President and Sr. Maria del Carmen del Toro Medina, Secretary; From the Federation Mater Unitatis, Sr. Maria del Sagrario Lorite Beltrán, President and Sr. Maria Mercedes Zárraga, Secretary; From the Verge Flor del Carmel Federation, Sr. Maria del Carmen Izquierdo Marín, President and Sr. Maria Juliana Kanini Kilonzo, Secretary.
The assistants to the Federations, Mater et Decor Carmeli and Mater Unitatis, Fr. Rafael Leiva Sánchez and Fr. Matías Tejerina Espeso also took part in this meeting.
Lectio Divina November 2018
Pope's Prayer Intentions for November 2018
Universal: In the Service of Peace
That the language of love and dialogue may always prevail over the language of conflict.
Lectio Divina: November – noviembre – novembre 2018
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The 20th Anniversary of the establishment in Trinidad
On Monday, October 15, 2018 the Carmelites of the St Elias Province will celebrate the 20th Anniversary in Trinidad. A mass will be celebrated at 6:30pm at St. Michael’s parish in Maracas Valley where the Carmelites have served for many years. Fr Mario Esposito, O.Carm., the Prior Provincial of the Carmelites will be the celebrant. Parishioners from all the parishes the Carmelites have served in have been invited.
There are presently five Carmelites ministering in Trinidad in three parishes and one school. They are: Fr Gerard Tang Choon, O.Carm., Fr Hasely King, O.Carm., Fr. Brent Alexis, O.Carm. and Bro. Nigel Ali, O.Carm.. Fr Michael Kissane, O.Carm. is also ministering in Trinidad for several months.
In collaboration with the Corpus Christi Carmelites Sisters and the Lay Carmelites who have been in Trinidad for many more years, the Friars continue to share the Carmelite charism with the people of the wonderful country of Trinidad and Tobago.
The 50th anniversary of the Carmelites' arrival on the island of Flores, Indonesia
October 4, 2018 was a great day for “East Indonesian” Carmelites in the Province of Indonesia. They opened the 50th anniversary celebration of Carmel’s arrival on the island of Flores which contains Indonesia’highest Catholic population. Carmelites have served in Flores since 1969. The celebration took place in The Holy Cross Parish of Mauloo-Maumere-Indonesia in a Mass attended by Carmelite friars, sisters of various congregations and many local parishioners. Fr. Barnabas Krispinus Ginting, O.Carm, the 1st Conciliarius led the service together with Fr. Telesforus Jenti, O.Carm.,Vicar of Maumere Diocese, Fr. Frumentius Ebu, O.Carm., parish priest of Mauloo and dozen of Carmelite priests.
In his sermon, Fr. John don Bosco Djawa, O.Carm. shared the message of Jesus’ Transfiguration on Mount Tabor. He emphasized that Jesus was “always in prayer” no matter the situation. This notion of being “always in prayer” has also been fundamental to Carmelite spirituality along with service and fraternity. Prayer provides the basis of for authentic service and fraternity. For this reason, Fr. John urged Carmelites to be “always in prayer”. “If this happens all people will experience Jesus transfiguration because of our presence as carmelites” said the former Commissary of the East Indonesia Commissariat (part of the Indonesia Province).
Fr. Jenti, the Vicar of Maumere, who has been the chairman of the celebration committee, gave his impressions in a speech after the service. He emphasized the importance of this occasion and explained why Mauloo was chosen for the opening celebration. According to our history, three pioneers began Carmel’s work among the people of Flores Island. They were Fr. Ignasius Widodo, O.Carm, Fr. Fransiskus Sardjono, O.Carm and Br. Yakobus Suradji, O.Carm. “Their work”, said the first East Indonesia Carmelite to become Vicar of Maumere Diocese, “has given root to Carmel’s service to the Catholic Church of East Indonesia”. Fr. Jenti also thanked everyone, especially parishioners of Mauloo, who have been supporting Carmelites since the beginning of their presence in Flores.
The mission of our Order in Flores depended on an agreement between Mgr. Donaus Djagom, SVD (the Archbisop of Ende-Flores) and Fr. Hardjoko Hardjomardjojo, O.Carm (the first Prior Provincial of Indonesia). The Archbishop wanted to invite as many religious congregations as possible to help in the SVD mission. The SVDs sought to strengthen the local Church. The Carmelites of the Indonesia Province enthusiastically answered this invitation and the Holy Cross Parish of Mauloo-Maumere was the starting point to begin this evangelical mission. Thus, on October 4th, 1969, the three were welcomed by Mgr. Donatus and many parishioners into the gate of Mauloo Parish.
The great works of these three pioneers has been a blessing to many especially to our Order in the Eastern part of Indonesia. As we know, Flores Island has been a place where many Indonesian Carmelites come from nowadays. There are three formation houses which have more than 30 members: promising numbers for the future of our Order.
The opening celebration of the 50th Anniversary Carmel’s arrival in Flores Island was closed with a dinner. The foods were very traditional prepared by the parishioners. As usual, there was traditional dancing. All sang in joy and happiness. According to the plan, there will be many activities until October 4th, 2019. They include sporting events, biblical games, youth camp, musical and arts performances, charity bazaars and reforesting activities.
Lectio Divina October 2018
Pope's Prayer Intentions for October 2018
Evangelization: The Mission of Religious
That consecrated religious men and women may bestir themselves, and be present among the poor, the marginalized, and those who have no voice.
Lectio Divina: October – octubre – ottobre 2018
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Never again to Martial Law!
Never again! Never forget!
Statement of the Student Friars of the Order of Carmelites
Province of Bld. Titus Brandsma
While many supporters of the late dictator Ferdinand Marcos are trying to revise history, glorifying the late dictator and dubbing his brutal and vicious martial law years as the “golden age” of our country’s economy or denying the liabilities of the family members on their role in the atrocities of those times, the dead, the disappeared, the torture victims, the poor who have been robbed of their future, and the whole country who have been stripped of its dignity, continues to call for justice and for the country, for all of us, to never forget.
But we have forgotten, and many of the young people who never experienced martial law and even those who did experience martial law seemed to have forgotten.
The Marcoses are back in power, one even trying to grab the second highest seat of the land, while we have a tyrannical president who publicly extols his family’s relationship with the late dictator and even shamelessly propagandizing the ambition of the younger Marcos for the presidency
Today, we allow ourselves to be ruled by a president who, by all indications, is more inclined in replicating the horrors of martial law rather than to address the concerns of the country such as rising inflation that leads to the rising cost of basic goods and the weakening economic power of the people; increasing number of extra-judicial killings and the rising criminality, which sadly, have implicated many police officers and other government officials who are supposed to protect the welfare of the people; and the continuing suppression, intimidation, and harassment of church people and development workers who are working to help the poor and the people in the margins.
Have we forgotten?
We, the Student Friars of the Order of Carmelites in the Philippines, celebrate the life and contemplate on the sacrifices of our Carmelite brothers and sisters – lay, religious, and priests – who offered their life for the freedom of our country from the tyrannical Marcos dictator.
We remember the Escalante Massacre of September 20, 1985 which killed 20 of our lay faithful in Escalante and injured around 30 others.
We remember Bro. Isagani Valle, whose love for the poor granted him the crown of martyrdom on May 14, 1983, killed by the police in Buenavista, Agusan del Norte. His bullet-ridden body was later put on public display in front of the municipal hall.
We remember Fr. Engelbert van Vilsteren who was hacked to death on January 1973 when he attempted to recover the body of a murdered teacher in one of the mountain barangays of Agusan del Sur.
We remember Fr. Jan Simon Westendorp, Sr. Henrica Berentsen of the Julie Postel Sisters and all the religious, priests and lay faithful who were martyred when, on their way to Cebu as part of their involvement with the rural missions amidst the repression of the Marcos dictatorship, their ship, M/V Doña Cassandra, sank off the coast of Camiguin on November 21, 1983.
And then there are our lay partners who were killed mercilessly for their involvement, most especially in the building of the Basic Ecclesial Communities during the Martial Law years, especially Manoling Malicay, Boy Lagurin, Loloy Algunas, and Ani Mariano.
These are but some of our brothers and sisters in the Carmelite Order – lay, priests, nuns, and brothers – who gave their lives to bring light in the darkest period of our country’s history and fight the evils of the dictatorship of Marcos. There are, of course, all those other victims of the Marcos atrocities.
Today, as we remember the declaration of the Martial Law in 1972, we are faced with the growing tyranny marked by a culture of impunity that denied justice for many victims of extrajudicial killings, torture, enforced disappearances and other unjust and inhuman acts.
Let us not forget and together, let us shout, “Never again to Martial Law!”
Septemper 2018
St. Elijah Student Friars Community
Order of Carmelites
Province of Bl. Titus Brandsma - Philippines
International Congress of Carmelite Laity
In Sassone (Rome) from September 15 to 20, 2018, an International Congress of Carmelite Laity was celebrated, with the participation of some 250 people from 24 different nations around the world, mostly lay people and also some Carmelite friars and sisters.
The theme of the Congress was "Our Lady of Mount Carmelo: Mother of the Family". The main speakers included, Archbishop Antônio Muniz, O.Carm., Archbishop of Maceío (Brazil); Fernando Millán Romeral, O.Carm., Prior General of the Order; Ms. Christine Wade, TOC of Australia; and Giovanni Grosso, O.Carm., President of the Institutum Carmelitanum. In addition to the conferences and the work in linguistic groups, the participants had the opportunity to listen to some testimonies and experiences of the Carmelite vocation in the life of lay people.
The objective of the meeting was to deepen the Marian spirituality of our Order, strengthen the bonds of international fraternity among the various national and provincial groups and encourage the multiplying element of the laity within the Carmelite Family.
This congress was carried out thanks to the work and organization of the current General Commission for Carmelite Laity composed of Raúl Maraví, O.Carm. (President), Joseph Hung Tran, O.Carm., Désiré Unen Alimange, O.Carm., Normita Lacanilao, Jennifer Wanjiku, María José García de la Barrera, Michele Bonanno, José Araújo and José Luis Laghi.
Electoral Chapter of the Monastery of Carpineto Romano, Italy
The Elective Chapter of the Carmelite Monastery of Carpineto Romano, Italy, was held 21 September 2018. The following were elected:
- Prioress: Sr. M. Noemi Malagesi, O.Carm.
- 1st Councilor: Sr. M.Valentina Rossin, O.Carm.
- 2nd Councilor: Sr. M. Paola Ricci, O.Carm.
- 3rd Councilor: Sr. M. Emanuela Migliore, O.Carm.
- 4th Couniclor: Sr. M. Carla Zinno, O.Carm.
- Director of Novices: Sr. M. Valentina Rossin, O.Carm.
- Treasurer: Sr. M. Agnese Talano, O.Carm.
- Sacristan: Sr. M. Mihaela Catana, O.Carm.
Provincial Chapter of the Maltese Province
During the Provincial Chapter of the Maltese Province held on 10-14 September 2018 following earlier elections were confirmed:
- Prior Provincial: Fr. Joseph Saliba, O.Carm.
- First Councilor: Fr. Mark Attard, O.Carm.
- Second Councilor: Fr. Charlò Camilleri, O.Carm.
- Third Councilor: Fr. Jurgen Cucciardi, O.Carm.
- Fourth Councilor: Fr. Anthony Cilia, O.Carm.
