Provincial Chapter of the Italian Province
During the Provincial Chapter of the Italian Province held on 4-9 June 2018 were elected:
- Prior Provincial: Fr. Roberto Toni, O.Carm.
- Vice Prior Provincial: Fr. Lucio Maria Zappatore, O.Carm.
- First Councilor: Fr. Nicola Sozzi, O.Carm.
- Second Councilor: Fr. Giuseppe Midili, O.Carm.
- Third Councilor: Fr. Carlos Rivera Rodríguez, O.Carm.
- Fourth Councilor: Fr. Augustin Barbut, O.Carm.
Biannual Meeting of the O.Carm and OCD Councils
Last June 1st, the biannual meeting of our General Council with that of our Discalced brothers took place in our Curia in Rome. After praying Midday Prayer, the Prior General, Fr. Fernando Millán Romeral, O.Carm., welcomed the members of the OCD General Council and presented the program of this meeting that follows the meetings that have been taking place regularly for more than 25 years.
To begin, the theme of the triennial meeting of both councils that will take place in Dublin (Ireland) from May 27 to 31, 2019, was set: "The missionary journey of Carmel today". In view of that, a small committee was formed by Fr. John Keating, O.Carm. and Fr. Daniel Chowning, OCD., to have responsibility for preparing the meeting.
Both councils were informed of the preparations for the "Carmelite Day" that will be celebrated on January 28, 2019 within the framework of the World Youth Day that will take place in Panama. The Discalced Carmelites from the Province of Central America and the Carmelites from El Salvador are collaborating for this day.
Likewise, the program for the 5th meeting of ALACAR (Latin American Association of Carmelites) that will take place in Santo Domingo next autumn was presented. The theme of this meeting will be, "The martyrs of yesterday for the Latin American Carmel of today" and it will look at such figures as Oscar Romero, Tito Brandsma and Edith Stein.
The General Superior, Father Saverio Cannistrà, OCD, reported on some questions concerning "Cor Orans" (the recent application instruction on female contemplative life, from the CIVCSVA ). An interesting dialogue and a wide-ranging exchange of ideas were generated around the subject.
Next, the latest information sent by Bro. Fausto Spinelli, OCD, president of the joint international commission, on the steps that are being taken with the municipality of Haifa and the corresponding government authorities of Israel for the restoration and maintenance of the ruins of the first Carmelite monastery in the Wadi es-Siah on Mount Carmel, were shared.
Finally, the two councils exchanged various items of information regarding upcoming events in both orders. The meeting, which took place in an atmosphere of great fraternity and joy, ended with the community meal.
Lectio Divina June 2018
Pope's Prayer Intentions for June 2018
Universal: Social Networks
That social networks may work towards that inclusiveness which respects others for their differences.
Lectio Divina: June - Junio – Giugno 2018
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- Friday, June 1, 2018
- Saturday, June 2, 2018
- Sunday, June 3, 2018
- Monday, June 4, 2018
- Tuesday, June 5, 2018
- Wednesday, June 6, 2018
- Thursday, June 7, 2018
- Friday, June 8, 2018
- Saturday, June 9, 2018
- Sunday, June 10, 2018
- Monday, June 11, 2018
- Tuesday, June 12, 2018
- Wednesday, June 13, 2018
- Thursday, June 14, 2018
- Friday, June 15, 2018
- Saturday, June 16, 2018
- Sunday, June 17, 2018
- Monday, June 18, 2018
- Tuesday, June 19, 2018
- Wednesday, June 20, 2018
- Thursday, June 21, 2018
- Friday, June 22, 2018
- Saturday, June 23, 2018
- Sunday, June 24, 2018
- Monday, June 25, 2018
- Tuesday, June 26, 2018
- Wednesday, June 27, 2018
- Thursday, June 28, 2018
- Friday, June 29, 2018
- Saturday, June 30, 2018
Provincial Chapter of the German Province
During the Provincial Chapter of the German Province held on 21-25 May 2018 were elected:
- Prior Provincial: Fr. Peter Schröder, O.Carm.
- First Councilor: Fr. Ludwig Eifler, O.Carm.
- Second Councilor: Br. Guido Niessner, O.Carm.
- Third Councilor: Fr. Klemens August Droste, O.Carm.
- Fourth Councilor: Br. Günter Benker, O.Carm.
Sessions of the Institutum Carmelitanum on Baptist Spagnoli and the Mantuan Reform
The recent fifth centenary of the death of Blessed Baptist Spagnoli was the occasion for the Institutum Carmelitanum to offer a series of evening sessions on history, art and spirituality, at the Saint Abert’s International Centre (CISA) on the first three Mondays of May. The sessions opened with an interview with Cristian Poli on the much-discussed figure of Tommaso Connecte, initiator of the Mantuan Reform, who, although he died at the stake as a heretic in 1434, was celebrated as a martyr by Spagnoli in his De vita beata. The second evening session was dedicated to the restoration of an autograph letter by Spagnoli which is kept in the General Archive. Fr. Mario Alfarano introduced the evening with a presentation of the content, context and symbolic value of this letter that Mantovano sent to Nicolas Audet in 1514; He was follow by Prof. Eulalia Ramos, from the University of Tor Vergata in Rome, who illustrated the detailed and delicate restoration of the document. The last meeting was conducted by Fr. Giovanni Grosso who spoke about a part of the iconographic collection that enriches the church of San Felice del Benaco, which is one of the first foundations of the Mantuan Reform. Fr. Giovanni paid particular attention to some images of Our Blessed Lady and the early saints of the Order.
Assembly of nuns in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic
On April 16-19, an assembly of the prioresses and formation directors of the five monasteries of the Dominican Republic and of the two monasteries of Puerto Rico took place in Santo Domingo. This time the nuns of Camaná, Peru, also took part in this event, which is celebrated every two years. The goal of this assembly was the establishment of a new federation among the monasteries of this part of the Order. The nuns prepared for the event, individually and in community, through a study promoted by the local delegate, Fr. Rogelio Mur. During the first two days, the delegate general, Fr. Mario Alfarano, was present. He guided the sessions, facilitating the work of the participants and planning with them the next stages of the assembly in view of the establishment of the federation. Before the assembly, Fr. Mario, accompanied by P. Rogelio, visited all the monasteries of the Antilles. Among the most important initiatives arising from the visit and the assembly, there was the proposal to ask the Prior General to introduce the cause of beatification of three nuns who lived in the Dominican Republic and Puerto Rico at the turn of the last century.
Carmelite Liturgical Congress 2018 - Final Message
“Offer to God the Sacrifice of Praise” (Psalm 50:14)
The Carmelite International Congress on the Liturgy took place from 16-20 April 2018 at Il Carmelo in Sassone, Rome with 32 participants drawn from across the Order. The Prior General presided at the opening Eucharist and then welcomed the participants. He encouraged us to recognize the link between Carmelite Spirituality and Liturgy (Constitutions 71 & 86). We began with a presentation of the lived reality of the Order in the area of Liturgy and the Carmelite Charism, informed by responses to the Order-wide questionnaire. The large response highlighted the importance of the Liturgy in the overall spiritual life of the Carmelite Order. Throughout the conference, we heard enlightening presentations on the state of liturgy in the various geographical areas of the Order.
The formal input surveyed the origin, development, spirituality and reform of the Carmelite liturgy from the beginnings on Mt. Carmel up to the suppression in 1972. By reviewing the historical and Mariological aspects, it became evident that this topic of Carmelite liturgy warrants further study and research and is of great interest to the friars.
The second day had a pastoral orientation; we were reminded that Vatican II was a pastoral council and we revisited Sacrosanctum Concilium. Participants were urged to know the Roman Rite and to take care in preparing and presiding at the liturgy. We were also encouraged to discover new pastoral possibilities through collaboration with all who participate in the liturgy.
In the afternoon we considered the centrality of the Eucharist in the life of the community. The religious community is a church in miniature. As the Eucharist builds the church, so also the Eucharist builds the religious community. Various ways of looking at community were considered – gathered around the Word, offering the sacrifice of praise, as a praying sacrament and centered on the Eucharist. Carmelites are called to bring their contemplative way of living into the Liturgy and keep it always as a Paschal, an Easter reality in keeping with the Resurrection orientation of the Carmelite liturgical tradition. The place of silence, of Mary, of the Word of God and communion were all emphasized.
On Wednesday, the participants enjoyed a marvelous day at the Casamari Cistercian Abbey and experienced the warm hospitality of the monks. All were struck by how their life and architecture reflects the religious and liturgical spirituality of the monks.
On the fourth day, we explored the relationship between liturgy and Carmelite spirituality. We recalled Blessed Pope Paul VI´s conviction that liturgy is the first school of our spiritual life. We were therefore challenged to ask whether we live the liturgy we celebrate. We were invited to re-discover the elements inherent in our tradition, not as an exercise in nostalgia, but as actors in the present life of the Church. For this exercise, Mary and Elijah provide us with rich, evocative models. Particular stress was laid on the Christocentric life of Carmel as a praying fraternity. Our fraternity is in turn, a fruit and sign of our prayer and our point of contact with the world.
The mystagogical experience of the Easter Season provided a template for the participants as we explored the experience of the elements of Carmelite spirituality and how Carmel celebrates and passes on its charism and life. Our spirituality is expressed in Liturgy, not just by what we do, but what God does in mystery in and through the Liturgy. Carmel is a contemplative community in the midst of the people, and we were asked how contemplation, prayer, silence and Lectio Divina can be manifested. Eucharist, together with listening to the word have been central to Carmel since the very moment of our eremitical foundation. These are the values and ways of praying that will always be at the root of the transmission of our identity.
The final day of the conference was dedicated to formation in the broadest sense of the term. The Word of God is always formative for Carmelites, and we were reminded that pondering the Word is an essential element of our charism and Carmelite identity. Through a deep reflection on the Rule of St. Albert, we were led to a more profound understanding of how the Carmelite is called into community and towards the Lord, a movement led by discretion, into encounter, relationship and healing.
From the beginning of the Conference to the end, concerns regarding proper liturgical formation in the Order were voiced. Ways and means for addressing this area of our life were explored. The need for liturgical formation in our novitiates and houses of studies is critical, as well as making ongoing formation available for all the members of the Order. Advanced liturgical studies within the Carmelite tradition certainly seem to be necessary.
The Commission for Liturgy and Prayer should be commended for taking the initiative to organize this Conference. As the prayer life of the Order is vital, the hope is to see similar initiatives proposed in the near future. Above all, Liturgy is prayer, and Carmel is a school of prayer always in need of fresh and new inspiration and zeal.
Il Carmelo
Sassone, Rome, Italy
20 April 2018
International Congress of the Carmelite Laity 2018
The General Commission of the Carmelite Laity would like to remind all Provincials, Commissaries, and Delegates about the International Congress of the Carmelite Laity 2018, that will be held in Rome, Italy, from September 15 (arrival) to September 21 (departure) as specified in the convocation letter sent a few months ago. The organisers would like to ask all Superiors to send the list of participants of their respective Carmelite entities before May 31 (deadline) to the following email: Questo indirizzo email è protetto dagli spambots. È necessario abilitare JavaScript per vederlo.
In case a participant is required to get a visa to enter Europe, please, send as soon as possible the corresponding information in order to prepare a letter of invitation. We need full name as it appears on passport, passport number, expiration date of passport, dates of arrival to and departure from Europe.
Lectio Divina: Mark 9:14-29
Ordinary Time
1) Opening prayer
Father,
keep before us the wisdom and love
you have revealed in your Son.
Help us to be like him
in word and deed,
for he lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
2) Gospel Reading - Mark 9:14-29
As they were rejoining the disciples they saw a large crowd round them and some scribes arguing with them.
At once, when they saw him, the whole crowd were struck with amazement and ran to greet him. And he asked them, 'What are you arguing about with them?' A man answered him from the crowd, 'Master, I have brought my son to you; there is a spirit of dumbness in him, and when it takes hold of him it throws him to the ground, and he foams at the mouth and grinds his teeth and goes rigid. And I asked your disciples to drive it out and they were unable to.' In reply he said to them, 'Faithless generation, how much longer must I be among you?
How much longer must I put up with you? Bring him to me.' They brought the boy to him, and at once the spirit of dumbness threw the boy into convulsions, and he fell to the ground and lay writhing there, foaming at the mouth. Jesus asked the father, 'How long has this been happening to him?' 'From childhood,' he said, 'and it has often thrown him into fire and into water, in order to destroy him. But if you can do anything, have pity on us and help us.' 'If you can?' retorted Jesus. 'Everything is possible for one who has faith.' At once the father of the boy cried out, 'I have faith. Help my lack of faith!'
And when Jesus saw that a crowd was gathering, he rebuked the unclean spirit. 'Deaf and dumb spirit,' he said, 'I command you: come out of him and never enter him again.' Then it threw the boy into violent convulsions and came out shouting, and the boy lay there so like a corpse that most of them said, 'He is dead.' But Jesus took him by the hand and helped him up, and he was able to stand.
When he had gone indoors, his disciples asked him when they were by themselves, 'Why were we unable to drive it out?' He answered, 'This is the kind that can be driven out only by prayer.'
3) Reflection
• The Gospel today informs us that the disciples of Jesus were not able to cast out the devil from the body of a boy. The power of evil was greater than their capacity. Today, also, there are many evils which surpass our capacity to face them: violence, drugs, war, sickness, jobless people, terrorism, etc. We make great efforts in life, but it seems that instead of improving, the world becomes worse. What good is there in struggling? Keeping this question in mind, let us read and meditate on today’s Gospel.
• Mark 9, 14-22: The situation of the people: despair without solution. Coming down from the mountain of the Transfiguration, Jesus met many people around the disciples. A parent was in despair, because an evil spirit had taken possession of his son. With great detail, Mark describes the situation of the possessed boy, the anguish of the father, the incapacity of the disciples and the reaction of Jesus. Two things strike us in a particular way: on one side, the confusion and the powerlessness of the people and of the disciples in the face of the phenomenon of possession, and on the other hand, the power of faith in Jesus before which the devil loses all his influence. The father had asked the disciples to drive out the devil from the boy, but they were not able to do it. Jesus becomes impatient and says: “Faithless generation! How much longer must I be among you? How much longer must I put up with you? Bring him to me”. Jesus asks information regarding the sickness of the boy. And from the response of the father, Jesus knows that the boy, “from childhood”, was affected by a serious illness which endangered his life. The father asked: “But if you can do anything, have pity on us and help us!” The phrase of the father expresses a very real situation of the people: (a) they are faithless; (b) they are not in a condition to solve the problem, but (c) have such good will.
• Mark 9, 23-27: The answer of Jesus: the way of faith. The father answers: Lord, I believe! But help my lack of faith! The response of the father has the central place in this episode. It indicates that this should be the attitude of the disciple, that, in spite of his/her limitations and doubts, he/she wants to be faithful. Seeing that many people were coming, Jesus acted rapidly. He ordered the spirit to get out of the boy and not to return “again ever!” This is a sign of the power of Jesus on evil. It is also a sign that Jesus did not want any popular propaganda.
• Mark 9, 28-29: Deepening this with the disciples. In the house, the disciples want to know why they were not able to drive out the devil. Jesus answers: This is the kind of evil spirit that can be driven out only by prayer! Faith and prayer go together. One does not exist without the other. The disciples had become worse. Before they were capable of driving out the devil (cfr. Mk 6, 7.13). Now, no more. What is lacking? Faith or prayer? Why is it lacking? These are questions which come from the text and enter into our head in a way that we can proceed also to a kind of revision of our life.
• The expulsion of the devils in the Gospel of Mark. During the time of Jesus many persons spoke of Satan and of the expulsion of the devils. People were afraid and, there were some persons who profited and took advantage of the fear of the people. The power of evil had many names: Demon, Devil, Beelzebul, Prince of Demons, Satan, Dragon, Domination, Power, Beast-wild animal, Lucifer, etc. (cfr. Mk 3, 22-23; Mt 4, 1; Rv 12, 9; Rm 8, 38;; Eph 1, 21). Today also, among us the power of evil has many names. It is enough to consult the dictionary and look for the word Devil or Demon. Today, also, many dishonest people enrich themselves, profiting of the fear which people have of the devil. Now, one of the objectives of the Good News of Jesus is, precisely, to help people to free themselves from this fear. The coming of the Kingdom of God means the coming of a stronger power. The strong man was an image which indicated the power of evil which maintained people imprisoned by fear (Mk 3, 27). The power of fear oppresses persons and makes them lose themselves. He does in such a way that they live in fear and death (cfr. Mk 5, 2). It is such a strong power that nobody can stop it (Mk 5, 4). The Roman Empire with its “Legion” (cfr. Mk 5, 9), that is, with its armies, was the instrument used to maintain this situation of oppression. But Jesus is the strongest man who overcomes, seizes and drives out the power of evil! In the Letter to the Romans, the Apostle Paul gives a list of all the possible powers or demons which could threaten us and he summarizes everything in this way: “I am certain of this: neither death nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nothing already in existence and nothing still to come, nor any power, nor the heights nor the depths, nor any created thing whatever, will be able to come between us and the love of God, known to us in Christ Jesus, our Lord!” (Rm 8, 38-39). Nothing of all this! And the first words of Jesus after the Resurrection are: “Do not be afraid! Rejoice! Do not fear! Peace be with you!” (Mk 16, 6; Mt 28, 9-10; Lk 24, 36; Jn 20, 21).
4) Personal questions
• Have you ever lived an experience of powerlessness before some evil or violence? Was this an experience for you only or also for the community? How did you overcome it?
• Which is the type of evil today which can only be overcome with much prayer?
5) Concluding Prayer
The precepts of Yahweh are honest,
joy for the heart;
the commandment of Yahweh is pure,
light for the eyes. (Ps 19,8)
Lectio Divina May 2018
Pope's Prayer Intentions for May 2018
Evangelization: The Mission of the Laity
That the lay faithful may fulfil their specific mission, by responding with creativity to the challenges that face the world today.
Lectio Divina: May - Mayo - Maggio 2018
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- Tuesday, May 1, 2018
- Wednesday, May 2, 2018
- Thursday, May 3, 2018
- Friday, May 4, 2018
- Saturday, May 5, 2018
- Sunday, May 6, 2018
- Monday, May 7, 2018
- Tuesday, May 8, 2018
- Wednesday, May 9, 2018
- Thursday, May 10, 2018
- Friday, May 11, 2018
- Saturday, May 12, 2018
- Sunday, May 13, 2018
- Monday, May 14, 2018
- Tuesday, May 15, 2018
- Wednesday, May 16, 2018
- Thursday, May 17, 2018
- Friday, May 18, 2018
- Saturday, May 19, 2018
- Sunday, May 20, 2018
- Monday, May 21, 2018
- Tuesday, May 22, 2018
- Wednesday, May 23, 2018
- Thursday, May 24, 2018
- Friday, May 25, 2018
- Saturday, May 26, 2018
- Sunday, May 27, 2018
- Monday, May 28, 2018
- Tuesday, May 29, 2018
- Wednesday, May 30, 2018
- Thursday, May 31, 2018
