O.Carm
Celebrating At Home - 15th Sunday in Ordinary Time
Becoming Rich Soil
(Matthew 13:1-9)
The section of St Matthew’s Gospel from which we are now reading concerns the Kingdom of God. Jesus uses this expression frequently in his teaching. The Kingdom is not heaven, it is the life and heart of God. We live in the Kingdom when we live according to the mind and heart of God. The Kingdom, or reign of God, breaks into human reality when human beings live, breathe and act out of the life of God; when the heart of God becomes ours; when we allow God to speak and act in and through us.
This section about the Kingdom of God is the centrepiece of St Matthew’s Gospel. Matthew uses seven parables and explanations to unfold Jesus’ teaching about the Kingdom.
Last week’s Gospel offered reassurance to those overburdened by religious law and often unable to fulfil it that they were not forsaken by God. Jesus says he is the one who will reveal what God is really like through gentleness and humility and by providing rest (not more burdens) for their souls.
This week we begin the series of parables about the Kingdom with the parable of the Sower. The Sower sows, the seed falls, sometimes the sower’s work succeeds, sometimes it does not. The different soils represent different human responses to hearing the word of God. Not everyone receives the message or responds well to the invitation.
The parable teaches us that God will try anything to get a harvest. The sign of success is the fruit-bearing of the recipients. That’s when God’s word sown in our hearts becomes our word, too.
Those who do respond to the invitation to life in the Kingdom yield the harvest of goodness and Godliness.
Iberian Carmelite Family Gathers
The Carmelite Family of the Iberian Region Gathers for Days Together
A annual gathering of the Carmelite Family of the Iberian Region is a long-standing event that brings together the various sectors that share the charism of the Carmelite Order in Spain and Portugal—the Iberian Peninsula.
Included in these gatherings are priests and brothers as well as nuns from the contemplative communities. Religious from the various congregations and institutes that are affiliated with the Order also participate. Lay people from secular Carmel, confraternities, parish communities, and alumni are also welcome to come. There are also young people and educators from the Order’s schools and youth movements.
This time of the year gives each of the people attending to recognize themselves as part of one family who share common experiences, realities, and projects.
These gatherings always center on deepening the Carmelite identity. Drawing inspiration from the Rule of St. Albert, the days are filled with lectures, roundtable discussions, and workshops which focus on prayer, fraternity, and maintaining a contemplative stance in the midst of the world.
The work of evangelization and prophetic service is shared among the participants. There is usually a strong presence of Karit, Solidarity for Peace which is the NGO of the Carmelite Family in the Iberian Region. The organizations goal is to promote joint solidarity projects in various parts of the world.
The liturgies— the celebration of the Liturgy of the Hours in common and the Eucharist— are at the heart of the gatherings. Participants celebrate together the deep Marian devotion that unites them under the patronage of Mount Carmel.
This was the 31st such gathering of the Carmelite Family from the Iberian peninsula.
Prior General's Schedule for July 2026
Fr. Desiderio García Martínez, O. Carm., the prior general, has the following schedule planned for the month of July 2026:
June 30-July 7: Fraternal Visit -- Ougadougou and Bobodioulasso, Burkina Faso
July 8-30: Visits to the Monasteries of the Federation of St. Mary Magdalene de' Pazzi (Italy)
Blessed Maria Crocifisso Curcio, Virgin
July 4 | Optional Memorial in the Italian provinces
GREETINGS BY HIS HOLINESS BENEDICT XVI AT THE CONCLUSION OF THE BEATIFICATION CEREMONY
I now greet the pilgrims who have come from various regions of Italy and the world to honor Blessed Maria Crocifissa Curcio. My heartfelt thoughts go out to each and every one of you, especially to those who are part of the spiritual family of the Missionary Carmelite Sisters of Saint Teresa of the Child Jesus.
This newly beatified woman placed the presence of the merciful Jesus—whom she encountered and adored in the Sacrament of the Eucharist—at the center of her life. A genuine passion for souls characterized the life of Mother Maria Crocifissa, who zealously practiced “spiritual reparation” to reciprocate Jesus’ love for us. Her life was one of constant prayer, even as she went about serving others, especially poor and needy young women. May Blessed Maria Crocifissa Curcio continue to watch over from heaven the Congregation she founded and all her devotees.
Celebrating At Home - 14th Sunday in Ordinary Time
Lifting the Burden; Lightening the Load
(Matthew 11:25-30)
The Gospel today is a joyful, ecstatic outburst of feeling by Jesus.
Matthew’s community must have been deeply troubled by the fact that the ‘learned and clever’ religious leaders of their day did not accept the message of Jesus. Surely they, of all people, should have been able to recognise the truth. But in this passage, Matthew explains that it is not from a position of knowledge or power that one recognises who Jesus is. Rather, it is from an attitude of openness and simplicity, such as we often find in children.
Matthew also makes the point that Jesus does not approach us like a warlord, with threats of punishment, but in humility and gentleness.
The tone of the reading is set by Jesus’ warm and intimate address of ‘Abba’ (Father) which occurs five times in this short passage. This intimate relationship is characterised by God’s entrusting all of things to the Son, and the Son in turn revealing them to those who have faith. These, in turn, are drawn into intimate relationship with God.
The rules and laws of religious leaders in Jesus’ day often added to the burden experienced by those regarded as simple and sinful. Whereas Jesus always tried to lift burdens from people.
Jesus invitation in today’s Gospel is for everyone. It could be an invitation for us to look at our lives and ask what burdens we impose on others. Do our concerns, anxieties, our need for power, wealth and status, exact a high price from others and ourselves?
Are we a burden or a blessing for each other? What can we do to make life easier for each other - to lift the burdens and share the load?
Castellina's “La Famiglia” Joins Third Order
The “La Famiglia” of Santa Lucia alla Castellina Fully Incorporated into the Third Order
On May 30 and 31, 2026, a solemn ceremony took place for the of the canonical sanation of the Tertiaries of the “La Famiglia” Movement of Santa Lucia alla Castellina. This group was founded by Fr. Agostino Bartolini and the Servant of God Amata Cerretelli. The official celebration took place over two days: the first day at the Basilica del Carmine in Florence and the second day at the Convent of Santa Lucia alla Castellina.
Saturday’s celebration was presided over by the prior general, Desiderio García Martínez, in the presence of the Order’s secretary general, Giampiero Molinari; the prior provincial of the Italian Province, Giandomenico Meloni, who read the decree of sanation; Sebastian Benchea; Raffaele Duranti; Giulio Pase; the Carmelite Tertiary Don Cristian Meriggi (exorcist of the Diocese of Florence); Agostino Gelli, and Nicola Sozzi, assistant to the Fraternity and the northern zone of the TOC of the Italian Province. Also present was a delegation from the executive committee of the Carmelite Third Order of the Italian Province.
On Sunday, in the church of the Convent of Castellina, the second day was presided over by the prior general, in the presence of the Order’s secretary general, Sebastian Benchea, and Vincenzo Boschetto, provincial assistant of the Third Order, who read the sanation decree.
The two celebrations were joyfully led by the Tertiaries, who experienced a profound moment of communion and fellowship with all those gathered for this important occasion, followed by a delicious reception in the cloister of the Church of the Carmine (on the first day) and on the terrace of the Convent of Santa Lucia alla Castellina (on the second day).
Giving praise to God for this historic event, the Tertiaries of the Movement were “fully incorporated into the Carmelite Third Order, with all the rights and duties that this entails, including participation in the spiritual goods of the Carmelite Family.”
Lectio Divina July 2026
Opening Prayer
Father,
you call your children to walk in the light of Christ.
Free us from darkness and keep us in the radiance of your truth.
We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
Elective Chapter Held at Lake Elmo Hermitage
Elective Chapter of the Carmelite Hermitage of the Blessed Virgin Mary in Lake Elmo, Minnesota Held on June 24
The elective chapter of the Carmelite Hermitage of the Blessed Virgin Mary in Lake Elmo, Minnesota (USA), was held in a spirit of fraternity and discernment under the presidency of the prior general, Desiderio García Martínez, with the participation of the General Councilor for the Americas.
The eight solemnly professed members proceeded with the election of its leadership in accordance with the norms of the Order. The community elected John Mary Burns as prior, Elijah Schwab as sub-prior (First Councilor), Peter Peach as Second Councilor, and Christopher Burnside as Third Councilor.
In his address, the prior general reflected on the exercise of authority as a ministry of humble service rooted in the Carmelite Rule. He encouraged the community to continue fostering unity, co-responsibility, and healthy formation, while maintaining vigilance in safeguarding, transparency in governance, and sound financial administration. He also highlighted the importance of maintaining a strong bond with the wider Carmelite Order.
Fr. Desiderio further noted that a revision of the hermitage’s statutes will need to be initiated in order to bring them into closer alignment with the Constitutions of the Order. He emphasized that this process should be carried out with careful discernment and fidelity to the charism.
Additionally, he underscored the importance of maintaining a proper balance between the development of physical structures, such as the new basilica project, and the ongoing task of building a healthy and vibrant community life.
Carmelite Church in Sassari Becomes Sanctuary
The Carmelite Church in Sassari Elevated to Sanctuary Status
The Italian Province of Carmelites was notified by the vicar general of the Archdiocese of Sassari in Sardinia that the Church of the Madonna del Carmelo in Sassari will be elevated to a sanctuary. The Carmelites had asked for this to be considered in April 2025.
In a letter to Gian Domenico Meloni, the prior provincial of the Italian Province, Mons. Antonio Tamponi, the vicar general of the archdiocese, wrote that the new bishop, Francesco Antonio Soddu, has deemed “plausible and well-founded” the request from the Carmelites and has granted the request.
The archbishop has ordered that the necessary legal steps be taken to draft the decree of establishment. This will then be promulgated publicly at a later date, preferably during the novena in preparation for the feast of Our Lady of Mount Carmel on July 16th.
The letter also acknowledges the dialogue that has taken place between the Mons. Tamponi, then the diocesan administrator, and the Carmelite superior, Salvatore Asta, and members of the Carmelite Third Order.
Celebrating At Home - 13th Sunday in Ordinary Time
True Discipleship
(Matthew 10:37-42)
Today’s Gospel is the final in this section of Matthew’s Gospel about the spread of the Kingdom and the role of the disciples.
Matthew often uses events as a beginning point for Jesus’ sermons. The section we have been listening to began with the call of Matthew and was followed by the instructions given to the disciples before setting out on mission. We heard part of that last Sunday.
So far in this sermon we have heard Jesus teach that the truly virtuous are those who exercise mercy; disciples are to proclaim the Kingdom of God with works of compassion and mercy; they are not to let fear compromise the message, but are to trust always in God.
Today’s Gospel passage highlights both the cost and rewards of true discipleship. The disciples’ relationship with Jesus must be the centre of their lives and the context for all other relationships.
Hospitality and welcome are concrete expressions of discipleship because the disciple is one who witnesses to the compassion and mercy of God with open hearts and concrete good actions.
Even though the first paragraph of today’s Gospel sounds like an exclusive choice must be made between Jesus and family, the idea behind the text is more that: in our relationship with Jesus, all other relationships fall into their proper context.
Without being in right relationship with Jesus we can’t learn how to be in right relationship with others. It is our relationship with Jesus which brings depth and richness to all our other relationships. So, for example, our family relationships become more than just fulfilling a social custom. They become true relationships filled with love, mercy, forgiveness and respect.
The Pharisees and Scribes seldom made good disciples because they thought that religion was about doing religious things. They went to the synagogue, kept the Law, fasted, and so on, but their hearts were never changed by their religious observance. They were self-righteous, despised the poor and the ‘sinners’, and acted without justice or mercy.
The truth about our conversion to Jesus (our becoming Jesus) is not so much seen in easily identifiably ‘religious’ things but in concrete good actions and right relationships.
Our religious observance is meant to support and nourish our relationship with Jesus. It is not a substitute for it. That relationship has the power to change and transform us so that we can bear witness to Christ through lives of mercy, compassion, justice and integrity.
