A Curiosity from the General Archives of the Order

Among the treasures of our archives we have found the ancient recipe for spiritumcarmeliticum, as devised by a certain Father Bernardo, presumably at the end of the 18th century. We do not know Father Bernardo's surname or the convent he belonged to, but surely his bitter must have been highly appreciated if his recipe reached as far as the General Curia of the Carmelites.

To be able to reproduce it, obtain very pure wine alcohol, herbs of lemon balm, sage and thyme-with the recommendation that they are not dried, but very fresh, picked during the season of their bloom-orange peel, rosemary flowers, artichoke flavoring, cinnamon, nutmeg, plus coriander, anise and nettle seeds. Let everything marinate for at least two days, stirring occasionally, then distill and drink--but in moderation!

[First published in ABIGOC (Archives and General Library of the Carmelite Order)]

The Provincial Commissary of Perú (PCM) Celebrates Its Annual Meeting and Holds Elections

The Carmelites of the Provincial Commissariat of Perú (PCM) celebrated their annual meeting which included the triennial elections on January 11, 2024. The gathering, was held at Villa Carmelitas in Lurín. Míċéal O'Neill, the prior general, accompanied by Luis Maza Subero, the Councillor for the Americas, participated.

The Province of the Most Pure Heart of Mary established the Order in Perú in 1949.

The following members were elected to leadership at the meeting:

Commissary Provincial | Comisario Provincial | Commissario Provinciale
Raúl Maravi Cabrera, O. Carm.

1st Councilor | 1er Consejero | 1^o Consigliere
Miguel Bacigalupo del Corral, O. Carm.

2nd Councilor | 2do Consejero | 2^o Consigliere
Eduardo Rivero Cárdenas, O. Carm.

13^th Century Carmelite Foundation in Limassol, Cyprus Located

Pottery discovered during an initial excavation at Panagia Karmiotissa in Limassol on Cyprus has been dated back to the 13th century and is thought to be linked to the Carmelites. The Cyprus Department of Antiquities held a conference at the end of the first season at the site.

According to published reports, the site was selected because of historical documents, geographical features, place names, and local lore, all of which suggested it was the location of a Carmelite foundation in the 13th century.

The Carmelite historian, Joachim Smet, wrote in his monumental history of the Order that besides the original foundations of Fortamia (1238) on Cyprus, the Order is known to have had houses in Limassol, Paphos, Famagusta, and Nicosia. These are on a list added to the Constitutions of 1369.

An architectural analysis of the existing church suggests it was dates to the 14th century. This discrepancy necessitates further excavation to explore deeper historical layers. Three exploratory trenches were opened: two on the northern terraces and one behind the current church’s apse.

Besides the pottery from the 13th century, the trenches have revealed evidence of two post-Byzantine habitation phases, including several postholes. Behind the church’s apse, numerous human-sized pits aligned east to west were uncovered, suggesting former grave sites likely associated with the church’s cemetery.

A flight of stairs cut into the natural bedrock and oriented towards a location underneath the church indicates earlier structures than the current church building. In addition, ground-penetrating radar surveys inside the church, hint at significant structures below the church floor.

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January 29th | Optional Memorial in the Italian Provinces

Bl. Archangela took the Carmelite habit in the monastery of Parma in 1477 at the age of 17 where she took the name Archangela. She eventually became prioress of the monastery at Parma, and then prioress at the new foundation at Mantua from 1492 until her death.

It is written in an old manuscript that Blessed Archangela lived her religious life so intensely that, just as the monastery was entitled "Saint Mary in Paradise", she and the other nuns, even though still here on earth, lived as if already absorbed into heaven.

Read more ...

The book L'attività di padre Serafino Maria Potenza (1697-1763) attraverso i documenti d'Archivio, by Simona Durante, published by Edizioni Carmelitane, was presented on Thursday, January 18, 2024, at Centro Internazionale Sant'Alberto (CISA) in Rome.

The presentation was attended by Fr. Vincenzo Criscuolo, ofmcap, former general relator of the Dicastery for the Causes of Saints, Professor Luca Carboni, of the Vatican Apostolic Archives, and the author. Among the many participants were secretary Monsignor Fabio Fabene, undersecretary Bogusław Stanisław Turek and other members of the Dicastery.

Fr. Vincenzo Criscuolo gave opening remarks and thanked the author for her magnificent work in dissecting the figure and work of Potenza within the 395 pages of the volume.

Prof. Luca Carboni also praised the author's work and mentioned how this book is the best example of the archivist's role, which is to trace "a fruitful dialogue between different eras."

The book traces the life of Father Serafino Maria Potenza and his activity as Postulator General of the Carmelite Order, following the causes of beatification and canonization that he worked on and which he presented to the Sacred Congregation of Rites, the dicastery then competent in the matter.

In this regard, Giovanna Brizi, Postulator General of the Order, pointed out that although Potenza did not conclude any of the causes of beatification he dealt with during his mandate as Postulator General of the Order, "he sowed the seed that would later germinate in the activity of the postulators who came after him, because this is also the mission of us as postulators."

To frame the figure of Potenza, the author analyses the historical context of his time as well as "the broad panorama of Carmelite holiness."

In preparing the book, Durante made use of direct access to the various funds of the Carmelite Archives to locate material pertaining to Fr. Serafino. She also turned to the Archives of the Order's General Postulation, where she was able to ascertain that "most of the documentation, relating to the 18th century, refers, in some way, to Fr. Serafino Maria Potenza."

For Fr. Mario Alfarano, Archivist and General Librarian, Durante's book is an example of the importance of the archivist's role for the younger generation, and he emphasized how collaboration between the different funds was a key factor in the research and preparation of the book.

L'Osservatore Romano, the official newspaper of the Holy See, published a review of Simona Durante's book (accessible to subscribers here: https://www.osservatoreromano.va/it/news/2024-01/quo-016/alla-scoperta-di-uno-scopritore.html).

The book can be purchased at the online bookstore of the publisher Edizioni Carmelitane.

Pope Encourages Journalists to Focus on Communicating the Truth

In a recent meeting in the Sala Clementina with members of the International Association of Journalists Accredited to the Vatican, Pope Francis spoke about communicating the truth as the ultimate job of the journalists. Journalists need to base their work “on the solid rock of responsibility in truth, not on the fragile sands of gossip and idealogical readings,” said Pope Francis.

Although he was directly addressing journalists whose everyday job is to communicate news about the pope and the Vatican bureaucracy, the same might apply to the Order’s communicators in the various parts of the world.

The pope spoke of journalism as a vocation, “a bit like that of a doctor, who chooses to love humanity by curing its illnesses.” A journalist “chooses to touch with their hand the wounds of society and the world” in order to bring them to light. He told the journalists not to “hide reality, even its miseries,” and that while they should not downplay tensions in the Church, neither should they make “unnecessary clamor.”

He suggested that the journalists not stop at the “appearance” of events in the Church but to move to the “substance that does not seek to conform to the superficiality of stereotypes and readily made formulas of information.”

Journalists accredited to the Vatican are commonly referred to as “vaticanisti.” Quoting a long time vaticanista, the pope said, “In so many years of Vaticanism, I have learned the art of seeking and narrating stories of life, which is a way of loving humanity [...]. I have learnt humility. I have encountered many men of God who have helped me to believe and to remain human. So, I can only encourage those who want to venture into this journalistic specialization.”

There are approximately 150 journalists accredited to the Vatican. Many members of the organization travel with the pope when he visits other countries. Other journalists might be accredited in order to cover certain events—like the recent synod. As is his custom, the pope greeted each of the attendees at the end of the audience.

Pope’s Address in English | Italian

Beginning the journey
(Mark 1:21-28)

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An Assembly of the leaders of the European Area (made up of the provincials, commissaries general, delegates general and their delegates) took place at St Albert’s International Centre in Rome on 15th and 16th January 2024.

The Eucharist to open the Assembly was celebrated by Benny Phang (Vice Prior General) in the chapel of St Albert’s during which he spoke about the need to work in the ministry of vocations. The large variety of cultures and nationalities present at the Assembly were acknowledged by the participants saying the Adsumus, Sancte Spiritus prayer in the various languages of European Area at the beginning of each of the working sessions.

Richard Byrne, General Councillor for Europe, gave a short report regarding forthcoming chapters and visitations, the ongoing formation course on St Thérèse of Lisieux, the retreat for those in simple vows in 2024, and the planned gathering of young adults in Rome for the Jubilee Year at the end of July 2025.

The European Area is divided into three (sub) regions: Italy-Malta, Iberia and North-Europe. Each of the presidents of these regions (Joseph Saliba, David del Carpio Horcajo and Brendan Grady) presented a report on the activities of their region and on any relevant unification or collaboration processes. They also reported on the two meetings of vocational personnel which were held during the last year. At both of these meetings, the Prior General, Míceál O’Neill, had delivered a presentation on vocations.

In September 2023, the North-European Region had held its two-day ‘in person’ course in Dublin (Ireland) in order to promote the prioritisation of the ministry of vocations within the region. Together with a facilitator (Mr Danny Curtin), sixteen participants spent two-days exploring and learning from one another about ways to nurture a culture for Carmelite vocations today.

In December 2023, the Italy-Malta and Iberian Regions had held their meeting online over two afternoons. Twenty-one participants took part in this meeting, sharing with one another their enthusiasm for this ministry and how strongly they believed that the Holy Spirit is still calling people to Carmel.

Overall, it was reported to this Assembly in January 2024 that those who attended both of the meetings for vocation personnel considered them to have been an important support towards those working in this ministry. Most wanted further meetings. After hearing these reports, each European region committed itself to holding further meetings over the coming year for all those involved in the ministry of vocations.

After this, each leader reported to the Assembly regarding four topics for their own reality: (1) the practical steps that had been taken regarding the implementation of the proposals of the encyclical Laudato si’; (2) ongoing formation for the friars; (3) the reality of how community meetings are held; and (4) any other important news or updates regarding the  entity.

Eduardo Agosta Scarel OCarm gave a commentary on the leaders’ reports regarding Laudato si’ and on the message from the United Nations Climate Change Conference that took place in Dubai in 2023 (COP 28). Subsequently, each Region agreed a specific goal that could be realistically implemented by January 2025 so as to further implement the Order’s commitment to the proposals of Laudato si’. In addition, each Region and each reality committed itself to considering the issue over the next year. 

Tadeusz Popiela, Prior of St. Albert’s, celebrated the Eucharist to begin the second day’s discussions and reflections. Afterwards, the Assembly heard a report from Alejandro López-Lapuente (the director of novices) regarding the European Novitiate in Salamanca. Seven novices had begun this year’s novitiate and were accompanied by another seven brothers in solemn vows within this formation community. Since its establishment, eighty-eight novices had started their novitiate in Salamanca. This was followed by various additional reports regarding the other formation houses within the European Area. The Assembly spent some time preparing for a retreat for those in simple vows in Europe this coming summer in the Italian Province’s retreat house in Nocera Umbra (Italy).

After that, the Assembly then turned its attention to the way in which the European realities of the Order connects with those sections outside of their realities in Africa and South America. Two speakers gave presentations regarding provincial commissariats and provincial delegates and this gave rise to a constructive discussion among the members of the Assembly.

Finally, the assembly discussed the Carmelite Family noting the Constitutions which state that “all individuals and groups, whether institutional or not, which draw their inspiration from the Rule of St Albert, from its tradition and from the values expressed in Carmelite spirituality, constitute the Carmelite Family within the Church today.”^[1] It was noted that in a synodal Church, which announces the Gospel, everyone “walks together”. Therefore, the members explored how this “walking together” is carried out today in our own Order noting the experience of the extended Carmelite Family attending some provincial chapters. The members of the Assembly then explored what steps the Spirit invites them to take in order to grow in our “walking together” so that our realities (in their chapters or otherwise) would be more synodal. The members of the European Area agreed to hold another two-day Assembly in January 2025 and concluded with the singing of the Flos Carmeli.

Partners with Christ
(Mark 1:14-20)

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