O.Carm
Carmelite Nuns in Wahpeton Celebrate Elective Chapter
The Carmelite nuns of Wahpeton (USA) held their triennial elections on November 1, 2023. Presiding over the election was Bishop John T. Folda, Bishop of Fargo. He also offered Mass before the beginning of the meetings and opened the Chapter with a prayer that the Holy Spirit would open minds and hearts to God’s grace in the lives of the sisters and the community and that the prioress would be a servant after the Heart of Jesus.
The monastery was founded 69 years ago by Sr. Rosa of the Sacred Heart of Jesus and six nuns from the Carmelite monastery in Allentown, Pennsylvania. The date of the foundation is October 24, 1954.
The website of the monastery is https://www.carmelofmary.org
The results of the elective chapter were as follows:
Prioress | Priora | Priora:
Sr. Madonna of the Assumption Morales, O. Carm.
1st Councilor | 1ª Consejera | 1ª Consigliera:
Sr. Margaret Mary of the Sacred Heart Sticka, O. Carm.
2nd Councilor | 2ª Consejera | 2ª Consigliera:
Sr. Joseph Marie of the Child Jesus Bedard, O. Carm.
Treasurer | Ecónoma | Economa
Sr. Veronica of the Immaculate Heart of Mary Hartley, O. Carm.
Formator | Formadora | Formatrice
Sr. Margaret Mary of the Sacred Heart Sticka, O. Carm.
Sacristan | Sacristana | Sacrestana
Sr. Veronica of the Immaculate Heart of Mary, O. Carm.
Celebrating the End of World War I with True Peace Today
Today, November 11, we remember the end of World War I, the so-called "Great War," the "War to End All Wars," on this date at the 11th hour in 1918.
Listen to the guns go silent in an recreation of the moment based on based on actual recordings.
The war was not great nor did it stop future wars. As we find our world in conflict in at least 32 places 105 years after this armistice, let us make this Day of Remembrance also a Day of Prayer for the transformation of the hearts of all.
Let us realize the words of St. Pope Paul VI: "If you want peace, work for justice" is the task of each and every one of us.
4th Annual Lecture in Carmelite Studies is Scheduled
The Center for Carmelite Studies at the Catholic University of America is hosting the 4th Annual Lecture in Carmelite Studies on November 14, 2023. The lecture, entitled St. Thérèse and the Sacred Heart: History and Theology, will be given by noted theologian Sr. Mary Frohlich, RSCJ. The event will take place in Caldwell Auditorium on the campus of the university at 5PM. It will also be livestreamed.
Mary Frohlich, RSCJ, is a Visiting Scholar in the School of Ministry and Theology at Boston College. Her main areas of research include Carmelite spirituality, methodology for academic spirituality, and ecospirituality. She is the editor of St. Thérèse of Lisieux: Essential Writings, in the "Modern Spiritual Masters" series (Orbis, 2003).
Carmelite Institute Plans Webinar on Rule of St. Albert
Carmelite Institute of North America Plans Webinar on Rule of St. Albert
The Carmelite Institute of North America (CINA) is hosting a webinar featuring author Michael Mulhall, O. Carm., discussing his recently published book Albert and His Rule. The webinar will take place on Saturday, November 18 at 2:00PM (Eastern USA Time).
Michael Mulhall. M.A., S.T.D. is a Carmelite with a degree in Semitic Ianguages and a doctorate in biblical theology. He taught at Mount St. Mary's Seminary until 1981 when he became director of the Mt. Carmel Spiritual Centre in Niagara Falls, Ontario. He taught at the University of St. Michael's College and at St. Augustine's Seminary in Toronto. He also served on the board of the Canadian Catholic Biblical Association. He served as scripture consultant for the first two volumes of The Roots of Our Faith dealing with the Old and New Testaments.
To participate, register at https://carmeliteinstitute.net/event/a-journey-into-our-beginnings-the-rule-of-st-albert/?mc_cid=fcb2fbcfa1&mc_eid=44751dfbef
There is a $10 fee to support the ministry of the Carmelite Institute.
Fr. Mulhall's book, Albert and His Rule, is available from various bookstores as well as from the Edizioni Carmelitane webstore and other online webstores.
Philippines Confers Titus Brandsma Award
In August, the Carmelite Province of the Philippines awarded the Titus Brandsma Lifetime Achievement Award to Professor Napoleon Isabelo “Billy” Veloso Abueva. The award was given posthumously. Ms Amihan Abueva addressed the group on behalf of the Abueva Family.
Dr. Abueva is recognized as the Father of Modern Philippine Sculpture. His modernistic approach is apparent in the monumental character of his outdoor and public sculptures and the promotion of Philippine themes. Some of his sculptures include movable components. His prolific artwork began in the 1950s. He was very consistent in his support of the ideals and cause of St. Titus Brandsma for truth, free speech and free press, justice and peace. Dr. Abueva was a man of integrity, honor and faith.
Abueva designed and made the trophy which is presented to winners of the award. He has also designed a well-known bust of St. Titus.
The ceremony, which took place at the Titus Brandsma Center in Quezon City, began with a welcome from the prior provincial of the Philippine Province of St. Titus Brandsma, Rico Ponce. Carmelite Christian Buenafe, the executive director of the Titus Brandsma Media Center and Institute of Spirituality in Asia, made the introductions. Anne Marie Bos, a Carmelite from the Titus Brandsma Institute in Nijmegen, Netherlands, addressed the gathering. Angela Blardony Ureta, aO. Carm., the director of the Carmelite Center for Social-Pastoral Communication and member of the Titus Brandsma Award. Marc Jozsef Lester G. Hallig, O. Carm., acted as master of ceremonies.
The Titus Brandsma Award Philippines is the country’s version of the international Titus Brandsma Award. In 1999 the Carmelites, along with the Titus Brandsma Media Center, established the award. The first award was given the following year. The award is given to professionals in media and educators and then was expanded to include leadership in journalism, culture and the arts, press freedom, among other areas.
Celebrating At Home - 32nd Sunday in Ordinary Time
Ready & Waiting
(Matthew 25:1-13)
Wisdom is at the heart of the first reading and Gospel. In the Bible, wisdom is not separate from God but a feminine personification of various attributes of God. The first reading presents wisdom as like a light which never fails. God is always taking the initiative with us, searching out the believers and revealing himself to them.
The parable in the Gospel continues the theme of wisdom. The ten virgins (representing the disciples) are waiting for the coming of the bridegroom (the return of Christ). The wise ones brought both their lamps and extra oil. The unwise ones brought only their lamps.
While they are waiting the lamps of the unwise begin to go out (their faith and love has grown cold, their good works are fading). The wise virgins cannot lend their faith, love and good deeds (the oil) to the others. Each disciple has to take personal responsibility for their faith and their salvation.
The wise disciple, whose love, faith and good works do not grow dim, is recognised by the Lord and takes their place in the Kingdom of God.
The disciple needs to remain alert, vigilant and prepared for the ‘day of salvation’ by continually growing in a faithful and loving relationship with God. This loving relationship with God bears fruit in good works for neighbours. That is what it means to be hearers and doers of the Word.
- pdf Celebrating At Home - 32th Sunday in Ordinary Time [PDF](2.85 MB)
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- pdf Celebrando en Familia - 32 Domingo del Tiempo Ordinario(684 KB)
- pdf Celebrando in Casa - 32 Domenica del Tempo Ordinario(707 KB)
- pdf Celebrando em familia - 32 Domingo do Tempo Comum(678 KB)
St. Elizabeth of the Trinity, virgin
November 8 | Optional Memorial
Elizabeth Catez was born on 18th July 1880 in Campo d'Avor near Bourges, France. In 1894, she took a vow of virginity.
She made her religious profession on 11th January 1903 and 21st January the same year she was given the monastic veil. The five years that she spent in religious life brought her ever closer to God although the Lord tested her with many spiritual trials and severe physical suffering due to Addison's disease which finally brought about her death on 9th November 1906.
Read more ...
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St. Nuno Alvares as a Carmelite
6 November Memorial
St. Nuno Alvares was always a religious man. As a soldier and knight of the noble class, he carried the sacred images of the crucified Christ, the Virgin Mary, and of the two patron saints of the knight, St. George and St. James.
Having fulfilled his obligations as parent, re-established the peace with Castile, and concluded the African expeditions which he took part in as supreme head of the Portuguese army, the Constable began his work on a promise he had made to the Virgin: the building of a votive church. He chose the highest spot in Lisbon and placed the first stone in 1389. The construction lasted for 30 years. When completed, it was most sumptuous with beautiful gothic architecture and rich decoration. Nuno wanted a Marian order to take possession of the church and chose the Carmelites.
The Constable was very familiar with the Order. A former military companion, Juan Gonçalves, had professed in the monastery of Moura; also he had a great friendship with Alfonso de Alfama, Vicar General in Portugal.
In 1423, the Carmelites celebrated their first Provincial Chapter in Portugal, an occasion for Nuno to publicly request admission into the Order as a layman. He took the name Fray Nuno de Santa Maria and renounced his titles and declined to enter the clerical state despite his family lineage, wisdom, and cultural preparation. For Nuno, to serve the servants of God, to be the lowest in the community, was an evangelical option that he fully embraced. He refused to maintain any honors in the cloister.
The king, down to the lowest of his vassals, were shocked by the news that the Grand Constable intended to become a lay brother in a religious order. Nuno had no doubts however and chose the Feast of the Assumption of Our Lady as the date to be invested in the habit.
Numerous stories are told about Nuno’s life with the Carmelites. When he met his old friend and former vassal, Fr. Juan Gonçalves, then prior of the house in Lisbon, Nuno would kiss the prior’s hand and ask permission to go out with the classical formulation “Benedicite Pater” to which the prior would respond “At your orders, my Constable. God bless you.” Both took a humble stance toward the other.
He lived the rest of his life in such humility until he died in April of 1431 (Some sources give his death date as November 1, 1431). His fame for holiness rapidly spread throughout the whole country; for the Portuguese he was always the Holy Constable.
Celebrating At Home - 31st Sunday in Ordinary Time
Sincere & Grounded Faith
(Matthew 23:1-12)
The warnings against the leaders conclude this week. This is the final part of this series of readings in which Jesus strongly criticises various groups of leaders who have failed to grasp what religion and faith in God are really about.
The problem centres around the belief that religious practice is all that is necessary to be justified in God’s eyes. According to Jesus, however, it is really about conversion, the continual process of turning oneself towards God. Bit by bit as our hearts are changed by the Holy Spirit we come to see with God’s eyes and feel with God’s heart. That is why Jesus insists that it is what is within one’s heart that is important, not how many religious laws one fulfils.
The Scribes and Pharisees have a ‘one-dimensional’, narrow view of religion and faith. Jesus’ view embraces the whole person in the journey of faith. As St Paul puts it in the Letter to the Romans: faith is a journey of being remade in the image and likeness of Christ. It changes and transforms every part of us.
No true believer can live as though faith and life are separate. Often contemporary civil leaders wish that the Church would confine its comments only to ‘religious’ things. For us, all the dimensions of life are part of our religious framework – social, political, economic, physical, psychological, mental and spiritual.
All these are viewed from the perspective of our faith. As Pope John Paul II said, “The light of the Gospel must be brought to bear on every aspect of human life.” Our moral sense of what is right and wrong develops as we reflect on the issues of human life inthe light of the Gospel.
Ours is never an attitude of “all’s fair in love and war”. No matter what the issue, or what sphere of human endeavour in which we are involved, our words and actions must always be true to the values of our Christian life.
With Christ as our only teacher we learn the ways of wisdom and love. We learn how to live, not by the values of the world, but by the values of the Spirit.
- pdf Celebrating At Home - 31th Sunday in Ordinary Time [PDF](2.87 MB)
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- pdf Celebrando en Familia - 31 Domingo del Tiempo Ordinario(659 KB)
- pdf Celebrando in Casa - 31 Domenica del Tempo Ordinario(660 KB)
- pdf Celebrando em familia - 31 Domingo do Tempo Comum(661 KB)
