From the 8th to the 11th of June 2023, the 16th Provincial Congress of the North/Northeast OCDS of the Province of São José took place in Fortaleza, Ceará. After two years of absence due to the pandemic, the Congress was even more special with the participation of secular Carmelites from various regions of the country and the presence of Father Provincial, Fr. Emerson of Jesus OCD and the three Delegates for the OCDS, Fr. Alzinir Debastiani OCD, Fr. Luis Fernando OCD and Fr. Wilson Gomes OCD and the OCDS Provincial President, Rose Lemos.
The Congress was structured around various moments for reflection, prayer, fraternal communion and joy. Carmelite spirituality was discussed, as an authentic testimony of our vocation, addressing our identity as Carmelites and belonging to the Order of Discalced Carmelites. Emphasized was the importance and necessity of promoting vocations and a more active presence of the communities of the Secular Order in the activities of the Church and with apostolates that promote the Carmelite charism.
