Dear brothers and sisters of the whole family of the Discalced Carmel, friars, nuns, OCDS and all affiliated members: PEACE AND HOPE!
Having learned of the death of our Holy Father, Pope Francis, we unite wholeheartedly as an Order, the entire Discalced Carmelites, children of Teresa and John of the Cross, children of the Church, in giving thanks to God for his life and service during the twelve years of his Pontificate. We entrust his life to the maternal love of Mary: may she lead him to the heavenly home with all the saints, his predecessors and all his loved ones.
We pray fervently that the Spirit will give the Church the Pope she needs to respond to the needs of our time and of the Church according to the heart of God. We will receive him with a spirit of obedience and fidelity.
In this moment and always, we are one in the following of Jesus and in fidelity to the Church and to the Shepherd who guides us. We have been united with Pope Francis and we will continue to be united with his successor in the spirit of our Holy Mother, St Teresa of Jesus.
I would like to recall two of his phrases to the OCD General Chapter on 11 September 2021:
Dear brothers, the harmony between these three elements: friendship with God, fraternal life and mission, is a fascinating goal, capable of motivating your present and future choices. May the Holy Spirit – it is He who creates harmony – enlighten and guide your steps on this path. May the Blessed Virgin protect and accompany you. I bless you from my heart.
And in the meeting with the Discalced Carmelites, during the revision of the Constitutions, Nemi 18 April 2024:
…you are showing me that the contemplative vocation is not about tending embers, but rather about fanning into flame a fire that can continue to burn and provide warmth to the Church and the world… Look to the future with evangelical hope, with bare feet, that is, with the freedom of abandonment to God. Look to the future with your roots in the past. May your complete immersion in the Lord’s presence always fill you with the joy of sisterhood and mutual love. May Our Lady accompany you.
In communion with the Church, and praying like the disciples on Easter morning, I would like to repeat the words which I addressed to the Pope on behalf of all the Friars during the Audience of our General Chapter on 11 September 2021; if you wish, we could now address them to the next Successor of Peter:
Holy Father, I want with my brothers and sisters to risk our lives, without waiting for tomorrow, without fear of being wounded, as “knights without pay”, as Teresa said, (Life 15:11), helping Jesus to carry the cross, helping the Pope to carry the cross, with our obedience and service, without turning back.
HAPPY EASTER OF RESURRECTION!
REST IN PEACE, DEAR POPE FRANCIS!
Rome, 21 April 2025 Monday of Easter Week
P. Miguel Márquez Calle OCD Superior General
