Author: ocd web master

In November, last year, the treasurers of the monasteries of our nuns together with the prioresses had the joy of following a time of formation, as well as the election of the President of the Association of Monasteries of the Discalced Carmelite Nuns of the Indian Ocean, together with its Council.

The friars resumed the «Carmelite days»: a day of retreat and formation offered once a month. It is addressed above all to the members of the great Carmelite family, without excluding all those who might want to participate. That year we chose to deepen knowledge of the person and message of Saint Therese of the Child Jesus. From the number of participants in the first two days, we can see a true thirst for our spirituality and for that of Saint Therese.

To continue to nourish an increasing fraternal communion among the Friars, especially among the young, but also for our ongoing formation, a trip to some place on our great island is organized every year. This time we went to the north-eastern part of Madagascar. Obviously, they were a few days of beautiful fraternal sharing.

 

The Assembly of the Carmelite Nuns of Our Lady of the Isles was held from Monday 14 to Tuesday 22 November 2022 at Antsirabé (Madagascar), at the Spiritual Center of Notre Dame du Fiat.

The Assembly began with a session held by Father Jérôme Paluku, ocd (Secretary for Missionary Cooperation) for the bursars and the Prior on the management of community goods. The excellent pedagogy of the lecturer and the sharing in groups made it possible to quickly discover the keys to good management. Father Michel ocd, assistant of the Federation, spoke to us about St Teresa of Avila’s idea of what the Prioress should be as well as discernment in the use of the means of communication in the contemplative life. Afterwards elections were held. Sister Marie-Yolaine Dehal of the Carmelite monastery of Notre Dame du Grand Large, on the island of Réunion, has been re-elected for a new three-year term.

The typical joy of the sons and daughters of Saint Teresa was manifested in the fraternal atmosphere of the meeting, with dances and moments of recreation.

Three bishops highlighted the Assembly by their visit and their sharing. We received their blessings with gratitude! This anthology of graces was extended with the visit of the site of the first foundation of the Carmelite Nuns in Madagascar, today in the possession of the Salesian Fathers.

 

During this six-year period (2021-2027) we shall celebrate the 150th anniversary of the birth of Thérèse of the Child Jesus (2023) and the first centenary of her canonization (2025). The 2021 General Chapter decided to propose to the Order a cycle of reading the writings of Saint Teresa. A programme of reading and reflection on the writings of Thérèse de Lisieux has now been drawn up. Every year you will be offered 8 selected texts, accompanied by a brief comment and some questions. At the beginning of each month, the worksheets will be made available to you on the website of the General Curia. Currently you will find the following worksheets on our website:

Presentation Worksheet: Reading the writing of Therese of the Child Jesus:

https://www.carmelitaniscalzi.com/en/documents/reading-and-reflection/presentation-reading-the-writings-of-therese-of-the-child-jesus/

Worksheet 1: Singing the mercies of the Lord (Ms A, 2r-4r):

https://www.carmelitaniscalzi.com/en/documents/reading-and-reflection/study-guide-1-reading-of-the-writings-of-therese-of-the-child-jesus/

As well, between the 10th and the 15th of each month, we shall offer you an accompanying video on our YouTube channel (OCD Curia). Each video will correspond to the relative worksheet for the appropriate month in the series and will be prepared by one of the Order’s circumscriptions. In this manner, we shall be able to understand how Therese of Lisieux is being listened to and read in the four corners of the world. The first video is already available:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QzaV0MsYdXo

On December 11, Carmelite theologians celebrated «Carmel Day». This is the day of the friars, in which they stage their talents. The stage becomes a witness to how alive and enthusiastic these young people are in using the gifts God has given them for the good of society.

The president of this evocative event was Father George Santhumayor, Provincial of Karnataka-Goa, while as an important guest there was the well-known playwright Nellu Permannur, honored for his contribution to theatre and art. The event, which lasted a little over two hours, included melodious acapella songs, dances and retro-flavoured pieces of music that included a wide assortment of musical instruments.

The event had a huge turnout, with over 800 people present, as well as nuns and priests from the surroundings and various communities.

 

Our OCDS Community rejoiced in receiving the Decree of Canonical Establishment after 22 years of existence. The Mass of thanksgiving and presentation of the Decree was held on November 19, 2022, on the eve of the Solemnity of Christ the King (Feast of Our Community), at the Carmelite friars’ Chapel. It was presided over by Archbishop Simon Poh of Kuching, concelebrated by Archbishop Emeritus John Ha, Father John Chua OCD (delegate of the Taiwan-Singapore Delegation) and other priests. Franciscan Sisters, OCDS members, family, friends, organizers and donors participated in this historic event.

After the homily, Father John Chua read the Decree before presenting it to the President and one of the founding members of our Community, Catherine Sim OCDS, assisted by OCDS Council members, Juliana Lim OCDS, Datin Sri Annie Yeo OCDS, Monica Soon OCDS and Cynthia Lim OCDS, and founding member Jacqueline Sammy OCDS.

After Mass, all those present were invited to the thanksgiving dinner.  This began with an inaugural prayer by Archbishop Simon Poh. Afterwards, everyone present attended the screening of a video illustrating the history of our OCDS community.

 

The OCDS of the North/Northeast celebrated with joy and enthusiasm the canonical establishment of the communities of Saint Joseph of St Teresa and Flower of Carmel of St Therese, both in Fortaleza; as well as the community of St Teresa of Los Andes in Belém do Pará and the St John of the Cross community in São Luís do Maranhão. The celebration was presided over by Fr. Luciano Henrique, Delegate for the North/Northeast OCDS, and concelebrated by Fr. Ramiro Casale, General Delegate of the OCDS.

The canonical establishment is a juridical act by which a community, after discernment, is officially recognized by the Order of Carmel, with an act of the Superior General, currently Fr. Miguel Márquez, OCD. An OCDS community has, among its main missions, that of serving the Church, living, preserving and spreading the spirituality of Discalced Carmel, initiated by Saint Teresa of Jesus, in the company of Saint John of the Cross, both Doctors of the Church.

 

On November 23, Fr. José Vicente Rodríguez died in Burgos. He was 96 years old and 80 years of profession in Carmel. His funeral took place on November 24, formerly the feast of St. John of the Cross.

Father José Vicente of the Eucharist (José Antonio Rodríguez Rodríguez) was born in Monleras (Salamanca) on January 2, 1926. He made his profession on the 14th of August 1942 and was ordained on the 23rd of April 1950. He was professor at the Teresianum in Rome, secretary of Fr. A. Ballestrero when he was General of the Order, Provincial of Castile, superior of various communities and professor at CITeS. José Vicente was one of the great specialists on St. John of the Cross, writing several works on the Mystic Doctor that have no equal.

In an interview for the magazine of the diocese of Malaga, he stated: «We are not a particularly numerous Order: the Carmelites are just over 4,000, the nuns more than double, but the Lord is generous and has given us impressive figures. Saint Teresa of Jesus, Saint John of the Cross, Saint Therese of Lisieux, Saint Elizabeth of the Trinity, Edith Stein… They are the treasure of the Carmelite family and of the whole Church. Three of them are Doctors of the Church. It is a true ecclesial treasure for this small Order, by the will of God.»

Let us pray that his soul may rest in peace and for his Province.

May the Lord welcome him into his mercy.

On  November 11, 2022, Independence Day, Cardinal Kazimierz Nycz presided at the Mass at the Shrine of Divine Providence, concelebrated by Archbishop Field Wiesław Lechowicz and Archbishop Grzegorz Kaszak, by the two OCD Provincials of Poland, by a multitude of priests and by numerous friars of the Order. Representatives of public authorities, including the President of the Republic, Andrzej Duda, also participated. At the beginning of the celebration, the relics of St. Raphael Kalinowski were introduced into the sanctuary, after which the President of the Polish Republic lit the candle of Independence.

The initiative to introduce the relics of St. Rafał Kalinowski among the 16 relics of other Polish Saints and Blesseds already gathered in the Shrine of Divine Providence was carried out by the custodian of the Shrine of Czerny, Father Paweł Hańczak, who is promoting the cult of the Patron Saint of Siberia, railway workers and soldiers.

(Photograhic credits: Przemysław Keler KPRP / Br. Jerzy Suszek OCD / www.centrumopatrznosci.pl)

 

On Saturday, December 3rd, in the Monastery of the Carmelite Fathers of Verona, the OCDS Communities of the Venice Province lived an afternoon of joyful fraternity together with Father General, Fr. Miguel Márquez Calle, Father Roberto Pirastu, Definitor General, Father Fabio Silvestri, Provincial of the Venice Province and Father Aldo Formentin, Provincial Delegate for the OCDS.

After the presentation of the Provincial President, who illustrated the situation of the Province, highlighting concerns but also openings of confidence for the future; the President of the Interprovincial Coordination, made those present participate in the commitment to organize the next OCDS National Conference from 12 to 15 July 2023; and finally the National Formation Manager, explained how the group of Provincial Formators is working to monitor the initial formation of the Provinces and the use of the new national formation process.

Father Miguel entertained us with personal episodes related to the teaching received from his parents, to his first moments of fear after his election as General and to the subsequent trustingly handing himself over into God’s hands. In his essential and incisive speech he indicated some key words, some challenges on which to reflect in order to set our life on the Carmelite style.

The meeting ended with time for celebration and fraternal sharing and with a group photo as a souvenir of this beautiful experience.

The information released in the last Communicationes, regarding registration within the Carmelite macrogroup for WYD2023 (OCD2023), was missing the following aspects:

A) Those who have not yet registered their group for WYD2023, should send an email to jmj2023@carmelitas.pt with the following data:

  1. Group name (up to 45 characters);
  2. The group responsible name (name and surname);
  3. The group responsible email.

Thus, the group is registered within the Carmelite macrogroup (OCD2023) and the group responsible is able to continue the registration process.

B) Those who has already registered their group on the platform and started the registration process should send us an email to jmj2023@carmelitas.pt, stating the name of the group, the group responsible name and the group-associated email.

The Temporary Professed Sisters of the Member Monasteries of the Our Lady of Mount Carmel Association of the Discalced Carmelite Nuns in Vietnam were so excited to begin the new term of study on November 2nd 2022.

Thanks be to God, who has given us this invaluable opportunity to begin the second cycle (2022-2023) of the 5.5 year cycle of the initial formation for the Temporary Professed Sisters of the Association. According to the plan of study, each cycle begins in November and finishes in August the following year. According to the Ratio of our Association (updated according to Cor Orans and adapted to Vietnam), the Temporary Professed Sisters will study ten subjects this year (comprising four subjects about the Order and six subjects about theology).

The Discalced Carmelite Friars in Vietnam help us in the subjects about the Order. Concerning the subjects about theology, we will invite the professors from the Dominican and Redemptorist Orders, and the Priests from the Archdiocese of Saigon.

May God the Father bless our work. May the Blessed Virgin Mary, Queen of Carmel and all the Carmelite Saints intercede for us.

 

A great milestone in the history of the Discalced Carmelite Vicariate of Tanzania was unveiled on 6th of November 2022. It was the inauguration of the Ruby Jubilee (40 years) of Carmelite presence in Tanzania. Fr. Praveen Frank, the Regional Vicar, with Fr. George Santhumayor, Provincial, presided over the Eucharist Celebration. All the Friars were present for this great event.

Beginning of the Eucharist, the history of the Order and Vicariate was read and the Ruby Jubilee Logo was unveiled, then the Ruby Jubilee Candle was lit. All the Parishes where our service is given were represented and brought lot of offertory and gifts. It was a great gathering and joyful celebrations. After the mass there was cutting of the Jubilee cake and agape.

 

From the 7th to 10th of November 2022, in our CESP Spirituality Center in Guadalajara (Jalisco), the 56th Assembly of COPEFOR (Permanent Commission for Formation) of the Carmelite Family was held in Mexico.

The formators from the sisters and friars, who accompany the new generations eager to consecrate their lives to God, met around the topic: «Fostering an approach to the global reality and to the post-pandemic youth, in the light of biblical anthropology and Carmelite spirituality, in order to understand and accompany the new generations of young people».

Let us thank God for this time of grace, during which, through prayer, reflection, study, fraternity and encounter with others, we gave witness to God’s providence that gave us the necessary ideas and instruments. They allow all the formators of Carmel to continue to accompany religious vocations who wish to live more intensely their following of Christ and reach the fullness of their life and vocation.

 

Meeting of the three Councils

On October 30, in our spiritual centre in Birkenwerder, a meeting was held between the Provincial Council, the Council of the Federation of Our Nuns and a representative of the OCDS National Council. This meeting, which has taken place once every three years, is intended to promote the exchange of information between the three branches of our Order in Germany and to make the common apostolate more visible in the current context.

The proposal to hold this meeting of the «Three Councils» every year was discussed and approved, so that there could be more exchanges and collaborations between us.

 

2022 Provincial Day

This year, 28 confreres came to our Regensburg monastery for the provincial day. The prior and parish priest of our monastery in Munich, Fr. Bruno Piechowski, very clearly presented the monastic life of Therese of Lisieux, as described in statements from her Cause. The community of Lisieux was not very exemplary at the time and therefore Therese’s witness challenges us even more, especially with regard to fraternal charity. This stimulated our discussions, first in small groups, then in plenary session.

This beautiful day of meeting ended with Evening Prayer in the crypt of the monastery and with an abundant buffet offered by the Regensburg monastery, always so welcoming.

 

From the 4th to 6th of November 2022, at the «Casa San Silvestro» Carmelite Spiritual Centre of Monte Compatri (outside Rome), the OCDS Plenary Council of the Province of Central Italy was held for the definitive revision of their «ad experimentum» Provincial Statute. The meeting was chaired by the OCDS Provincial President Laura Isotton, in collaboration with the Provincial Councillors Gabriella Stilli, Elena Primicerio and Hartine Benussi. The final day was dedicated to formation for the Secular members and the Assistant Priests with the Conference debate presented by Dr Mara Cerroni, on the topic: «Family, a cradle of identity, awareness of and relationship with God, in the light of mystics and the call to contemplation».

At the end, there was a solemn Eucharistic Celebration in which Fiorella Manetta and Paolo Papo, of the Secular Order Community of Monte Compatri, made their Definitive Promises.

In addition to the visit of the Father Provincial, the Plenary Council was enlivened by the participation in the formation day of some Priest Assistants.