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The second day of the Extraordinary Definitory began with Holy Mass at which presided Mons. Philip Neri, Archbishop of Goa and Daman, who did not want to miss the opportunity of giving his paternal blessing to this international meeting.

At 9 in the morning, the session began with a concise presentation of the work carried out yesterday. Fr. General then took the floor to present a deep and well-organized conference on the subject: “Aim, method and topics for a declaration on the charism”, a personal contribution to the decisions that the definitory will take in relation to our legislative texts. The morning came to an end, leaving ample space for personal deepening of the contents of the conference.

During the first part of the afternoon, the eight geographic-linguistic groups (Italian, Spanish A, Spanish B, French, English, Indian, Asiatic, and Central European) worked on timely questions prepared to encourage shared maturing of thoughts and leanings.

The fruit of this intense but calm work was finally shared during the last session of the afternoon, in which it was also possible to receive from Fr General some additional clarifications.

Today’s work came to an end, with Evening Prayer of Saint Agatha, in Italian. To the intercession of this Virgin and martyr we commend the options that, from now on, the Definitory will be called to make for the good of our Order.

The Order’s Extraordinary Definitory began with a votive Mass of the Holy Spirit in English, at which presided Fr General. The Definitory is being celebrated in the “St Joseph Vaz” Spirituality Centre in Old Goa (India). This great Centre is now run by the Diocese, in the place where our first missionaries lived way back in 1619, exactly 400 years ago. The extraordinary Definitory will run until Sunday, the 10^th of February.

Work began with a brief opening session, introduced by Fr. Johannes Gorantla. Fr. Charles Serrao – Provincial of Karnataka-Goa and President of the Indian Provincials’ Conference – and Fr. Andrew, Director of the Spiritual Center, welcomed the nearly 70 Superiors taking part in the Definitory. Fr. General was then invited to light a lamp placed in front of the presidential table, as a sign of the presence of Jesus in the midst of the assembled Definitory.

Immediately after, Fr. Saverio Cannistrà presented the general program, the coordination and method of working during the Definitory, whose objective will be the process of rereading and possible revision of our legislative “corpus” (Constitutions and Norms).

Fr Agustí Borrell, Vicar General and President of the international commission for rereading the Constitutions, then gave a conference presenting: “The rereading of the Constitutions. First stage: history and conclusions”.

The morning session ended with a second conference of a juridical nature, given by Fr Wieslaw Kiwior, on the “Revision of OCD proper law to the present time”.

In the afternoon, the work of going more deeply into the topic continued in eight geographic-linguistic groups. At the following plenary session, the secretaries of the individual groups presented in a concise manner the results of their sharing together.

Today concluded with the celebration of Vespers and prayer, in the old and beautiful church of the Spirituality Centre, which recalls an apparition of the Cross in 1619, the year of the arrival of the first Discalced Carmelite friars in India.

Last 14 December 2018, Solemnity of our Holy Father St. John of the Cross, Most Rev. Honesto F. Ongtioco, D. D., Bishop of Cubao, informed Fr. Joey Mabborang, OCD, Rector & Parish Priest of the National Shrine of Our Lady of Mt. Carmel in Quezon City of the approval of the petition to elevate the National Shrine to the rank of Minor Basilica. The Apostolic Nunciature in Manila received the decree of the Sacred Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments and transmitted it to Bishop Ongtioco. Earlier, Bishop Ongtioco encouraged the Friars to initiate the said petition. After obtaining the approval of the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) in July 2018, the bishop forwarded the petition to the Holy See last August 2018. At the plenary meeting of the CBCP in 2015, Bishop Ongtioco endorsed the petition to declare the church a National Shrine. The following year, the Apostolic Penitentiary granted a Spiritual Bond of Affinity between the National Shrine and the Basilica of St. Mary Major in Rome. This privilege grants special indulgences to the pilgrims and visitors of the Shrine on solemnities and feasts of Our Lady.

The 4th conference organized by the Latin American Association of Carmelites (ALACAR) was celebrated in Santo Domingo from November 6th through 11th. The Fathers General of Carmel, Saverio Cannistrà, OCD, and Fernando Millán, O.Carm., were present. The theme chosen to inspire the reflections was: “Yesterday’s martyrs for today’s Latin American Carmel: Archbishop Romero, Edith Stein, and Titus Brandsma.”

Approximately 120 participants – laity and religious, male and female – from almost all Latin American countries, met in the Santa María of Altagracia Retreat House to allow themselves to be enlightened by the lives, witnesses, and messages of these three persons, whose martyrial offerings surpasses the frontiers of space and time.

The Carmelite Missionary, Sandra Henríquez, opened the conference with the topic, “Edith Stein, by the sign of the Cross: The Christian martyrdom of a daughter of Israel.” Father Saverio Cannistrà followed with a presentation titled, “The participation in the love of Christ in the martyrdom of Edith Stein.” The Salvadoran Carmelite bishop, Oswaldo Escobar, prelate of the diocese of Chalatenango, presented the figure of Archbishop Romero, the Saint of the poor. And lastly, Father Fernando Millán presented the figure of Blessed Titus Brandsma with the topic, “Sanctity from the starting point of humanity.”

These have been providential days to re-create the fraternity of Carmel at the same moment in which we renew our commitment to be witnesses of Jesus who suffers in the dehumanization of those who are persecuted and marginalized, but who triumphs at the same time by the surrender of our martyrs.

On 14 november 2018, a solemn Eucharistic celebration presided over by the bishop of Gumla and bishop of Simdega marked the solemn occasion. Fr. Johannes Gorantla the Definitor for South Asia, fr. Sebastian the provincial of Malabar, several Carmelite fathers and brothers were present. The presence of 23 of our sisters who gathered for the south east association general assembly added great joy to the celebration. On this auspicious occasion two temporarily professed sisters : Srs. Neelima and Maxima pronounced their solemn vows in the presence of a big crowd of faithful. Soso Carmel has 17 sisters and two candidates at present.

A ceremony began the celebrations of the 400th anniversary of the foundation of the monastery of Discalced Carmelite Nuns in Bologna, the Father Provincial of the Discalced Carmelites of Lombardy presiding.

Thanking God for the 400 years of presence of the feminine branch of Carmel in that city, our sisters also invite us to thank all those who, during that long period of time, have helped and given support to the community. In 1617, Cardinal Ludovisi, wishing to welcome a community of Carmelites in his diocese, said: “This is a very holy undertaking, and with time it will be of great aid to our city,” thereby voicing the desire of all the citizens to provide assistance for a foundation that they foresaw would give spiritual and temporal support to Bologna.

We unite ourselves to our sisters’ prayers and ask for the accomplishment of their desire to advance always from good to better, faithful to the charism inherited from Holy Mother Teresa of Jesus.

The congregations of the Carmelite Missionaries and the Teresian Carmelite Missionaries, together with the Pontifical Faculty and the Pontifical Institute of Spirituality Teresianum in Rome, organized a conference on Father Francisco Palau, ocd. It took place from November 26th to 28th, 2018, on the occasion of the 30th anniversary of his beatification by Saint John Paul II, which occurred in 2018.

Historical and biographical topics about Blessed Francisco Palau were presented, as well as his manner of living out the Teresian Carmelite charism in his situation of exclaustration and diverse other topics having to do with his spirituality and mystico-theological legacy to the charismatic heritage of the Church and Carmel.

The Congress concluded with a prayer of thanksgiving which also implored the prompt canonization of our brother Father Francisco of Jesus, Mary and Joseph (Palau y Quer), Discalced Carmelite.

Between the 15^th to the 18^th of November, there gathered together in the City of Aparecida, the Brazilian Capital of Marian devotion, some 500 people from throughout Brazil, laity, religious and priests, for the commemorative Forum for the 100 years of the Secular Carmel in Brazil. .

Organized by the OCDS Provincial Council of the St Joseph Province, the topic chosen for the conferences focussed on Saint Therese of the Child Jesus. Those speaking were: Fr. Patricio Sciadini, Fr Romano Gambalunga, Fr Jean Laurier, Mons. Rubens Sevilha, Mr Gustavo Castro and Fr Alzinir Debastiani. The title of the Congress was: “In the heart of the Church I shall be Love”

During the meeting was presented the book which relates the chronicle of the 100 years of secular Carmel in Brazil, edited by the professor of history and member of Secular Carmel, Estela da Paz. Narrated in the book is the history of the various communities beginning with the first, whose canonical establishment was on the 1^st of January, 1918, in the city of São Bento do Sapucaí. From this followed many other foundations, especially from 1990, until arriving at the present number of almost 60.

Father General, and the Definitor for Latin America, as well as the Provincial of the St Joseph Province sent video-messages to the congress. May the Virgin of Carmel and our Holy Mother Teresa continue blessing the Secular Carmel with their maternal care, inspiring their members to continue with their gaze fixed on Jesus, so that, like Saint theresa of Lisieux, they may be love in the heart of the Church.

Images: ©André Fachetti

November at Goa as part of the preparation for the forthcoming extraordinary Definitory and 4th centenary of Carmelite presence in India. Fr. Definitor presided over the meeting along with Fr. Charles the IPCI president and all other Provincials All other delegates from other provinces too participated.

On the 7^th of November 2018, our Holy Father Pope Francis received in audience His Excellency Cardinal Angelo Becciu, Prefect of the Congregation of the Causes of the Saints. During the audience, the Holy Father authorized the Congregation to promulgate the Decree on the heroic virtues of the Servant of God, María Antonia de Jesús (born: María Antonia Pereira y Andrade), a professed nun of the Order of Discalced Carmelites; born in El Penedo (Spain) on the 5^th of October 1700 and died in the Carmel she founded in Santiago de Compostela (Spain) on the 10^th of March 1760. GLORY BE TO GOD!

http://mariaantoniadejesus.blogspot.com

In the month of November 2018, The two associations of our nuns in India namely the North East and South West had their Ordinary General assemblies. For the North East it was at Soso Carmel, Jharkhand (nov. 14-21) and the South West at Sadbhavana, the Karnataka Goa Provincial house, Bangalore (nov. 14-21). However in both the assemblies, prior to the formal meetings, a few days were dedicated for the ongoing formation. It was primarily intended to understand the new trends in the women contemplative life especially their adaptations for the life of the Discalced Carmelite nuns in India. Fr. Gorantla Johannes, the Definitor incharge of South Asia was present for both the assemblies and explained in detail the contents and the implications of Vultum Dei Querere and Cor Orans for the Discalced Carmelite Nuns. He tried to clarify all the possible doubts, fears and confusions among the sisters. A clear road map was chalked out for their right implementation. A good number of Sisters participated in these meetings.

At present the south west association has 14 associated monasteries ranging from Baroda to Trivandrum, a long distant geographical area. Hence it was decided by the association to bifurcate 6 monasteries of Kerala and form a new association. The three so far non associated monasteries of Srilanka are joining them. The request is being forwarded to the Holy See for its approval.

Prior to these meetings Fr. Johannes guided a three day work shop at Colombo for the three Carmels present in Srilanka ( October 27-30). Since These monasteries were not associated so far, Fr. Definitor tried to persuade them to join any one of the existing associations in India, for which all the Carmels of Srilanka responded positively with great joy.

Similarly an extraordinary General assembly was held at Ennore, Chennai for the South east association (nov. 4-7). Around 40 sisters were present from all the 10 associated monasteries. These workshops really helped the Indian Discalced Carmelite Nuns to understand the new documents, trends in right perspective with our Charism as the guiding principle of all adaptations.

To celebrate the 150^th anniversary of the restoration of the Discalced Carmelite friars in Spain, the Spanish Discalced Carmelites are organizing two Congresses which will be celebrated in Avila and in Larrea.

The first (Avila) will take place between the 15^th and the 18^th of January and will initially present St Teresa’s idea of the Discalced Carmelite friar, in order to enter into the situation of the Order after the suppression of the Spanish Congregation, as well as the process and the persons involved in the restoration of the Order, as well as its subsequent expansion in Latin America.

The second (Larrea), of a more international character, is to be celebrated from the 29th of April to the 2nd of May and at a scientific level will deal with the question of the suppression at a European and Spanish level, the reimplantation of the Order from the Markina monastery, the essential persons in the process of unification of the two Congregations as well as the development of the same and the missionary expansion in India and America. For this second congress, communications in various languages will be accepted. The acts of the congress will be published by the Grupo Editorial Fonte. For more information on this second congress, or to send communications in harmony with the topic of the Congress, it is possible to contact the secretary Fr Dámaso Zuazua, ocd:

zuazuaocd@gmail.com

Tel.: +34945231238, +34664024057.

As we have already advised you through our social network, Fr Federico Ruiz, a Discalced Carmelite, died recently on the morning of the 16^th of November, after having suffered from Alzheimer’s for some years.

Born in Cozuelos de Ojeda, a town in the Province of Palencia in Spain, on the 24^th of December 1933, he made his profession on the 31^st of July, 1950 and was ordained priest on the 27^th of October, 1957.

By everyone is known the service that Fr. Federico offered to the Order, the Teresian family and the Church, especially through his studies of spiritual theology and, in particular, as an unparalleled specialist in the doctrine and message of St. John of the Cross.

His funeral was celebrated on the 17^th of November in Madrid. From the homily of the Provincial, Fr Miguel Márquez ocd, we select the following words: “Thus it consoles us to entrust Federico to the bosom of the Little Shepherd Boy, whose wounded heart lies opened by love, to be there, with Him who lives and reigns for ever. And from there, from the side of the encounter and the blessed contentment now accomplished, he would awaken us and make us wise about what matters most, and may he lead us to union with Him, and to communion among ourselves”.

The Central African Republic is certainly a country that must be rebuilt, or at least, a country to build anew, despite the fact that there are many people who are still set on fueling violence and war.

Our brothers of the Carmel of Bangui, however, are set on collaborating with the country’s growth and the recuperation of its dignity. With the help of several people, they have been able to set up factory to produce strong bricks, stronger than the war.

With South African machinery, a Congolese engineer, and financing from a French foundation and the Italian Episcopal Conference, they recently began producing bricks that improve greatly upon the country’s traditional method: to the clay that is currently used, they add sand and cement, which makes the bricks much more solid. The first client of the factory of our Discalced Carmelite brothers is a center for malnutrition that is being built on the initiative of Pope Francis.

As Father Federico Trinchero, ocd, puts it: “For me and my missionary brothers, old and young, the joy and responsibility of being the foundation of construction – day by day, brick by brick, friar by friar – of this little Carmel, in this young Church, in this great country, a fraternal embrace. Father Federico…and twelve bricks (friars) under construction.”

Vídeos:

Central Africa: Infant Jesus Center against malnutrition in Bangui: https://youtu.be/CfVc-2STVMw
Central Africa is reborn brick by brick:https://youtu.be/X2YMg3ZDFUE
http://sictm.chiesacattolica.it/in-centrafrica-tra-i-progetti-in-costruzione/
http://www.freresjaccard.org/afrique/
http://www.amiciziamissionaria.it/news/scuola-agricola-carmel

The annual meeting of European Provincials took place from the 22nd to the 26th of this past October. The General Delegation of Egypt hosted the meeting this time.

The objective of the meeting, besides understanding the actual state of that Delegation and express the communion which the Order in Europe has with the religious at work there, was to get to know the Coptic Church and explore pathways of dialog with the Orthodox Church and Islam by means of meetings and conferences. To this effect, they participated in an interreligious prayer meeting with Muslims and visited two monasteries: one Coptic and one Orthodox. They presided over the meeting between Father Lukasz Kansy, ocd, II Definitor, and the President of European Provincials, Father Juan de Bono, ocd, of the Province of Malta.