Author: ocd web master

From 1 to 3 August 2025, a new edition of the Meeting of the OCDS communities was held in the Trujillo region, with the theme ‘Let us walk together, Lord’. More than 60 members of the Commissariat’s communities took part.

The aim of the meeting was to consolidate the formation and fraternity among OCDS members.  Participants reflected and shared on the founding virtues of the prayer experience in the Discalced Carmelite Order: mutual love, detachment and humility, as well as on the Beatitudes as a programme of life for the faithful Christian and the Secular Carmelite. The presence of our Commissioner, Brother Grover Caceres Rivera, the National Delegate for the OCDS, Brother Fernando Chavez, and the spiritual assistants of the communities was an opportunity to strengthen the formation and fraternity among the members of the Commissariat.

At the end of this meeting, the OCDS President of the Commissariat, Mr Hipólito Rodriguez, urged the participants to remain firm when facing difficulties, with a constant attitude of dedication: a ‘yes’ not only in words, but with their whole lives.

 

From 18 to 22 August 2025, the Nuestra Señora del Carmen Retreat Centre in Vía del Mar, El Salvador, hosted the International Symposium ‘Trust Leads to Love’.

Over 100 people from Panama, Costa Rica, Honduras, El Salvador, Nicaragua, Venezuela, Peru and the Caribbean took part, along with another 100 people who attended virtually from different parts of the world.

The symposium, organized by the Discalced Carmelites of Central America, aimed to explore the spiritual message of Saint Thérèse of the Child Jesus. For five days, religious men and women and lay people participated in conferences, workshops, liturgical celebrations, moments of community prayer and cultural activities, in an atmosphere of fraternity and ecclesial communion.

The presentations addressed themes such as radical trust in God’s mercy, evangelical simplicity as a path to holiness, and the relevance of Thérèse of Lisieux’s spirituality in the face of the pastoral challenges of the contemporary Church. In addition, group discussions provided an opportunity to share experiences of faith and to discern together new ways of living and transmitting the Gospel.

The Symposium ended with a deep sense of gratitude and hope. Participants expressed their desire to bring the spirit of trust and self-love characteristic of Little Thérèse to their communities.

 

From 30 June to 3 July 2025, our Santa Teresa Retreat Centre in La Plata (Argentina) hosted a meeting of the Major Superiors and their Councils from the Circumscriptions of the CICLA South (Province of Brazil South, General Delegation of Argentina, Commissariat of Chile and Vicariate of Uruguay-Paraguay), with the participation of Fr. Martín Martínez (Definitor General).

Our Father General Miguel Márquez enlightened us via Zoom on the profound meaning of the restructuring: it is about giving quality to our lifestyle and to our multicultural charismatic witness in the service of the People of God, and it cannot be reduced to a simple closure of presences.

Our commitment to this path does not stem from idealism or naivety, but from the truth that we have been able to grasp. This has led us to want to move forward in this process, counting on the positive elements already gathered and without ignoring the disadvantages that will arise. We entrust this journey to the protection of the Virgin Mary, Mother and Beauty of Carmel.

 

The Provincial Animation Commission organised a spiritual concert entitled “Carmelite Music” in the church of Santa Teresita in Bogotá on 2 August 2025. The concert offered a space for encounter and contemplation, featuring several solemnly professed friars who have evangelised through music or supported pastoral work throughout the history of our Province.

The concert paid tribute to the generations of friars who have left a profound spiritual testimony through song and service. Inspired by the words of St John of the Cross, we joined this mystical experience, where “the peaceful night, even at dawn; the quiet music; the sonorous solitude; the dinner that recreates and enamours” (CB 15).

 

Thousands of pilgrims came with devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary at the national Shrine in Berdychiv from the 16th to the 20th of July 2025. The theme of this year’s celebrations in honour of Our Lady of Mount Carmel was ‘Mother of God, guide us on the path of hope and peace’.

On Sunday 20th July, Cardinal Paulo Cezar Costa presided over the Solemn Eucharist, alongside the Apostolic Nuncio to Ukraine, Cardinal Visvaldas Kulbokas, most of the Ukrainian episcopate, and numerous priests from Ukraine, Poland, and other countries. Despite the thick clouds and intermittent rain, more than 3,500 pilgrims came in the hope of an end to the war and a restoration of peace.

Many returned wearing scapulars, a sign of Mary’s protection, with over 100 people receiving them for the first time. Thanks to the entire delegation and to all those who supported the day with their contributions and prayers.

 

During the great pilgrimage of the Carmelite family of Senegal to the monastery of the Discalced Carmelites in Sebikotane, near Dakar, on the solemnity of Our Lady of Mount Carmel, Mr André Coly made his final profession in the OCDS.

This marks a significant milestone in the development of Carmel in Senegal, as he is the first OCDS member to take on this commitment. Following several unsuccessful attempts in the early years of the Discalced Carmelite friars’ foundation in Senegal, the current community was established in 2018 to mark the 450th anniversary of the foundation of Duruelo. The community currently has around ten members, all of whom are in formation until they make their final commitments. We thank God for these Secular Carmelite vocations, which contribute to spreading the Order in Dakar.

 

Second Novitiate of English-speaking Africa

The second novitiate for English-speaking Africa in 2025 is taking place at the Carmel Prayer House in Dodoma, Tanzania, from 20 July to 20 September. This time of spiritual enrichment has brought together fifteen Carmelite friars from various regions of English-speaking Africa, including Tanzania, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Burundi, Rwanda, Kenya and Nigeria.

The friars are walking together in deep reflection and preparation for their solemn profession. They are guided by Fr Raymond Sangu, OCD, from Tanzania, who is the formator.

 

Second Novitiate of CICLA

Our friars of CICLA are also undertaking their Second Novitiate in Ecuador. This is a grace-filled time that precedes the celebration of solemn vows in their respective circumscriptions.

Our prayerful thoughts are with all these brothers from México, Venezuela, Colombia and Ecuador, who have come to share this special time together.

 

Second European Novitiate

During these summer weeks, the Desierto de las Palmas in Spain has once again become home and formation space for young Carmelites from France, Italy, Poland, Croatia and Spain. They are participating in the Second European Novitiate, which is promoted by the Conference of European Provincials (CEP).

In an atmosphere of silence, fraternity and prayer, they are deepening their understanding of the roots of their vocation: community life, listening to the Word, the affective and spiritual dimensions, and mission.

 

The 8th Meeting of the nuns and friars of CICLA North, held from 30 June to 4 July 2025 at the Spiritual Centre of Nuestra Señora del Carmen in El Salvador, had the central theme of ‘Let us walk with hope and love in our hearts’. Participants included sisters and friars from the four CICLA North districts: the Province of Mexico, the Caribbean Commissariat, the Venezuela General Delegation, and the Central American Province.

During the meeting, we discussed themes of mutual interest that helped to strengthen our vocational experience and respond to the call to embody the charism of the Teresian Carmel in Latin America. We reviewed the Regulations governing CICLA North meetings, evaluated progress made in recent years, and outlined actions to be taken: strengthening communion, sharing experiences, and responding to common needs among friars and nuns from different circumscriptions; seeking effective help in different fields according to opportunities and possibilities.

During the week, we enjoyed a traditional Salvadoran folk dance, tasted the local cuisine, and concluded the meeting by celebrating the Eucharist and sharing in the spirit of Teresa with a visit to the Discalced Carmelite nuns’ community in El Salvador.

 

As part of the Youth Jubilee on 31 July, a Carmelite Vigil was held at the Teresianum in Rome. More than 400 young people from different countries attended, along with members of the Order. The evening began with Holy Mass, which was presided over by our Father General, Miguel Márquez, in the Basilica of St Pancras.

This was followed by a Carmelite evening comprising a fraternal dinner, spiritual reflection and testimonies from young people from various cultural and traditional backgrounds. One of the most significant moments was the Father General’s testimony, in which he shared his personal experience marked by the Gospel, fragility and hope.

 

On 16 July 2025, the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments approved the Editio Typica Alterae of the Proprium Missarum OCD (the ‘second edition’ of the ‘Carmelite Missal’ in Latin). Exceptionally, the new liturgical text presents the complete formulas for both the eucology and the readings, as well as an introductory biographical note for each feast day.

Pending publication in two volumes, the General Definitory promulgated the text for the entire Order on 15 August by decree, making it effective (in the original Latin) from 20 November, the first Sunday of Advent.

Following the promulgation, work will begin on translating the text into all languages, which subsequently requires the approval of the Dicastery before it can be printed and used. During this period, the various language area representatives will be contacted to provide details and organise the work.

We can now proceed with preparing the Editio typica altera of the Liturgia Horarum OCD.

However, the new OCDS Ritual is still being studied and revised by the Dicastery.

From the 16th to the 18th of May, the members of the OCDS in Singapore came together to explore three key themes in the life of the Secular Order: the role and identity of the OCDS, formation in Carmelite spirituality, and living as Secular Order of Carmelites in the world. Many members of the OCDS attended the meeting, including President Laura Chua and all the members of the National Council, as well as the Spiritual Assistant, Brother Christopher Supramaniam, OCD, and the General Delegate for the OCDS, Brother Ramiro Casale, OCD. The president gave a presentation on the OCDS in Singapore, recalling that the first candidates began gathering at the Discalced Carmelites’ monastery in 1973. The monastery supported the foundation of the OCDS and provided spiritual guidance. She also presented the activities of the communities, apostolates, and annual retreats of the OCDS. During the meeting, participants shared their reflections on the topics presented. This enriched the dialogue and time was set aside for questions and answers to help clarify certain points. The meeting took place in a fraternal atmosphere, with time set aside for prayer, work and recreation.

 

The OCDS communities of Bangkok, Nakhon Sawan and Nakhon Pathom held a series of meetings from the 11th to the 14th of May with Brothers John Bosco Pricha Yangyuen, OCD, Joseph Somkrit Supatimasro, OCD, spiritual assistants, and Ramiro Casale, OCD, General Delegate of the OCDS. One of the meetings took place at the Cathedral of the Assumption in Bangkok, whose Archbishop, Francis Xavier Vira Arpondratana, has always supported the OCDS’ presence. Another meeting took place at the monastery of the Discalced Carmelites nuns in Nakhon Sawan, who played a key role in establishing the OCDS in the city. The final meeting took place in Nakhon Pathom at the community of the friars.

During these meetings, the communities discussed their experiences of living their vocation within the OCDS and their projects. The essential elements of the Carmelite charism were discussed during the conferences. There was also discussion of OCDS projects on a global scale, and of the importance of communion between communities within a country and with the Order as a whole. The discussions were fascinating, and the exchanges made these meetings fruitful.

 

To celebrate the centenary of the canonisation of St Thérèse of Lisieux, the OCDS community of Melbourne presented Holiness for All – an exhibition on the life and spirituality of St Thérèse.  The exhibition was held at St Patrick’s Cathedral Melbourne. The Expo was open from 1st October until 4th November 2024 and again in 2025 from the 10th May until the 27th May. The Dean, Mons. Stuart Hall launched the Expo with a beautiful liturgy, moving around and praying at each of the banners, joined by the OCDS and other visitors. Bishop Rene Ramirez RCJ celebrated Mass at the Cathedral on the 18th May 2025, and gave an inspiring homily on St Therese.

The Expo exceeded our expectations: about 7000 prayer cards on St Therese were distributed, along with hundreds of brochures on the Friars, Nuns and Seculars and nearly 300 books on St Therese were sold. OCDS were present at the Expo each day. This was important as many visitors wanted to ask questions, talk about faith issues or request prayers. Many were also very pleased to be able to pray with the relics of Saints Therese, Zelie and Louis Martin, which were on display. Please God this endeavour will continue to bear much fruit.

 

The Carmelite Church in Minsk was consecrated on the 7th of June 2025. The people of Belarus built the Church of the Holy Cross to give thanks for the gift of the Eucharist. Those who attended the celebration included the Archbishop-Metropolitan of Minsk-Mahilyow, Msgr Yuzup Stanevski; the Apostolic Administrator of the Greek Catholics of Belarus, Archimandrite Syargei Hajek; the Provincial of the Carmelites, Fr Lukasz Kansy, OCD; and the Regional Vicar of Belarus, Fr Piotr Froščega, OCD. Representatives of the state authorities and the diplomatic corps were also present, including Mr Dzmitry Chaslavavich Vrublevski. Numerous priests and faithful from the Carmelite nuns and friars of Belarus also attended the celebration.

At the end of the Eucharist, the parish priest, Fr Yurii Kulai OCD, thanked everyone who had contributed to the construction of the church. Archbishop Stanevski blessed a commemorative plaque to be placed in the church.

In the evening, a fraternal picnic was organised where parishioners and guests alike enjoyed spending time together in a convivial atmosphere.

From the 26th to the 30th of May 2025, the Conference of European Provincials (CEP) held its assembly at the Domus Carmeli in Fátima. This meeting provided an opportunity for common discernment, strengthening our Teresian charism, and fostering communion between the different provinces of Europe.

During this time, the provincials reflected on issues essential to the life and mission of the order, such as updating the Ratio Institutionis OCD, preventing abuse, and fostering collaboration between provinces. Thursday 29 May, dedicated to the Marian life of the Order and the revision of the 1991 Constitutions of the nuns, was particularly significant.

The atmosphere of prayer, work, and fraternity enabled us to discuss the current challenges and hopes for a renewed presence of Discalced Carmelites in Europe, with the Teresian charism at the heart of our actions.