Author: ocd web master

A new section has been created in the ‘Documents’ section of the Order’s website (https://www.carmelitaniscalzi.com/en/categoria_documenti/liturgy/). This section will contain all the new official texts of our Proper Liturgy. It is currently possible to view our Proper Calendar in various languages with the latest updates.

We hope to be able to send you the new edition of the Proprium Missarum OCD (Proper Missal of the Order in Latin) soon. It is currently being examined by the Dicastery for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments. Once approved, we will be able to proceed with translations into various languages, which will also require the aforementioned Dicastery’s approval. Work on the Proprium Liturgiae Horarum OCD (Liturgy of the Hours) will have to await the approval of the Proprium Missarum OCD.

The new OCDS Ritual (in Italian) is also under examination by the Dicastery for approval.

On the 26th of May, the urn containing the body of Saint Teresa of Jesus was returned to its usual place in the centre of the altarpiece in the church of the Discalced Carmelites in Alba de Tormes. From the 11th to the 25th of May, more than 93,000 pilgrims came to venerate her body in public. The urn’s return to its usual location took place in two stages: first, a procession through the streets of Alba; then, a simpler procession within the church. Those taking part in the latter included the Discalced Carmelite community of Alba de Tormes, numerous nuns from various Discalced Carmelite monasteries, and around thirty Discalced Carmelites from different communities in Spain.

Our Father General, Father Miguel Márquez Calle, was present to witness this unique event. Following restoration work on the reliquaries, the urn containing the body of Saint Teresa will now be on display. Before the loggia containing the shrine was closed, the ecclesiastical court signed the closure acts and the sepulchre was sealed in accordance with the canonical rite.

On the 2nd of June, the Order of Carmelites (OCarm) and the Order of Discalced Carmelites (OCD) celebrated their jubilee of the Holy Year together in Rome. At 3:45 pm, the two general councils began their pilgrimage to the Holy Door of St Peter’s Basilica.

At 6.30pm, a solemn Mass was celebrated in the church of Santa Maria in Traspontina with all members of the two Carmelite orders present in Rome in attendance. Brothers, nuns, lay members, members of associated institutes, and friends were also present. The Prior General of the Order of Carmelites, Fr Míċeál O’Neill, presided over the solemn Mass, while our Father General, Fr Miguel Márquez Calle, gave the homily.

Afterwards, the two General Curias met at the Centro Internazionale Sant’Alberto for a fraternal diner.

 

‘THERESE OF LISIEUX, MASTER OF HOPE’ was the theme of the symposium, which commemorated the centenary of the canonisation of St. Therese. The event took place from the 1st to the 4th of May 2025 at the Teresian Centre of Spirituality in São Roque, São Paulo, Brazil. Several experts on St. Therese were in attendance, as well as numerous Carmelites, members of the OCDS, Discalced Carmelite nuns, members of various Carmelite congregations, diocesan priests, and many devotees of St Therese.

The lectures focused on the writings and doctrine of St. Therese of Lisieux, offering participants the opportunity to delve deeper into her teachings in the light of the Jubilee Year 2025. They emphasised her relevance and doctrinal significance. Indeed, St. Therese helps us to keep the flame of hope alive. The days were intense yet enriching, filled with serene fraternal conviviality, prayer, and a deepening of the doctrine of the “Saint of Synthesis”, as Pope Francis of Blessed memory referred to her. It is worth remembering that St. Therese is much loved by the Brazilian people.

The symposium was one of the ways in which the brothers and sisters of St Therese collaborated in their mission. The Doctor of the Science of Love desired to “LOVE JESUS AND MAKE HIM LOVED” in life or after her death, on earth or in eternity.

 

One hundred years after the canonisation of St Therese of the Child Jesus, the Semi-Province of Napoli promoted an intense week of spirituality at Our Lady of Mount Carmel Parish in Bari. The aim was to inspire people with the ‘Little Way’ and help them to rediscover the beauty of a holiness accessible to all.

The week consisted of six events: two catechesis and a roundtable discussion on the contemporary relevance of the ‘Little Way’; a concert-meditation intertwined songs and texts by Thérèse; an evening vigil and Eucharistic adoration. The highlight of the event was the solemn celebration of the Eucharist, which signalled the community’s joy at the presence of the Saint among us. There was also a photo exhibition with over 40 scenes from Thérèse’s life, which was open for the entire week. Thérèse’s reliquary, which was on pilgrimage in Apulian parishes, was displayed for veneration by the faithful.

Thérèse reminds us that even a simple soul can become great through love. With her, we learn to transform the ordinary into something extraordinary; to offer everything with love; and to see every day as an opportunity for self-giving. As she said when she appeared in our monastery in Gallipoli, ‘My way is sure, nor have I mistaken it’.

 

The OCDS members from Argentina, Brazil, Bolivia, Chile, Paraguay and Uruguay met from 24-28 April for the OCDS meeting of CICLA South, which is held every three years. Paraguay hosted this year’s meeting, which had the theme “What I ask is love to give”. The meeting coincided with the centenary celebration of the birth of Blessed Maria Felicia de Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament, affectionately called ‘Chiquitunga’.

The event began in Asunción with a congress on the spirituality and life of this Blessed and continued in Atyrá. Fr. Carlos Alberto Medina, OCD, gave a magisterial talk and the participating OCDS presented a country work on different aspects of Chiquitunga’s spirituality. The event took place in a fraternal atmosphere, with moments of recreation enjoyed by all. Participants had the opportunity to visit the Cathedral Basilica of Nuestra Señora de los Milagros [Our Lady of Miracles], in Caacupé, and pass through the Holy Door. The meeting concluded on 28 April, the Feast of Blessed Maria Felicia, with a Solemn Mass at the Discalced Carmelite Monastery in Asunción, presided over by the Apostolic Nuncio to Paraguay, Monsignor Vincenzo Turturro.

On May 10, 2025, in the serene surroundings of Nyungwe, within the Archdiocese of Blantyre, the St John of the Cross OCDS community has been canonically erected. This milestone marks the culmination of a journey that began in 2007.

Secular Carmelites from across Malawi, including Holy Family OCDS in Zomba and St Teresa of Jesus in Lilongwe, gathered to witness this joyous occasion. The ceremony was graced by Provincial Delegate Fr. Ludovic Bafuta OCD, as well as the Pastoral Secretary Fr Peter Kamtembe from Blantyre Archdiocese and other Carmelite Friars.

The central theme of the ceremony emphasized the importance of upholding the core values of prayer, fraternal living, and mutual spiritual support. Following the Eucharistic Celebration and the Rite of Canonical Erection, the Malawi Delegation gathered for a celebratory luncheon.

The St John of the Cross OCDS community currently comprises 33 members, with five having made definitive promises and six with temporary promises. This new chapter in their journey promises to deepen their commitment to living out the Carmelite charism.

On 26 April 2025, the Philippine Province of St. Teresa of Jesus celebrated the blessing of the newly completed building of St. Elijah Convent and Novitiate House in the Diocese of Malaybalay, Philippines. The occasion was graced by the presence of Most Rev. Noel Pedregosa, Bishop of Malaybalay, who presided over the Eucharistic celebration, during which the convent chapel was dedicated, and the blessing of the novitiate house.

The Convent was canonically established as a religious house of the Order through a decree issued by the Father General dated 12 September 2024, the Memorial of the Most Holy Name of Mary. On the same date, the seat of the novitiate in the Province, previously located at the Holy Family Convent in the Archdiocese of Davao, Philippines, was canonically erected at the said convent.

In the coming canonical year, the new novitiate house will welcome eight novices: three Filipinos and two Vietnamese from the Philippine Province, a Taiwanese from the Korean Province, and a Malaysian and a Singaporean from the General Delegation of Singapore-Thailand-Malaysia.

From the 1st to the 4th May 2025, the OCDS communities of Malaysia held their triennial National Congress at Kota Kinabalu, Sabah. Five friars and more than 54 participants attended the grand event. The congress was honored to have the Delegate General to the OCDS, Fr. Ramiro Casale, OCD, and the Definitor General, Fr. Christianus Surinono, OCD, as well as the Delegate General of Singapore-Thailand-Malaysia Delegation, Fr. Anselm Phang, OCD, and two Spiritual Assistants Fr. Nicholas Hoh, OCD and Fr. Chin Sin Wee, OCD.

Inspired by the jubilee year 2025, “Jesus, our Hope” was chosen as the Congress theme and the friars gave insightful talks. Alongside engaging in robust discussions, including reviewing progress and charting the course for future planning, the election of new triennial National Council was held. Overall, it was a fruitful 4-day congress that dealt with the business aspects of the Order, providing opportunities to collectively assess achievements and lessons learned, along with showcasing cultural performances from the respective communities. The energy and commitment displayed by the members were truly inspiring, reaffirming the strength and unity of the national fraternity.

 

On 2 April, Fr Charles Serrao OCD, belonging to the Karnataka-Goa Province, has been appointed Pontifical Commissary for the Rosarian Congregation by the Dicastery for Institutes of Consecrated Life and Societies of Apostolic Life, for a period of six years. It follows Fr Charles Serrao’s 19-month-long involvement with the Congregation. Now, he will serve in place of their Superior General, supported by four appointed assistants.

The Rosarian Congregation was founded on 2 February 1928 in Sri Lanka, and today has 178 members spread across India, Sri Lanka, Canada, and the USA.

We extend to Fr Charles our prayerful wishes and assure him of our continued support as he undertakes this important mission for the good of the Church and the Rosarian Congregation.

 

The Infant Jesus Shrine, Bikarnakatte (Mangaluru), organized an open-air Way of the Cross on the theme “Women” on March 9, 2025. A large number of devotees participated in this time of prayer and reflection, meditating on the sufferings of Christ while drawing attention to the struggles faced by women in modern society.

Coinciding with International Women’s Day on March 8, the devotion highlighted the heavy crosses many women bear – oppression, inequality, exploitation, illiteracy, and more. The reflections during each station shed light on these societal issues, inspiring participants to work towards the liberation and empowerment of women.The devotion also focused on Mary, the Mother of Jesus, as a source of strength and inspiration for women in their struggles.

Women themselves conducted the Way of the Cross and carried a nine-foot-long cross, symbolizing their resilience and faith. The event drew a significant gathering of devotees, making it a powerful spiritual and social awakening in preparation for Easter.

 

The annual retreat was organised by the OCDS Council of the Commissariat, chaired by Fr Hipólito Rodríguez, with the support of our Superior, Fr Grover Cáceres, and the OCDS Delegate, Fr Fernando Chávez. Sixty-six lay members of the Discalced Carmelite Order from Abancay, Arequipa, Cusco, Ica, La Libertad and Lima participated in the retreat at the Siloé Centre of the Camillian Fathers.

This time of meeting, reflection and fraternity was led by Most Rev. Oswaldo Escobar Aguilar OCD, Bishop of Chalatenango, El Salvador. He gave us practical advice regarding our prayer life in the light of the teaching of St. Teresa of Jesus, as well as some criteria from Thoughts on the Love of God to “discern” the quality of our prayer life.

He concluded by encouraging us not to resist the voice of the Lord and the action of the Spirit that we have received during the retreat, to allow ourselves to be guided by the Lord and, above all, to remember that we are missionary disciples and that, as Saint Teresa says, our goal is to produce “works” and fruits of the Spirit.

On the 14th, 15th and 16th of March the VII National Meeting of the Carmelites was held in Mexico City, with the participation of the great Mexican Carmelite Family: Brothers, OCDS, laity, etc. from the communities that make up the Province of Saint Albert.

The Provincial, Fr. Cándido Celestino González, invited the participants to make this meeting not only an experience of conviviality, but above all an authentic experience of God, and to discover the depth of our love for our vocation and our creativity at the service of others.

The formative dynamic of the meeting was centred on an in-depth study of great figures important to our Order and our spirituality, such as Anne of Jesus, Anne of Saint Bartholomew, Mary of Saint Joseph and our brother, the Servant of God, Father Salvador Rivera, known as “Father Chavita”.

The participants shared times of reflection, study, fraternal fellowship, prayer and the celebration of the Eucharist. We give thanks to God for this time of grace.

 

The National Assembly of the OCDS of Argentina was held from 28th through the 30th of March in the Spiritual Centre of Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe in Luis Guillón (Buenos Aires).

It took place in an atmosphere of joy and celebration, since it coincided with the anniversary of the birth of our Holy Mother, Saint Teresa of Jesus. For this reason, after the election of the new National Council, we shared a time of recreation during which the different communities presented several creative activities that had been prepared in advance to commemorate the birth of our Holy Mother Teresa.

During the three-day meeting, we were able to participate in a Mass presided by Fr. Ricardo Prado OCD (General Delegate for Argentina) with the Carmelite Sisters of the Monastery of Our Lady of Peace, who also gave us a warm welcome in their parlour. During the meeting, the new National Council was elected, with Alejandra Rocha, OCDS, as President.

The presence of Fr Ricardo Prado OCD throughout the meeting allowed us to share this moment with all the branches of our Carmelite Order in a true family atmosphere.

 

On Saturday 29th and Sunday 30th March the traditional Provincial Assembly of the OCDS took place in the Spiritual Centre of San Fidenzio (Verona). The 45 participants, who came from almost all the communities of the Province, dealt with a delicate and important theme in the formation process: How to discern in the light of the Spirit, respecting the charism and the uniqueness of the person. Fr. Ramiro Casale, General Delegate for the Secular Order was our guest speaker.

Fr Ramiro emphasized an integral vision of the human person, both body and spirit. At the human level, discernment implies knowledge of our whole inner world. Every formator and every person in formation needs to be aware of this inner dynamic, which is the first step towards spiritual discernment, which aims at listening to the voice of the Spirit and discovering God’s plan for each person’s life: to reflect his love.