Author: ocd web master

From the 13 to 16 September 2024, our CESP Centre of Spirituality in Guadalajara hosted the first of the two annual meetings of our OCD Religious in initial formation.

The Discalced Carmelite Aspirants, Postulants, Philosophers and Theologians together with their Formators, attended this meeting with the objective of providing an opportunity for study and reflection (on this occasion of the draft of the updated Ratio Institutionis OCD), as well as strengthening our fraternal bonding.

Each day commenced with a period of personal prayer, celebration of the Holy Eucharist and recital of Morning Prayer.  In the afternoon we had Vespers, personal prayer and Night Prayer.  As well as the obvious schedules for lectures, we had time for recreation, games, walks in the historic centre of Guadalajara city and some films.  We also shared an enjoyable Mexican evening during which we had a video call with our Mexican brother Novice who is at the inter-provincial Noviciate at Lepaterique in Honduras.

We thank God and the Blessed Virgin Mary for the life and vocation of our Discalced Carmelite brothers.

 

From 2 July until 28 September 2024, the second Noviciate of the French-speaking Conference took place in the Commissariat of Madagascar.  Friars coming from Nigeria, Madagascar, the Congo and Central African Republic were in attendance.

They took part in intense formation courses in Carmelite spirituality, developing their charismatic and doctrinal studies of our Holy Parents, as they prepare for their Solemn Profession in the Order.  For the entire 12 weeks’ duration, they shared in a succession of formation sessions, with other special times for sharing experiences, educational tours and fraternal outings.

 

On September 21, 2024, at the Carmelite Monastery in Saigon, the Federation “Our Lady of Mount Carmel” offered a thanksgiving Mass for the 25th anniversary of the Federation’s establishment and expressed gratitude to the benefactors of the 11 monasteries across Vietnam. This was also the most meaningful time for the sisters to meet with one another, as well as for the three branches of the Order to gather for the first time, strengthening the bonds of fraternity.

The Mass was celebrated by Archbishop Joseph Nguyễn Năng, President of the Vietnam Bishops’ Conference along with several bishops and approximately 50 priests. Representatives of the Friars, the Nuns and Seculars of the Discalced Carmelite Order, as well as of other congregations, benefactors, and family members of the nuns participated in the Eucharist. After the Mass, everyone participated in sharing an agape meal filled with family joy.

The Federation was established in 1999, with 4 initial monasteries: Carmel Saigon (1862), Carmel Nha Trang (1961), Carmel Huế (1909), and Carmel Bình Triệu (1998). After 25 years, the Federation now has 11 member monasteries.

 

The meeting of the Major Superiors of the EAO region took place at the Mount Carmel Retreat Centre, Varroville, Australia, from the 27th to the 29th of August 2024. This meeting gathered the Major Superiors and Councilors of Australia, the Philippines, Korea, Indonesia, Taiwan-Singapore and Japan. Fr Christianus Surinono, Definitor General, was also present.

Following on from the Extraordinary Definitory that was held in Lisieux in August 2023, one of the areas discussed was of the reorganization of the circumscriptions in the EAO region. Seeing the fruits of the initiatives in the area of formation, the EAO Conference has decided to look further into potential areas of collaboration, especially the possibility of a common second novitiate. For this purpose, a commission has been established to draw out its program, content, venue and time frame. It will also draw up a list of formators from the various EAO circumscription, as well as the potential cost of running the program.

During the meeting, the Major Superiors also gave certain suggestion on how to improve communications between them and the Definitory in Rome. Fr Christianus in turn informed the Superiors of the updated Ratio Institutionis. The Definitory is requesting each circumscription to give its feedback on the reading/study of this document.

 

On Sunday 15 September, we had a joyful celebration of a Pontifical Mass with Mons. Manfred Scheuer in the Carmelite Church of Linz, as a conclusion of the Jubilee years of Teresian Carmel’s presence in Austria.  Numerous Brethren from Austria and elsewhere, priest friends, a huge number of Carmelite Nuns coming from all parts of Austria, members of OCDS and many others of the faithful, assisted at the solemn function.

Fr. Provincial referred to the many graces associated with Carmel as a whole, but especially here in this Monastery at Linz; the multiple daily celebrations of the Eucharist, the countless administration of the different Sacraments and perhaps especially, the occasions of consolation, guidance and relief offered in the Confessional, or elsewhere, to souls seeking direction and spiritual advice at  crucial moments in their lives.

During this function for the anniversary, Mons. Manfred Scheuer expressed his personal gratitude and joy for the Carmelite Monastery and Church here in the heart of Linz, and he concluded the Solemn Mass with the words: “You are a blessing”.

With the concluding presentation of a commemorative publication, in which the author, Fr. Paul Saji, traced an outline of the events of the jubilee years, he re-affirmed the identity and mission of the Carmelites:  to live friendship with God in everything.

 

On Saturday, 5 October 2024, a special Mass was celebrated in commemoration of the 50th anniversary of the arrival of Friars of the Discalced Carmelite Order in Korea.

Under the slogan “A Mysterious Journey, 50 years of blessings, still being renewed”, the Korean Province expressed its gratitude to all those who, either materially or with their prayers, had helped the progress and development of the Korean Carmelite Order of Friars during the last 50 years.  And every one of those Friars strove to walk in the spirit of the Teresian-Carmelite Order charism, responding to God’s call with a new heart.

Fr. Miguel, the Superior General, and Fr. Christianus, Definitor, were present for the closure of the Pastoral Visitation and for this commemoration Mass.    Between Friars, Nuns and members of the Secular Order, around 1,600 Korean Carmelites also attended this Mass.

Fr. Miguel expressed his gratitude to all those who had worked so diligently in helping the Order to establish itself in Korea during the past 50 years.  He added: “The Carmelite Order has spread and developed in many cultures throughout the world, but it is indeed surprising that 7 monasteries of Friars and 3,500 Secular Order members practise Carmelite spirituality in Korea, which has a different culture and is so geographically distanced”.

 

The OCDS in Quebec held their annual retreat from 13 – 15th September at the Centre of Prayer in Trois-Rivieres, on the theme of “Who will lead me to happiness, with Teresa of Jesus”. The retreat was led by Fr Francois-Dominique Lambert, the Provincial Delegate from Avignon-Aquitaine.

More than thrity members from our eight communities came from far and wide, including Ontario, Abitii and Lake St Jean, to partiipate in this event, which is always greatly appreciated. The programme consisted of lectures, a workshop in small groups, liturgical celebrations, communal prayer and, naturally, fraternal meetings. We also had the joy of celebrating the entrance into formation of Barbara Seguin, the first fruit of the latest group, “Notre Dame du Bon Samaritain”, based in St Jerome, in the Laurenziani.

This time of renewal gave us the opportunity to say with St Teresa and in communion with all our brothers and sisters in Carmel, “God alone suffices”.

 

The Philippine Federation of Discalced Carmelite Nuns conducted the second of their three-phased Formators training program last July 24 – August 24 at the Carmelite Missionaries Center of Spirituality in Tagaytay City.

For this triennium, the federal council focused on the needs of newly appointed Novice Mistresses and Assistants.  We had Sr. Loida Tortogo, CM, for her talks on accompaniment, the basic attitudes, requirements and its practice.

With the 21 participants from 19 member-communities of the Federation were Fr. Danilo Lim, Religious Assistant; Mother May Catherine, Federal President; Sr. Maria Teresa, councilor and Sr. Marian Therese, secretary.

 

The OCDS communities in Puerto Rico gathered together on August 3, 2024, in the city of Caguas for a national gathering. The meeting began with the Eucharist and was followed by a conference with the title, “OCDS: Vocation and Mission.” Afterwards, the General Delegate for the OCDS, Fr. Ramiro Casale, OCD, Denise Osorio, president of the OCDS national council and members from all communities on the island, discussed important topics regarding the identity, life of prayer, fraternity, formation and mission in the OCDS. There was also times for prayer and recreation. The OCDS communities in Puerto Rico belong to the Commiserate of the Caribbean and are in constant communication and communion with all the other OCDS communities present in their circumscription and beyond.

A meeting of Formators from CICLA was held in the priory of Villa de Leyva, from 4-24 August, in the presence of friars from several countries in Latin America (Dominican Republic, Venezuela, Mexico, Columbia, Peru, Costa Rica, Panama, Bolivia, Brazil, Ecuador and Argentina).

The meeting was held to come together as brothers in Carmel, to live teresian fraternity and then to have a space to share personal and vocational experiences. Besides, another important time was spent in revising the Ratio Institutionis, during which each of the formators who were present was able to give his own perspective.

There was also time for on-going formation. There were contributions from Fr Carlos Damoniguez SJ, Mrs Myrna Torbay OCDS, Fr Jacob Iadarola OCD and the Sisters Anny and Lismar from the Discalced Carmelites of Caracas, Venezuela.

Apart from the above-mentioned experiences the friars had the opportunity to get to know some beautiful parts of the country.

 

The 2024 OCDS Congress that took place in Wakefield, MA, from August 22nd to the 25th, gathered hundreds of OCDS from 33 states in the United States and from abroad. Some Carmelite Fathers and Nuns were present too making it indeed a family reunion. The title was “The Joy of Carmel.” The different conferences, the moments of prayer and reflection and the times of community recreation, help attendees to really experience the joy of belonging to the Discalced Carmelite Order. His eminence Card Seán Patrick O’Malley, OFM Cap., Archbishop of Boston, came to celebrate Mass on August 24th and during his homily he said: “Carmelite spirituality allows us to discover that love, the crucified love, and to be able to climb the mountain and be able to embrace that love, and we are so grateful for your charism, for your vocations, for your presence here.” The Congress was very successful and very well organized.

 

From 2 – 7 September, CITes in Avila hosted the 2nd International Congress on Therese of Lisieux. The theme “My Vocation Is Love” the speakers and participants studied the manuscripts B & C from her “Story of A Soul”.

There were 21 speakers and 400 participants from18 countries who took part in the conference in person or on-line. Each day 30 monasteries of our Discalced Carmelite nuns participated.

Some of the best specialists on the writings of Therese of Lisieux from various countries (Spain, France, Italy, Poland, Lebanon, Peru and Mexico) came to analyse the manuscripts B & C from different perspectives. The main objective was to make the manuscripts B & C better known. These two manuscripts contain very interesting themes that refer to christian vocation, like that of Therese herself, or to her role as a spiritual accompanier. Such a vocation can enlighten even those who are far from the Church.

 

The meeting of our young professed friars from Europe was held in Lisieux from 19 – 24 August 2024, bringing together more than 80 participants (including the formators).

The theme of the meeting was: the three pillars of the Carmelite life according to the Declaration on the charism of Saint Therese of the Child Jesus.  The conferences for the first three mornings concentrated on each of these pillars: prayer, community life and mission. The time for group discussion according to language allowed the participants to discover different experiences of our carmelite life. On Friday morning, our Father General spoke to us about the union among the brothers, sisters and members of the Carmelite secular order, then we had a time to dialogue with Fr Genral and with Fr Christophe-Marie, the Definitor.

In the afternoon we visited the places associated with Therese of Lisieux: Les Buissonnets, the Cathedral, the Basilica and a half day visit to Alencon. On the last evening, a festive gathering allowed us to have a wide range of activity. It was the culmination of these stimolating days spent together.

 

The examinaion of the tomb and remains of Saint Teresa of Jesus began on the morning of 28th August, in Alba de Tormes. It was overseen by italian specialists from the Dicastro for the Causes of Saints, at the Vatican. The analysis focussed on the state of the body and on the ‘major relics’, consisting of parts of the body: the heart and the arm. In this way their “conservation” and “veneration” will be guaranteed.

The General Postulator, Fr Marco Chiesa, confirmed that the body of Saint Teresa of Jesus has remained the same as it did when it was last seen in 1914. The Postulator General said that it is too early to give any details about the results that are yet to be carried out. Fr. Marco Chiesa stated, “The Order believes it is opportune to carry out this work and it will be the specialists, after further research, who will give us their conclusions. We know from similar studies that we can find out very interesting data about Teresa and also get advice about how to conserve the relics, but this will come at a later phase.  The other reliquaries will be cleaned.

The first phase of the examination of the tomb and the reliquaries of Saint Teresa was completed on the afternoon of the 30th August. Fr Marco Chiesa recalled,  “The team of scientists, led by Professor Luigi Capasso, told us that the state of conservation of the reliquaries of Saint Teresa was exceptional. The first phase of this process that took place in situ in Alba de Tormes has already been completed. The second phase will begin with an examiniation in laboratories in Italy. This will take several months. During 2025 we will have the conclusions and the third phase will then be carried out in Alba de Tormes.”

The first data has emerged on St Teresa health in her final years. From this first phase in situ the medical team has concluded that Teresa had a very fragile constitution.  In the last years of her life she walked with a marked curviture of the spine. Such curviture is usually due to weakness of the vertebrae in the back bone and provokes fractures.   The medical team indicated that Teresa did not have osteoperosis. The deformation of the vertebrae in her spinal cord would have made it difficult for Teresa to breath, at least in the last years of her life. From a medical point of view, in this first examination, it was found that the Saint suffered from rhematoid arthritis in her left knee. In the final years of her life, Saint Teresa of Jesus suffered from a foot sore which would have caused her pain when she walked. This first analysis tells us that there was no fracture in her left arm but rather a dislocation in the wrist.It took months before anything could be done. Then the healer from Medina del Campo and an assistant pulled the arm to discloate it from the shoulder joint. In other words, the cure was worse than the illness. The arm remained useless for the last five years. The question of the arm is well documented in the writings of St Teresa herself and in the testimonary at her beatification.

 

The OCDS Community of the Guardian Angels in Kiev shared in a very joyful celebration on Saturday 27 July.  Mrs. Ludmila of the Holy Spirit made her promises in the presence of the Community’s assistant, Fr. Jana Dudeck OCD.  The Eucharistic ceremony took place in the monastery of our Carmelite Nuns and this provided the blessed opportunity for members of all three branches of our Order to be in attendance.

Despite many difficulties and the on-going war, members of the OCDS Community managed to gather in the Monastery to celebrate this important event together.  The fact that all three branches of the Order were represented as well, underlined their unity and mutual support. Such gatherings help us to imitate our Mother Mary and our Carmelite Saints and encourage us to pray for each other and for the whole world with greater devotion.