Finding Real Life
(Matthew 16:21-27)

• pdf Celebrating At Home - 22th Sunday in Ordinary Time [PDF](2.89 MB)
• default Celebrating At Home - 22th Sunday in Ordinary Time [ePub](3.23 MB)
• pdf Celebrando en Familia - 22 Domingo del Tiempo Ordinario(459 KB)
• pdf Celebrando in Casa - 22 Domenica del Tempo Ordinario(461 KB)
• pdf Celebrando em familia - 22 Domingo do Tempo Comum(460 KB)

1 September Optional Memorial

Saint Teresa Margaret Redi was born in Arezzo on 1st September 1747 into the noble family of Redi. In 1764, she entered the monastery of the Discalced Carmelites in Florence, changing her baptismal name of Anna Maria to that of Teresa Margaret of the Sacred Heart of Jesus. 

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Dialogue with Anders Cardinal Arborelius, OCD, and Bishop Karin Johannesson (Lutheran Church)

The Center for Carmelite Studies at the Catholic University of America in Washington, DC, sponsored a dialogue between two leading experts on ecumenism in Sweden. The event was held at the St. John Paul II National Shrine in Washington, DC. A recording of the event is available online.

Anders Cardinal Arborelius, OCD, is the bishop of Stockholm since 1998. He converted to Catholicism at the age of 20. Bishop Karin Johannesson is the bishop of the Diocese of Uppsala and a professor of religion at Uppsala University.

The event began with some words from Dr. Peter Kilpatrick, the president of the Catholic University of America. Although his field of study is engineering, Dr. Kilpatrick spoke of his personal devotion to St. Thérèse of Lisieux.

Also present were a number of Catholic and Lutheran officials, particularly those with interest in  and working on ecumenism between the two Churches.

Bishop Johannesson published a book on “receptive ecumenism” involving dialogues between Martin Luther and three Carmelites, St. Thérèse, St. John of the Cross, and St. Teresa of Avila. Dr. Johannesson became familiar with the Carmelites through reading books available at a local bookstore.

During the discussion, the Cardinal suggested that the rich tradition of publishing books on spirituality in Sweden has promoted the development of a deep spirituality in some of the people even if they are not church goers. Ecumenism, grounded in this spirituality, has been able to move forward. Bishop Johannesson found her own story, her own theology, her own spirituality coincided with that of Thérèse—particularly Thérèse’s idea that everything is grace. Grace is also fundamental to the life, theology, and spirituality of Martin Luther.

They discussed how the saints and mystics put flesh on dogmatic theology, This facilitates forward movement in the ecumenical dialogue. They stipulated that a unified, deeper approach to living faith together will enhance the ecumenical dialogue.

Shortly after 1 hour of the video, the audience is welcomed into the discussion with questions and comments

The conference can be viewed at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-3QW1WqcDFw

Sponsored by the Center for Carmelite Studies
***Virtual Event***

AN ECUMENICAL DIALOGUE
ON ST THÉRÈSE OF LISIEUX

ANDERS CARDINAL ARBORELIUS, OCD & LUTHERAN BISHOP KARIN JOHANNESSON

SUNDAY, AUGUST 27, 2023
3:00 PM Eastern 

Click on Link Here for YouTube Live Attendance

25 August Optional Memorial

Mariam Baouardy was born at Abellin in Galilee on 5th January 1846 to very poor parents who were good living and devoted Greek-rite Catholics. She was left an orphan after the death of her parents at only three years of age when, together with her brother Paul, she was entrusted to the care of an uncle,who had moved to Alexandria in Egypt a few years earlier. She never received any formal education and remained unable to read. At thirteen years of age, wanting to give herself only to God, she firmly refused the marriage which her uncle, according to the Eastern custom, had arranged for her. The next few years, she worked as a domestic in Alexandria, Jerusalem, Beirut and Marseilles.

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• pdf Lectio Divina September 2023 [PDF] Download here(2.02 MB)
• default Lectio Divina September 2023 [ePub] Download here(185 KB)
• default Lectio Divina September 2023 [Mobi] Download here(901 KB)

"Lectio divina," a Latin term, means "divine reading" and describes a way of reading the Scriptures whereby we gradually let go of our own agenda and open ourselves to what God wants to say to us. In the 12th century, a Carthusian monk called Guigo, described the stages which he saw as essential to the practice of Lectio divina. There are various ways of practicing Lectio divina either individually or in groups but Guigo's description remains fundamental.

Cover image: This icon at the National Shrine of Saint Jude at Faversham depicts St. Albert’s giving of the Rule to Saint Brocard. 
From the one Well of Elijah (top left) two streams flow, representing the two major branches of the Carmelite Family.

Who Do You Say I Am?
(Matthew 16:13-20)

• pdf Celebrating At Home - 21th Sunday in Ordinary Time [PDF](2.83 MB)
• default Celebrating At Home - 21th Sunday in Ordinary Time [ePub](2.73 MB)
• pdf Celebrando en Familia - 21 Domingo del Tiempo Ordinario(436 KB)
• pdf Celebrando in Casa - 21 Domenica del Tempo Ordinario(541 KB)
• pdf Celebrando em familia - 21 Domingo do Tempo Comum(279 KB)

INITIUM NOVITIATUS
13-08-23  John Baptist Minh-Duc Nguyen (SEL-V)
13-08-23  Paul Toan Ho (SEL-V)
13-08-23  Peter Vu Nguyen (SEL-V)

PROFESSIO TEMPORANEA
16-07-23  Trisantus Sihombing  (Indo) Malang, Indonesia
16-07-23  Kiki Forfius Situmorang  (Indo) Malang, Indonesia
16-07-23  Gian Suharjo Situmorang  (Indo) Malang, Indonesia
16-07-23  Reinhard Mayliano Forthe Gama  (Indo) Malang, Indonesia
16-07-23  Yohanes Dian Anugrah Simanjorang  (Indo) Malang, Indonesia
20-07-23  Simplisius Seke Kawa  (Indo-Est) Wairklau, Indonesia
20-07-23  Fridolin De’e  (Indo-Est) Wairklau, Indonesia
20-07-23  Yohanes Delasale Bao  (Indo-Est) Wairklau, Indonesia
20-07-23  Antonius Du’a  (Indo-Est) Wairklau, Indonesia
20-07-23  Marseliano Hernan Bagio  (Indo-Est) Wairklau, Indonesia
20-07-23  Hubertus Benge Ratu  (Indo-Est) Wairklau, Indonesia
20-07-23  Roman Rofinus Nganja  (Indo-Est) Wairklau, Indonesia
20-07-23  Carlos Demitrio Staren Djaman  (Indo-Est) Wairklau, Indonesia
20-07-23  Markus Apriyaldi Purnama  (Indo-Est) Wairklau, Indonesia
20-07-23  Marianus Soni Jaya Mahe  (Indo-Est) Wairklau, Indonesia
20-07-23  Berno Andrianus  (Indo-Est) Wairklau, Indonesia
20-07-23  Epi Pianus Gregorius Gadja Wora  (Indo-Est) Wairklau, Indonesia
20-07-23  Stanis Rikardus Aprinus  (Indo-Est) Wairklau, Indonesia
20-07-23  Bonaventura Marciano Thomas Ire  (Indo-Est) Wairklau, Indonesia
20-07-23  Hendrikus Thomans Temongmere   (Indo-Est) Wairklau, Indonesia
27-07-23  Albert Magbag  (Phil) Quezon City, Philippines
27-07-23  Alfred Perlas  (Phil) Quezon City, Philippines
27-07-23  Rodgen Apor  (Phil) Quezon City, Philippines
14-08-23  Luke Huynh Gia Kieu  (SEL-Viet) Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
14-08-23  Anthony Bau Xuan Tran  (SEL-Viet) Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
14-08-23  Joseph Dinh Binh Phan  (SEL-Viet) Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
14-08-23  Yosef M. Hong-Khanh Nguyen  (SEL-Viet) Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
14-08-23  Michael Ni Hoang Nguyen  (SEL-Viet) Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam

PROFESSIO SOLEMNIS
16-07-23  Alfonsus Christ Setiawan  (Indo) Malang, Indonesia
16-07-23  Claudius Willy Ribert Situmorang  (Indo) Malang, Indonesia
20-07-23  Yohanes Seran  (Indo-Est) Wairklau, Indonesia
20-07-23  Alexander Raymond Dhena  (Indo-Est) Wairklau, Indonesia
20-07-23  Heronimus Muga Wio  (Indo-Est) Wairklau, Indonesia
20-07-23  Andrianus Bado Rema  (Indo-Est) Wairklau, Indonesia
20-07-23  Arnoldus Reban  (Indo-Est) Wairklau, Indonesia
20-07-23  Bonefasius Afandi  (Indo-Est) Wairklau, Indonesia
20-07-23  Georgius Ture  (Indo-Est) Wairklau, Indonesia
20-07-23  Wilibrodus Ironius Sebho  (Indo-Est) Wairklau, Indonesia
27-07-23  David Oala  (Phil) Quezon City, Philippines
18-08-23  Ryan-Joseph Resurrección  (PCM) Washington, DC
18-08-23  Roberto Carlos Reyes Castillo  (PCM) Washington, DC

ORDINATIO DIACONALIS
27-07-23  Rio Mar Sindac  (Phil) Quezon City, Philippines
27-07-23  Oscar Robles, Jr.  (Phil) Quezon City, Philippines
27-07-23  Vincent Sumanting  (Phil) Quezon City, Philippines
27-07-23  Kim Paul Escobal  (Phil) Quezon City, Philippines
27-07-23  Marjune Caloring  (Phil) Quezon City, Philippines
12-08-23  Keven Mutsvairo  (Hib-Zim) Harare, Zimbabwe
12-08-23  Gift Chinyadza  (Hib-Zim) Harare, Zimbabwe

ORDINATIO SACERDOTALIS
15-07-23  Samual Ndjate Kiongo (Ita-Congo) Kinshasa, RDCongo
12-08-23  Shelton Sylvester Zimondi  (Hib-Zim) Harare, Zimbabwe
12-08-23  Underson Musina  (Hib-Zim) Harare, Zimbabwe  
12-08-23  Marvellous Tawanda Murungu  (Hib-Zim) Harare, Zimbabwe

Indonesian 100^th Anniversary Celebrations Move from Jakarta to Malang

The celebrations for the 100 years of the Indonesian Province of the Carmelite Order continued in Jakarta on August 12-13. In addition to celebrating with the various Carmelite, parish, and school communities, this week has provided an opportunity for the Carmelites from other parts of the world to see the various ministries and houses of the Indonesian Province.

On Saturday, August 12, the community gathered with the community of the Mary Magdalene of Pazzi priory for lunch. This happened to coincide with the birthday of Huub Welzen, the prior provincial of the Netherlands. So in addition to the meal, the tradition birthday songs were sung, gifts were provided, and cake was shared.

Later in the afternoon, there was a Eucharistic celebration with the people of Mary Flower of Carmel parish. Benny Phang, a member of the Indonesian Province and vice-general of the Order was the main celebrant and preached. Following communion, FX Hariwan Adji, the prior provincial of the Indonesian Province spoke and then introduced all the Carmelites from other provinces who were in attendance. The prior provincial of the Dutch Province, Huub Welzen, also spoke as did Míceál O’Neill, the prior general of the Order. A reception followed the Mass with food, music, dancing and raffles.

On Sunday morning, the parish community of Mary Mother of Carmel parish joined with the Carmelites to celebrate. The prior provincial was the main celebrant. A meal followed this Mass for the Carmelites and some invited guests.

In the evening, the Carmelites joined the Little Way Community, to celebrate the 7^th anniversary of the organization. The couples provide support to the province, particularly in the area of formation. Approximately 100 people attended the dinner.

On Monday the festivities transferred to Malang which is where the Carmelites originally established themselves in 1923. The Order took over administration of Malang’s Sacred Heart Parish from the Jesuits to begin their ministry in Indonesia. Flights were delayed due to the air force practicing at and around the airport for the up-coming Independence Day celebrations. So the planned visit to the novitiate in Batu had to be cancelled. The prior general and Robert Puthussery, the general council for Asia, Australia and Oceania, will visit the community later as will some of the Carmelites who are remaining a few extra days in the Malag area.

The Carmelites travelled on Tuesday morning to the Titus Brandsma Formation House. This community is made up of the professed who attend theology and philosophy classes at the university, STF Widya Sasana next door. Members took a tour of a classroom and office building completed in recent years. Then the group moved to the blessing of the new provincial library building. This multi-story structure with have a reading/study area which can be easily adapted for a meeting or conference with the students. The next floors will contain the library books. The roof will provide space (and secure safety measures) for the Carmelite students to play football or other sport since the library building eliminated their sports’ field.

That evening, the celebration of the Eucharist took place outdoors at Sr. Albert’s Carmelite High School. The main celebrant was Bishop Henricus Pidyarto Gunawan, O. Carm. He was joined by many Carmelites and religious priests, sisters, and approximately 1000 lay people. The Mass was followed by a lively show of dance and singing with many of the religious communities present as well as student groups from the school performing.

On Wednesday morning the Carmelites traveled to House of Mercy, Dau, a hospice established by the province to welcome elderly who have no family to take care of them. The house is open to people of all faiths. A local foundation of Carmelite sisters minister there full time. Carmelite students from Batu also provide assistance to the people as part of their outreach into the community.

On Wednesday evening Bishop Pidyarto dedicated the new chapel, community house, and museum at Karmel Parantijati, a columbarium established by the Carmelites. In addition to the columbarium, the space provided individuals or families area to walk around and pray while reflecting on scenes from the scriptures. Also on the property is a museum celebrating the story of the Carmelites as well as their ministries in Indonesia. The museum displays many objects from the members of the province that would have been part of their daily lives as well. Art pieces and some of the other collections celebrate the Indonesian culture.

The final days of celebration included a trip to Karmel Syanti Argo, a retreat house with accommodations for about 30 people. The staff includes two Carmelite sisters and 1 priest. The house sits on the side of a mountain, providing spectacular views. We shared a noon meal with the community there while enjoying the cooler air and incredible panorama.

Since August 17^th is Indonesian Independence Day, another Mass was held at St. Albert Carmelite High School followed by a reception. This was followed by a dinner.

The celebrations move to Flores in the coming week.

For the last several months, members of an ultra-orthodox Jewish sect known as Berslav Hasidim have been creating difficulties at the Discalced Carmelite monastery of Stella Maris on Mount Carmel. The sect teaches that the grave of Elisha is in the ancient monastery. Others deny that claim and see the disruptions as an attempt by the radical group to take over the site dear to the Carmelites worldwide.

Israeli President Isaac Herzog denounced the increasing violence against Christians in Israel during his visit on August 9 to the Stella Maris Carmelite Monastery in Haifa.

Herzog was accompanied by Israel Police Inspector General Yaakov Shabtai. One of the complaints has been that the police are slow to respond when Christians are the victims. The response is often not adequate. President Herzog emphasized Israel’s commitment to the full protection of freedom of religion and worship. He met with patriarchs and church leaders including Cardinal-designate Pierbattista Pizzaballa, the Latin patriarch of Jerusalem, and Discalced Carmelite Jean Joseph Bergara, the monastery superior of Stella Maris.

The president called for greater understanding of the histories of the religious communities in the Holy Land, noting that it was the birthplace of the three monotheistic religions.

At first a few visitors would enter the church. Then dozens “burst” into the church according to news accounts. They began holding prayers “in a provocative manner,” according to a Palestinian Christian from the city of Haifa.

Palestinian Christians now volunteer to be present at the church 24 hours a day in order to quell any problems. It is reported that a metal fence will be erected to keep out protesters.

Similar protests have taken place by Israeli extremists at St. Elijah Cathedral of the Melkite Greek Catholic church in Haifa. Multiple attacks have also occurred against Christian sites in Jerusalem, the most recent being against the Church of the Tomb of Mary in occupied East Jerusalem. A Christian cemetery near Jaffa Gate outside the Old City of Jerusalem was vandalized in January. A statue of representing Jesus was valdalized at a Catholic church near the Lion’s Gate.

Following the attack on the Church of the Tomb of Mary in March, the Patriarchate of Jerusalem finally appealed for "international protection" of holy sites citing "terrorist attacks, by radical Israeli groups, targeting churches, cemeteries, and Christian properties."

Palestinian Christians account for some 2 per cent of Israel's population. The Israel Central Bureau of Statistics estimated their number on the eve of Christmas 2022 at approximately 182,000. 

Another 51,000 live in the occupied West Bank, according to unofficial figures.