O.Carm

Viernes, 28 Abril 2023 10:54

Chapter of the Province of Great Britain Held

The Provincial Chapter of the Province of Great Britain was held April 17-21, 2023, in Aylesford, Kent (England).

Carmelites arrived in England about the year 1241 and quickly established a province. Records indicate a certain “W. provincial in England," in the years 1256-1257. At the time when the province was most flourishing, there were about a thousand brothers and about 37 houses. The first division of the province into two, namely, England and Ireland-Scotland, was recorded already in 1291 or 1294; which division, apparently, lasted until the year 1300. The autonomous province of Ireland was established in 1305. The establishment of the province of Scotland, established in 1321, was finally carried out in 1324.

In the course of time the Province of England was greatly reduced and it finally ceased with the suppression of Henry VIII (c. 1538). Some failed attempts were made to restore houses until c. 1926, when the brothers of the Province of Ireland opened the houses of Faversham and Sittingbourne in southeastern England.

Other houses were later added. Among these was ancient monastery in Aylesford which had been founded by 1242 but lost in Henry VIII suppression. On January 1, 1952, the general commissariat was established; and on September 12, 1969, the province of England and Wales was established under the title of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary. The name of the province was changed to 'Great Britain' in May 1999.

The following members were elected to leadership:

. . .

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Jueves, 27 Abril 2023 14:32

Pope Francis on Cloistered religious

At his weekly General Audience on April 26, 2023, Pope Francis spoke of monks and nuns in the context of his catechesis on apostolic zeal. He referred to the monks and nuns as the “beating heart” of the Church’s mission.

As part of his reflection, the pope spoke of the medieval Armenian monk, Gregory of Narek, as the example par excellence of the universal, all-embracing love which Christian are called to.

Asking what contribution men and women living in an enclosed monastery make towards the announcing of the Gospel, the pope rhetorically proposed a more effective way to contribute. His tongue in cheek proposal is one often heard in society and in the Church. “Wouldn’t it be better, if they dedicated their energies to mission?” he suggested.

He then went on to explain what he sees as their already most valuable contribution.

“Monks and nuns,” he said, “are the “beating heart of the Church’s proclamation— their prayer is oxygen for all the members of the Body of Christ, the invisible force that sustains the mission.”

He then pointed out that the patron saint of mission is the Discalced Carmelite nun, Thérèse of Lisieux. In 2023 the Church is celebrating the 150^th anniversary of St. Thérèse’s birth and the 100th anniversary of her beatification.

Using St. Gregory as a specific example, Pope Francis spoke of his “universal solidarity” – his identification with all people and his decision to dedicate his life to praying for them. The pope then said that this universal solidarity is a feature of the lives of all monks and nuns. The monks and nuns, in imitation of Christ, "take on the world's problems, the difficulties, the illnesses, many things, and pray for others." Cloistered religious, he said, are always busy - with work, and with prayer.

Pope Francis concluded by encouraging people to visit monasteries whenever possible. "It'll do you good!"

The enclosed Carmelite nuns have a long history, being officially recognized by the Church with the papal bull Cum nulla issue by Pope Nicolaus V in 1452. According to the 2019 Status Ordinis, there are 757 nuns in the Order, living in 83 monasteries.

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Viernes, 28 Abril 2023 13:34

Celebrating At Home - Fourth Sunday of Easter

The Good Shepherd calls his own by name,
and they recognise his voice
(John 10:1-10)

The Fourth Sunday of Easter is often called “Good Shepherd Sunday” because no matter what reading cycle we are in, the Gospel always focusses on the image of Jesus as the Good Shepherd.

This year, the Gospel reading talks about Jesus as the ‘gate of the sheepfold’, that is, Jesus is the one through whom we truly enter into the fold of God. The reading implies that those who get into the sheepfold some other way bring only disaster and destruction. Those who enter the fold through Christ, the Good Shepherd, will be safe, will be led to good pasture and have life in all its fullness.

Jesus acts towards us like a good shepherd: feeding, nurturing, defending and even laying down his life for us. Our Good Shepherd is deeply concerned about us, the flock and there is a deep sense of warmth and intimacy in the realisation that Jesus knows each one of us by name. Like a good shepherd Jesus is the source of life, nourishment, and safety for the sheep.
Any reflection about Jesus as the Good Shepherd also serves as a reminder that shepherding each other in Jesus’ name is part of the vocation of every disciple.

We are very used to thinking about Jesus as the Good Shepherd, but we also need to think about being/ becoming good shepherds to each other.

One of the very encouraging things about the pandemic was the number of people who became good shepherds to others, providing safety and security to vulnerable people, supporting health workers, providing meals and companionship. Yes, there were the ‘thieves and brigands’ too who preyed on others by hiking prices, selling goods which were never delivered and various other online scams.

But, like Jesus, we are called to bring life in all its fullness to one another.

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Viernes, 21 Abril 2023 12:44

Celebrating At Home - Third Sunday of Easter

Strangers share a journey, hearts begin to burn
and they recognized him
(Lk 24:13-35)

Luke’s wonderful story of the two disciples on the way to Emmaus is another story of transformation through personal encounter with the risen Jesus.

It is a heart-warming story and we can easily identify with the two disciples feeling crushed by the weight of their shattered dreams. They don’t believe the story of the women that Jesus is alive.

They don’t recognise the stranger when he walks beside them. Perhaps that’s because they are so involved in their own hurt and disappointment, and doesn’t that sometimes happen to us, too?

What does Jesus do? First, he invites them to share with him their story, he lets them talk it out. Then he draws them into the bigger story of his life, death and resurrection by unfolding the scriptures for them. In other words, he gives them a sense of perspective. He puts their story in touch with the bigger story of God’s purpose.

Their hope is being rebuilt and their hearts are beginning ‘to burn’ as Jesus talks. They are beginning to ‘catch fire’ again. When they arrive at Emmaus, Jesus makes as if to go on, but the disciples beg him to stay.

At table Jesus takes the bread, says the traditional Jewish blessing (like Grace Before Meals) and breaks the loaf and the eyes of these faithful, yet blind, disciples are opened to recognise him.

The disciples can scarcely contain themselves and set out immediately to return to Jerusalem, eager to share their story. To travel at night in the ancient world was to risk robbery and death, but, they just can’t wait.

From being two sad, depressed, down-hearted, grieving men the disciples have been transformed into impatient, enthusiastic heralds of good news through their encounter with Jesus.

It is the same Jesus whom we encounter in our hearts and in the Eucharist.

Maybe we could spend a little time sharing with Jesus our story and listening more deeply to his.

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Viernes, 14 Abril 2023 12:53

Memorial of Bl. Baptist Spagnoli

17 April Memorial

Born in Mantua on 17th April 1447, Bl. Baptist's father was of Spanish origin and hence his surname. He entered the Carmelites in Ferrara and professed his religious vows in 1464. He was awarded a doctorate in theology in Bologna in 1475 and subsequently held a number of different positions in a succession of convents. Six times elected Vicar General for the Reformed Congregation (the Mantuan Reform), at the end of his life he was elected Prior General for the whole Order (1513-16).

Prayer:

Lord God,
you made Our Lady's faithful servant,
Bl. Baptist Spagnoli,
a preacher of your Gospel by word and example.
Through his prayers may we ponder your word in Mary's company,
and praise you with her by the way we live.
We ask this through Christ our Lord.
Amen.

Martes, 11 Abril 2023 13:29

Celebrating At Home - Second Sunday of Easter

A joyful meeting, the Spirit received,
doubts transformed
(John 20:19-31)

The great Easter feast of last Sunday began the Church’s fifty-day celebration of the Resurrection which concludes with the feast of Pentecost in six weeks.

The Gospel of each Sunday is a meditation on Jesus as: the resurrected Christ, made known in the scriptures and the breaking of the bread, the bearer of life in all its fullness, our way, truth and life, pledge of God’s love.

In today’s Gospel reading there are two stories of transformation through encounter with the risen Jesus.

Firstly, Jesus appears to a group of frightened and bewildered disciples hiding in a room. His first words are, ‘Peace be with you’. Fear and bewilderment turn into joy as the disciples recognise the presence of the Risen Jesus with them. But that’s not all. He then sends them out to be missionaries of peace and forgiveness.

In receiving the Holy Spirit they are transformed from a group of frightened people, hiding in a room, to bold proclaimers of God’s love and mercy.

The second story in today’s Gospel is the one we all know as doubting Thomas, though, really, it should be known as believing Thomas - doubt is only the beginning of the story.

Jesus doesn’t scold or rebuke Thomas. If Thomas is looking for proof, he has only to touch Jesus to see he is real. But Thomas doesn’t do that. It is his personal encounter with Jesus which transforms him from doubter to believer.

It is yet another Gospel reminder that faith is not about believing with our minds or in looking for proof.

It is found only in our living relationship with Jesus.

Perhaps these days give us a bit more time just to sit and chat with Jesus, to recognise him already present in our hearts, to allow our fears and doubts to be overcome by love, to find new, creative ways of transforming darkness into light, peace and joy for others.

May the new life we celebrate over the next fifty days bring us the creativity of Spirit we need to be the living heart of God in our world today.

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Viernes, 07 Abril 2023 07:00

Celebrating At Home - Easter Sunday of the Resurrection

An empty tomb, lives changed for ever,
enduring presence
(John 20:1-9)

When someone dies, one of the things we often feel is their absence. The rooms where they lived with us, the places where they sat are now empty and our hearts ache.

Its not hard for us to share Mary’s sense of emptiness and bewilderment when she arrives at the tomb.

If we were to read the next few verses from John’s Gospel, we would read a story of overwhelming joy as Mary Magdalen meets the risen Jesus. When Jesus speaks her name, Mary recognises him and sadness and emptiness give way to joyful reunion.

It’s a story of transformation - how things can change when we meet the risen Jesus.

In a way, we are all caught in tombs which hold loved ones, our experiences of hurt and harm, our fears and anxieties, especially now.

What we seem to need above all at this time is presence. Yet, this is the time when we experience absence most of all - being apart from loved ones, family and friends.

The practice of the presence of God can help us - just frequently reminding ourselves that we always in the presence of God, that we can talk to God as one friend to another, that God is in this moment with us, that God is on our side no matter what comes our way, that God is our constant companion.

Eventually, we will begin to feel more deeply God’s presence, not just beside us, but within us. Eventually, the fears and anxieties, the past hurts, and disrupted relationships begin to melt away.

Where once there was only absence, now there is calm, loving, healing Presence and we know we are not alone. Our tombs begin to empty and joy becomes possible again.

Resurrection is all about death giving way to life, the impossible becoming possible, absence becoming presence.

May all your tombs be empty!

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Viernes, 07 Abril 2023 06:33

Chapter Held in the Spanish Province of Bética

The Bética Province held their triennial provincial chapter April 3-5, 2023 in the Carmelite monastery of Osuna, 90 km from Seville, Spain.

The Bética Province was erected on February 26, 1499 by a bull of Pope Alexander VI. It was established from the dismembered houses of the Province of Castille. In 1835, the civil authorities closed all the houses. The restoration began when the Carmelite house of Jerez de la Frontera was reestablished on April 10, 1880.

In 1889 a Province of Spain was erected but in 1906 was divded into the Province of Arago-Valencia and the Province of Bética. However, from 1894 Carmelites from the Province of Spain worked to restore the Provinces of Rio de Janeiro and Pernambuco in Brazil. Work in Bahia continued even after the division in 1906. From 1925 until 1939, the members of the Bética Province worked to rebuild the Polish Province and from 1930 until 1954, Carmel in Portugal. In 1954, the province established the order in Venezuela and Colombia, eventually becoming a Provincial Commissariat. In 1974-1978 the houses in Colombia were closed. In 2000, members went to Burkina Faso in Africa to establish Carmel.

The following were elected to leadership:

. . .

Commissary Provincial of Venezuela | Comisario Provincial de Venezuela | Commissario Provinciale del Venezuela
P. Alexio Ordóñez Añez, O. Carm.

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Viernes, 07 Abril 2023 06:28

Vitam Coelo Reddiderunt

	Ortus	P. Temp	P. Soll.	Ord.
05-03-23 Br. Sebastian Kurisuparambil (STSA)	05-11-64	03-01-93	05-11-11
11-03-23 Sor M Pilar Calvo Grasa (HSM)	14-06-37	26-09-65	26-09-68
20-03-23 Fr. João do Nascimento Batista (Lus)	28-11-60	08-09-83	27-09-86	24-04-88
02-04-23 Fr. Kees Waaijman (Neer)	20-06-42	24-08-61	24-08-64	29-03-69

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Vitam Coelo Reddiderunt

Jueves, 06 Abril 2023 07:16

Provincial Chapter of the Catalonian Province Held

The Provincial and New Council: (left to right) Nicolás Carrizalez, Joan Güell, Míceál O'Neill, Javier Garmón, Manuel Bonilla, Richard Byrne (missing Onesimus Muthini)

During the Provincial Chapter of the Catalonian Province held in Olot on March 29-31, the leadership was confirmed for the next three years.

The oldest foundations in the Catalonian province date to the middle of the 13th century. Perpini dates to around 1265 and Narbonne to 1321 were part of the Province of Spain. This are also became known as the Province of Aragon since the majority of the houses were located in the kingdoms or the territories of the so-called "Crown of Aragon." In 1336, the Vicariate of Perpinani was established which three years later became called "Perpiniani et Maioricarum." In 1342 it was erected into a province under the name of Majorica and from 1354 it was called the Province of Catalonia.

In 1580, three houses located in Sardinia were united to the Province of Catalonia but that union lasted only a few years. In 1835 all the houses of the Province of Catalonia were suppressed by the civil authorities. Restoration of the "Province of Spain" began towards the end of the 19th century with the help of the Majorica in particular. In 1906 the area was divided into the Baetica and Arago-Valentine Province. In 1932, the General Commissariat of Catalonia was established and in 1950 it began a province again.

Before the restoration of the province, members were involved in the restoration of the Provinces of Rio de Janeiro, Bahia, and Pernambuco in Brazil and the Polish Province. The members of the province have also worked to establish the Order in Puerto Rico and Venezuela.

The following were elected to leadership:

. . .