Inspired by the Carmelite Constitutions, the other documents of the Order, and the invitation by the JPIC International Commission to coordinate, animate and foster JPIC networking in different Geographical Areas of the Order, the Asia-Australia-Oceania Geographic Area (AAO) has formed a JPIC Commission for the Area comprising members from all the Provinces and Commissariats of the Geographic Area.

The members of the Commission are:

Hariawan Adji (Indonesia) Convenor
Agedo Bento (Australia-Timor-Leste) Secretary
Christian Buenafe (Philippines),
Babu Payikkattu (St. Thomas, India),
Manuel Karippote (General Commissariate, STSA, India),
Paskalis Patut (East Indonesia, Flores)
Joseph Tri Phan (Vietnam).

The Commission has had two meetings so far (29 April and 5 August 2021). In the initial meetings an assessment was completed of the current JPIC initiatives in the area and taking into consideration, the special nature of the Geographical Area, after fruitful discussions, we have identified three major areas of our work for the coming years namely, Human Rights, Environment and Religion and Culture.

The Commission has decided to meet three times a year and the next meeting is scheduled for 29 October 2021. In order to promote JPIC programs in the Area we are organising a webinar on Human Rights’ Issues for the whole Carmelite Family which is due on Saturday 27 November 2021.

The Prior General Míceál O'Neill will speak on “JPIC and Human Rights’ Issues from a Carmelite Perspective” and Christian Buenafe O. Carm will speak on “Human Rights’ Issues from the Ground, a Philippines Perspective”.

The Order of Carmelites in the Philippines recently opened an ad experimentum community in the Diocese of Cabanatuan, through an invitation of Bishop Sofronio Aguirre Bancud.

Fr. Marlon Beredo, O. Carm. and Fr. Michael Condes, O. Carm. will initially be assisting the rector of Saint Nicholas of Tolentino Parish Cathedral, especially in its pastoral ministries. They will be joined by Fr. Baltazar Ronato, O. Carm., who at present is the director of the Bulong ng Simoy-Bahay Pananahimik Carmelite Spirituality Center in Dipaculao, Aurora.

To formalize the presence of the Order in the diocese a “Memorandum of Agreement” was signed by the prior provincial of the Carmelites in the Philippines, the Very Rev. Rico P. Ponce, O. Carm., and the Bishop of the Diocese of Cabanatuan.

The memorandum was witnessed by Fr. Noel Jetajobe, vicar general of the diocese; Fr. Jeffrey Alarilla, diocesan financial administrator; Fr. Joel Cariaso, vicar for religious; Fr. Sed Calderon, chancellor; and Fr. Esmeraldo Reforeal, O. Carm., provincial secretary and first councilor of the Filipino province.

“We always acknowledge the fact that religious congregations are a gift to the church,” said Bishop Bancud. He said the diocese is highlighting the different charisms of each religious order and congregation to help in the faith life of the people of the diocese. “Together we will be able to build up the Body of Christ in the local church of Cabanatuan,” he added.

The prior provincial, Rico Ponce, expressed his gratitude to the bishop, the clergy, religious, and lay leaders of the diocese for the warm welcome extended to the Order. He said that despite the challenges that the Order is facing because of the pandemic, it is committed to contributing to the spiritual growth of the faithful in the diocese.

The agreement stipulates that the Order will “participate in the mission of evangelization” in the territorial jurisdiction of the diocese. This will be done through the provision of “pastoral assistance in parishes and schools within the diocese.”

The agreement is effective for 25 years and then renewable.

On the feast of Blessed Titus Brandsma, the titular patron of the Philippine Carmelite Province, the remains of Br. Isagani Valle, O. Carm., were transferred to his final resting place. The location is named in his honor, the Br. Isagani Miro Valle Memorial Cross at the Carmelite Spirituality Center & Shrine of Our Lady of Mount Carmel Ormoc.

Br. Isagani was martyred during a military crackdown in May 1983. His steely resolve to remain true to the ideals and spirituality of the Carmelite Order continues to be an inspiration to the current member of the Carmelite province and the local Church.

Isagani’s bones were moved from his former burial site, which was in the old chapel, already irreparably damaged by typhoons and earthquakes and soon to be demolished to make way for a new multi-purpose building. His new grave lies within the Memorial Cross.

In attendance were the director of the Carmelite Spirituality Center, Fr. Joiezl Piñon, O. Carm., and the provincial hagiographer Br. Lester Hallig, O. Carm, Members of the Miro and the Valle families were also in attendance. They generously lent their resources and time to make the occasion a success.

It is also hoped that the momentous event would become an impetus for introducing Br. Isagani’s cause for beatification.

On September 1st we celebrate the memory of St. Teresa Margarita Redi.

As a student at a Benedictine monastery school in Florence, Teresa was deeply moved by the enthusiasm and joy on the face of a graduate who had returned to say goodbye to her former teachers, as she was entering the community of Discalced Carmelite nuns in the city of Florence. Reflecting on her reaction to that young woman’s embracing of her vocation, Teresa felt that she suddenly received an unspoken message from Teresa of Avila, foundress of the Discalced Carmelites.

Eventually entering the Discalced monastery as well, Redi was assigned to the office of infirmarian or nurse for the community. She was quite effective. When an epidemic broke out in the community in 1770, Teresa Margaret worked diligently caring for the other nuns. She is said to have had a special gift for reaching the deaf and mentally ill nuns. Because of her life and work, she was able to grow deeply in her interior life. She came to be revered for her mystical gifts. She was given a special contemplative experience concerning the words of I John 4:8, "God is love", which was a phrase she would repeat often. The prioress of the monastery was quite strict with Teresa, constantly reprimanding and humiliating her. However, Teresa proved to be unfailingly cheerful. Her spirituality is perhaps best captured by her full religious name: Teresa Margaret of the Sacred Heart of Jesus.

Read more here

Almighty God, every good thing comes from you. Fill our hearts with love for you, increase our faith, and by your constant care protect the good you have given us.

We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.

Amen.

Download in English

Our latest book on Titus Brandsma

We are happy to announce the publication of an English translation of the authoritative biography of Titus Brandsma, O. Carm., by Miguel Arribas, O. Carm.

Watch this short presentation of the book here

Bl. Jacques Retouret was born at Limoges in France on 15th September 1746 to a merchant family.

He was a serious young man, a lover of books and greatly gifted.

At fifteen years of age, he entered the Carmelite house in his native city.

After ordination, his zeal and learning were widely admired and large crowds of people were attracted by his way of preaching.

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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 canonized by Pope Francis in Rome on 17 May 2015.

Her tomb, a place of pilgrimage by Christians and Muslims, is located in Carmel's church in Bethlehem.

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For a religious order well known for its charism of prayer and contemplation, the Carmelites of Australia and Timor-Leste have made a big splash in social media, clocking up more than 230,000 Facebook followers in just over four years.

Communications Director Fr David Hofman O.Carm says the Carmelites have been surprised and delighted at the growth of their social media following and the opportunities for connecting with people that it presents.

“We are not one of the enclosed Carmelite orders,” Fr David said. “We work in a variety of ministries including parishes in Australia and Timor-Leste, and we have a secondary school and the Carmelite Centre here in Victoria, but certainly, our charism is one of prayer and contemplation.

“So the purpose of our outreach on social media is to try and share that spirituality with people. We post prayer and reflections as well as invitations to things we’ve got going on and we see that as part of our contemplative ministry really.”

During the past month the Carmelites Facebook page reached over one million users with over 140,000 post engagements.

Fr David said that from time to time, the Carmelites use the Facebook page to ask people to contribute their prayer intentions, which are then offered at Mass.

Fr David said a particular highlight of the Facebook growth has been the fact that nearly 25,000 followers are from Timor-Leste.

“That was a surprise to me,” he said. “I hadn’t expected it, because getting onto the internet in Timor via a computer is hard.

“But what I hadn’t counted on is that almost everyone in Timor has a smart phone, because in a country where land lines are either patchy or non-existent, mobile phones are the only way to communicate. So they’re accessing our Facebook page on their phones.

“I think that’s great. It’s a real point of contact with the people in Timor and much more effective in outreach than waiting for them to come to our webpage.”

The Carmelites are trying to use beautiful images and engaging posts as a means of attracting people to their page and say they are grateful for the professional advice and support they’ve received.

“We started out with around 1000 followers and to see it grow to over 230,000 in 4 years has been really wonderful. We’ve been surprised and delighted at the connections we’re making with people and it is very encouraging to see that 78% of our Facebook followers are aged between 18-34”, Fr David said.

On July 19, 2021, the major superiors of religious congregations present in Latin America and the Caribbean met. The meetings was convened by Luis Maza, General Counsellor for the Americas, with the presence of Míċéal O'Neill, prior general. Marlene Frinhani, Irmãs Carmelitas da Divina Providência (Carmelite Sisters of Divine Providence), explained the theme of the meeting: "Something New is Emerging. "

Also participating were the major superiors with sisters in Brazil, Peru, Puerto Rico, Dominican Republic, Trinidad, and Venezuela. They represented, the Corpus Christi Carmelites, the Divine Providência, the Hermanas Carmelitas del Sagrado Corazón de Jesús, Hermanas de la Virgen María del Monte Carmelo, Irmãs Missionárias Carmelitas de Jesus, Istituto di Nostra Signora del Carmelo, Suore Carmelitane Missionarie di S. Teresa del Bambino Gesù, Hermanas Carmelitas de Madre Candelaria. Also participating were members of the Carmelite Family Secretariat for the Americas.

The prior general, Míċéal O'Neill, introduced the meeting, "Something New is Emerging," pointing out the new directions in the Church. He noted that the Church asks for forgiveness for not listening. He went on to quote Pope Francis that we are contemplatives with mercy. Another point highlighted by the prior general is how to be faithful who listen to the Word of God and reflect on the impact that COVID-19 has brought to the world— "people who can do nothing without God and without their brother and sister." He concluded his remarks with a question: so, what are we going to do?

Afterwards, there was a moment to share what the Spirit inspired through the words of the Prior General, echoing the invitation to open our eyes, ears, and hearts to this emerging change. On the other hand, the need to continue to walk together as Carmelite Family in unity and with the hope that arises when you are confronted with the most difficult realities was confirmed.
Marlene Frinhani presented her remarks "Signs of a New Time," using two metaphors. The first metaphor was of old hands handing over a plant to the new hands receiving it. It reflects the experience of walking into the new. The second metaphor was of the smoke that warns of someplace being on fire. Marlene also pointed out that we are slow sometimes to perceive the signs revealing changes that are emerging, and she invited us to recognize some of the signs of change in our personal circumstances.

Marlene also expressed that darkness, when we are far from God, prevents us from seeing the light. She invited us to listen, observe, and perceive God's presence in our midst, in economic disparities, technological progress, inequalities in living conditions and in the lethal power of the pandemic and its variants. How does the Carmelite Family stand in response to these warning signs? What are we going to do? We are invited to walk with the people amidst their anxieties and hopes, open to the search for truth and the practice of universal fraternity, as Pope Francis recommends in the documents Fratelli Tutti and Patris Corde.

The online meeting concluded with an invitation to participate in FOCAM in August and a presentation of the JUCAR-AMERICA project. There is the hope of meeting again to share the experiences as the Carmelite family.