International Lay Carmelite Commission Plans Congress During Meeting in Rome

The first in-person meeting and the seventh ever meeting of the International Secretariat for the Laity took place in Rome from November 27 to December 1. Participating in this meeting were: Amos Ochieng, T. O. Carm (Commissariat of Kenya), Maria Monica Enhudjiana, T. O. Carm., (Province of Indonesia), Paulo Daher, T. O. Carm., (Province of Rio de Janeiro), Rosario Mª Vera Martin T. O. Carm., (Province of Betica), Aideen Ryan, T. O. Carm., (Province of Ireland), Luis Maza Subero, O. Carm., (General Delegate for the Laity) and Tobias Kraus, O. Carm., (Province of Germany), who acted as translator. Michele Bonanno, T. O. Carm., (Province of Italy) was excused.

During these days they have been working on the organization of the next International Congress of the Laity to be held next year from September 15 to 21, 2024, in Sassone, (near Rome). This Congress will have a previous phase in which all the laity or those accompanying the laity can participate, which will consist in reflecting on the material and completing the following questionnaire: https://elink.do/congresocarm2024

With the collected contributions, an Instrumentum Laboris will be elaborated, which will set the guidelines for the Congress.

Among other items on the agenda, the Secretariat discussed the organization of an International Congress of Third Order leaders to be held from February 26 to March 2, 2025, in Fatima, Casa San Nuno de Santa Maria and also had the opportunity to share with Míċeál O'Neill, prior general who wanted to encourage the members of the Secretariat, with William J. Harry, O .Carm, director of communication of the Order, who discussed the web of the Order and the publications of Edizioni Carmelitane, and Michael Farrugia, Procurator General, who helped to clarify and correctly interpret various juridical aspects of the Third Orders.

December 14th | Feast

With all that the Eucharist means to a Catholic Christian, does John of the Cross have a Eucharistic spirituality? His devotion to the Blessed Sacrament or the Mass is not immediately evident. But, if in fact the Eucharist holds central importance for him, why is this obscure in his writings?

For more on John of the Cross and His Eucharistic Spirituality

For more on the life of John of the Cross

Prepare a way!
(Mark 1:1-8)

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The USG, (Union of Superiors General) representing male religious meets in general assembly twice a year. Generally speaking a number of around one hundred and twenty members take part. The general assembly of the UISG, the International Union of Superior General representing women religious takes place every three years and is attended by some eight hundred leaders of women’s congregations. In planning the 100^thassembly of the USG, because of the close cooperation that exists between the two unions, a decision was taken to have the two unions celebrate this 100^th assembly together. About two hundred and eighty religious took part in this assembly, equally divided between men and women. That simple fact might be enough to make this a very memorable occasion, but added to that was the proximity of  the first full session of the Special Synod of Bishops that had taken place throughout the month of October, just a few weeks before the assembly. This 100^th assembly of the USG was in great mood to celebrate the synod and to hear the reports of the ten representatives of both unions who took part in all the sessions. In our assembly we were given the opportunity to use the same method of table conversation, conversation in the spirit, that was used at the synod. At tables of eight, men and women together, using one another’s first names, we shared our reflections on 1) the experience of the synod as reported by our representatives, 2) the challenges we see for religious life, coming from the synod,  3) the signs of hope that we see in our society and in our Church, and the places in the world that today are crying out for hope, and 4) the call to be prophets of hope that is part of the DNA of religious life.  This fourth reflection was led by Miguel Marquez Calle, Superior General of the Discalced Carmelites and Sr. Miriam Altenhofen, Superior General of the Missionary Sisters Servants of the Holy Spirit.  Both weaved a pattern through the good experiences of service, joy and loyalty that they have experienced in their respective congregations and in their work with the elderly and the young, helping all of us to see how religious life of both men and women today is a constant sign of hope because of its commitment to Jesus Christ and to the building of good relationships among people. 

To crown this memorable event we were invited to the Vatican in the middle of the assembly to spend time with Pope Francis. In his usual style he welcomed all of us and talked openly about his hopes and concerns for the Church, answering a well prepared series of questions posed by the participants. At the end of the session he stayed to shake hands with every single participant, individually. 

The assembly confirmed us in our support for what the Holy Father has given to the Church in the form of a rediscovery of the value of synodality. The closeness of our contact with the Synod allowed us to appreciate what is being proposed by the Holy Father, which is not always the same as we read in the newspapers or as we hear from people who seem to be more interested in the controversial questions that in the essence of this movement towards full participation and communion in the life of the Church, sharing all the gifts that are necessary for the mission of preaching the Gospel and  building up the Body of the Lord.

Fr. Míċeál O'Neill, the prior general, has the following schedule planned for the month of December 2023:

December 1: Return from visiting Carmelite communities in Ukraine

December 4-14: Plenary Meetings of the General Council

December 18-28: Holidays in Ireland

December 31: Travel to Perú

A Reflection on a Visit to the Carmelite Communities in Włodzimierz and Sąsiadowice in Ukraine

Ever since the Russian Federation, under its leader Vladimir Putin, invaded Ukraine, people around the world who have connections with Ukraine have longed for this war to end, and for the people of Ukraine to be safe again in their own homes. Tragically, many have had to leave their homes and seek safety in other countries, while terrifying numbers of young men and women have lost their lives as a result of this senseless and meaningless aggression. The Carmelite connection with Ukraine is in the form of two communities of friars from the Polish province, living and working in the West, as well as the communities of Discalced Carmelite friars and nuns, living and working in the East. In normal times, our brothers in Włodzimierz offer a prayerful and unifying presence in a place where Orthodox Catholics, Greek Catholics and Latin Catholics live in close contact with each other. In Sąsiadowice our three brothers occupy a house with a long Carmelite history, offering the normal spiritual and pastoral care to people in their own area and in the neighbouring parishes. 

On a recent visit, Fr. Richard Byrne and I were struck by the way the people in the West live their lives as if everything was normal. At the same time we could not fail to sense the tension and worry that are part of the reality of every day for people. There are numerous families who have already lost relatives and friends in the war, or who pray fervently for their loved ones who are caught up in defending their country, to return home safely. Local cemeteries bear witness to lives that have been lost on account of the war. 

In our conversations, we heard how grateful the friars are for the very generous aid that they have received from many parts of the Carmelite world. This allowed them to supply and transport food, clothing, medicines, torches, bedding, thermos flasks and military first aid kits to the areas that need help and well as to give assistance to refugees who pass through their towns on their way of safety elsewhere. The greatest concern is to care for soldiers, and that was impressive, as if to say that the soldiers were the ones who had taken on the task of defending and protecting their country, at great risk to their own lives.  I will always remember the Mass we celebrated with a full church in Sąsiadowice. There was an atmosphere of fervent prayer in the Church throughout the celebration and at the end in what the people call their Supplication, we prayed for many minutes for peace, safety and forgiveness for the world and for the people of Ukraine. May all these fervent prayers be heard, may the hearts and minds of the aggressor be turned away from war, and may all of this happen very soon. Maránatha, Come Lord Jesus, Come!

Fr. Míċeál O’Neill, O. Carm

Prior General

Dear brothers and sisters in the Carmelite Family,

This year we approach Christmas with a full appreciation of the fervent Advent prayer in which we have all shared, pleading with the Lord to come and save us.

On a recent visit to our brothers in Ukraine, what I could sense of the people’s prayer for an end to the war moved me deeply. Our two communities of friars are far away from the war zone. Thank God in both Włodzimierz and Sąsiadowice they have not been in danger from the war that is being waged in the east of the country. Nonetheless it is clear that they continue to play an important role in accompanying and in praying with the people of their areas, many of whom have lost members of their family in the defence of their country while others pray that their relatives who are still involved in the war will return home safely.

One can only ask, Why is this happening? Why are we witnessing such levels of violence against men, women and children in Ukraine, in Palestine, in Israel and in many other places that we do not even hear about any more? Can we who believe in the Incarnation of Christ Our Lord, whom we proclaim as the Prince of Peace, do anything more than we are doing to put an end to war and change the minds and hearts of those who promote war and violence? Is it possible to see a day when we can treat one another as brothers and sisters and live in peace with one another across the globe? The words of the canticle that we recite often in the Divine Office come to mind:

I thank God for the safety and security in which so many of us will celebrate this Christmas and I pray with all of you for that same safety and security to reach the many millions who have already been displaced from their homes and the many who live with the constant threat of war.

May the light of God, shining on the face of Jesus, seen and cherished by Mary, Joseph, and the shepherds, fill your hearts and your homes this Christmas, and may that same light reach into those dark places where plans are being made for war, so that minds and hearts might be changed, and peace may be the destiny of all those whom the Lord loves.

May you all enjoy a Christmas of joy and love in your homes and in your hearts.

Thank you.

Watch the Video Message from the Prior General on YouTube

On December 4, the triennial chapter of the Carmelite nuns of the Monastery of the Incarnation of the Divine Word in Valencia, Spain, took place beginning at 10 o'clock in the morning.

On October 6, 1502, seven women, (Sister Francisca Estaña, Sister Ofresina Caldesa, Sister Isabel Moragues, Sister Ana Heredia, Sister Angela Heredia, Sister Juana Gomis and Sister Isabel Ameller) gathered in Valencia-- although not at the current location of the monastery to live the life of Carmel. Present at the ceremony were Father Luis Mercader, prior of the monastery of Vall de Crist, visitator and reformer of the Kingdom of Valencia and later bishop of Tortosa and general inquisitor in the Kingdoms of Aragon, and Master Pedro Estaña, prior of the convent of Carmen de la Ciudad del Turia. Sister Francisca Estaña was elected prioress.

The Carmel was originally dedicated to the Immaculate Conception of the Virgin. The house and orchards that Pedro Ramón Dalmáu bought were enclosed. However, the Poor Clares of the Royal Monastery of Santa Isabel and Santa Clara complained to King Ferdinand the Catholic about the damage that would be done to the old Chapel of La Puridad with the foundation of the new convent. Ferdinand agreed and the works of the new convent were stopped. This forced the Carmelites, in order to move forward, to give in and a year later, in September 1503, they changed the name of the monastery from that of that Conception for that of the Incarnation.

During the Civil War in 1936-1939, the monastery was destroyed and a new one built following the war. It was completed in 1961.

For more information about the history of the monastery of the Incarnation in Valencia (in Spanish), go here

The results of the elective chapter were as follows:

Prioress | Priora | Priora:  
Sor  M^a del Sagrario Lorite Beltrán, O. Carm.

1st Councilor  | 1ª Consejera | 1ª Consigliera:
Sor M^a Norayma Coromoto Morales Montilla, O. Carm.

2nd Councilor | 2ª Consejera | 2ª Consigliera:
Sor M^a Mercedes de la Cruz Medina Zárraga, O. Carm.

Treasurer | Ecónoma | Economa
Sor M^a Mercedes de la Cruz Medina Zárraga, O. Carm.

Formator | Formadora | Formatrice
Sor M^a Norayma Coromoto Morales Montilla, O. Carm.

Sacristan | Sacristana | Sacrestana
Sor M^a Manuela de Jesús Medina Triguero, O. Carm.

In 2023, the Carmelites in Bamberg, Germany, are celebrating their 750th anniversary of Carmelite presence in the city. The proposal was to celebrate with several smaller events being held throughout the year. The year started on February 2, the day of consecrated life, with a meeting of all the religious of the diocese.

On the Sundays of Lent, various Carmelite saints were presented. In May, there were spiritual tours of the monastery church. On July 16, the Feast of Our Lady of Mount Carmel, the Bishop of Bamberg celebrated with the community.

 On November 3rd, an exhibition opened in the Diocesan Museum. This show will run through the  end of January 2024.

Two days later, on November 5, there was a concert with works by baroque musicians from Carmel to celebrate the anniversary. These included the Dutch Carmelite Benedictus Buns and Justinus Will, as well as selections from Handel’s Carmelite Vespers.

On November 12, the Carmelites of the German province came together to celebrate St. Theodore, the patron saint of the Carmelite church in Bamberg. This marked the ending of the formal  celebrations of the anniversary.