ENG

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IV-No. 1-2014

magazineCENTRUM INFORMATIONIS TOTIUS ORDINIS CARMELITARUM

CITOC

Editorial

Fr. Christian Körner, O.Carm.

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The CITOC magazine is published twice a year by the Order of Car-melites. Submitted news, informa-tion, feature, articles, letters, pho-tos, and other materials become the property of the Citoc Magazine.

Publisher Most Rev. Fernando Millán Romeral,

O.Carm.

Editor Very Rev. Christian Körner, O.Carm.

Consulting Editor Very Rev. Raúl Maraví, O.Carm.

Copy Editor Rev. Joseph Hung Tran, O.Carm.

CorrespondentsEurope

Very Rev. John Keating, O.Carm.

Africa Very Rev. Conrad Mutizamhepo,

O.Carm.

Americas Very Rev. Raúl Maraví, O.Carm.

Asia Australia and Oceania Very Rev. Benny Phang, O.Carm.

Send submissions to the editor atCuria Generalizia dei Carmelitani

Via Giovanni Lanza 138 00184 Rome, Italy Tel+39-064620181

Email: citocmagazine@ocarm.org www.ocarm.org

magazineCENTRUM INFORMATIONIS TOTIUS ORDINIS CARMELITARUMCITOCWe would

like to offer you the

first issue of CITOC magazine following the General Chapter that took place from the 3rd to the 20th of September 2013 in Sassone. Citoc-online already gave a day-by-day account of what happened in the Chapter. Here we give a summary of all that, bearing in mind the importance of this event for the life of the Order. We publish the message that Pope Francis sent to the Order and we introdu-ce the members of the new General Council. We then look at an interesting contribution sent to us by a young lay Carmelite who took part in the days of the Chapter that were dedicated to the Carmelite Family.

This issue also contains the accounts of two joyful events that took place shortly before the General Chapter: the canonical erection of the Province of the Philippines, on the 16th of July in Quezon City, Manila, and the World Youth Day that took place from the 21st to the 29th of July in Rio de Janeiro in Brazil. The account of this latter event gives us a beautiful image of this meeting of young people from all around the world, and especially the Carmelite Day, which brought together over seven hundred young people from various Carmelite parishes in the Americas.

Sadly, while we were working on this issue the news came about the terrible typhoon that produced thousands of victims and enormous damage in the Philippines, including some of our communities. We continue to pray for the victims and give thanks for the great solidarity that people have shown.

The Order mourns the passing of Fr. Emanuele Boaga. We remember his contribution to the Church and to the Order.

Another important event that is highlighted in this issue is the beatification of the 20th Century Martyrs in Spain among whom there were two groups of Carmelites.

Along with all of this news you will find a number of other items that will give you a variety of information on what is happening in the Order at this present time.

We wish all our readers an enjoyable reading of this issue of CITOC magazine.

contentEditorial

Assembly of the USG and a Meeting with Pope Francis

Eighth Centenary of the Death of St. Albert, Patriarch of Jerusalem

Carmelites Generously Respond to Typhoon Haiyan (Yolanda) in the Philippines

A Dream and An Image of the General Chapter

News

2

7

15

26

31

16 Philippine Province of Blessed Titus Brandsma

21The Carmelite Youth at WYD 2013

28Fr. Emanuele Boaga, O.Carm.

24The Beatification

of the Carmelite Martyrs

4Letter of Pope Francis

to the Carmelites

18The General Council

2013-2019

The General Chapter8

6

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I address you, dear Brothers of the Order of the Blessed Virgin Mary of Mount Carmel, as you celebrate in this month of September

the General Chapter. At this time of grace and renewal that calls on you to discern the mission of the glorious Order of Carmelites, I would like to offer you a word of encouragement and hope. The ancient charism of Carmel throughout these past eight centuries has been a gift for the whole Church, and still today continues to offer its special contribution to building up the Body of Christ, showing the world its luminous and holy face. Your contemplative origins spring from the land of the epiphany of God’s abiding love manifested in Jesus Christ, the Word made flesh. As you ponder your mission in Carmel today, I would ask you to consider three things that might guide you in the full realization of your vocation that is the ascent

of the mountain of perfection: love as allegiance, as prayer and as mission.

Allegiance

The Church has the mission to bring Christ to the world and it is for this, as Mother and Teacher, she invites each one of us to draw near to him. In the Carmelite liturgy for the feast of our Lady of Mount Carmel we contemplate the Virgin as being “near the Cross of Christ.” This is also the place where one finds the Church: near to Christ. It is also the place for every faithful member of the Carmelite Order. Your Rule begins with the exhortation to the brothers to “live a life of allegiance to Jesus Christ,” to follow him and to serve him with a pure and undi-vided heart. This close relationship to Christ happens in solitude, in fraternal assembly and in mission. “The fundamental choice of a life that is concretely

Letter of Pope Francis to the Carmelites on the Occasion of General Chapter 2013

To the Most Reverend Father

Fernando Millán Romeral

Prior General

of the Order of the Brothers of the Blessed Virgin Mary of Mount Carmel

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and radically dedicated to following Christ.” (Ratio Institutionis Vitae Carmelitanae 8) making of your lives a pilgrimage of loving transformation. The Second Vatican Council recalls the role of contem-plation on the journey of life: the Church has “in fact the characteristic of being both human and divine, visible and invisibly equipped, eager to act and yet intent on contemplation, present in this world as pilgrims.” (Sacrosanctum Concilium 2) The early hermits of Mount Carmel retained the memory of that holy place, and even if exiled and distanced from it constantly kept their gaze fixed on the glory of God. Reflecting on your origins and history and contemplating the vast lineage of those who lived the Carmelite charism down through the centuries you will discover again your present vocation to be prophets of hope. It is precisely with this hope you will be reborn. Often what is new is only something very old seen in a new light.

Within your Rule is the heart of the Carmel-ite mission then and now. As you approach the eight centenary of the death of Albert, Patri-arch of Jerusalem in 1214 you will recall that he formulated “a way of life”, a space that enables you to live a spirituality that is totally orientat-ed towards Christ. He outlines both external and internal elements, a physical ecology of space and the spiritual armour needed in order to fulfil one’s vocation and mission.

In a world that often misunderstands Christ, and in fact rejects him, you are invited to draw near and to unite yourselves more closely with him. It is a continuous call to follow Christ and be conformed to him. This is of vital importance in our world so disoriented, “for once the flame of faith dies out, all other lights begin to dim.” (Lumen Fidei 4) Christ is present in your frater-nity, your common worship and in the ministry entrusted to you: renew the allegiance of your whole life!

Prayer

The Holy Father Benedict XVI, before your General Chapter of 2007 reminded you that “faith’s inner pilgrimage towards God begins in prayer”; and at Castel Gandolfo in August 2010 said to you that: “You are the ones who teach us how to pray”. You speak of yourselves as contem-platives in the midst of the people. If it is true that you are called to live on the heights of Carmel then it is also true that you are called to witness in the midst of the people. Prayer is that “royal road” that leads to the profound mystery of the One and Triune God, but it is also the narrow pathway to

God in the midst of the people as pilgrims in the world towards the Promised Land.

One of the most beautiful ways for entering into prayer is through the Word of God. Lectio divina brings you into direct conversation with the Lord and it opens for you wisdom’s treasure. The intimate friendship with the One who loves us, enables us to see with the eyes of God, to speak with his Word in our hearts, to treasure the beauty of that experi-ence and to share it with those who are hungry for eternity.

Returning to the simplicity of a life centred on the Gospel is the challenge for a renewed Church, a community of faith that always finds new ways of evangelization in a world continually changing. The Saints of Carmel have been the great preach-ers and teachers of prayer. This is what is needed once again from Carmel in the twenty-first century. Constantly throughout the length of your history, the greats of Carmel have sought to call you back to your prayerful contemplative roots, roots always fruitful in prayer. Here is the heart of your witness: the “contemplative” dimension of the Order, to be lived, cultivated and transmitted. I would like each one of you to ask yourself: how is my contem-plative life? How much time during my day do I dedicate to prayer and contemplation? A Carmel-ite without this contemplative life is a dead body! Today, perhaps more than in the past, it is so easy to allow ourselves to be distracted by the cares and worries of this world and to succumb to false idols. Our world is fractured in so many ways, rather the contemplative unites and powerfully builds the call to unity. Now more than ever is the moment for you to discover again that inner pathway to love through prayer and to offer to the people today in your preaching and mission the witness of your contemplation, not easy solutions but that wisdom that comes from pondering “day and night the Law of the Lord”. The Word always brings one near to the glorious cross of Christ. United in contempla-tion and austerity of life is not a secondary aspect of your life and witness. There is a very strong temptation even for you to fall into a mundane spir-ituality. The spirit of the world is the enemy of the life of prayer: never forget this! I exhort you to a more austere and penitential life, according to your authentic tradition, a life distant from all worldli-ness, distant from the world’s criteria.

Mission

My dear Carmelite brothers, yours is the same mission as Jesus. All the planning and Chapter dialogue will be of little use, if the Chapter does not realize this above all else as a way to true renewal.

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Your Carmelite family is seeing a wonderful “springtime” across the world, that fruit, a gift of God, and the missionary involvement of the past. Today the mission brings its heavy chal-lenges as the Gospel message is not always accepted or even violently rejected. We must never forget, even if thrown into murky and unknown waters, that the one who gives the mission will also give the courage and the strength to put it into practice. So celebrate your Chapter with the hope that never dies, with a strong spirit of generosity regaining your contemplative life and the simplicity and austerity of the Gospel.

Addressing pilgrims in Saint Peter’s Square I said: “Each individual Christian and every community is missionary to the extent that they bring to others and live the Gospel, and testify to God’s love for all, especially those experiencing difficulties. Be missionaries of God’s love and tenderness! Be missionaries of God’s mercy, which always forgives us, always awaits us and loves us dearly”(Homily 19th May 2013). The witness of Carmel in the past is one of a deep spiritual tradition that grew into one of the great schools of prayer. It has

evoked courage in men and women facing danger and even death. We are only too aware of two great contemporary martyrs in Saint Teresa Benedicta of the Cross and Blessed Titus Brandsma. I would ask you then: today among you, do you still have the endurance, the courage of these saints?

Dear Brothers of Carmel, the witness of your love, and your hope radiating from your deep friendship with the living God, can reach like a “gentle breeze” renewing and re-awakening your ecclesial mission in today’s world. To this you have been called. Your Profession Rite puts on your lips these words: “I entrust myself to God that by His grace and with the aid of the Blessed Virgin Mary I may attain perfect charity in the service of God and the Church.”

Our Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother and Queen of Carmel, accompany your steps and make fruitful your daily journey towards the Mountain of God. I invoke upon all the members of the Carmelite Family, and most especially you Capitulars, the abundant bless-ings of the Holy Spirit and to all I heartily impart the Apostolic Blessing.

Vatican, August 22, 2013

Assembly of the USG and a Meeting with Pope Francis

On the 27th and 28th of November, the Prior General, Fernando Millán Romeral, O.Carm., took part in the 82nd Assembly of the Union

of Superiors General, held in Rome. Some 120 Generals of orders and congregations attended. The theme chosen for this assembly was, Pope Francis: The Challenge of Gospel Leadership. This theme was in line with that of the previous assembly in May 2013, Leadership in Religious

Life, 50 years after the II Vatican Council. For the two days, the generals reflected on the challenges that they face in fulfilling their mission in the style (speeches, gestures, message) of Pope Francis in view of a more gospel-like exercise of authority. On the 27th, Cardinal João Braz de Aviz, Prefect of the Congregation for Institutes of Consecrated Life and Societies of Apostolic Life (CIVCSVA), celebra-ted the Eucharist for the participants. On the same day, Mauro Jöhri (Minister General of the Capu-chins) was elected Vice-president of the USG.

On Friday, the 29th, the generals were received by Pope Francis in what is call the Synod Hall, in the Vatican. For more than three hours, he engaged in conversation with them, answering questions in the most spontaneous and fraternal way, looking at some cogent issues in religious life today (the witness that is expected of religious life, relations with bishops, the importance of formation, mission on the frontiers, the work of the consecrated life in education, inculturation etc.)

At the same time, Pope Francis announced that 2015 will be a year dedicated to consecrated life, and as he said goodbye to all he thanked them for the service that religious life gives to the Church.

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The year 2014 marks the 8th centenary of the death of St. Albert, Patriarch of Jeru-salem, who, the Rubrica Prima of the 1281

Constitutions, the oldest extant, tells us, had the great merit of uniting the hermits of Mount Carmel in one community and of giving them a Formula for Living. The Carmelite Rule, in particular the prologue and the epilogue, portray him as a father, pastor, legislator and guide. With his wise discern-ment and his authority as a bishop, he knew how to recognise in the life plan (propositum) of the first hermits an authentic proposal for a life in accordance with the Gospel and a gift of the Holy Spirit to the Church.

The centenary year was opened by the Prior General, Fr. Fernando Millan Romeral, during the General Chapter, on the 17th of Septem-ber, the liturgical feast of St. Albert. Throughout those days various representatives of the other sectors of the Carmelite Family were present at the Chapter, cloistered nuns, hermits, sisters, lay carmelites. Because of that, the celebration had a particular air of gratitude and festivity for all that Carmel represents and is today thanks to the

work of St. Albert. The Rule that he left us is still a source of inspiration for many Christians and for many groups in the Church.

Just recently the General Council appointed a small commission to look at ways of highlighting this centenary. The next issue of this review, moreover, will be dedicated entirely to it. That issue, among other things, will report on the

initiatives, celebrations and events that are taking place or will be taking

place throughout the year in the various Carmelite places. We

would like to mention here an initiative that has just been completed, under the patronage of the General Curia. It is a CD with twelve songs, about St. Albert, the hermits and the Rule, composed by the hermits of

Arezzo, Italy, in the style of the medieval cantatas. The CD

has been issued in Italian and in English and, for anyone who may be

interested, it is available from the email address: eremitcarm@libero.it.

THE EIGHTH CENTENARY OF ST. ALBERT OF JERUSALEMFr. Mario Alfarano, O.Carm.

The General Chapter 2013

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After more than a year of preparation, the 213th General Chapter of the Order of Carmelites opened at the Il Carmelo Center

in Sassone, Italy on the outskirts of Rome, on Tuesday, September 3, 2013. This beautiful facility, updated and in good condition, became the home until September 21st for the eighty-two delegates, as well as guests and secretariat that comprised this Chapter experience. With the theme: A Word of Salvation and Hope – Living the charism and mission of Carmel today, the Preparatory Commission organized the three weeks of chapter so that there would be a blend of prayer, fraternal encounters in meetings and other activities, and work to understand the theme and apply it to our Carmelite life today and in the future.

The Chapter began with the Mass of the Holy Spirit, led by the Prior General, the Most Reverend Fernando Millán Romeral, O.Carm., and concele-brated by the members of the General Council. The Prior General welcomed all of the capitulars, as well as the guests, secretaries and others present. He exhorted the brothers to nurture three attitu-des throughout the Chapter: humility, wisdom and generosity, and to trust in the inspiration of the Holy Spirit.

Standing near the altar was a newly-written Icon of Our Lady of Mount Carmel surrounded by images of St. Albert of Jerusalem, St. Teresa of Jesus, St. Mary Magdalene de Pazzi, and Bl. Titus Brandsma. At the conclusion of the Mass, the brothers in their white mantles, processed with the Icon to the Chapter Hall singing the Litany of Carmelite Saints. In the Chapter Hall, Fr. Fernando blessed the Icon,

the Veni Creator Spiritus was chanted, and the Chapter officially opened. Later in the morning, in the next session, Sr. Miriam Tamiano, O.Carm., Prioress of Cerreto, gave a theological reflection and presentation of the Icon which was written in that Monastery.

After the presentation of Sr. Miriam, the Chapter elected the Most Reverend Joseph Chalmers, O.Carm., Prior General from 1995 to 2007, as the President of the Chapter. As the Office of Prior General is vacant from the time the Chapter opens until the Chapter holds elections for the office, Fr. Joseph was designated to preside in the interim.

When the Chapter recon-vened after lunch, the

message to the Chapter from His Holiness, Pope Francis, was read. In beautiful words, the Holy Father reminded the Order that keeping alive its

contemplative life and sharing it with the Church

was an important part of the contemporary mission of the Order (His Holiness’ letter is published on page 4 in this issue). The Holy Father addressed that our witness of love and hope must flow from our deep friendship with the living God, rooted in prayer, which will renew and re-awaken our ecclesial mission today.

Fr. Fernando then gave his report to the Chapter on the State of the Order. The following day the

The General Chapter 2013

Fr. Mario Esposito, O.Carm., CIW and Citoc Online

members of the General Council who represent Asia, Africa, the Americas, and Europe gave their regional reports. They also reported on areas of responsi-bility such as formation, evangelization, youth, and justice, peace and the integrity of creation. Frs. Kevin Alban, Bursar General, and Josef Jančář, Procurator General, gave reports on their areas of responsibility. The Procurator General is the Order’s representative to the Holy See and facilitates the necessary contacts with the Roman Curia.

During the first weeks, several speakers and friars from each of the Geographical Regions of the Order, shared reflection on various aspects of the theme.

Jesuit Archbishop Luis F. Ladaria, Secretary of the

Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, offered the first of the Chapter reflections and chose as his topic “The Joy of the Good News in

a World that Cries a Word of Hope and Salvation”. In

his exposition Archbishop Ladaria reminded us that Evan-

gelization is first and foremost a proclamation of the Person of Jesus Christ. Jesus Christ is the centre of history, the definitive Word of the Father, the Saviour of all humankind. The Church declares in Dominus Jesus that Christ is the sole path to the Father, and our own Rule refers to Christ as “our only Saviour.” Christianity can never depart from its unitary vision of history without also losing its universal message of salvation”. To receive everything from Christ also gives us the obligation to transmit it and make it known”.

Fr. Michael Plattig, O.Carm., a profes-

sor of Spirituality at Münster University and a member of the German Province, was the next speaker invited to

address the Chapter. He presented, “Living

Charism and Mission for Carmel: A Word of Hope

and Salvation”. Fr. Michael considered Carmelite Identity and Charism as the basis from which we can find words of hope and salvation for the world today. He said, “We Carmelites owe the Church the proclamation of God who redeems and liber-ates us, who wants to live in a relationship with us, a relationship of love and confidence, of rever-ence and of respect for the freedom of the other.”

In the afternoon of that same day, the Chapter

was pleased to hear a woman’s perspec-tive on our theme from Doctor Nuria Calduch-Benages, a religious of the

Missionary Daughters of the Holy Family of

Nazareth and a profes-sor of Biblical Theology. Sr.

Nuria invited us to consider the figure of Miriam, sister of Moses, as an example of one who lives and acts on hope. Indeed, Chapter 2 of the Book of Exodus has many examples of women who live and act on hope, even in opposition to the

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power of kings and Pharaohs. She then asked the Chapter, “Are we men and women of hope? Do our thoughts, words and actions reflect a love of life or of death? On what do we base our hope? As Miriam thanked God by singing the canticle of Exodus 15, and as Mary of Nazareth thanked God by singing the Magnificat, what is our canticle of hope and thanksgiving?” Sr. Nuria’s theme of Mary’s Magnif-icat became a theme that many referred to time and again throughout the Chapter.

It was a full day and that evening Archbishop Filippo Iannone, O.Carm., the Vicegerent of the Diocese of Rome, visited the Chapter and celebrated Mass with the Chapter community. He found it a delight to celebrate with his brother Carmelites and share the beauty of our faith and hope.

On September 7th, the Chapter followed the request of our Holy Father, Pope Francis, and joined the universal Church in a Day of Fasting and Prayer for Peace in Syria.

Four members of the Chapter – Boniface Kimon-dolo from Kenya, Enrique Laguna from Peru, Chris-tian Buenafe from the Philippines, and Francisco Daza from Spain – spoke to the theme “Carmel in Mission: Windows of Hope”, reflecting the activi-ties and vision of the Order from the perspective of their different cultures. Their presentations demonstrated the rich cultural diversity of our Carmelite Family and the depths of our Tradition that can be brought to serve humankind from the developed nations of Europe and North America to the emerging nations of Africa and Asia. It became abundantly clear to the capitulars that the future and the hope of the Order, like the Church, lies

in the global South where both faith and spiritu-ality have matured and are blooming abundantly. Carmel has taken root in this new soil just in time as the flame of our tradition passes from North to South.

By this time the Chapter had been meeting a week and a half. The capitulars had been given time

to get to know one another and the various reports had given them an overview of

the state of the Order from a variety of perspectives. The time was coming to choose the leadership for the next sexenium – the six-year period between Chapters.

To prepare for the elections, business was suspended and a Retreat Day was held under

the guidance of Kees Waaijman, O.Carm., from the Dutch Province.

Fr. Kees drew his reflections from Psalm 131 inviting the members of the Chapter to

see themselves from the perspective of a pilgrim in exile. The day concluded with Mass celebrated by Cardinal Joao Braz de Aviz, Prefect of the Congre-gation for Institutes of Consecrated Life and Socie-ties of Apostolic Life. His Eminence, very much in the Spirit of Pope Francis, encouraged us to face the future and its challenges with hope. He demon-strated to us the call of Pope Francis to embrace the poor even if it means giving up the securities and comforts to which we have become accustomed.

When the Chapter sat to elect the General and General Council, Fr. Fernando Millán Romeral, O.Carm., was re-elected on the first ballot. Fr. Christian Körner, O.Carm., of the German Province was re-elected Vice-General. New to the Council are Fr. Michael Farrugia, O.Carm., of Malta who

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is the Procurator General; Fr. Carl Markelz, O.Carm., of the PCM Province (Pure Heart of Mary, U.S.A.) who is the Bursar General; Fr. Conrad Mutizamhepo, O.Carm., from Zimbabwe who is the General Councillor for Africa; and Fr. Benny Phang Kong Wing, O.Carm., from Indonesia who is the General Councillor for Asia. Fr. Raúl Maraví Cabrera, O.Carm., from Peru, was re-elected for the Americas, and Fr. John Keating, O.Carm., from Ireland, was re-elected as Councillor for Europe. Thus there is both stability and new blood on the General Council, insuring continuity and a smooth transition.

It was after the elections that the larger Carmelite Family was invited to join the capitulars for Carmelite Family Day. The Most Reverend Father Saverio Cannistrà, OCD, Superior General of the Order of Discalced Carmelites, celebrated the Mass and addressed the Chapter, reminding us that there is always the danger that we are more concerned about the numerical growth of the Order than its fidelity to its charism. Success, as Mother Theresa of Calcutta once observed, needs to be measured not in human terms but in fidelity.

Some of the most remarkable talks given to the Chapter were by members of the larger Carmelite Family. Sylvia Lucas, a lay Carmelite from Great Britain, challenged the Chapter to be present to lay people while continuing to trust and

support them with the Carmelite values of listening, stillness, justice, gentleness, and prayer. A cloistered nun, Sr. Marie Elena Tolentino, O.Carm., from the Philip-pines, described the monasteries dedica-ted to contemplation as places and means by which people open themselves comple-tely to grace, to the actions of the Holy Spirit to change our hearts. An active religious sister from Spain, Sr. Maria del Carmen Aparicio, HHVMMC, described her own vocational story and offered windows of hope, including all to be carriers of the Word, like Mary, accepting it, giving it life and allowing ourselves to be transfor-med by it. Finally two members of the Carmelite Committee for the European Youth, Victor M. Navarro from Spain, and Luca Sciarelli, O.Carm., from Italy, descri-bed the “Awakening” Project, based on 1 Kings 19,7-8, in which the angel of the Lord wakes up Elijah. They also challen-ged the Chapter to value young people by sharing the gift of our spirituality in their own language and communicating happi-ness and joy in our own vocations. The Chapter then had a question and answer period to discuss these four presentations. The evening was highlighted with cultural presentations, with singing and dancing with the Carmelite Family!

This was not the only inter-face of the Chapter with the larger Carmelite Family. The Chapter had been invited the previous week to the Carmelite parish at Palestri-na where the local Lay Carmelites hosted a wonderful dinner under the arbours and trellises behind what had once been one of the most important houses of the Order. The day had begun with Mass in an ancient catacomb beneath the Carme-lite Church in Albano and concluded with a fascinating tour of the church and convent of Palestrina, both located in the hills near the papal summer residence at Castel Gandolfo.

On Tuesday, September 17th, the chapter opened the eighth centenary of the death of Saint Albert of Jerusalem – the “Lawgiver” of Carmel who wrote our Rule and gave it to the first hermits on Mount Carmel. At the end of the liturgy, the Prior General, Father Fernando Millán Romeral, blessed and distributed copies of the Icon of Our Lady of Mount Carmel that was written expressly for the Chapter.

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In the evening, the former Prior General, Father Falco Thuis, presented a video on the Memorial to Blessed Titus Brandsma in the Netherlands.

The capitulars and members of the larger Carme-lite Family piled into buses early on Wednesday morning, September 18th, to attend the General Audience with Pope Francis. The massive Carme-lite delegation was given prominent seating on the parvis of the Basilica near the papal chair. All agreed that it was a thrill to see and hear this Pope who has brought such new life into the Church. At the end of the audience Pope Francis had a few moments to spend with the Prior General in which he thanked him for the work of the Order in the Church and reminded him of three important values for Carmelites, prayer, simplicity and austerity.

Naturally, much time was also devoted to the business of the Chapter and decisions were made regarding the time of general meetings, the work of formation, ministry to youth, communications and publications, finances and all of the other details involved in running a worldwide religious institute. Many reports gave the capitulars a deeper knowled-ge of the life of the Order. During the years ahead, stress will be put on the revision of the Constitu-tions, on-going formation courses, and streng-thening community life and formation programs. The Chapter also took the decision to be sure that every Province, Commissariat and Delegation has in place adequate policies for the protection of the

minors and vulnerable adults to whom we minister. In such a global time in which we live, the mission of Carmel will constantly evolve and change, and it is up to us to insure that we face today’s and tomorrow’s challenge out of the richness of our Carmelite heritage and values.

Before the Chapter ended, the final message of the Chapter to the Order was compiled and read out to all members. It echoes the words of Pope Francis, “Our Mission is to live our charism. The heart of our witness is to realize the contemplative dimension of the Order, to be lived, cultivated, and transmitted.” Our international Carmelite fraternity lived under the patronage of Our Lady of Mount Carmel, Mother of Evangelization and Mother of Holy Hope, still has an important contribution to make to the Church and world.

On the last day of the Chapter, after the closing talk of Fr. Fernando, at 11:15am all members gathered in the Chapter Hall with white mantles, for the closing ceremony of the reading of the Acts and signing of the Chapter Book. The Te Deum was sung, and the capitulars processed back to the chapel with the icon of Mary singing the Flos Carmeli. The Mass of Our Lady of Mount Carmel was offered, concelebrated by the Prior General and all of the past and new members of the General Council. In his homily, Father General sincere-ly thanked those who had served on the General Council for all of their work and sacrifices, and to

CITOC | P. 14Carmelites participated at the Second Vatican Council

the new members of the Council for accepting the new mission to which they were called so quickly. He used the image of Mary our Mother and Model at the foot of the cross embracing with faith and love the sacrifice of her Son and her own loving sacrifice. For sure, Mary will help and accompany all of her sons and daughters in Carmel and help us to truly be of great service to the Church.

After a festive meal, the members of the Chapter organized themselves for the return home. All participants are deeply grateful to the Lord for this fraternal encounter, and commend ourselves to Mary our Mother, and the Prophet Elijah our Father, and will seek to live the message of hope and salvation who is Christ in all of our communi-ties and countries.

Carmelite Family from Africa

Carmelite Family from Americas

Carmelite Family from EuropeCarmelite Family from Asia-Oceania-Australia

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On November 8, 2013, Typhoon HAIYAN (Yolanda) hit Central Philippines. The typhoon brought strong winds, heavy rains, storm surge and debris leaving thousands

dead and missing in the devastated provinces, cities and towns in the reagion of Visayas and Palawan before it exited through the West Philippine Sea (South China Sea). The death toll stands at 5,924 and 1,779 people are still missing. More than nine million people have been affected in the Philippines.

The Prior Provincial of the Province of Blessed Titus Brandsma, Christian “Toots” Buenafe, reported that some of the Carmeli-te convents, churches, centers and schools, where our friars, nuns, and sisters are living and serving, were badly damaged and needed immediate repairs and reconstruction. The homes of many people where the Carmelites are serving were either flat-tened or damaged.

As the Carmelite Family, the General Council wanted to express solidarity and closeness to our Brothers and Sisters in this tragic situation. The Curia immediately sent €10,000 in emergency aid to the Carmelites in the Philippines and made an appeal for help to the entire Carmelite family throughout the world. After one month of collections for Task Force Carmel Cares, we are happy to report that over €166,000 ($225,000) from 15 countries has been collected by the Curia. Thank you to all of our communities of friars, nuns, sisters, and lay Carmelites.

We know many of Carmelite communities, schools, and parishes have also donated to the Philippines directly or through their local charities and diocesan collections. Thank you for supporting our Carmelites in this tragic situation. Donations can still be sent either to the General Curia or directly to the Philippines. Task Force Carmel Cares continues to help many people. Thanks to our Carmelites in the Philippines for setting up this organization and keeping us informed of their progress.

May we continue to be solidarity with our sisters and brothers in the Philippines and remember them in our daily prayers as they continue the recovery and rebuilding efforts.

Carmelites Generously Respond to Typhoon Haiyan (Yolanda)

in the Philippines

San Lorenzo Parish in Ormoc

drop-off and distribution points for relief

Carmelite Spiritual Center in Ormoc

one of the damaged places where Carmelites are serving

CITOC | P. 16

Philippine Province of

Blessed Titus Brandsma Erected

Fr. Christian B. Buenafe, O.Carm.

The Carmelite Province of Blessed Titus Brandsma of the Philippines was canonical-ly erected on July 16, 2013 thru a Decree

of Canonical Erection passed and approved by the Most Rev. Fernando Millán Romeral, O.Carm., the Prior General of the Order with his Council, dated and signed on March 25, 2013 at the Order’s General Curia in Rome.

The newly erected Province was founded by the Dutch Carmelites as they established its first mission community in Escalante, Negros Occidental in response to the invitation of Bishop Epifanio Surban of Dumaguete in 1957. March 16, 1958 marks the founding day of Philippine Carmel with its founders: Fr. Richard Vissers, O.Carm. (Prior), Fr. Wirenfried Viesters, O.Carm., Fr. Theodulf Vrakking, O.Carm. from the Dutch Carmel Province; and Fr. Fidelis Limcaco, O.Carm., a Filipino and member of the PCM Province joined the pioneering community. From then on, the Order continues to grow and expanded in the different dioceses of the country and got involved in various ministries and programs of the Church.

Presently, the Province has five canonically erected houses: Mount Carmel Monastery of Escalante, in Negros Occidental (1958), Carmelite Monastery of Sts. Elijah and Elisha in Agusan del Sur (1963), Manila Carmel of St. Teresa of Avila (1967), Spring of Carmel Community in Quezon City (1987), Cebu Carmel of San Alberto in Cebu City (1994). The Manila Carmel of St. John of the Cross (2008) with ad experimentum status and Carmel of St. Elijah Formation commu-nity are both in Quezon City; and St. Albert Friary, a mission community (2008) in Papua New Guinea are not canonically erected.

The Order is involved in different pastoral minis-

CITOC | P. 17

tries of the Church in the Philip-pines and Papua New Guinea

as the Carmelites adminis-ter seven parishes and

one mission station in four dioceses; two colleges and two high schools in two dioceses; three centers of spiritu-ality and hermit-ages, an academic institute of spiri-tuality and media

ministry based in Manila. The Carmel-

ites are also involved in teaching and retreat

ministry, youth ministry, JPIC and social action ministry,

chaplaincy and assistance to the Carmelite Family in the different parts of the country. The Filipino Carmelites administer two parishes with its mission stations in the Diocese of Bereina and Archdiocese of Port of Moresby in Papa New Guinea aside from other diocesan appoint-ments and tasks in formation, pastoral, communi-cation and youth ministries.

The canonical erection of the Philippine Province is a gift to share and celebrate as the seed of Carmel which was planted in 1958 has grown fully into a fruit- bearing tree. Carmel in the Philippines has grown in age and grace through the years in the heart of Philippine Church and society. A holy mass was celebrated on the occasion of the canoni-cal erection and the celebration of the solemnity of the Our Lady of Mount Carmel on July 16, 2013, held at the Immaculate Conception Cathedral of the Diocese of Cubao in New Manila, Quezon City. The

Very Rev. Christian Körner, O.Carm, the Vice Prior General of the Order presided the celebration in behalf of the Prior General. The Very Rev. Albertus Herwanta, O.Carm., the Councilor General for Asia, Australia & Oceania read the decree of canonical erection after which, the Vice Prior General installed into office the first Prior Provincial, the Very Rev. Christian Buenafe, O.Carm., together with his Provincial Council: Fr. Rico Ponce, O.Carm., Fr. Roberto Noel Rosas, O.Carm., Fr. Gilbert Sabado, O.Carm., Fr. Eduardo Albino, O.Carm.,

The celebration was attended by hundreds of guests and well wishers; from the Carmelite Family, the Order’s mission partners and friends. Bishop Honesto Ongtioco of Cubao and Bishop Emeritus Julio Xavier Labayen, OCD of Infanta, a number of Major Superiors of religious orders and congrega-tions in the country also attended and graced the celebration.

The celebration was capped with a program and agape held at Titus Brandsma Center in New Manila where the Titus Brandsma Memorial was dedicated and blessed by Fr. Körner. The Titus Brandsma bust was made by Prof. Napoleon Abueva, a National Artist for Sculpture and the panels were painted by visual artist Tomas Leonor. From our mother province, the Very Rev. Ben Wolbers, O.Carm., Prior Provincial and Rev. Eef van Vilsteren, O.Carm. Co- Provincial of the Dutch Province, gave their inspiring message and a gift to the newly erected province. The Very Rev. Albertus Herwanta, O.Carm., the Very Rev. Mario Esposito, O.Carm., the Prior Provincial of the North American Province of St. Elias, the Very Rev. Anthony Scerri, O.Carm. of the Province of the Assumption of Australia and Timor Leste also gave their messages and good wishes to the newly erected province. Fr. Joseph Thien, O.Carm. from Vietnam was also present in the celebration.

(continued on page 31)

CITOC | P. 18

Fr. Fernando Millán Romeral, O.Carm. Prior General

Fr. Fernando was born on August 19, 1962 in Madrid,

Spain. He studied at the Colegio Santa Maria del Carmen in Madrid. Follow-ing his simple profes-sion in 1981, he studied philosophy at the Pontifi-

cal Comillas University and completed his studies in

theology at the C.E.T. in Seville, at the Milltown Institute in Dublin and at Comillas. He obtained a licentiate in theology at the Pontifi-cal Comllas University in 1990.

He made his solemn profession in Madrid in 1987 and was ordained a priest in the same city on January 21 in 1989. Having worked for a number of years as a teacher at Colegio Santa Maria del Carmen in Madrid he spent a number of years at the St. Albert’s International Centre in Rome (CISA) and obtained a doctorate in theology from

the Pontifical Gregorian University with a thesis on the theology of penance of Fr. Bartolomé Xiberta, published in 1997 by Edizioni Carmelitane.

Returning to Spain, he taught as an Ordinary Professor of Sacraments in the Theology Faculty in the Pontifical Comillas University beginning in February 1995. He taught as an guest professor at the Pontifical Gregorian University and gave courses in a number of other universities as well.

He was a member of the Institutum Carmelita-num in Rome, the Centro de Estudios judeo-cris-tianos in Madrid and the General Commission for Culture of the Carmelite Order. Further, he was a member of the advisory editorial team for such reviews as: Escapulario del Carmen (Jerez de la Frontera), Sal Terrae (Madrid); Fonte (Madrid) and Estudios Eclesiásticos (Madrid). Morover, he is a literary prize-winner for his short story writing.

He was elected Prior General of the Carmelite Order at the 2007 General Chapter in Sassone, Rome and was reelected to serve for the second term 2013-2019 at the General Chapter 2013.

The General Council 2013-2019

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Fr. Christian Körner, O.Carm. Vice Prior General

Fr. Christian Körner, O.Carm. was born in Würzburg

(Bavaria), Germany, on July 27, 1959. He entered the Carmelite Order in 1981, follow-ing his studies at the

school of the Carmelites, Theresianum, in Bamberg.

He made his Simple Profes-sion on September 8, 1982 and

Solemn Profession on September 7, 1986. He completed his studies in Philosophy and Theology in Bamberg and Rome. After he was ordained a priest in 1988, Father Christian worked in a Parish as Vice Parish priest. He was Master of Novices from 1992 to 1997 and for the next three years from 1997 to 2000 Master of the students. Before his first election as Prior Provincial of the German Province in 2000 (to 2007) he was Prior of the community of Bamberg and Provincial Counsellor. From 1994 to 2007 he was member of the Inter-national Commission for Formation of the Order.

At the General Chapter 2007 Fr. Christian was elected Vice Prior General of the Order to serve for a six year term 2007-2013 and at the General Chapter 2013 he was reelected to serve for the second term 2013-2019.

Fr. Michael Farrugia, O.Carm. Procurator General

Fr. Michael was born in Qormi, Malta on January 6, 1962.

In 1984 he made the reli-gious Solemn Profession. Following his studies of philosophy in Malta, he continued with his studies in Sacred Theology at the

Pontifical Gregorian Univer-sity, in Rome. In 1986, he

was ordained to priesthood by Blessed Pope John Paul II. Fr. Michael continued his studies in Canon Law at the Pontifical Lateran University where he earned his doctorate. In the Province, Fr. Michael was Provincial Bursar, Provin-cial Councilor, Prior, Parish Priest and member of the formation team. In the year 2009 he was elected Prior Provincial and re-elected in 2012. He was president of the Italy-Malta Region.

In the Archdiocese of Malta, Fr. Michael was Defender of the Bond and Justice Promoter in the Ecclesiastical Tribunal and Judge of the Regional

Tribunal of Second Instance. In 2006, he was elected member of the Presbyterial Council and was member on various diocesan commissions. He was councillor and President of the Conference of Religious Major Superiors.

At the General Chapter in 2013 he was elected Procurator General of the Order to serve for a six year term 2013-2019.

Fr. Carl Joseph Markelz, O.Carm. Bursar General

Fr. Carl was born in Joliet, IL, USA, on August 16, 1962.

He attended Joliet Catholic High School, adminis-tered by the Carmel-ites. After graduating from Loyola University of Chicago, he entered

the Carmelites and did his novitiate in Middletown, NY.

Taught two years on internship at Mount Carmel High School in Chicago and lived in community at St. Gelasius Parish. He professed his solemn vows in Washington, DC in 1989. After studying Theology at the Washington Theological Union, he was ordained in 1991. He then lived in community and ministered at Crespi Carmelite High School in Encino, CA. During that time, he studied school leadership and administration at the University of San Francisco, and became the Prin-cipal and President of Mount Carmel High School, Chicago in 1996 and continued living in commu-nity and ministering there for 15 years. In 2011, he was elected Provincial of the PCM Province.

At the 2013 General Chapter, he was elected Bursar General of the Order to serve for a six year term 2013-2019, and is honored and humbled to serve the members of the Carmelite Family.

Fr. Conrad Mutizamhepo, O.Carm. General Councillor of Africa

Fr. Conrad was born in Mt. Mellery, Zimbabwe on June

7, 1966. He is the second born in a family of six. He went to a boarding school run by Carmelites who influenced his section to join the Carmelites.

He entered the forma-tion programme in 1985,

making his first profession in 1987. Thereafter He enrolled into philosophy and theology studies. He was ordained on 17 Septem-

ber 1994. He has worked at Regina Coeli Mission, Mutare Diocese (1993-1995), Kriste Mambo Formation Centre as director of postulants (1995-1997), further studies in Dublin (1997-1999), director of students at Mount Carmel Students house (2000-2012), and Rector of Holy Trinity College (2007-2013).

At the General Chapter in 2013 he was elected General Councillor of Africa of the Order to serve for a six year term 2013-2019.

Fr. Raúl Maraví Cabrera, O.Carm. General Councillor of the Americas

Fr. Raúl was born in Lima, Peru, on March 2, 1964.

After joining the Carmel-ite Order he made his first profession of vows in January 25, 1992 and was ordained a priest on June 13, 1997 in

Lima, Peru. Fr. Raúl holds a B.A. in Economics, a B.A.

in Theology, a M.A. in Semitic Languages and a S.S.L. in Sacred Scriptures. His ministry experience comprises: Dean in youth ministry for the Archdiocesis of Lima, President of a prestigious Carmelite school in Peru, Professor of Old Testament and Biblical Hebrew at Facultad de Teología Pontificia y Civil de Lima, and Director of the Spiritual Retreat Centre of the Carmelites in Peru.

At the General Chapter in 2007 he was elected General Councillor of Americas of the Order to serve for a six year term 2007-2013 and at the General Chapter 2013 he was reelected to serve for second term 2013-2019.

Fr. Benny Phang Khong Wing, O.Carm. General Councillor of Asia, Oceania and Australia

Fr. Benny was born in Surabaya, Indonesia on

April 20, 1970. He joined the Order in 1990, solemnly professed in 1997 and was ordained in 1998. After that he

worked in a small parish from 1998-2001, then he

went to the Catholic Univer-sity of America in Washington,

DC, and accomplished his licentiate in moral theology in 2006. After graduation he went back to Indonesia for a year to teach and work in a

formation house. In 2007 he was sent to Rome to study and there he got his doctorate degree in bioethics from Angelicum in 2010. Fr. Benny went back to Indonesia, taught in STFT Widya Sasana (Carmelite philosophy and theology college with 400 students) and worked in the formation house as a formator and then as prior of the community. During his free time he published some articles in national and international journals, wrote and edited eight books, and gave talks and retreats to many groups in different countries and cities, particularly to the young people.

At the General Chapter in 2013 he was elected General Councillor of Asia, Oceania and Australia of the Order to serve for a six year term 2013-2019.

Fr. John Keating, O.Carm. General Councillor of Europe

Fr. John was born in Wexford, Ireland, on July 20, 1944. He was educated by the Carmelites at Terenure College, Dublin, and entered the novitiate in Kinsale in 1964. He made his first profession in 1965

and then studied philoso-phy in Dublin until 1968

when he went to Collegio Inter-nazionale Sant’Alberto in Rome gaining a licentiate at the Gregorian University. Returning to Dublin in 1972, he lived and worked in a number of Irish houses - Whitefriar Street, Gort Muire, Terenure and Kinsale. He has held the following positions during that time: Assistant Provincial, Provincial Councillor, Prior (Gort Muire and Kinsale), Director of Vocations and Formation Director. He worked for many years in the liturgical, retreat, youth and music ministry of the Carmelite Conference and Retreat Centre at Gort Muire. Following further studies in Rome and Paris from 1986 to 1988, he returned to Dublin to teach courses in liturgy, spirituality, and pastoral and homiletic practice at the Milltown Institute of Philosophy and Theology, Dublin, over a fifteen year period. He also taught at the National Centre for Liturgy. Before his election as Councillor General, he served on the Irish Commission for Liturgy for many years. He also served on a number of the Carmelite Order commissions.

At the General Chapter in 2007 he was elected General Councillor of Europe of the Order to serve for a six year term 2007-2013 and at the General Chapter 2013 he was reelected to serve for second term 2013-2019.

CITOC | P. 20

CITOC | P. 21

The experience that the Carmelite Youth of Peru (JUCAR Peru) had of the WYD began long before the journey to Rio de Janeiro.

Back as far as November 2012 young people from different parishes and colleges run by the Carmelites in Peru began to get orga-nised in preparation for the event. The months were filled with jobs, meetings, fund-raising and most of all the dream of being with the Pope, first Pope Benedict and then Pope Francis, and with millions of young people from all around the world in Rio de Janeiro.

This dream began to become a reality on the 14th of July when the 39 JUCAR pilgrims left for Belo Hori-zonte, our first stop on the way to Rio. We were to join in the Mission Week there, sharing with the people from the parish of Our Lady of Mount Carmel. In Belo Horizonte we were welcomed by different families and by the friars, led by the parish priest, Frei Evaldo Gomes, O.Carm. We got to know the city, and the historical places like San Juan del Rey and Ouro Preto, and celebrated the

The Carmelite Youth at WYD 2013

in Rio de Janeiro

Juan Luis Laghi & Romina Chiappo Feast of Our Lady of Mount Carmel in Belo Hori-zonte with a solemn liturgy and other ceremonies in which we could get to know and share in the devotion of the Brazilian people to Our Lady.

After a week in Belo Horizonte, we arrived at around midnight on Sunday the 21st at the place

that would become our home for the next eight days, a school run by

the Carmelite Sisters of Divine Providence, in Vila Isabel, Rio de Janeiro. The organi-sing team along with a group

of Brazilian youth were there to welcome us and all the delegations that would be taking part in the Carmelite WYD, from Venezuela, El Salvador, Argentina, U.S.A., France,

Brazil and Peru. With all the warmth of a family, they invited us to eat and

they showed our rooms.

On Monday morning we woke up with over 700 people all around us, all ready to share in the great experience. Everything began in the way that it should, with a Mass of welcome led by the Prior General of the Carmelites, Fr. Fernando Millán Romeral, O.Carm. We got to the parish of Vila Isabel on foot, following behind the icon of Our Lady of Hope, the international symbol of the

CITOC | P. 22

Carmelite Youth that had gone the rounds of all the communities in Brazil in preparation for the WYD. As we walked we waved our flags and sang songs from all the countries. After the blessing we went back to the college and had our conversations. In the evening we had an exchange of cultures, each country presenting a dance, a song or something typical of their own culture. We were not found wanting. We presented a mixture of typical afroperu-vian dances, a mime and a lovely song. It was a great moment when we could invite the people from other countries to dance with us. When night came we had a Brazilian festival in which we saw dramas and dances that are typical of the different regions of Brazil and that got everybo-dy joining in. What happened that first day went beyond all our expectations. There were about 750 people, all gathered for the one purpose, sharing the one spirituality, and it didn’t matter where anybody came from or what language they spoke, communication was never a problem. We could see that little by little we were getting to know one another and the singing and dancing helped the integration, all about God, with different rhythms, instruments, languages, full of the joy of belonging to the one Carmelite family. All of this helped us to see that there were many more of us than we had imagined and that throughout these days we would have the opportunity to get to know what Carmeli-te spirituality is in a very different way, maybe with a lot more power than what we had been accusto-med to see.

On the second day we heard our first Cateche-sis, led by Frei Geraldo D’Abadia Maciel, O.Carm. who spoke to us about the importance of not making our parishes and groups into little ghettos. We have to move out into the world, help those who are most in need, and help our community to grow by inviting more people to be part of it, and make Carmel bigger and bigger. We could see the

truth of this message later on in the evening in Copacabana in the Youth Festival and in

the Opening Mass of the WYD. Before the Mass began there were a number of concerts and then we prayed the Rosary in five different languages. That evening the Church’s WYD began with a Mass led by the Arch-bishop of Rio de Janeiro, Oraní João Tempesta. For many this was one of the most moving moments of the

entire WYD.

Wednesday came and everyone’s emotions were at their highest. Pope Francis

had already arrived in Rio de Janeiro and was carrying out some official duties, and we were about to have one of the most important moments in our Carmelite WYD. It was the moment when we listened to the Prior General who gave a Cateche-sis based on the message contained in the letter written by Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI inviting young people to take part in the WYD, with a little taste of the Carmelite charism thrown in. Benedict XVI encouraged us to think about the slogan of the WYD: “Go and make disciples of all the nations.” Fr. Fernando pointed out that we must fulfil this mission by centering ourselves in contemplation, thanksgiving and the sharing of the Gospel. For many this catechesis was the main message from the days that we spent together in Rio de Janeiro, since it was asking us to allow ourselves to be

CITOC | P. 23

inspired by the charism of the Carmelites and put that at the service of the Church in communion with the message that Pope Francis had in mind for us. As we had a free evening, our group grabbed the opportunity to visit the Vocations Workshop in the Quinta Boa Vista. We ended the day with the celebration of daily Mass back at the school.

Thursday was the first day that we had a chance to meet the Pope during the ceremony of welcome in Copacabana. After Mass and a short Cateche-sis at the school, we set out for Copacabana. We waited long hours, only to see him pass by in the pope-mobile in front of us. It wasn’t what we were hoping for. In the end, we had spent so much time waiting and that Thursday was a very long day, so we headed back to the school a little disappoin-ted, when suddenly on one of the streets, as we waited for the bus, we were very lucky... We got Pope Francis’ blessing, just for our little group of pilgrims. As he passed by in the car he lowered the window and gave his blessing to us, the 39 pilgrims from JUCAR Peru. That one moment made up for all the sacrifices and the journey for all of us.

The days followed with all the activities of the WYD. We had time together in the school where we celebrated Mass, listened to the Catechesis, and then left for Copacabana where we took part in the events of the WYD. Some changes were made at the last minute, like the change of place for the vigil with the Pope, but nothing could break the

spirit that now had grown among us, the spirit of a joyful youth, the Church, the Carmelites. We joined Pope Francis on the Way of the Cross with great devotion on the Friday.

On Saturday, we had the last Mass and a short Catechesis in the college with all the Carmelite participants. This ended with a reflection given by Fr. Raúl Maraví, O.Carm., General Councillor of the Order. Straight away after that we set of on our pilgrimage to Copacabana where we took part in the Great Vigil, kneeling down and praying with 3 million young people before Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament. We spent the whole night on that beau-tiful beach waiting for the following day when we would celebrate the closing Mass of the WYD with Pope Francis. All 3.7 million pilgrims present that morning danced the Flashmob that was prepared especially for Pope Francis who at the end sent us out as missionaries who would not be afraid to serve.

Tired but happy, and sorry to be leaving this country that had received us so well, and yet full of the sense of Church and of Carmelite Spiritua-lity, we returned to Peru, to begin from here to continue forging the path that we had begun, by consolidating Carmelite Youth (JUCAR), and by taking part in meetings and reflection days with all the Church and especially with more and more Carmelites from around the world.

Photo/EPA

CITOC | P. 24

On Sunday the 13th of October 2013 the beatifica-tion of the Spanish martyrs of the 20th century was celebrated in Tarragona. The martyrs included

Blesseds, Carmelo Mª Moyano Linares and 9 Companions of the Bética Province and the Blesseds, Marco Alemán and 8 Carmelite companions of the Castilian Province.

Pope Francis sent a televised message to all who took part in the beatification ceremony, some 20,000 people, before the Eucharist, recalling that the martyrs were the Christians who were won for Christ, disciples who learned very well the meaning of loving to the very end, sharing

in the love that led Jesus to the Crucifixion.

Cardinal Angelo Amato, Prefect of the Congrega-tion for the Causes of the Saints presided at the beatification and at the Eucharist, at which all the members of the Bishops Conference concelebra-ted along with the major superiors of the martyrs who were to be beati-fied, and an enormous number of diocesan and religious priests.

Following the moment of beatification of the 522 martyrs, among whom there were the Carmeli-te Martyrs, Carmelo Mª Moyano Linares, José

Mª González Delgado, Eliseo Mª Camargo Monter, José Mª Ruiz Cardeñosa, Antonio Mª Martín Povea, Pedro Mª Velasco Narbona, José Mª Mateos Carballido, Eliseo Mª Durán Cintas, Jaime Mª Carretero Rojas y Ramón Mª Pérez Sousa (Prov. Bética) and Alberto Mª Marco Alemán, Daniel Mª García Antón, Silvano Mª Villanueva

González, Adalberto Mª Vicente Muñoz, Aurelio Mª García Antón, Francisco Mª Pérez Pérez, Ángel Mª Reguilón Lobato, Bartolomé Fanti Mª Andrés Vecilla and Ángel Mª Sánchez Rodrí-guez (Castilian Prov.), a group of deacons brought to the altar the urn with the relics of the newly beatified, flanked by palms on either side, the symbol of the martyrs, and carried by the people connected to the diffe-rent causes. The archbishops and bishops of the dioceses that promoted the 33 causes of beatification then approached the Presidential chair along with the postulators and Cardinal Angelo Amato gave them the Apostolic Letter by which each beatification was proclaimed.

During his homily at the Eucharist, Cardinal Angelo Amato said: “Today here in Taragona, Pope Francis has beatified 522 (Five hundred and twenty-two martyrs who shed their blood in order to give witness to the Lord Jesus.” It was the largest beatification that had ever taken place in Spain ... We note that the martyrs were not people who died as a result of the civil war, but rather the victims of a radical religious persecution, that pursued a programmed extermination of the Church. These brothers and sisters of ours were not combatants, they did not bear arms, they did not stand on the frontline, they did not take the side of any party, they were not agitators ...... They lost their lives out of hatred for the faith, simply because they were Catholics, because they were priests, or seminarians, or they were religious men or women, they were lay people who believed in God. .... they had no hatred for anybody, they loved everyone, they did good for others. Their apostolates were catechesis in the parish, teaching in the schools, looking after the sick, showing charity to the poor, assisting the elderly and

THE BEATIFICATIONOF THE CARMELITE MARTYRS OF THE 20TH CENTURY

CARMELO Mª MOYANO AND 9 COMPANIONS (BÉTICA PROV.)AND ALBERTO MARCO ALEMÁN AND 8 COMPANIONS (CASTILIAN PROV.)

Fr. Rafael Leiva Sánchez, O.Carm.

CITOC | P. 25

the marginal ised.

In the face of the atrocities being committed by their persecutors, they did not respond with rebe-llion or with arms, but only with the gentleness of the strong, with forgiveness”.

The Carmelites who attended were the Prior General Fr. Fernando Millán Romeral, the Postulator General, Fr. Giovanni Grosso, the Prior Provincials of the Iberian Region, Rafael Leiva Sánchez (Bética), Luís Gallardo Ganuza (Arago-valentina), Manuel Bonilla Gutiérrez (Cataluña), Miguel Ángel Pérez Gutiérrez (Castilla), and the Commissary General of Portugal, Agostinho Marques de Castro, numerous Carmelite friars from each of the provinces and the general commissariat, the 10 novices from the international novi-tiate in Salamanca, the Superior General of the HH. Carmelitas del Sagrado Corazón, Rosa Calvo, and Sr.Mª del Carmen Lera, Councilor General, and sisters Gloria Jurado Perea (a sister of Fr. Manuel Jurado) and Victorina Alvárez. As the Superior General of the Hermanas de la V. María del Monte Carmelo, Sr. Maria del Carmen

Aparicio, and the Vicar General, Maria del Carmen Hernandez Belmonte, could not attend, the General Councilors, Rita Mª Dwiningsih, Rosario Ávalos Coloma y Josefina Martínez Tomás, the Regional Vicar for Spain and Portugal attended. A large group of lay Carmelites came from Osuna (Sevilla), Montoro (Córdoba), from the youth movement JUCAR from Madrid, Jerez, Hinojosa del Duque, and members of the Carmelite Third Order from Seville and other places came on their own account, the same as large groups of families of the beatified Carmelites, that included the blood sister of Blessed Jaime Mª Carretero Rojas.

On the 19th of October, the official Masses of Thanksgiving were celebra-ted in Montoro (Cordoba), and Hinojosa del Duque (Córdoba), led by the Bishop of Cordoba. On the 23rd, 24th and 25th of October a Triduum was celebrated in honour of Blessed Alberto Marco Aleman and on the 6th of November in Seville, the Mass of Thanksgiving was celebrated, led by the Arch-bishop, Juan José Asenjo Pelegrina.

The details and photos of the beatified Spanish Carmelite martyrs may be found on the website of the Order.

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Last night a dear friend asked me to tell him the story of an experience and a thousand feelings came to me as I locked into the

unyielding pages a dream and an image.

An Image

The doors of the main chapel in Sassone are closed; inside, there are human shapes, dressed in brown, many of them, filling the rustic benches that shape the lower part of the chapel space, their bodies turned towards the altar, they keep a respectful silence at the beginning of the cele-bration to which they are called each day. The dim light that penetrates the darkness is enough to pick out the different shades in the habits that they wear like sheets of water in an earthy ocean. Then suddenly, something to attract the attention of the onlooker, something that breaks that image of uniformity, one, two, maybe three maybe even four shots of colour breaking away from the colour that seemed to be the only one. It’s hard for the onlooker to understand: Where did they come from? What are they doing here? Someone gives the answer, “they are not religious, they are lay people.”

There are many who, contemplating this image, are able at the same time to pick up one or two more features: the separation between religious and lay people in the Catholic Church, the strange customs of a group lost in the mists of time, or the intrusion of a few into a place that does not belong to them. Thanks be to God, a long time ago a young prince convinced me to look with the eyes of the heart, and ever since then my mental

Víctor M. Navarro Poncela(Carmelite lay person and member of the ECYC)

A DREAM AND AN IMAGE

OF THE GENERAL

CHAPTER

x-rays seem to find new meaning wherever I look. The proof of this is that as I looked at the scene that came before, all I could see was a family gathered for supper.

Then, in the General Audience with Pope Francis, that all the participants of the General Chapter went to in the middle of the week dedicated to the Carme-lite Family, the Pope chose to talk about the Church as the mother who takes care of her children. As I mulled over the words of the Pontiff, I began to realise that if the Church is Mother of all Christians, and God is undoubtedly our Father, then the rela-tionship between all their children cannot be other than a relationship of fraternity. Holding on to that model I began to try to understand the way that Christian, religious and lay, do see themselves, or should see themselves.

Leaving aside metaphors like big brother or little brother, or more committed brothers and less committed, I began to see a solution that I found satisfying and that for that reason I would like to share in this reflection.

Religious are the children who have made the commitment to work in the same fields where their father works, help him in what he has to do, and guarantee the survival of what in another age was known as the family responsibility.

Lay people are the children who leave home to look for their future in some other place and in some other occupation, cutting themselves away materia-lly from the figure of the father, but always united with him because of the values that he gave them from the time they were very small.

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I would like to extend this metaphor a little further in order to see its full potential, but what follows might be enough as a final thought: if the father needs other pairs of hands to harvest the fruit of the land, the children who left home (lay people) will be willing to take on the task: in the same way, if there are too many workers at home, some of the children who stayed at home will have to think about other ways to used their talents and abilities. Finally, I have to confess, as a lay person, that the welcome I received from my brothers in the house of the Father was as warm as all this image of family might make us think.

A dream

I have had a dream for a long time. It was that dream that gave me the opportunity to take part in this General Chapter. The dream began some three years ago, with the Pilgrimage of Hope (if you have not heard of it, be sure to ask), and this became stronger when the European Carmelite Youth Committee (ECYC) was set up and I was invited to be part of it. Ever since then I have been sharing my dream with seven other people, and now, after the Chapter, I know that that dream has reached the representatives of all the Carmelite provinces. I’m hoping too that through this article, even if I cannot get across to the reader all that I experien-ced, maybe I can arouse a desire to know more about it:

As a Christian and as a Carmelite, I dream of a Church and an Order in which young people have an important role. I mean, young people who are committed to their faith and charism, who know the real meaning, in theory and in practice, of these two terms and that precisely because of that want to include them in their lives and in their beliefs. I dream as well about a Church and an Order whose arms and hearts are open to young people, who will go out to meet them, get to know them, talk with them, and most of all, show that they are open to their new ideas and feelings, their concerns and the peculiar way that they relate to the world.

That is why the European Carmelite Youth Committee has dreamt about a project that will be set in motion next Summer, 2014, that will bring together youth leaders from the different provin-ces of Europe to train them and motivate them for their task. This is all about giving incentives for the work with young people in the different parts of Europe so that the net is spread wider, as it is already working in some countries, to form a European Carmelite Youth awareness. Now it is time for this dream to stop being a dream, this is the time for the Awakening (For more informa-tion on the Awakening project, visit the web page of the Carmelite Order or write to any member of the European Carmelite Youth Committee (ECYC).

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Last 17 July Carmelite father Emanuele Boaga died after a long and tiring battle with a tumour that had afflicted him for several years. Just like Moses before him, “his eye was

not dim, nor his natural force abated.” (Deut. 34,7). What is the legacy he leaves us?

Born on 30 March 1934 in Padua into a family of Istrian origins, he was essentially, and first and foremost, a Carmel-ite friar, a priest and only then a scholar and researcher. His commitment to research, to writing and to teaching was always lived as service and as an expression of his priestly ministry. Every aspect of his multi-faceted activity was motivated by the desire to follow and to serve the Lord Jesus and to honour his mother, “the Lady of the Place”, that is, of Carmel.

He entered the order in 1950, took simple vows in 1951 and solemn vows in 1955. He was a young priest during the Second Vatican Council, having been ordained on 6 July 1958. He lived through this springtime of the Church demonstrating enthu-siasm and a great capacity and a capacity for an intelligent reading of both the conciliar texts and the signs of the times. Much of his published work was motivated by the desire to publicise the theological, spiritual and pastoral content of the Council.

Fr Boaga was well versed in mathematical and scientif-ic subjects, following in the footsteps of his father Giovanni Boaga, a university professor. Yet Emanuele Boaga obediently

Fr. Giovanni Grosso, O.Carm.

Fr. Emanuele Boaga, O.Carm. (1934 – 2013)

“The Curious Archivist who opened up new avenues”

accepted the invitation from his superi-ors to specialize in history. He enrolled in the faculty of Church History in the Pontifical Gregorian University, obtain-ing his doctorate in 1969 with a thesis entitled, The Innocentian Suppression of the Smaller Houses in Rome which was subsequently published in 1971 and remains a work of reference on this subject, unsurpassed even today.

He was appointed Secretary General of the Order (1971-1983), giving up a promising university career. Fr Boaga also served generously as general delegate for the Third Order (1976-1983) and as provincial delegate for the cloistered nuns, (1973-1982).In 1983 he was appointed General Archivist of the Order, with special responsibility for the historical section, a commit-ment he maintained until his death. When we visited him towards the end, even though he was exhausted by his illness, he spoke of the projects he had in mind to create user guides which would help in the work of the archives. His role in the Italian Archivists’ Asso-ciation as secretary from 1984), along with the late and lamented Fr. Monachi-no and other colleagues, is commonly recognized as pioneering and raising the whole level of archival culture.

From 1987 to 2001 he presided over the Carmelite Institute where he promoted a variety initiatives in research and interdisciplinary studies, as well as publishing monographs and critical editions of key texts. As presi-

dent of the Institute and researcher in his own right, Boaga was a member of various associations such as that of professors of Church History, of reli-gious historians and of the interdisciplinary Mario-logical Association. From 1984 for several years he was a much appreciated member of the National Office for Ecclesiastical Cultural Heritage and of the Central Supervisory Board for cultural items of religious significance belonging to the Church. He was not frequently called to work with various Roman congregations and commissions on delicate subjects and to offer specific opinions on questions of a historical, theological or spiritual nature.

Fr. Boaga’s competence and communication skills as a teacher were recognized and appreciated by many people. He taught Church History in the three-year programme of the Pontifical Marian Faculty and history of ecclesiastical institutions in the faculty of Conservation of Cultural Heritage in the university of Tuscia in Viterbo. He also taught courses in the Pontifical Theological Faculty “Auxilium” and other Roman and Brazilian academic centres. In point of fact, for many years Boaga passed his summers in various Brazilian locations, taking classes in history and spirituality, as well as giving spiritual exercises and catechetical formation to religious men and women, laypeople, priests and seminarians. These courses gave rise to a number of important works of a popular nature, but nonetheless based on a rich and deep knowledge of the sources and the problems around them.

Fr. Boaga’s archival and historical activities made up the bulk of his professional career – a career always marked by curiosity and multiple interests.

Even in his later years he enjoyed rummaging around papers and books in order to find curious or paradoxical anecdotes. There are many notes, mostly unpublished, written in his sparse, factual prose, wryly observing episodes from conventual or monastic life, from Rome or from the Curia.

On the occasion of his 75th birthday a festschrift of articles was published, Memoriam fecit mira-bilium Dei (Rome, 2009). This collection gave a profile of Fr. Boaga, enriched by an updated bibli-ography which at that point ran to 901 items. Many other entries will have to be added to complete it to July 2013: not even a month ago, Fr. Boaga handed over the completed manuscript of Storia delle monache carmelitane in Italia, which is now being prepared for publication. This his last work brought to completion with his usual great love and care. This is a book, which like so many others he wrote, is destined to become a groundbreak-ing work for other similar studies. In fact, this is one of Boaga’s characteristics: method and critical rigour, an ability to read the sources, comparing them and drawing from them information to build up a meaningful and historically grounded picture. These are the tools that allowed Boaga to think and thus to travel along new paths – those paths of the memory that he desired to explore in order to recount their content and their meaning.

It would be out of place at the moment to attempt a description of Boaga’s entire corpus of works, but it is helpful perhaps to point out at least some of his writings which are not only milestones on an intellectual journey, but also points of methodolog-ical and scientific reference. Apart from his work on

CITOC | P. 29Fr. Boaga with his family on his 60th Anniversary of Priesthood

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the suppression of the smaller religious houses in 1650 and the history of the nuns in Italy, of great interest is a series of three books: Come pietre vive…Per leggere la storia e la vita del Carmelo (Rome, 1993), La Signora del luogo, Maria nella storia e nella vita del Carmelo (Rome 2001) and the unpublished La fonte di Elia. Elia profeta nella storia e nella vita del Carmelo. These three works are not strictly speaking “scientific” because they do not have a critical apparatus of footnotes, yet in a sense they are scientific because they are the fruit of years of critical study of the sources. But above all they are interesting because of the meth-odology adopted which combines a presentation of a subject with specific points to be explored more deeply, suggestions for further research and study, discussion points and ideas for prayer.

These three volumes emerged from many years of work with religious sisters and laypeople in Brazil. Thus the first editions of each books are in Portu-guese and then translated, adapted and expanded into Italian by the author himself. The last volume in the series, on Elijah was still on Fr Boaga’s desk when he died and it is planned to publish this as soon as possible. The same goes for a number of projects that Boaga was working on and it is hoped

to complete them where necessary.

Another innovative and interesting work is a manual for archivists edited together with colleagues and friends: Monsignor Salvatore Palese and Monsignor Gaetano Zito, Consegnare la memoria, (Florence, 2003). Also of great interest are the various articles on the personages of conse-crated and lay life: one only has to browse through the Dizionario degli Istituti di Perfezione, specialist journals or other works of a collaborative nature to recognize how many entries and articles make up another body of authentic, innovative and provoca-tive studies which open up new lines of research on new aspects of a subject.

Elisha asked Elijah for two thirds of his spirit (2 Kings 2:9) and many of us would like to do the same with Fr Boaga. Re-reading his numerous contributions, reflecting on his methodology and above all recalling his spirit of priestly and Carmel-ite service, all serve to hear in them the echo of that deep, booming voice which calls us to love study, to travel new paths without fearing fatigue, to search out carefully sources and documents and to read them with a critical spirit, to dare coura-geously without ever forgetting for whom our work is destined. Arrivederci padre Emanuele!

The Citoc-message about the death of Emanuele Boaga after a long illness made me sad. We were classmates in St. Albert’s in Rome, ordained the same the same day, the 6th of July 1958, and in 1971, during the General Chapter, he was willing to accept the important office of Secretary General during my twelve years as Prior General. It was great and pleasant to work with him, dedicated, efficient, professional and faithful as he was. He never was afraid of too much work. It was the time before computers entered our curia generalizia. The hard disk of his excellent memory and well formed academic mind, his work-discipline and his

logistic skills made up for them.Emanuele’s personality and nature were special.

His heart was sensitive, but he did not always find the right expressions for it. Sometimes his emotions and his deep and powerful bass voice could go up an octave or two, but his anger never lasted very long.

I will always remember Emanuele, very gratefu-lly, as a dear, loyal and faithful Carmelite brother, who’s great competence and expertise helped me and my brothers in the General Council in serving the Order in a turbulent and challenging time after Vatican II. Besides all that, he was good company in the Carmelite community. His sense of humour could take the heat out of tensions and compli-cations. Many times he made us laugh with his drawing skills describing situations in hilarious caricatures.

May our Lord, in the presence of the Mother of Carmel, Our Lady of the Place, receive our beloved Emanuele Boaga, who has served the Carmelite Family so long and so well, into the Glory of the Risen Lord.Falco J.Thuis, O.Carm., Prior General (1971-1983)

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The General Chapter Icon

In order to help our sisters in the Carmelite cloister to feel that they are united with the objectives of the Order for the next sexennium, the General Curia has begun to distribute copies of the icon that presided over our General Chapter to each of monasteries around the world. The icon that was written by our sisters in the monastery of Cerreto (Italy), shows Mary, Mother and Ornament of Carmel, flanked by four important figures in the history of Carmel: St. Albert of Jerusalem (the 8th centenary of whose death we are celebrating this year), St. Teresa of Avila (the fifth centenary of whose birth we will celebrate in 2015), St. Mary Magdalen de’ Pazzi, (the 450th anniversary of whose birth occurs in 2016) and Bl. Titus Brandsma, an example of carmelite sainthood for our times. May each of the four inspire us in the years ahead to live our charism with fidelity and creativity, under the protection of Mary, our Mother and Sister.

Liturgical memorial of the Carmelite Martyrs of the Twentieth Century in Spain

The liturgical memorial of the Carmelite Martyrs of the Twentieth Century in Spain has been established for the present, according to the Church’s General Calendar, for the 6th of November.

On that date we celebrate all the martyrs beatified up until now, that is the three groups of Blessed Angel Prat and his 16 compa-nions, Carmelo Moyano and his 9 companions and Alberto Marco Aleman with his 8 companions.

The Order, in agreement with our provinces of the Iberian Region and the Spanish Discalced Carmelites, has asked the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Sacraments to move the memorial to another date in order to be able to celebrate a memorial shared by all these blessed Carmelites. We are awaiting the reply of the Congregation, and as soon as we receive it we will inform you.

New Prior Provincial of the PCM Province

On 21 November 2013, the American Province of Most Pure Heart of Mary (PCM) elected Fr. William Harry, O.Carm. to be prior provincial, to replace Fr. Carl Markelz, O.Carm. who was elected Bursar General at the General Chapter held last Septem-ber.

New Prior Provincial of the Maltese Province

On 13 December 2013, the Maltese Province elected Fr. Alexader Vella, O.Carm. to be prior provincial, to replace Fr. Michael Farrugia, O.Carm. who was elected Procurator General at the General Chapter held last September.

Appointment

On 26 September 2013 Pope Francis appointed as consultor of the Office of Liturgical Celebrations of the Supreme Pontiff Fr. Giuseppe Midili, O.Carm., member of the Italian Province. Fr. Giuseppe is director of the Liturgical Office of the diocese of Rome and lecturer in pastoral liturgy at the Pontifical Liturgical Institute of St. Anselm in Rome.

Within the program, the new Province also recognized and thanked Fr. Peter Kramer, O.Carm., the oldest member of the province who spent 40 years as a mission-ary in the Philippines. Fr. Kramer bade goodbye and gave his farewell message to all present. Fr. Kramer who is 91 years old has decided to go back to The Netherlands to continue his Carmelite mission-ary life with his new communi-ty in Carmel Zenderen. We are forever grateful to Fr. Peter’s love, kindness, and dedication in the building of Carmel Philippines in his 40 years of missionary zeal.

We thank the Prior General and Council, our mother province—the Dutch Carmel Province, the Carmel-ite Family all over the world—the different provinces, commissaries and communities who have been supporting Carmel in the Philip-pines in the past until the present. We thank all our lay and religious partners in the missions who in the last 55 years of Philippine Carmel’s presence and mission in the country had always been there with us and for us. The Philip-pine Province is the 20th province of the Order of Carmelites, and has entrusted herself under the tutelage of Blessed Titus Brandsma and the patronage of Inahan sa Carmen sa Escalante.

The Lord has been so good to us as “his mercy is without end for his love endures forever.” The Carmelite Province of Blessed Titus Brandsma of the Philippines forever “sings the greatness of the Lord for he has done great things for us, thus holy is His name.” Now, as a newly erected province of the Order, with resolve we affirm what the Prophet Elijah declared, truly “we are zealous to the Lord, the God of hosts.”

Philippines... (continued from page 16)

THE 213TH GENERAL CHAPTER OF THE ORDER OF CARMELITES

A Word of Hope and Salvation – “Living the Charism

and Mission of Carmel Today”