Formation community:

Rector: Fr. Charles Serrao (Karanataka-Goa)

Fr. Gustav Prats (Castile)

Fr. Constant Phuati (Madagascar)

Fr. Raphael Wilkowski (Krakow)

Fr. Francis Lethel (Paris) 

Students:

There are 35 students from 16 countries (and 21 circumscriptions): Brazil (South East), Colombia, Egypt (Gen Del. of Israel), the United States (California and Oklahoma), India (South Kerala, Malabar, Tamilnadu, Commissariat of A. Pradesh, Commissariat of Delhi, Provincial Delegation of Orissa (India), Indonesia (Taiwan), Italy (Rome), the Lebanon, Malaysia (Taiwan), Malta, Mexico, Thailand (Taiwan).

The students, who have come to the college, are all temporary professed.  They complete their studies in our theological faculty at the Teresianum, which is attached to the college. After three years of study they obtain a degree (baccalaureate) in theology and conclude their stay in the college. Each group that arrives is assigned a formator who accompanies it for the three years the students are in the college. 

College life during the academic course

-                                  the rhythm of life follows a timetable consisting of the Eucharist, Liturgy of the Hours, community prayer, relaxing together (recreation), lecture and study periods, manual work and rest. 

-                                  Community life in the college is something very special, and being an international community which is also multicultural offers a wide variety of opportunities for personal enrichment, and a unique experience on a Carmelite, ecclesial and cultural level.

-                                  Every Sunday there is exposition of the Blessed Sacrament.

-                                  One Sunday a month there is a community retreat.

-                                  Every Saturday there is a seminar on a theme of Carmelite interest: History and saints of the Order, analysis of texts of our Holy Parents (Teresa of Avila and John of the Cross).

-                                  One Sunday a month is free for the students to visit Rome and to discover places of religious, historical and cultural interest.

-                                  Twice a semester there are conferences by Carmelite specialists who come to Rome (the contents vary from culture to religion, sociology or politics).

-                                  The last Saturday of each month there is a celebration for the personal feasts of the friars.

-                                  One afternoon a week is dedicated to the apostolate:

o                                                        Parish (catechetical groups, liturgy, youth work, prayer, Lectio Divina).

o                                                        Charity (visits and communion to the sick; helping out at a pastoral centre for immigrants, and another for the homeless). 

Life during the summer period

In Europe the summer school holidays last for three months. In the college this time is organized in the following way:

-                                  One year, for two months, the students learn Spanish (those who have Spanish can, with permission from their Provincial, study another language).   Later, accompanied by specialists, they visit places connected with St. Teresa and St. John of the Cross in Castile and Andalusia, including talks and conferences.

-                                  Another year the brothers travel to Israel where, based in Stella Maris, Mt. Carmel, they share the life of the friars in the Holy Land, getting to know the birthplace of the Order; with visits, talks and conferences on the history of the Order and the main biblical places of interest.   The following month they can study languages or go to their own Provinces, according to their Provincial.

-                                  In the third month of the summer, for the first two years, all reunite in Rome for a two week course on the main works of our Holy Parents and a week of spiritual exercises.

-                                  At the end of June of the third year the students conclude their formation in the International College. 

Solemn profession and Holy Orders

The students who fulfill the requirements of canon law and our own laws can make their solemn profession during their stay in the college. Besides the said requirements the college also needs the following: approval by the college’s formation community, written permission from the respective Provincial/s and at least two years in the college.  We ask the Provincials to weigh up the pros and cons of a formation in Rome or in their own provinces.  The college offers a good opportunity to students but it is up to their Provincials to decide what is best for them and for their circumscriptions.

A student can be ordained deacon in the international college, with the approval of the formation community and permission from the Provincial; but it should be in the last semester of the third year.  There is no prevision for priestly ordination in the international college.  

Practical issues

Two issues are very important: finance and authorizations.  The General House pays for the accommodation, food and expenses of the formation community. The Provinces pay for the faculty fees for their students, plus whatever study material they need, for health costs, personal expenses, travel, … When a student needs money he goes to his formator who will provide him with what he needs, providing that the money if it is for the normal and standard expenses in the college’s programme; if the money is to pay for something costly and is not a standard expense of the college the student will first need written permission from his Provincial.  They are being taught moderation.

If a student needs money for a language course in Europe he will need first need to have the consent of formation community as well as written permission from his Provincial.