Dear Brothers,

we would like to take this opportunity, on the occasion of the Provincial Chapter, to greet each one of the Circumscriptions of the Order and to assure you of our support in your hopes and efforts.  

1. Our wise norms prescribe correctly that, ”The Provincial Chapter should be carefully planned by the Provincial Council, with opportunity being given to all the friars to submit requests and suggestions.  All should make serious spiritual preparation. (N° 207) 

It is rightly understood that the Provincial Chapter is a process in which the whole Province takes part, and which requires a spiritual preparation.  Such preparation shows that the Chapter is a spiritual event, even while it deals with concrete and practical matters: there should be a felt awareness that this is something we are doing as Religious.   It calls us, personally and collectively, to listen to the voice of our vocation to the religious life and to Carmel as well as to the voices of all the people around us.   

“It is important however that what we propose, with the help of God, should be profoundly rooted in contemplation and prayer” (Novo Millennio Ineunte 15).  At the same time we have the duty of “scrutinizing the signs of the times and of interpreting them in the light of the Gospel….We must therefore recognize and understand the world in which we live, its explanations, its longings, and its often dramatic characteristics” (GS 4). 

2. The General Chapter urges us to “encourage meetings at the Provincial or Circumscription level which will help us to be more aware of authentic ways for renewal” (“Journeying with St Teresa of Jesus and St John of the Cross”, 79:1). The first of these meetings is the Provincial Chapter.  In accordance with this resolution, in the preparation before and during the Chapter, it is essential to allow sufficient time for reflection on the path we are taking and the ecclesial and social situation in which we find ourselves.  I invite you to look sincerely and with clarity at the path that your Circumscription has taken.  This should be done constructively, with realism and hope.    

3. With regard to the Chapter’s resolutions it is obviously necessary to consider the “Operative Conclusions” of the General Chapter (Part Three), applying them to the actual situation of each circumscription.   It is advisable to distinguish between those resolutions that must always be recalled and promoted and those few special resolutions for the triennium, that are concrete and verified and that correspond to important and proven needs.  Such resolutions will, for this reason, be the priorities of the triennium. 

“Practical methods open a range of possibilities that vary from internal restructuring of some of our presences and activities (rearranging our aims, finding new addressees, changing our role, reducing or amplifying it according to occasions, opening ourselves to collaboration with the Secular Order and associated laity) to the redistribution of our resources (strengthening some presences, diminishing others)”. (General Chapter, Journeying with…, 78.   The text continues in suggesting the opportunity of closing some presences and opening new ones).  

4. In deciding the chapter resolutions, the Provinces that have already had a General Pastoral Visitation should take into account, in their reflections and their decisions, the suggestions or decisions of the Visitator. 

5. In most of the Provinces the discernment of vocations and formation continues to be a priority, both with regards to the persons responsible for formation and with regards to the plans for the promotion of vocations and formation. 

In most of Europe and North America, with this topic of vocations, one cannot  overlook the need to renew attempts to promote vocations. This should be done without discouragement, reviving confidence in our Religious and Carmelite vocation,  encouraged also by the tangible and positive signs, as were seen in the Meeting of Vocation Promoters from Europe and the Mediterranean area in September 2004 (in Marco de Canaveses, Portugal). 

We do not forget the fact that the overall work of promotion and formation of vocations is directly linked to the way we live, both as individuals and as communities; as prayerful, fraternal and fervently dedicated to serve the Gospel of Jesus Christ.  

“Formation and renewal of fraternal life in community will continue to be one of the priorities of the Order if we wish to be faithful to the Teresian Carmelite charism. Along the lines of the Teresian ideal they will be communities that are prayerful and fraternal in the service of God's kingdom. This requires bringing about community projects that are authentic and viable and that help overcome growing individualism” (General Chapter 2003, N° 70,1).

 

Although we in no way should renounce making big or radical decisions, in the normal run of things it is just as important to have an ever watchful eye, making progress slowly but surely towards renewing community life and our service to the Church and to society.   

It is our wholehearted wish and our prayer to the Lord that the celebration of the Chapter, held in a spirit of hope and fraternity, motivate you to an effective and joyful renewal of the Province and of each Religious. 

Rome, 14^th November 2004

Luis Arostegui
Superior General