NEWSLETTER << N°
7 >>
2003.04.15
[ in format PDF for print
]
ANNOUNCEMENT
This is the last number of Communicationes before the General
Chapter (Avila 28 April - 18 May). During Chapter time Communicationes
will be substituted by a web newsletter at the following address:
http://www.ocd.pcn.net/capitolo/index.htm
|
FRIARS |
GENERAL DEFINITORY
Appointments:
Notre-Dame de Jerusalem
The Definitory General appointed Fr John Landy, (Regional
Vicariate of Australia in the Anglo-Irish Province) as Superior
of our Community at Notre-Dame de Jerusalem Centre, and 3rd
Councillor of the Israel Delegation.(Sess. 95, 16-12-2002).
Teresianum
Fr General, the Grand Chancellor of the Teresianum, confirmed
the appointments made by the Teresianum Faculty Council:
Fr Benito Goya, Navarre Province, Vice-President;
Fr Manuel Diego, Castile Province, in charge of publishing
Archivum Bibliographicum Carmeli Teresiani;
Fr Juan Luis Astigarraga, Navarre Province, Director of the
magazine Bibliographia Internationalis Spiritualitatis;
Fr Virgilio Pasquetto, Venice Province, Director of the magazine
Teresianum;
Fr John Vettamthadathil, Malabar Province, Assistant-Librarian;
(2 Apr. 2003)
MEETING OF THE MAJOR SUPERIORS
OF THE LATIN AMERICAN SOUTH-CICLA
The 25th and 26th March saw the planned
meeting of the Major Superiors of the Latin American South-Cicla.
Attending were Fathers Pierino Orlandino (SE Brazil
Semi-Province); Marcos Junchen (S Brazil Semi-Province); Julio
González (Vicariate of Chile); Emilio Sánchez (N. Argentina
Provincial Delegation); Carmelo Hernández (Provincial Delegation
of Uruguay-Paraguay) and Marcos Kepinski (S. Argentina
Provincial Delegation). Various points were dealt with,
beginning with the election of the Coordinator of the group for
this triennium which fell on Fr Carmelo Hernández. The points
gone over were: From the Philippines to Avila; the situation of
initial training and possible joint meetings; the Spirituality
Congress; the Carmelite Family... The exchange was quite
enriching and we see that we are progressing along a very
positive way of exchange and drawing close to each other. Fr
Carmelo Hernández, ocd
Italy Bocca di Magra
ANNUAL MEETING OF THE LIGURIAN CARMELITE FAMILY
The annual meeting for training and updating the Ligurian
Carmelite Family was held from the 4th to 6th
April 2003 at Bocca di Magra (La Spezia) at Holy Cross Monastery
of the Discalced Carmelite friars. The topic of the meeting was:
"...and peace to persons of good will". The speaker was Fr
PierLuigi Canobbio, Provincial Delegate to the OCDS. The
biblical aspects of peace were dealt with, paying special
attention to the teaching of our saints with regard to reaching
deep peace in the heart, which comes from union with God. The
meeting was enriched with times of sharing and prayer. The
various lay Carmelite movements of the Province took a
reasonable part in it.
INTERNATIONAL FINANCIAL COMMISSION
For the last time in this sexennium it met in Rome on the 26th
March 2003 to examine the 2002 balance sheet, to evaluate the
financial profile of the sexennium and to formulate the
presentation to be made by the Bursar General at the Avila
Chapter.
A wide reflection on every point of the Curia Generalizia's
finance let to various concrete proposals to put on a sure
footing resources for the institutional functioning provided for
in our laws.
This year the contribution from the Provinces due to the Centre
of the Order was constant, but not sufficient to cover the
demands for certitude in planning expenses.
Also the free offerings from monasteries for the training of
students at the Teresianum from the South of the world has
diminished yearly, bringing with it further problems for the
Bursar.
Many other free offerings have diminished and Italian Post
malfunctioned to such an extent that one half of the Christmas
mail was lost and often, we believe, also gifts sent by cheque.
Those present praised the effort made to keep under control
every aspect of the financing of the General Curia. They took
note of the general difficulty encountered presently in many
countries. They also drew attention to some setbacks arising
from extending help to monasteries and/or Provinces, which went
outside the planned budget for the year.
The internal debt of the General House arising from loans to the
Common Fund in US dollars and Euros continues to be reduced even
in the last year. There are hints of completely cancelling it,
but it was not possible, because last year strong preference was
given to finishing swiftly the renovations at the Teresianum.
Now there remains only the last parcel of work to do: the facade,
the chapel, the reception, the crypt, the entrance and the two
bridges that pass over the moat.
This year the Commission worked every six months united in
seriousness of intent. I wish to express to them heart-felt
thanks, also in the name of Fr General for whom the Commission
has been an instrument of collaboration.
Fr Attilio Ghisleri -Bursar General
Important note when sending money
In recent months the laws have been tightened regarding
sending money in Euro by cheques. From European countries the
cheques should be drawn on an Italian bank, to avoid elevated
commission rates and to hasten the transfer.
In particular regard to the Vatican I.O.R. this is the way to
operate:
1. From Spain or Portugal:
Made out to: Istituto per le Opere di Religione- Città del
Vaticano
Account NR: 0049-0158-14051
At the: Banco Santander Central Hispano Americano Madrid
For: Casa generalizia Carmelitani Scalzi.AC. N° 10009014.
2.From France, Belgium and Holland:
Made out to: Istituto Per le Opere di Religione- Città del
Vaticano
Account NR: 30004008970000450017226
At: BNP Paribas Parigi
For: Casa Generalizia Carmelitani Scalzi.CC. N° 10009014
3. From Germany, Austria and other North European
Countries:
Made out to: Istituto Opere di Religione. Città del Vaticano
Account NR: 100 935424200
At: Deutsche Bank FFT/M
For: Casa Generalizia Carmelitani Scalzi. CC.N°: 10009014
4. Another possibility for other Countries:
Made out to: Istituto per le Opere di Religione. Città del
Vaticano
Account NR: 503508 041000978
At: Banco di Lugano - Piazzetta S. Carlo I - 06901 Lugano (Switzerland)
For: Casa Generalizia Carmelitani Scalzi. Account N° 10009014
To send USA dollars:
Made out to: Istituto per le Opere di Religione. Città del
Vaticano
Account NR: 001-1-975000
At: JPM Chase Manhattan Bank - New York
For: Casa Generalizia Carmelitani Scalzi. Account N° 10009011
To send Pounds Sterling from Great Britain
Made out to: Istituto per le Opere di Religione. Città del
Vaticano
Account NR: 4400204564383
At: National Westminster Bank PLC- Kings Cross House 200
Pentonville Road - London N 1 9HL
SWIFT code: NWBKGB2LXXX
For: Casa Gen. Carmelitani Scalzi. Account N° 10009005.
 |
NUNS |
ASSOCIATIONS / FEDERATIONS
Argentina - Nueve de Julio
TRAINING COURSE IN THEOLOGY
From 5th to 9th March in Neuve de Julia
City, Pcia, in Buenos Aires, Argentina, six communities
belonging to the the Our Lady of Lucán Association began
organized training with the first course of theological
formation. This year they covered Christology with a plan drawn
up by Dr Virginia Azcuy which was given over three week during
the year. The first week was devoted to the Bible with Virginia
Santamaría while St Joseph's Carmel in Nueve de Julio took
charge of the organization. Taking part were 10 novices and two
solemnly professed from the communities of La Pampa, Mar del
Plata, Luján, San Nicolás, Neuquén and Nueve de Julio; also
taking part were three solemnly professed sisters from the Nueve
de Julio community.
The sisters ask prayers from everyone so that they can continue
with this project and that it can bear fruit for our Order.
NEW RELIGIOUS ASSISTANT
Ireland. Mary, Mother of the Church Association
With decree (Prot. Nº 2977/2003) dated 17th March
2003, the Congregation for Institutes of Consecrated Life and
Societies of Apostolic Life appointed for three years Fr VINCENT
O'HARA, o.c.d. as Religious Assistant of Mary, Mother of the
Church Association of monasteries of Discalced Carmelite Nuns in
Ireland.
According to the Decree, the Role and function of the Assistant
consist in assuring that the genuine spirit of the Order,
dedicated entirely to contemplation, is preserved and grows;
helped by the spirit of fraternal service in the progress of the
Association, contributing to solid formation of novices and
professed and collaborating in the solution of important
financial problems.
MONASTERIES
NEW PRESENCES
Africa: New Foundation in Malawi
Sr. Benedicta, President of the English speaking Association of
Africa writes:
« Now I am just back from Malawi: it was a most beautiful
celebration, just intended to welcome the Sisters finally to
Zomba Diocese. The Bishop has really done his best to make the
Sisters known all over the Diocese and beyond, and to encourage
the people to support them. The whole thing was very much
inculturated and proved to be hours of rejoicing, dancing, with
so many people, religious, all the Carmelite Family, about 75
priests for the Concelebration and 5 Bishops out of the 7 in
Malawi, plus the Aposotlic Nuncio. About two-thirds of the
buildings are ready and beautiful, the rest the Church and the
parlours will take 2 to 3 months to be completed. The Sisters
hope to have the Consecration of the Church, the Blessing of the
house and the erection of the enclosure probably around the
Feast of Our Lady of Mount Carmel. »
Wallis and Futuna. First monastery in these Pacific
Ocean islands
With rescript (Prot. Nº 3156/2003) dated 31st March
2003, the Congregation for Institutes of Consecrated Life and
Societies of Apostolic Life granted to the Prioress of St
Joseph's monastery in Apia, Samoa, permission to begin the
foundation of a new monastery in the Islands of Wallis and
Futuna in Oceania, with six solemnly nuns, two of whom come from
the place.
This is the first monastery in this tiny country, overseas
territory of France, which measures 256 sq kms, with a
population of 15,000 of whom 14,192 are Catholics. There are 5
parishes with 7 diocesan priests and 3 religious priests.
Religious number 40, to which can now be added the 6 Discalced
Carmelite nuns, who wish to be a prayerful and contemplative
presence in the diocese and, in this manner, efficient
collaborators in the evangelization of this distant area of the
Western world.
MONASTIC EVENTS
This year many monasteries celebrate various dates of their
foundation, from 200 to 50 years. We give a list of these
monasteries to which Communicationes unites praise and
thanksgiving to the Lord for the life, graces and blessings he
has given to these monasteries.
400 years (1603-2003)
Tarazona, Santa Ana, Spain 26th July
Lucena, Spain 24th December
350 years (1653-2003)
Quito, Carmen Alto, Ecuador 16th February
300 years (1703-2003)
Moncalieri, Italy 16th September
200 years (1803-2003)
Querétaro, Mexico 22nd April
150 years (1853 -2003)
Aire-sur-Adour, France 19th March
100 years (1903-2003)
Düren, Germany 24th August
Mexico,Tulyehualco, Mexico 15th September
50 years (1953-2003)
Basse Terre, Guadalupe 23rd January
Zamora, Spain 7th May
Kirkintilloch, Scotland 18th June
Valmadona, Italy 24th August
Elysburg, USA. 19th September
Bajawa, Indonesia 3rd December
 |
SECULAR
CARMEL |
MEXICO
Training for "Formators". Last February, in the
Tepatitlán Retreat House, was held the annual meeting for
Formation for Formators organized by the Delegation and OCDS
Provincial Council of the Mexican Province.
BRAZIL
Centre West.- The communities of the Central West
region of Brazil Goiânia and Brasilia made a retreat which
included a formation course from 14th to 16th
February. Present were the OCDS Provincial president, Carlos
Frederico Barboza de Souza, and the Provincial Delegate, Fr.
Alzinir Debastiani. Topics discussed were lay life, Promises in
the Secular Order and our apostolic commitment. During the
meeting, two from the Goiânia Community made their first
Promises.
North and North-East.- The communities of the North and
North-East regions met in Fortaliza from 15th to 16th
March for the first meeting of Presidents and those in charge of
Formation in these regions. These meetings have the purpose of
discussing training for formators, and various matters
concerning formation. This time they studied St Teresa's Way
of Perfection and part of the Provincial Plan for
Formation, giving emphasis to concrete problems of
formation in Communities. Those present included the Provincial
President, Carlos Frederico, the Provincial Delegate, Fr.
Alzinir Debastiani and Fr. Patrício Sciadini.
SECULAR CARMEL REJOICES
In the Rome Vicariate the cause for Beatification of the
married couple Ulisse Amendolaggine (1893-1969) and Lelia
Cossdente (1893-1951) has been introduced. Cardinal Ruini's
decree was signed on 15th July 2002. The
Vice-Postulator is Dr. Luca Pasquale.
The event gives glory to Secular Carmel. The couple drew their
spirituality from Carmel, living in the shadow of the Basilica
of St Teresa of Avila in Rome. Ulisse was a member of Secular
Carmel and Lelia belonged to the Carmelite Scapular Fraternity.
To celebrate their living contact with the Order, an evening to
remember these parishioners, who are now candidates for the
honours of the altar, was celebrated in St Teresa's Basilica on
19th March 2003, Feast of St Joseph, Patron of Carmel.
The opening address of the Parish Priest, the first-hand
testimony of people (particularly of their son Fr Raffaele
Amendolaggine, a Discalced Carmelite) the reading out of some of
their writings and the outstanding conference by the journalist
and writer Dr. Angelo Montonati on the life and spirituality of
the couple, gave a clear idea of their sanctity, so marked by
the spirituality of Carmel in the world.
 |
OUR SAINTS |
Spain. Salamanca Pontifical University
CHAIR OF ST TERESA OF JESUS
The inaugural address of the Chair of St Teresa of Jesus in
the Salamanca Pontifical University took place on 24th
March and was given by the Professor, Dr Jesús García Rojo, OCD.
He chose as his topic "The spiritual journey of the person
following St John of the Cross". The news was reported in
the Osservatore Romano on 23rd March 2003
and set out in the program sent to us. The course will be held
in the Graduate Hall of the University and will be directed by
Professor Dr. Xabier Pikaza Ibarrondo. The topic of the the
course is "Contemplation of love and universal communication.
A reading of St John of the Cross".
The St Teresa of Jesus Chair, created by the Discalced Carmelite
Provincials in Spain, is financed by them together with the
General House of the Order in Rome. Taking care of the planning
is the Avila International Centre for studies in Teresa and John
of the Cross.
The objective of the Chair is to diffuse and make known the life
and teaching of St Teresa of Jesus, St John of the Cross and the
important figures in the Carmelite school of spirituality who
were inspired by their works. Among these stand out Therese of
the Child Jesus, St Teresa Benedicta of the Cross (Edith Stein),
Bl Elizabeth of the Trinity and others.
"ST. EDITH STEIN DOCTOR OF THE CHURCH?"
The Secular Order of Discalced Carmelites (OCDS) and the
Carmelite Institute of Spirituality in Krakow (Poland) organised
on 22nd March a scientific and pastoral session
devoted to the issue of conferring upon St. Teresa Benedicta of
the Cross, Edith Stein, the title of Doctor of the Church. The
session was entitled "St. Edith Stein Doctor of the Church?"
Many guests from all over Poland took part in the session. The
endeavours of other ecclesial groups were accompanied by the 3rd
Provincial Congress of the Secular Order of Discalced Carmelites
of Krakow Province, which in July 2000, during the celebration
at Wawel Cathedral, asked the Holy See to bestow on the Saint
the title of Doctor of the Church.
The session took place at the Carmelite Institute of
Spirituality in Krakow and included the following lectures:
Fr Szczepan Praskiewicz, OCD, "Eminens Doctrina"
Prof. Anna Grzegorczy, A Woman of Light. The Issue of Truth
and Feminism in the Writings of Edith Stein.
Rev. Manfred Deselaers, Edith Stein in the Perspective of
Christian-Jewish Dialogue
The session was moderated by Dr Wodzimierz Tochmaski OCD (National
Delegate of the Secular Order of Discalced Carmelites).
 |
NEW BOOKS |
Click here to consult the
catalogue of the Teresianum Library online!
http://www.ibisweb.it/teresianum/default.htm
Nogent-sur-Marne Monastery (France), Io dico sì all'Amore.
Profilo spirituale di Suor Maria dello Spirito Santo. 1922-1967.
Ed. Mimep-Docete - Padri Carmelitani, 2003. 319 p.
(I say yes to Love. Spiritual Profile of Sr
Maria of the Holy Spirit. 1922-1967)
Concenedo Monastery Il dono preziosissimo del patire.
Giuseppina di Gesù Crocifisso. Ed. Mimep-Docete - Padri
Carmelitani. 2003. 191 p. (The most precious
gift of suffering. Josephine of Jesus Crucified)
Albani Angelo - Astrua Massimo, La vita di S. Giovanni
della Croce. Ed. Mimep-Docete - Padri Carmelitani. 224 p.
(The Life of St John of the Cross)
Centro Carmelitano Vocazioni, Via Crucis. Il Cammino
della Croce con il Beato Tito Brandsma. Ed. Mimep-Docete -
Padri Carmelitani. 127 p. (The Way of the Cross with Bl
Titus Brandsma)
Carmelitas Descalzas Tarazona. Historia de un Encuentro.
IV Centenario. Zaragoza, 2003, pp. 62. (History
of a Meeting. IV Centenary)
By this book, the Discalced Carmelite Nuns of St Ana Monastery
in Tarazona, Spain, wished to record the IV centenary of their
foundation by the Bishop Diego de Yepes, friend, confessor and
editor of the works of holy mother Teresa. In brief chapters it
gives a summary of their four-century history.
Federica Ribera. Santa Teresa a Massalubrense. Un
monastero di clausura tra storia e restauro. Arte
tipografica. Napoli. 2003. p. 176. (St Teresa at
Massalubrense. A cloister monastery in the midst of history and
restoration.)
The Massalubrense monastery of Discalced Carmelite nuns, in the
Naples Province, was founded on 4th October 1673. It
was the second of the seven foundations made by the famous
Mother Seraphina of God (1621-1699). This year the monastery
celebrates its 330th anniversary.
The authoress of the present work wanted to present in it a
synthesis of the principal events of the community. Using the
numerous documents existing in the monastery's rich archives,
the work is enhanced by abundant photographs. The footnotes
attract attention, and with the text, they give abundant
historical details. As the present Prioress of the monastery
notes, the book was written to make known "the artistic and
cultural history of the ancient monastery of Massalubrense".
Camilo maccise. The Ways of the
Lord. Claretian Publications, Philippines, 2003. Pp. 115.
(Tel: +63 921 3984, Fax: +63 921 7429. Email
cci@claret.org Website
www.bible.claret.org)
Address: U.P. P.O. Box 4 \ Dilliman \1101 Quezon City \
Philippines
This is the long-awaited English translation of the Retreat
Conference given by Fr Camilo Maccise, as General of the
Discalced Carmelites, to the community of the General House in
Advent 1992. The brief meditations deal with "the ways of the
Lord, God's style of accomplishing things".
 |
|
|
|