V EUROPEAN MEETING OF CARMELITE STUDENTS 

This meeting took place from August 29 to Sept 6 in our Priory in Viano do Castelo, Portugal, with 111 students taking part, from 17 different countries: Italy, France, Spain, Poland, Croatia, Cheque Republic, Portugal, Germany, Malta, Egypt, India, Byelorussia, Iraq, Colombia, Vietnam, Senegal, Cameroon.  

The overall theme of the meeting was: The Challenge of the European Culture to the Church, to Religious Life and to Carmel
The themes and speakers were: 

$                   The Challenge of European culture to the Church: what kind of evangelization in this European culture?  (Dr. José Policarpo, Cardinal of Lisbon)

$                   The Challenge of european culture to Religious Life: what kind of witness? What kind of religious and community model? (Brother Benito Arbuées Torralba, ex General of the Marists).

$                   The Challenge of european culture to Carmel: what kind of witness and appeal? What Carmel has to offer (Fr. Luis Arostegui, the General of the Order).

$                   What Carmel=s spiritual heritage can hope to gain from the modern ecclesial movements in Europe (Sr Monique-Marie of the Holy Faith, Beatitude Community). 

There was time for a day dedicated to Mary and Carmel, then pilgrimages to Fatima, to Coimbra, where we visited the Friars and Sisters; there we greeted Sister Lucia, (one of the seers of Fatima) who gave us all a small memento, Aveiro, and the shrine in Braga.  

Throughout these days there was a genuine atmosphere of fraternity, enriched by the mutual getting to know one another on a European level We left greatly encouraged to live and share the Carmelite charism with the people and the youth of today.

A very special mention of the Provincial of Portugal, Fr Alpoim Alves, who was with us at every session and other Fathers who were our hosts for this event, whose generosity and service made this event such a success.  The long applause of all those who took part spoke clearly of the sincere gratitude felt towards the Portuguese Province who welcomed us one and all with open arms.  May Mary Mother of Carmel and Fatima repay them with many vocations. 

EUROPEAN MEETING OF THE MEDITERRANEAN ZONE
OF OCD VOCATION PROMOTERS 

This meeting took place from September 7 to 11 in our priory in Marco de Canaveses, Portugal with 31 promoters taking part, from 11 countries.

The first day was dedicated to the general focus of the meeting, by Fr. Giovanni Salonia OFM, who spoke on the theme of The Youth in Europe Today.   Afterwards there was an interesting exchange of questions and answers.

The second day was dedicated to the Experience of Vocational Work of the various Provinces, with a particular input from Mexico, as a possible model to follow.

The third day was dedicated to seeing what concrete choices could be made by the Provinces, what fundamental options and directions.  In the end all the findings were written up in a document entitled: Final Report of the Congress for OCD Vocation=s Promoters, that can be read on our Website, and which will be sent to the Provinces. 

We would like to thank again the Portuguese Province for the wonderful hospitality  which made all this possible. It was the first encounter of such a kind, and has given all the vocation promoters much enthusiasm and will hopefully lead to a much needed flowering of vocations in the Order in Europe today.  May the Mother of Carmel watch over and protect this vine. 

AFRICAN CONGRESS ON FORMATION 

The Congress on Formation took place from September 5 to 11, in our Priory in Yaoundy, Cameroon, for Africa Francophone and Madagascar. It was arranged by Fr Zacharie Igirukwayo, General Definitor, for Africa, and the General Secretary for the Missions.  The basic theme was: The Integration of Carmelite culture in the process of initial formation.  There were 20 participants, who included Superiors and those responsible for formation, originating from Rome, Madagascar, Bukino Faso, Rwanda, Burundi, Cameroon, Congo, Central Africa and Senegal.  The General had been due to be present, but in the end it was not possible. Instead he sent a message that was read out.

We asked Fr. Luc-Marie Perrier, ocd, Superior of the Senegal Mission and Fr. Sibde Semporé, Regional Superior from the Dominicans of West Africa and founder of the review Pentecote Afrique, both experts in giving conferences, to use their experience to facilitate the congress.  The former explained how it was important to have some kind of formation control or check and the criteria for this. The general theme of the second facilitator was The meeting between African culture and religious life in the modern world.  

The Nuncio for the Cameroon visited the conference and spent a day with us.  In the evening we celebrated the Eucharist with our Sisters from Yaounde.  The dynamic of the Congress was: information-communication-collaboration.  The final slogan was: After the conference the meeting continues.   A commission to begin an African review of spirituality was established.  Its function will be to spread Carmelite literature in Africa and Madagascar.  This will be an important factor in order to strengthen the Order=s presence on this continent and in the islands of the Indian ocean. 

CENTER  FOR  PRAYER  THERAPY  AND  PASTORAL COUNSELING 

The Carmelite Friars of the Manjummel Province have ventured to start a center for prayer therapy and pastoral counseling at Tiruvalla in the diocese of Vijayapuram, Kerala, India. Ave Maria House, as it is known now, which was formerly used as the residence of the Chaplain of our nuns by the Friars of Manjummel, is remodeled to accommodate more members to exercise the healing ministry of prayer and counseling.  Many people who are depressed and are suffering from various difficulties approach our Nuns for prayer.  While the Sisters help them by prayer, the Friars render them the service of pastoral counseling.

The Chapel of the center was blessed by the Bishop of Vijayapuram and the building by the Bishop of Tiruvalla on April 29, 2004.  A good number of people, from the surrounding area - including non-Catholics and non-Christians were present at the function.

Our nuns came to Tiruvalla on February 28, 1948 and on the 8^th of September of the same year, the enclosure was erected.  At present there are 18 Nuns.

This joint apostolate of the brothers and sisters of Carmel is hoped to produce a lot of good fruit. 

Reunion of
THE INTERNATIONAL ECONOMIC COMMISSION 

The entire commission met on September 13^th in Rome at the Generalate, together with Fr General in order to look at the accounts for the first six months of 2004.  They noted that economic crisis in Europe was reflected in the offerings made to the Generalate; there was a slight improvement from the contributions of the Provinces and Circumscriptions; the cost of daily administration has remained fairly stable; and there has not been any extraordinary expenses. All this has meant a slight improvement in finances, in spite of the financial help given to some priories, students and convents who found themselves in need.  Once again we regret the lack of security when sending money by cheque: you are invited to send money either through a bank or by postal transfer.

Just to remind you again fo the international codes: Bank Post: IT44 P O7601 03200 00003151004 BIC:BPPIITRRXXX and Bank Credit Bergamasco: CREBIT22 F O3336 03200 000000001519.  Everything should be addressed to ACasa Generalizia Padri Carmelitani Scalzi@.

A decision was made for the Commission to meet just once a year, given that there are no particular problems at the moment.  Besides there are two sub-committees: one for the new Centre of Spirituality in Avila, Spain and the other for the Stella Maris Project, Haifa, Israel.
The next meeting has been arranged for February 7 2005 in Rome.

 

ATTACK ON THE GRAND BASSAM CARMEL, IVORY COAST, AFRICA 

On the 15^th July, the feast of Our Lady of Mt Carmel, masked men broke into the convent of the Carmelites of Grand Bassam. They shook and slapped the Sisters who were in the choir at the time and shoved them to the ground where they were told to remain prostrate.  The sisters who made the least resistence they were beaten up.  They broke three of the Prioress=s toes.  Another sister was given a black eye.

The violent visitors demanded to be given all the money that the community possessed, straight away. The Sisters who were shaking with fear gave them what ever they thought might be of value that they had on their person.  Then the theives left.  But the Sisters are frightened as to what might happen next time.  We hope that they will be able to overcome their fears with the typical Teresian fortitude of our missionaries and be able to forget this most unpleasant of incidents. 

SANCTIFIED BY ILLNESS, THE PATH TO HOLINESS
Brother Inmaculado José of Jesus
15.08.1923 - 13.04.1989 

The life of Aldo Brienza was very special.  He was born in 1923, Campobasso, Italy.  Aged 15 he suffered terrible pains in his legs.  From June 27 1938 he remained crippled and would remain lying in a bed for the rest of his life.  He put his faith in God and was sustained by the Eucharist.  He offered up his sufferings for priests, for their holiness. He also consecrated himself to the Blessed Virgin.

In 1946 he became a secular Carmelite.  But two years later the Holy See granted him the privilege to make solemn vows as a Discalced Carmelite.  He continued to live at home with his family.  As one of our Religious he was first called Brother Inmaculado José of Our Lady of Sorrows.  In 1950 the religious title was changed to >of Jesus=.  He lived in close union with the Order through prayer and the Eucharist and attending those important events of the Order as his condition allowed.  He never stopped reading the lives of the Saints of Carmel.

Many people came to see him at his home. He received them always in his bed.  His serenity and happiness left a deep impression.  He wrote to many people and kept a spiritual diary.  Even during his lifetime he was considered a Carmelite saint.  He died on April 13 1989.  Almost straight away his cause was encouraged, especially by the local people.

And on the 11^th October this year the Archbishop of Campobasso announced that the canonical cause for the beatification of this exceptional Carmelite was to begin.   

BRAZIL. NEW ASSOCIATION COUNCIL 

The elections for a new Council of the Association of Our Lady of Carmel, South Brazil,took place at a General Assembly from the 7^th to 9^th August, this year, in the presence of Fr General.
Coordinator:     Maria Teresinha do Menino Jesus (Sâo Leopoldo)
1^st Councillor:   Maria José de Jesus (Santo Ángelo)
2^nd Councillor: Teresa de Jesús (Giruá)
3^rd Councillor:   Celina do Menino Jesus (Curitiba)
4^th Councillor:   Lourdes de Jesus (Santa Maria)
Substitute:         Verônica da S. Face (Caixas do Sul) 

4^th CENTENARY OF THE FIRST CARMEL IN LATIN AMERICA 

This year we celebrate the first foundation of Carmelite Sisters in Latin America.  The first convent was given the title Puebla de los Angeles in Mexico.  This joy is to be shared by the whole Order.

A programme has been arranged to celebrate this historic event with dignity, and will include a solemn eucharistic celebration, conferences etc., from 13^th to 15^th October 2004.  The early days of this Carmel,which was not linked to any other convent, was due in great part to two Spanish ladies from Veracruz.  The brief for the foundation was issued by Pope Clement VII, on July 5 1602, but the actual foundation did not begin until December 27 1604. (Carmelos del Mundo, Vol. 7, ' 471).
Ad multos annos.