THE TSUNAMI DISASTER 

While the whole world is saddened by the disaster that struck in S.E. Asia,Communicationes  can let you know that, according to the news we have received,  our priories and convents in that area (Sri Lanka, S.E. India and Indonesia) have not lost anyone nor has there been any noteable damage.  We thank God and our Lady AStar of the Sea@.

FR. GENERAL VISITS BAGHDAD (IRAQ) FOR CHRISTMAS 

Fr. General, Luis Arostegui, and the Definitor responsible for the Middle-East, Fr Robert Paul, wanted to spend Christmas with their brother Carmelites in Bagdad and with the Christians of Iraq.

On the 23^rd December they joined in a pre-Christmas get-together of representatives from the various Christian churches (Chaldean, Orthodox...) present in Baghdad, which was held at the Roman Catholic Archbishop=s house.

The next day, more than 350 people, adults and young alike, came to celebrate the Amidnight mass@ in our AFatima@ Church at 4 o=clock in the afternoon.  Fr Ghadir, the superior of the local community, presided.  The choir, musicians and the different people involved prepared a beautiful ceremony on this wonderful occasion. At the end of the Eucharist Fr General gave a short address, which was translated into arabic, expressing the communion between the Order and the Iraqi people, especially the Christians, at this time of suffering. He recalled how on this night, of the birth of Christ, that the glory of God is the joy and peace of humanity.  After the celebration everyone wished each other well, in the various languages. 

At the same time, the RC Archbishop, Mgr Sleiman, celebrated the eucharist in his cathedral with his people.

On Christmas day, Mgr Jean Sleiman and the Carmelites came together to celebrate the eucharist in the cathedral.  Once again Fr. General was invited to address the assembled Christians.  And again after the service people wished each other a happy feast. It was a good opportunity for the General and the Carmelites to see the fraternity that exists among the Catholics in Baghdad.

In the priory, Frs. Ghadir, Manuel Hernandez, from the Castile Province (Spain), our deacon Thomas and five postulants (these received the scapular from Fr. General on December 24 thus marking the beginning of their postulancy) made their visitors feel very welcome.  The Iraqi Carmelite student, Imad Naser, from the Lebanese Province, was visiting Baghdad at this time and celebrated Christmas there with his brother Carmelites. The times of prayer, as well as of meals, of sharing, of recreation and music gave life and hope to the place so that the occasional noise in the background of machine guns did not cause disturbance.  The Carmelite community in Iraq is supported by the Paris Province and our missionary presence has been there, in biblical Mesopotamia, since the XVII century.

The war and the insecurity are ever present in this town of 5-6 million inhabitants, forced to live and make do as best they can in difficult circumstances. We pray that they will never lose confidence nor hope in the way ahead. These people have a long history of hospitality and have always been welcoming.  Still today you will find many people of good will.

Before going to Iraq and in order to get there the General went to Amman, Jordan, where he met the RC Bishop Mgr Selim Sayegh and some of his collaborators. He learnt a lot from them in a short time about the Middle-East.

Fr Luis and Fr Robert experienced great and unexpected graces from their time spent in Iraq. There they could see the strength and the importance of the Order.

THE 50^TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE TERESIANUM
1955 - 2005 

The 50^th anniversary of the official inauguration of the Teresianum will take place on April 24, 2005.  When the idea of constructing such a college was first aired to accommodate the students at the OCD International College, then situated on the Corso d=Italia, number 39, no one thought of the Teresianum.

After the Second World War the need to construct and rebuild was apparent.  The Order was also aware of the urgent need to develop its principle centre of culture and formation, that had managed to survive the war.

A project was agreed to establish a centre which would allow a larger number of Carmelite students to study in Rome, with sufficient space for academic work and at the same time respond better to the need for theological and spiritual renewal.

After the 1947 General Chapter the new General Curia began to look for a suitable plot of land and for funds.  The choice was made of some land next to the Basilica of St. Pancrazio and next to the Seminary for our Missions.  Within a few years the enthusiastic commitment of Fr. Silverio and the Definitory General, as well as the collaboration of the provinces and the whole Order, brought the project to a satisfactory conclusion.  The hand of divine providence was evident on various occasions, so that, four years after laying the foundation stone (October 5, 1950), the Order was able to celebrate the official inauguration of the new seat of learning, the Discalced Carmelite International College, in Piazza St. Pancrazio, 5a. http://www.teresianum.org/50teresianum/index.htm

JOINT OCD - O.CARM COMMISSION FOR LATIN AMERICA 

On June 4, 1993, the two General Curiae O.Carm and OCD formed a AJoint Commission@ for Latin America. It has functioned from the beginning with the following main objective:

ATo develop and support the effort of reflecting and disseminating Carmelite themes and experiences based on scripture, theology, pastoral activity and spirituality, in the context of the present reality and, in order to grow in communion as a Carmelite family, in all its diversity and plurality, so as to be at the service of the people of God in Latin America and the Caribbean@.

At its meeting in September 2003, in the shrine of St Teresa of the Andes, Chile, the Commission asked the Peruvian Carmel to put onto computer all the material that it had produced during the nine meetings and the ten years of its existence.

Our Peruvian brothers have completed their task and produced an excellent CD, with the history, the aims, the tasks, a photographic album and all the details from the nine conferences.

At each meeting a theme is chosen and developed. The speakers are well known from both Orders: Camilo Maccise, Carlos Mesters, Bruno Secondin, Maximiliano Herraiz, Silvio Baez, Tito Rigueroa, Romulo Cuartas, and many others.  A sample of some themes: AThe Carmelite Charism in Latin America@, ANew examples of holiness@, AProphecy in Carmel@, AThe Apostolic dimension of Carmel@, AThe Experience of God and communion@, ADevotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary in Latin America@, AThe involvement of the laity in Carmel@, ACarmelite formation@.

For more information we encourage you to visit the new web page: www.comisionmixta.org

 

 

CIVIL RECOGNITION OF A DISCALCED CARMELITE NUN 

The city of Legnano, near Milan, Italy, has posthumously honoured Mother Elizabeth of the Trinity ocd (1935-2004).  The decree recounts the reasons why our sister was considered worthy of such an honour: Athe love she showed for her neighbour, her great spirituality, her deep faith, her awareness of the daily lives of the local people have transformed the Carmel of Legnano, into a centre for the whole city..@

Elizabeth lived for 46 years in this convent, where she had been directress of novices and prioress.  At the time of her death she was the President of the Association of the Carmels of Lombardy, Emirian and Piedmont.  The decree from the municipality describes Mother Elizabeth as a person with A a free spirit, and thanks to her spirituality and sensitivity it was easy to confide in her,... From her cloister she managed to offer encouragement and kindness to whoever came to her in difficulty.  She loved life till the end, in spite of her struggles with illness.  She gave herself in service to her Carmelite sisters...@

The strong personality and spirituality of this Italian Discalced Carmelite has left a mark on the community and on the city.  The document from the municipality ends: AWe will always remember her radiant smile@.

C.I.C.L.A CONGRESS  

CICLA is the AInterregional Carmelite Conference of Latin America@.  Since its foundation, in the 1970's, it has regularly organized spirituality congresses.  In recent years there has been one every three years.  The last one took place in Chile, November 21 - 31, 2004.  The theme chosen was the spirituality of St. Teresa of the Andes.  The venue was the spirituality centre next to her shrine.  Representatives gathered from Carmel all over Latin America as well as the United States: friars, nuns and laity.  Five hundred in all.

The Congress began with an introduction to the historical context in which St Teresa lived.  Then followed themes on her spiritual life, those that can be seen in her writings: Diary and Letters.  After the lectures there was the chance for personal study of her writings, which was later shared in group discussions.  The fruit of the Congress will be published in the Review AVida Espiritual@, from the Colombian Province.

The talks given were: ASecular Chile@ (Dr. Rene Meza), AThe Chilean Church@ (Sr. Conception Garriag cmt), ATeresa=s colleges@ (Sr. Maria Paz Riesco), ACarmel in Chile@ (Sr. Sandra Henriquez cm), ATeresa of the Andes@ (Fr. Marino Purroy, ocd), APrayer experience@ (Fr. Felix Malax, ocd), AWhat is God like@ (Fr. Felix Malax, ocd), AWhere is Christ@ (Fr Cristhian Ogueda, ocd), ASanctifying love@ (Fr. Armando Sejas, ocd), AThe crosses of Latin America@ (Fr. Camilo Maccise, ocd), AA message for the youth@ (Fr Miguel Ortega, dioc. Priest), ATeresa and Carmel@ (Fr. Felix Malaz, ocd).

There was also an opportunity to study the places where Teresa lived.   

Mendoza - Argentina
A SPIRITUALITY COURSE 

Three days of spiritual reflection, organized by the Carmelite secular order of Mendoza, Argentina, was held in the foothills of the Andes mountains, between 25^th - 27^th October 2004. 

The title of the course was: AIn the intimacy of your heart: the art of prayer with the Carmelite saints@.

These days were part of an annual series of events for the diocese.  Members of the Secular order came from near and far, some hundreds of kilometres, to attend this event which was announced on radio and television and in all the parishes of the diocese.  The local Bishop was happy to give it his blessing. 

Priests and seminarians were specially invited and came in large numbers, showing great interest.

The themes discussed were on the Carmelite Doctors of the church, and given by Fr. Andres Castineiras, ocd (Delegate for the OCDS in Argentina), and Fr Ricardo Prado, ocd (Second councillor of the Delegation).

At the end of these days the secular order community, of St Joseph, from Mendoza, came together for four days of spiritual retreat, in order to give thanks to God for the blessings He bestowed upon this Carmelite initiative, within and beyond the diocese, and to pray for more blessings.

 

LISIEUX: FIFTIETH ANNIVERSARY OF THE BASILICA 

On July 12^th eleven Carmelite friars of the Paris Province led prayers in the crypt.  They

were only too happy to respond to the invitation to give thanks for the 50^th anniversary of the dedication of the Basilica, and to add a special Carmelite touch.

Thérèse of Lisieux grew up on Carmel=s soil, she was a Alittle white flower@ in the garden, but at the same time she is a treasure for the whole Church, which her title of Doctor confirms. The presence of the Discalced Carmelite friars at Lisieux reminds one that Thérèse was a Carmelite, and shows that, in cooperating with others, Carmel is of and for the Church. 

The Carmelite delegation represented the various priories of the Paris Province, and even further, Bagdad, thanks to the presence of Brother Thomas on a visit to France.  This spiritual animation put into practise the resolution of the provincial chapter of April 2002, in Avon, which wanted to renew and intensify our presence in Lisieux.  The presence of Bro. Robert Paul, Definitor, also signified the support from the centre of the order in this male Carmelite presence in Lisieux.

The celebrations for Thérèse were celebrated from 25^th September to 3^rd October.  The new Carmelite community was present.  Brother Philippe Hugelé is the prior.  This year, the celebrations preceded the pilgrimage of Thérèse=s relics to Spain and to Colombia. Mgr. Jesus Garcia Burillo, bishop of Avila, wwas present.  Brother Raphael Leon, of the Aragon-Valencia province, led the prayers, during which Sonia L. Rivas-Cabellero sung some of Teresa of Avila=s poems accompanied by music from the XVI century.  Brother Jorge Humberto Restrepo of the Colombian province was also present.  He had come to accompany the relics on their six week pilgrimage to Colombia.  The friars were responsible for taking the relics from the nun=s chapel to begin the festivities.

The renovation and the extension of the new Carmelite  priory has been completed and the new community are now fully involved in Lisieux=s pilgrimage ministry and give pastoral reflections. 

We entrust to Athe little flower@ this new presence of the Order in Lisieux.  

THE DOCUMENTS FOR THE PROCESS OF EXPELLING FR. GRACIAN 

On November 24^th 2004 there was a presentation in the Teresianum, Rome, of the volume Expulsion del P. Gracian. Documentos de un Proceso 1587-1601. MHCT, 21 (pp. 712+4O, i90.00).

This volume, edited by Fr. Juan Luis Astigarraga,ocd, now completes all the most important historical sources relating to Fr. Gracian. Fr Juan Luis explained in his presentation the characteristics and content of the tome and Fr. Ildefonso Moriones, the Postulator General, explained the importance of this work, in order to begin the Beatification process of Fr. Gracian, according to the decision taken on December 15, 2000 by the Definitory General, following the resolutions of the General Chapter of 1991.  Fr General presided at this presentation, with Fr Luis, Fr Ildefonso and the rector of the Teresianum, Fr Dario Cumer.  Fr. Otilio Rodgriguez was remembered with gratitude, who in 1971 began to take steps that would eventually lead to the setting up of the Institutum Historicum Teresianum.  The fruits of this Historical Institute are at the Order=s disposition. There is also today the Monumenta Historica Carmeli Teresiani.