New
Centre of Spirituality in Malawi
An encouraging sign of hope for the future comes from our
Carmelite missions in Africa and their concern for, and
cultivation of spirituality for a new generation of young
Carmelites. The Provincial Delegation of Malawi, which
is under the jurisdiction of the Navarre Province, already
established a house of prayer back in 1982. Today
there are building a centre of spirituality. The
proposal came from the Blantyre Diocese, which gave us the
land in the south of the country.
The foundation stone was blessed by the Vicar General of the
Diocese, on May 21. Present was the Carmelite
Delegate, Fr. George Tambala, and several members of the
Carmelite family, particularly those from our formation
houses, as well as Bro. Nicolas Adongo, from Kenya, who is
preparing there for his solemn profession. The Vicar General
explained the significance of this ceremony and the hopes of
the Church in Malawi for the Centre. Together with the
foundation stone they also laid a book of the complete works
of St. John of the Cross to signify that this place will be
founded on the Word of God as well as on Carmelite
Spirituality. The work of construction began in earnest in
June of this year.
St.Teresa & St. John of the Cross Centre, Avila, Spain
VI Week of Spirituality
The sixth week of spirituality took place in the city of
Avila on the 8th May. It was organized by the
Carmelite Centre of Spirituality in that same city. The
theme this year was Mysticism and the challenge of
suffering - how to understand suffering in the Christian
life. As each year goes by so this Week of Spirituality
is becoming better known and appreciated. This time
there were 150 participants, some of whom travelled daily
from Madrid, a journey of about two hours.
These weeks of spirituality, also called Teresian-Johannine
Weeks, are organized by the Centre of Spirituality in Avila
(CITES). They began in 2000, and are offered every year
during the month of May, free of charge to anyone
interested. Each year the week is dedicated to a general
theme that is relevant to the lives of people today, based
on the teaching and experience of our mystics.
Course on Blessed Elizabeth of the Trinity
There was an in-depth study of Elizabeth of the Trinity from
May 22 - 26 at the Carmelite Spirituality Centre in Avila.
55 people took part during these days dedicated to the study
of the life and writings of our Sister. The course
looked at the environment in which she lived, the sources of
her inspiration, her anthropology and theology. There was a
particular emphasis on her “Praise of Glory” and the theme
of the indwelling of the Trinity.
The speakers were: Ciro Garcia, Augustin Borrel, Miguel
Valenciano, Romulo Cuartas and Javier Sancho.
Elizabeth of the Trinity
Centenary Book
The Centenary Year commemorating the death of Elizabeth of
the Trinity (1880-1906) began on 11th June 2006.
The French publishers ‘Editions du Carmel’, under the
direction of Jean Clapier ocd, have just published a book
entitled Eliabeth de la Trinité. L’aventure
mystique - that will assuredly be the “book of the
year”; an excellent source of reference for anyone wishing
to study the message of this Carmelite, and Prophet of
Interiority.
There are 29 studies on the sources, experience and teaching
of Elizabeth, her pastoral influence (with young people,
priests, laity or consecrated people), and her spiritual
legacy.
This book has brought together contributions from the
greatest international experts on Blessed Elizabeth of the
Trinity, and well-known authors in the field of spiritual
theology.
(For more information contact: Editions du Carmel, 33,
avenue Jean Rieux, 31500 Toulouse, France. Tel. 0033 5562
471686 Fax 0033 0562 471668:
editions.carmel@wanadoo.fr).
Earthquake in Indonesia
From Yogyakarta in Indonesia, epicentre of the recent
earthquake, where we have our house of studies pertaining to
the Province of Manjummel, we receive the following report:
On 27th May 2006, soon after the Morning prayer, as we
were preparing for the Holy Mass, at 5.45 (Indonesian time)
we felt a great shake, lasting more than 30 sec. In our
panic we all ran away from the chapel and stood in the
middle of our old building. Slowly some of tiles began to
fall from the roof and the building showed several cracks in
the walls. People from around also got panic and came out
from their houses. After the quake was over, we began our
Mass and soon after the mass the earth began to shake again.
News was spread that a Tsunami was caused. Sea water rose up
to 4 meters People, already under trauma of the last Tsunami
that had caused havoc in Acheh, left everything and began to
flee to mountains. Later news was released by the government
that there is no Tsunami and people began to return to their
houses. But many houses and other building were damaged
seriously.
Thousands of people have now been hospitalised and according
to the information, more than 3000 people have died. Most of
our Secular Carmelite members have lost their houses. Last
night our Brothers were all in the Hospital to take care of
the Victims of the earthquake and serve them.
Thank to God, our Monastery, a dilapidated school building,
did not fall to the ground. If the earthquake were to be a
bit stronger, we could also be victims. Last night we all
slept in the open air as the earth continued with little
quakes. Actually we were all a bit afraid, but as it sounds
in Isaiah 43/ 1-2: "I have called you by name and you
are mine. When you pass through the waters I will be with
you...... when you walk through the fire you will not be
burned and the flame shall not consume you", we have been
protected by the Lord, so that we are able to communicate
with you today.
Thanks for your prayers. Now it is our duty to help the
people who are homeless and helpless. We are going to the
Bantul District, where the majority of people died and
almost all the houses and other buildings have collapsed.
Please do keep all the victims in your prayers.
With love and Prayers
Fr. Felix Elavunkal OCD, Regional Vicar
