Elective Chapter of the Indonesian Province Held February 10-15, 2025The members of the Indonesian Province of the Carmelite Order held their elective chapter on February 10-15, 2025. Three major decisions were taken by this Chapter. The commitment to the new East Indonesia Province was formalized. Support will be in the form of finance, formation, and guidance. For three years the Indonesian Province will financially support the new entity based on the number of solemnly professes members.&nbs ...Continue Reading

Celebrating at Home: Generous Relationships7th Sunday of Ordinary TimeLast Sunday we began to read Luke’s Sermon on the Plain. Luke has used Matthew’s Sermon on the Mount but changed and shortened it significantly. Today and next Sunday we will read the rest of the Sermon.This week, Jesus’ radical teaching focusses on lavish generosity in human relationships. The opening words, ‘Love your enemies,’ set the tone of the rest of the text.Again, at first glance the words of Jesus seem absurd and almost impossible to follow. ...Continue Reading

 February 25 - March 2, 2025Prayer for the General Assembly of the Third Order of Carmelites in FatimaThe General Assembly of the Lay Carmelite Order of the Blessed Virgin Mary (historically known as the Third Order of Carmel, TOC) will be held in Fatima from February 23 to March 3, 2025. The Committee for the event has prepared a prayer text that we can use to accompany in faith all participants who will be working for our Third Order. Let us join in prayer that the assembly will be fruitful and fru ...Continue Reading

Prior General's Schedule for February 2025Fr. Míċeál O'Neill, the prior general, has the following schedule planned for the month of February 2025:February 1: Venezuela, celebration of the centennary of the affiliation of the Carmelite Sisters of Madre Candelaria to the Carmelite OrderFebruary 3-7: Canonical visitation of the Italian Province (Part 1)February 9-23: Provincial Chapter of the Indonesian Province; Visit to Carmelites in SumatraFebruary 25-28: Fatima: Congress of the Carmelite Third Order  ...Continue Reading

 The Prior General Marks the World Day for Consecrated Life with a Reflection for the Carmelite FamilyOn Sunday, February 2, the Church celebrated the feast of the Presentation of the Lord as well as the 29th World Day for Consecrated Life. The celebration for Consecrated Life began in 1997 under St. John Paul II. Pope Francis joined with religious men and women for the celebration of First Vespers. He spoke of the three evangelical counsels: poverty, chasstity, and obedience. He said, “They man ...Continue Reading

CAUSA NOSTRAE LAETITIAEINITIUM NOVITIATUS* 18-01-25  Carlos Eduardo  (Pern) Graciosa, Brasil 18-01-25  José Carlos  (Pern) Graciosa, Brasil 18-01-25  Wandson Silva  (Pern) Graciosa, BrasilPROFESSIO SOLEMNIS* 25-01-25  Amisse Calisto Paulino  (Pern-Mz) Maputo, Moçambique 25-01-25. Florêncio Januário  (Pern-Mz) Maputo, Moçambique    www.ocarm.orghttp://www.facebook.com/ocarm.orghttps://twitter.com/ocarm_org    ...Continue Reading

Celebrating at Home: Blessings & Woes6th Sunday of Ordinary TimeOver the next three Sundays we will listen to almost the whole of Luke’s Sermon on the Plain.Luke has used Matthew’s Sermon on the Mount but changed and shortened it significantly. It is important to realise that both Sermons are more than only the Beatitudes which begin them.In Luke, Jesus’ words are addressed to the disciples, not to the gathered crowd, so we might think of the sermon as a teaching about discipleship. The whole of the Sermon is quite ...Continue Reading

 Triennial Chapter of the Carmelite Nuns of SS.ma Concezione Monastery in Sutri, Italy HeldThe Elective Chapter of the Carmelite Monastery of the SS Concezione in Sutri (Italy) was held on February 2, 2025, the Feast of the Presentation of the Lord in the Temple.The monastery was founded in 1515 or, possibly 1489 by the Carmelites of the Congregation of Mantua who had a house of the Congregation in Sutri. St. Paul of the Cross, the founder of the Congregation of the the Passionists, gave spiritual exercises and med ...Continue Reading

 Triennial Chapter of the Carmelite Nuns of Sacred Heart Monastery in Hudson, Wisconsin HeldThe Elective Chapter of the Carmelite Monastery of the Sacred Heart in Hudson, Wisconsin (USA) was held on January 7, 2025. Bishop James Powers of Superior presided.The Carmel of the Sacred Heart was established in the Diocese of Superior by the Carmel of Allentown in August 1963. It celebrated its 60th anniversary on July 16, 2023.The website for the monastery is carmelofthesacredheart.comThe following nuns were elected:+&n ...Continue Reading

Celebrating at Home: Here I Am, Send Me5th Sunday of Ordinary TimeAs if to balance the rejection Jesus experienced in last week’s Gospel, this week’s episode tells two stories of people who welcome his message.Firstly, an enthusiastic crowd has gathered on the shore of the lake, eagerly pressing forward to hear Jesus’ teaching. Jesus seems to be in danger of being crushed or at least being pushed into the sea! He takes the unusual step of teaching from Simon’s boat.Secondly, Luke tells us that Simon and his companions a ...Continue Reading