Communicationes N 26 15-06-2004 Contents Friars $ OCD-O.Carm Meeting $ Suffrages for the Dead $ Fr General=s Programme $ Chicago: Carmelite Convention $ Exhumation of the body of Mgr. Valentin Zubizarreta, OCD Nuns $ 4 th Centenary of the Carmelites in France $ A work of special interest for the Teresian Carmel Miscellaneous $ A New Carmelite Institute in Burma (Myanmar) $ Pilgrimage with the Relics of Blessed Miriam Baouardy $ New Books F R I A R S OCD - O.CARM MEETING 24 th May 2004 A meeting between the two General Councils of the OCD & O.Carm Orders was held on the 24 th May at the O. Carm Generalate, with all the Definitors present. The following is a resume of the meeting: 1. The Meeting began with readings from the Rule, St Teresa of Avila and St Luke=s Gospel. 2. Fr Joseph Chalmer=s, O.Carm Prior General welcomed the OCD Definitory. 3. Latin American >mixed= Commission: Nicolas Garcia and Carlos Meesters delivered a report of their work: a. They presented a first draft of the Commission=s Statutes. The two Councils will examine them and send their comments for correction during the summer. The revised Statutes could be approved definitively by the two Councils as early as the reunion in December 2004. b. The two Generals could write a joint letter to encourage the work of the Commission. c. The next reunion of the Commission will be in Mexico in 2006. There will be representatives present from all the Carmelite Family. The last reunion was dedicated to the preparations for the celebrations of the 800 th anniversary of the Rule in 2007. 4. International Commission on Carmelite Formation: a meeting was arranged for Sept. 2004, Bros. Carlo Cicconetti and Simone Gamberoni for the O.Carms and Frs Charles Serrao, Nicolas Garcia and Roberto Fornara for the OCD=s. The need to find themes of common interest and importance regarding formation activity for both Orders was stressed. Perhaps a Regional approach could help the work of the Commission in finding relevant themes. 5. Celebration of the 800 th Anniversary of the Rule: during the General Chapter of the O.Carm=s in 2007, the General of the OCD=s, the Definitory and local OCD Provincials will be
invited to participate in the celebrations. We are to ask the Pope to write a letter as well as a joint one from the two Generals to the Carmelite Family. In May 2007 we could organize a celebration at the O.Carm Generalate and another at the OCD=s. These proposals will be looked at by both the Councils and will be decided on by the next meeting in December. All the means of communication should be used to let people know of all the celebrations. Stephen Watson and William Harry will get together to discuss aspects concerning publicity-information. 6. Mariological Association: Josef Jancai will examine the first outline of the Statutes and address his comments to a working-group composed of 2 or 3 people from the O.Carm=s and OCD=s, this will mark the beginning of the formation of this Association. Kevin Alban will be responsible for bringing the group together and for explaining its duties. 7. Marian Liturgical Commission: Silvano Vescovi OCD will coordinate the Commission composed of Luci Maria Zappatore O.Carm, Giuseppe Midili O.Carm, Andrea L=Afflitto OCD and Jesus Castellano OCD. 8. Carmelite Dictionary: Emmanuele Boaga O.Carm gave a report of his progress. Of the 229 items confided to the O:Carm, 203 have been written, 135 revised and 85 sent to the printers. Of the 23 missing he hopes to remedy about twenty by Sept. 2004. After which the two editors must work on the first draft in order to harmonize the styles and develop a reference system. 9. Book on Psychology Seminar: it was decided to leave Kevin Culligan OCD, Washington Province, until the Spring of 2005 to finish the work on this book. 10. Next Meeting: of the two Councils will take place on December 18 th 2004 at the OCD Curia. SUFFRAGES FOR OUR DECEASED BRETHREN In reply to the requests of some small communities, specially from the Mission territories, Fr General has given the following Declaration: AFor the sake of charity towards our own who have fallen asleep in Christ@ (Norms, 45), in communion with the whole Order and taking into consideration the actual necessities of our small communities, we concede that in the developing countries, when the Community is composed of less than five priests and is maintained chiefly through Mass stipends the prescription of our Norms n145 a) and e) may be satisfied through at least two community celebrations of the Holy Mass per month offered for our departed brethren. Fr Luis Aróstegui, ocd, Superior General FR GENERAL=S PROGRAMME June - December 2004 (Link http://www.ocd.pcn.net/curia_genpro.htm )
Chicago: USA CARMELITE CONVENTION The Carmelite Institute of Washington will be hosting a major conference on ACarmel as a Sign of Hope and Healing in Our Troubled World@ in Chicago, Illinois, 21-25 July 2004, at the Palmer House Hilton. Speakers will include the two Carmelite Fathers General (Luis Aróstegui Gamboa, OCD, and Joseph Chalmers, O.Carm.); Mgr Jean Sleiman, OCD, the Latin Patriarch of Baghdad; Mgr Anders Arborelius, Bishop of Stockholm; and many other notable Carmelites and non- Carmelites. Participants will reflect together on the pressing issues of our time and the resources our great spiritual tradition offers in meeting these challenges. The Carmelite Institute was founded in 1993 by the five Carmelite provincials (OCD and O.Carm.) of the United States and Canada, to serve the needs of the English-speaking Carmelite family in North America. The Institute=s 2001 Conference on the Rule of Carmel attracted 500 participants! Further information and registration materials for the upcoming July conference may be found at the Institute=s website: www.carmeliteinstitute.org." Santiago, Cuba Re-exhumation of the body of MGR. VALENTIN ZUBIZARRETA, OCD During the commemorative year for the Bi-Centenary of the erection of the Archdiocese of Santiago, Cuba, the remains of Mgr Valentin Zubizarreta, OCD (1925-1948) and Mgr. Enrique Perez Serantes (1949-1968), former Archbishops of the Diocese, were re-exhumed and taken to the Cathedral from their previous burial place in the Santa Ifigenis cemetery of that same city. Mgr. Pedro Meurice Estiu, the present Archbishop of Santiago presided at the solemn pontifical mass and the re-exhumation, together with him were other Bishops and Diocesan Priests as well as two Carmelite Friars, Frs Teodoro Becerril and Antonio Unzueta. After communion the Archbishop presented the urns to the people, in which the respective remains had been deposited: marble urns, a metre wide with the corresponding names and dates beautifully engraved. A medical certificate and a legal document accompanied each urn to verify the authenticity of the remains. The assembly then proceeded to place the urns in their respective locations: that of Mgr. Zubizarreta before the Ambo and that of Mgr. Perez Serantes on the other side of the altar. In both places marble inscriptions informed the visitor who were these great men of the Cuban Church. BIOGRAPHICAL DETAILS OF MGR. ZUBIZARRETA OCD Born 2 nd November 1862 in Echevarria (Spain). Professed Larrea 12 th August 1880. Was ordained Priest in Vitoria, 18 th December 1886, and in 1887 named Professor of Dogmatic Theology in Burgos College. In 1892 became Prior of Vitoria, until 1897. In 1900 he was elected Provincial of Navarre. At the end of the triennium he was sent as Visitator to Cuba and Chile. In 1907 was appointed as Secretary to the Fr General of the SCJ=s. In 1912 was elected Provincial of Navarre for the second time. After his term in office, in 1914 Pope Pius X named him Bishop of Camaguey, a recently created Diocese in Cuba. In 1922 he was transferred to Cienfuegos Diocese and in 1925 was elected Archbishop of Santiago,Cuba, the first Archdiocese erected in that country. He was, moreover, a man of outstanding ecclesial learning and wrote a book on Dogmatic Theology in four volumes which was adopted as a standard textbook by many seminaries. It went into four editions, each one with 3000 copies. His dedication to study did not prevent him from being a tireless worker in his Archdiocese.
During his time he built many fine Church buildings and chapels. In Santiago he built a new episcopal residence, a new diocesan seminary and above all constructed a new Sanctuary to the Patroness of Cuba, the Virgin of Charity. On the occasion of his golden anniversary as a Priest, he was nominated by the Pope to preside at the Eucharistic Congress in Santiago, which finished with the solemn crowning of the Patroness of Cuba. He died a saintly death in Santiago, on the 26 th February 1948. At his funeral one hundred thousand people took part, acclaiming him to be a Saint. N U N S FOURTH CENTENARY OF CARMEL IN FRANCE On the occasion of the 400 th anniversary of the first foundation of Teresian Carmelites in France, Fr General wrote a letter on the 25 th March >04. A get together of the whole Carmelite family took place in Paris on the 12 th and 13 th June. The Eucharistic celebration was presided by Cardinal Lustiger and was certainly one of the finest moments of the festivities. FR GENERAL=S LETTER: To the Carmelites of France 400 th Anniversary of the foundation of the first convent Dear Daughters of St. Teresa, Dear Sisters, Laudate Dominum, Omnes Gentes, Alleluia The vaults of the Church of Notre Dame des Champs du Faubourg St Jaques, Paris, resonate with the words of praise and thanksgiving that the six Discalced Spanish Carmelites sang on the 17 th October 1604, two days after they arrived in the capital of France. The first Mass was celebrated in this very place on the 18 th October, and the Blessed Sacrament reserved and the Carmel of the Incarnation began, the first Teresian Carmel on French soil. Laudate Dominum, Omnes Gentes, Alleluia Teresa=s spirit wanted to give all the praise to God, as it is He alone who achieves all things. We also know that God wants us to collaborate with Him in His plan for the salvation of all: Jean de Quintanadoine de Bretigny, Madam Acarie, Dom Beaucousin, Jacques Gallemant, Andre Duval, Pierre de Berulle, St Francis de Sales... Anne of Jesus, Beatrice of the Conception, Isabel of the Angels, Anne of St Bartholomew, Isabel of St Paul Eleanore of St Bernard... The Princesses Catherine of Longueville and Marguerite d=estouville, the Venerable Madeleine of Saint Joseph, Louise of Mercy, Marie of the Blessed Sacrament, Agnès of Jésus, Marie of Jésus... Many more names could be mentioned. Why mention these names since we know them so well? To remind us in this year of thanksgiving that our God is a partner with us; in the past, yesterday, today and tomorrow. Our
God is the God of the Covenant, He asks us again to share the work with Him. Already in 1582, Jean de Bretigny was in Seville, Spain, hoping to make a foundation in France. His determination, his application, his initiatives allowed the project to take shape. A small group held meetings in Madam Acarie=s house, with readings from the writings of Teresa of Avila. They are an example to us today: of formation, deliberation, sharing, collaboration, searching for supporters, the beginning of the work and above all of a life of prayer, as it was God=s plan. Teresa of Jesus had carried France in her heart (Way of Perfection, Ch.1) and the disunity of the Church as well as the support for preachers called her to live her reform with an ever more ardent love. The rapid expansion in France and the mission countries demonstrate that the Teresian charism, friendship with Christ, will not die away but rather will always be a living spring for those who have been touched by God, who is Love. This was true in spite of the events set against this contemplative flame in France, thanks to the great figures of Carmel in France who enlightened men and women every where. If only you could live today with that same ardour of love as your predecessors, as Athe world is on fire...it is not the time to be dealing with God about unimportant matters@ (Way of Perfection Ch. 1). I ask the Lord to fill you with His blessings. Rome, 25 th March 2004, Solemnity of the Annunciation. Fr Luis Arostegui Gamboa ocd Superior General A WORK OF PARTICULAR IMPORTANCE FOR THE TERESIAN CARMEL LAS CARMELITAS DESCALZAS VOCACION Y MISION By Fr Pedro Rafael Zubieta, OCD. 150 x 210. 455pp. Cost: Euro15. For Convents and Priories E. 8.50 Just a few words about this book. It is a commentary (in Spanish) of the Discalced Carmelite Nuns Constitutions. The author is well known as a Canon Lawyer and for his many years of service at the Generalate in Rome. Address to write to: Editorial Monte Carmelo. Apdo. 19. 09080 Burgos, Spain. Tel. 0034 0472 56061. Fax 56062. Email editorial@montecarmelo.com ASSOCIATIONS: NEW COUNCILS Bolivia The following new Council was elected at the General Assembly of the Nuestra Señora del Carmen of Bolivia Federation, which took place 27 th - 29 th April, in La Paz: President: Mother Clara Ma. Of the Resurrección (Santa Cruz)
1 st Councillor: Mother Carmen Teresa of Love (Potosí) 2 a Councillor: Mother Dora of the Child Jesus of Prague (Sucre) 3 a Councillor: Sister Lourdes of St Joseph (La Paz) 4 a Councillor: Mother Josefina of the Cross (Santa Cruz). Holland The following new Council was elected at the General Assembly of the Federation of Discalced Carmelites Sisters of Holland, which took place 1 st - 4 th June 2004 at Oirschot: President: Sr. Lucia van Steensel (Arnhem) 1 st Councillor: Sr. Joanna Stradmeijer (Beek) 2 nd Councillor:Sr. Mariette de Charro (Maastricht) 3 rd Councillor:Sr. Bernadette Koenegras (Arnhem) SUPPRESSION OF LA ROCHELLE CONVENT With the Decree n 2468/2002 of 4 th May 2004 the Congregation for the Institutes of Consecrated Life and the Societies of Apostolic Life decided to suppress the Discalced Carmelite Convent of La Rochelle (France). DECEASED SISTERS - 6 (Link http://www.ocd.pcn.net/nuns/n_def6.htm ) MISCELLANEOUS A NEW CARMELITE INSTITUTE IN BURMA (MYANMAR) The Little Way Sisters of St. Therese is the official name of a new Institute of consecrated life with Carmelite spirituality, co-founded by Mons. Nicholas Mang Thang, Bishop of Hakha Diocese in Myanmar (Burma) and Miss Mary Doohan, Founder of AThe Little Way Association@ of England. The Association, founded in 1995 has now been erected into a Congregation of Diocesan Right with the approval of its Constitutions, published on 3 rd April 2004. The Bishop-Founder informs us that there are two Associations: one for women and one for men. He writes: * For the Sisters within 8 years we have 63 professed Sisters and in June another 30 are to profess for the first time. Then in June we would have 93 professed Sisters. In 2003-2004 we have 23 Aspirants, 35 Postulants, 18 first year Novices, 30 second year Novices, 18 Junior Sisters and 20 in Spiritual year before they are sent to the Missions. We would send them to China when China opens up...@. Regarding the Little Way Missionary Priests of St Therese... now they are: 3 who completed the Institute of Philosophy, 18 in the Intermediate and 11 in the Minor Seminary. Pilgrimage For Peace In The Holy Land With The Relics of BLESSED MIRIAM BAOUARDY The pilgrimage will begin from Rome with the urn containing the relics of Blessed Maria of Jesus Crucified, better known as >the Little Arab=. The relics of Blessed Miriam left Bethlehem and have already arrived in Sicily where they were
solemnly placed in a splendid urn, the work of outstanding Sicilian silversmiths. Together with the urn there is also a glove and handkerchief with traces of the Blessed=s blood. The urn will make a tour of Italy until the middle of July when it will return to the Holy Land. There all will be returned to its proper place. This will be a wonderful opportunity to pray for peace in the Holy Land, for all our Brothers and Sisters who are going through such a long and difficult trial. NEW BOOKS received by the Editor KEITH J. EGAN, ed. Carmelite Prayer: A Tradition for the 21st Century. New York: Paulist, 2003. Pp. x + 246. Paper. $22.95. This anthology contains essays by members of the Carmelite Forum on Carmel=s prayer traditions and their value for our time. Topics include St. Thérèse, Edith Stein, the spirituality of the psalms, solitude, depression and the Adark night,@ postmodernity, the place of Jesus Christ in Carmelite prayer, and the Carmelite perspective on Acentering prayer.@ This book responds to a widespread interest today in the prayer that has inspired Carmelites and their followers for eight centuries. KEITH J. EGAN, ed. Carmelite Prayer: A Tradition for the 21st Century. New York: Paulist, 2003. Pp. x + 246. Paper. $22.95. This anthology contains essays by members of the Carmelite Forum on Carmel=s prayer traditions and their value for our time. Topics include St. Thérèse, Edith Stein, the spirituality of the psalms, solitude, depression and the Adark night,@ postmodernity, the place of Jesus Christ in Carmelite prayer, and the Carmelite perspective on Acentering prayer.@ This book responds to a widespread interest today in the prayer that has inspired Carmelites and their followers for eight centuries. Anche se è notte. Il messaggio di Giovanni della Croce. From the meeting of Discalced Carmelites, Macugnaba 4-12 June 2003, edited by Legnano Carmel, 2004. 191 p. BENITO GOYA, OCD, Luce e guida nel cammino. Manuale di direzione spirituale. Bologna, EDB, 2004. 231 p. JULIO FÉLIX BARCO, OCD, Vida de la Sierva de Dios María Felicia de Jesús Sacramentado. AChiquitunga@ 1925-1959. Burgos, Ed. Monte Carmelo, 2004. 180 p. JAMES MCCAFFREY, OCD, The Carmelite Charism. Exploring the Biblical Roots. Dublin, Veritas Publications, 2004. 127 MARIE MADELEINE DE= PAZZI, Les huits jours de l=esprit Saint. Révelations et Lumières. Edited and with annotations by Gianfranco Tuveri (O.Carm.). Grenoble, Ed. J. Millon, 2004. 240 p. ARMINDO DOS SANTOS VAZ, OCD, Entender a Bíblia. Viver a Palavra com o método da lectio divina. Marco de Canaveses, Ed. Carmelo, 2004. 134 p. SILVIO JOSÉ BÁEZ, OCD, Il segreto del Re e le Opere di Dio. Commento spirituale al Libro di Tobia. Torino, Ed. Camilliane, 2004. 171 p. LUIS JORGE GONZÁLEZ, OCD, Coaching cognitivo. Escuela de optimismo. México, Ed. Teresianum, 2004. 254 p.