Congratulations Father David


With praise and thanksgiving to Almighty God the Discalced Carmelite Friars of the California-Arizona Province announce the ordination of their brother, David Guzman, O.C.D.
to the Priesthood of Jesus Christ on January 30, 2010 at Santa Cruz Church, Tuscon.
Bishop: Bishop Kikanas, Bishop of Tuscon. (Santa Cruz Parish is Fr. David's home parish that the Carmelies have staffed for over 100 years.)
Click here for photo album.

Mount St. Joseph Carmelite Monastery celebrates its 50th

Mount St. Joseph has its beginnings in the summer of 1959 on the base of a hill where two Carmelites had taken up residence in an old stucco-styled cottage off a dusty trail on Clayton Road. Today the new monastery over looking the city will celebrate its Golden Jubilee with a Mass presided by the Bishop of the Diocese of San Jose on September 12, 2009. See below for photo of Mt. St. Joseph's from 1965:

Santa Cruz Parish celebrates
Grand Opening

After years of planning, fundraising and hard work Santa Cruz Parish in Tucson, Arizona is open to the public after a major remodeling project which included the building's roof and cooling systems. For a local news story, click here. To see a video, click here.

Labor of Love: the remodeling of Santa Cruz Parish, Tucson, AZ, 2009. To see the video: click here.

OCD–From the General Definitory

Curia OCD
ROMA (15-07-2009).
At the end of the General Definitory sessions in June, Fr. General and his eight Definitors sent a letter of communion and of communication to the Order. In it they first of all expressed fraternity as a grace and as a goal.

Mission News:

UGANDA UPDATE:
December, 2009


by Patrick Paul Kidega,
a Carmelite postulant, Uganda.

“If the Lord does not build the house, in vain do its builders labor,” Ps 127

Eleven months ago I packed my little bag to hit the road for the first time in my life. According to my father I was going away from my village to an unknown land. Before leaving, my father had this exhortation for me: “At your age you are supposed to marry and start a family, but since you are going contrary to the norms no women will marry a man without a future.” He said this because of my vocation to religious life with which he is not well conversant. But after seeing me so adamant about it he said, “If God calls someone no one can stop it; human beings can only delay us.” Nevertheless, hearing these words of exhortation from my father, I knew I was heading to this man without the future. But it was one month or so before the reality of what my father said hit me hard. I nearly collected my things for a return journey home. Had it not been for the experience of Fr. Larry I surely would have gone. It was a real dilemma for me that he always had to go downtown to the internet café to consult with California about the daily administration of the study house which he managed so faithfully. At the time, the Discalced Carmelite Order here in Uganda was like an army battalion without a commander because the superior of the mission, Fr. David, had to leave us due to his poor health. I am not yet a Carmelite but I do not need to be one to give a brief history of the Order I yearn to join. What is so interesting to note is that the midwife who saw the safe delivery of this Ugandan mission is now the man here to continue the foundation work. He was the then provincial, I mean the cowboy, as I love to call Fr. Stephen. And even more mysterious is the fact that it was the current provincial, Fr. Matthew, who being a provincial councilor at the time drove the last nail on the mission project by saying to the others that either we go or drop the whole thing at once. Thus the Ugandan mission came about. That is how God does His things.

Click here to read the rest of the story.

OCD Postulants in Jinja

Uganda Update!
Kyengeza, Uganda...
August 1, 2008

Every year during the month of August, like a huge, magnificent, cosmic clockwork, our night skies are riddled with an extraordinary abundance of "shooting stars" - meteors leaving their burning trails across the heavens as they enter into our earth's atmosphere. Astronomers tell us that there is an abundance of asteroids - perhaps remnants of what had once been a planet - floating out there in space, right smack dab in our earth's orbit. As we continually circle the sun, we come right through that "debris" time and time again, right at this time of year, and are treated to that spectacular display - count on it!

Speaking of heavenly luminaries, did y'all notice that plethora of Carmelite Saints and Blesseds we just "came through" in July? In that stretch, we celebrated ten Carmelite feastdays over the course of twenty days - whew! That's quite a Carmelite roll, eh?

Among our many wonderful benefactors who support our mission here in Uganda, one of the most remarkable is Steve Tomkovicz. It was his "dream child" to start up and develop what has come to be called the "Wine to Water" project in the Napa Valley - clever title, that! Every year he heads up this event. He contacts vintners throughout the wine-rich Napa Valley who very generously donate cases and cases of wonderful wine to be auctioned off or given away as gifts at a selected venue in or around Napa. There is a grand meal and auction on a Sunday evening, followed by a golf tournament the following day. Part of the proceeds are then donated to our mission here in Africa, especially earmarked for providing good, clean water for drinking. Thousands of dollars are donated every year to support this tremendous cause.

Well, Steve wanted to visit the Mission and actually see how this project actually works - in person, mind you. So, by golly, he hopped on a plane along with his daughter Allison and their good friend Wayne (another benefactor who hails from Houston) and just paid us a nice visit. It was great having them, and they all seemed to be dutifully impressed and moved by what they saw and experienced over the course of their week spent here. Believe it or not, Steve's brother, Jim Tomkovicz, was the salutatorian of the Crespi High School class of '69 -a classmate of mine! - three years ahead of Steve. Small world department!!!

Keeping track of our young men in formation is a mini class in African geography. Fr. Godfrey (he was already an ordained priest when he joined us as a postulant in '07) is about to finish his novitiate in Nigeria (the site of the Anglo-Irish mission) and return to us here in Uganda to make his First Profession of Vows. Three of our guys are brother candidates and have just left to make their novitiate in Malawi. Three others will be studying Philosophy at our Carmelite stronghold in Nairobi, Kenya (the foundation of the Eastern/Washington Province). Finally, four of our postulants will be beginning their Philosophy studies, continuing to live in Jinja, Uganda (about 70 miles east of us here in Kyengeza), the source of the Nile, the longest daggone river in the whole world. Our new House of Studies is being built (and taking shape quite nicely, thank you) right next door to the PCJ (the Philosophy Center of Jinja) where these young men will be studying. So haul out your map of Africa and track these guys! While you're at it, please keep them, and all of us, in your prayers, as we keep you in ours.

Fr. Paul Koenig, OCD

New Assignments for 2008-2010

The California-Arizona Province of the Discalced Carmelite Friars announces new assignments for many friars. read more

Bros. Thomas Reeves and Robert Barcelos Ordained on June 13

The California-Arizona Province announces with joy and thanksgiving the Priestly Ordination of Bros. Thomas Reeves, OCD (right) and Robert Barcelos, OCD (left) which took place on Friday, June 13, 2008 in Five Wounds Portuguese National Church in San Jose, California. read more

Fr. Matthew Williams, is elected Provincial of the California-Arizona Province read more

Provincial Chapter Redlands, California May 20-29 read more

Graduation of our OCD Brothers

On May 10, 2008, four of our OCD brothers graduated from Mount Angel Seminary with various degrees. Our own Brother Thomas delivered the "Senior Farewell". Brother Thomas Reeves received a Baccalaureate In Sacred Theology, Master of Arts, Master of Divinity. Brother Robert Barcelos received a Master of Arts. Brother Mark Moran and Brother Raymond Bueno received a Bachelor of Arts.

Uganda Update (June 2008)

Provincial Fr. Gerald Werner, OCD, writes in the March 2008 Discalced Carmelites Missions newsletter: "In the last mission newsletter I reported that we Carmelites are now accepting native Ugandan vocations. One day they will take over the Carmelite mission and spread the life and ministry of the Discalced Carmelite priests and brothers throughout Uganda.
To provide for part of the formation of these and future vocations, the provincial council in February approved a proposal presented by Fr. David and the mission community to build a house of formation in Jinja for our philosophy students...The house will include individual rooms for 15 students, plus 2 priest formators, as well as 2 guest rooms... The cost of this new house will be nearly $300,000. Thanks to the very generous support of you, the friends and benefactors of the Carmelite mission, we have the funds in the bank to pay for construction. We hope that the building will be ready for occupancy within a year. Pray for God’s blessing on this new major development. May God bless all of you for helping to make it possible."
(For the rest of story and more news on the Uganda Missions click here.)

Fr. Gilbert Lavario's 25th Anniversary Celebration June 28

The parishioners at St Margaret Mary Alacoque Parish are celebrating Fr.
Gilbert Levario's 25th anniversary this Saturday, June 28, 2008.

Fr. Gilbert will preside at the 5:30 p.m. Mass and afterward, we will have a
pot luck gathering on the grass area in front of the Rectory. There will be
live music to compliment the occasion.

If anyone is in the area, please join us in wishing Fr. Gilbert well and thanking him for his service.

New Assignments for 2008-2010

The California-Arizona Province of the Discalced Carmelite Friars announces the following new assignments:
 
Fr. Matthew Williams, OCD
Provincial House
Redlands, CA
 
Fr. Gerald Werner, OCD
Superior
Carmelite House of Prayer
Oakville, CA
 
Fr. Colm Stone, OCD
Superior
Carmelite Institute of Spirituality
Stanwood, WA
 
Fr. John Melka, OCD
Carmelite House of Studies
Mt. Angel, OR
 
Fr. Albert Bunsic, OCD
St. Margaret Parish
Tucson, AZ
 
Fr. Bernard Perkins, OCD
Pastor/Superior
Santa Cruz Parish
Tucson, AZ
 
Fr. Donald Kinney, OCD
OCDS provincial delegate
 
Fr. Laurence Poncini, OCD
Parish Administrator
St. Cecilia Parish
Stanwood, WA
 
Fr. Thomas Reeves, OCD
Santa Cruz Parish
Tucson AZ
 
Fr. Robert Barcellos, OCD
St. Therese Parish
Alhambra, CA
 
Bro. Mark Moran, OCD
Carmelite House of Prayer
Oakville, CA
 
Bro. Ramiro Casale, OCD
Carmelite House of Studies
Mt. Angel, OR

Fr. Benito Goya, OCD dies June 6th

This photo of Fr. Benito was taken during his visit to
Mt. St. Joseph Carmelite Monastery in San Jose, CA in 2002.

Fr. Benito Goya, OCD president of the Pontifical Theological College and Spirituality Institute "Teresianum" (College of the Discalced Carmelite Order) in Rome, died Friday morning June 6. Read more

Uganda Update! – Fr. Stephen Watson (May 2008)

Having just returned to Rome from a three week visit to Uganda – I’m happy to share the news with our friends and supporters of the Carmelite Mission in Kyengeza:

There have been some big changes since I visited our mission in Uganda one year ago. Fr. Paul Koenig joined the mission last April. If I recall correctly April 3rd will be the first anniversary of his arrival. He will turn 57 in a couple of days. I marvel at how well he has adapted to the very different environment from Los Angeles where he grew up. I accompanied him on a Sunday to Kiteete which is one of the 15 sub-parishes. It so happened that there was an auction after Mass of various food products like matoke, jack-fruit, avocados, chickens and even a local brew made from bananas. This was a fund-raiser in order to be able to buy bags of cement to finish the floor of the church. The Mass lasted more than two hours. The fund-raiser added another three or so. Fr. Paul thought we should stay for the whole thing because our presence was an incentive for others to stay and participate. It must have worked because they made 250,000 shillings which is equivalent to about $140. It was after 6pm when we got back and we had left that morning at 9:30.

The next Sunday I went to the sub-parish of Tumbu with Fr. David. There were 14 baptisms during the Mass. Fr. David asked me to help. Would you believe I baptized 5 or 6 babies? This was significant for me because I have not done a baptism since I left St. Therese Parish in 1999. I hope my name appears in the baptismal registry. One of the babies was named Regan. Tumbu is a lovely hill which can be seen from Kyengeza. I had my binoculars which the children and men were keen to look through. They were surprised to see how close Kyengeza had come to them. On the way home we made visits to the elderly and sick. It was after 4pm when we got back to Kyengeza.

I said there were changes since last year. The biggest change is that there is now a community in Jinja. Fr. Edmond is with seven postulants. (I should mention that there are three other postulants of Uganda in Nairobi.) I stayed with them for four nights. I was very impressed with these young men. We went on a little excursion one day, all crammed into the van. It so happened that we were near the home of one of the postulants so we stopped in. Joseph put his arm around his mother and with a big smile proudly introduced her to us. “This is my mother. She is a peasant and illiterate.” I was really touched by their love and humbleness. When I visit next year these postulants will be living in a new house and attending the Philosophical College of Jinja.

I visited our dear Discalced Carmelite Nuns in Mityana. They arrived on the scene forty years ago last October. What a well deserved good reputation they have. By the way, one of the nuns is from Tumbu. Her name is Sister Mary Grace and she made her profession the same year I did. There were other adventures during my three weeks in Uganda. Space doesn’t permit to write of them all (like coming home in the dark from Namutamba with Fr. Paul!) Our three missionaries are doing great things. Let’s keep them in our prayers.
Fr. Stephen Watson, OCD writing from Rome, March 11, 2008

Bro. James Zakowitz to take Solemn Vows

Announcing the Solemn Profession of Vows of Bro. James Zakowicz at St. Therese Parish in Alhambra, CA on May 24, 2008.

Bro. Ramiro Casale ordained to the Diaconate in Rome

On February 23, 2008, Bro. Ramiro Casale, OCD was ordained deacon by Bishop Jean Sleiman, OCD, Archbishop of Baghdad. The ceremony was held in Rome. (read more.)


Uganda Update! – Fr. Stephen Watson

Having just returned to Rome from a three week visit to Uganda – I’m happy to share the news with our friends and supporters of the Carmelite Mission in Kyengeza:

There have been some big changes since I visited our mission in Uganda one year ago. Fr. Paul Koenig joined the mission last April. If I recall correctly April 3rd will be the first anniversary of his arrival. He will turn 57 in a couple of days. I marvel at how well he has adapted to the very different environment from Los Angeles where he grew up. I accompanied him on a Sunday to Kiteete which is one of the 15 sub-parishes. It so happened that there was an auction after Mass of various food products like matoke, jack-fruit, avocados, chickens and even a local brew made from bananas. This was a fund-raiser in order to be able to buy bags of cement to finish the floor of the church. The Mass lasted more than two hours. The fund-raiser added another three or so. Fr. Paul thought we should stay for the whole thing because our presence was an incentive for others to stay and participate. It must have worked because they made 250,000 shillings which is equivalent to about $140. It was after 6pm when we got back and we had left that morning at 9:30.

The next Sunday I went to the sub-parish of Tumbu with Fr. David. There were 14 baptisms during the Mass. Fr. David asked me to help. Would you believe I baptized 5 or 6 babies? This was significant for me because I have not done a baptism since I left St. Therese Parish in 1999. I hope my name appears in the baptismal registry. One of the babies was named Regan. Tumbu is a lovely hill which can be seen from Kyengeza. I had my binoculars which the children and men were keen to look through. They were surprised to see how close Kyengeza had come to them. On the way home we made visits to the elderly and sick. It was after 4pm when we got back to Kyengeza.

I said there were changes since last year. The biggest change is that there is now a community in Jinja. Fr. Edmond is with seven postulants. (I should mention that there are three other postulants of Uganda in Nairobi.) I stayed with them for four nights. I was very impressed with these young men. We went on a little excursion one day, all crammed into the van. It so happened that we were near the home of one of the postulants so we stopped in. Joseph put his arm around his mother and with a big smile proudly introduced her to us. “This is my mother. She is a peasant and illiterate.” I was really touched by their love and humbleness. When I visit next year these postulants will be living in a new house and attending the Philosophical College of Jinja.

I visited our dear Discalced Carmelite Nuns in Mityana. They arrived on the scene forty years ago last October. What a well deserved good reputation they have. By the way, one of the nuns is from Tumbu. Her name is Sister Mary Grace and she made her profession the same year I did. There were other adventures during my three weeks in Uganda. Space doesn’t permit to write of them all (like coming home in the dark from Namutamba with Fr. Paul!) Our three missionaries are doing great things. Let’s keep them in our prayers.
Fr. Stephen Watson, OCD writing from Rome March 11, 2008

Brother Ramiro Casale, OCD professed his Solemn Vows on Friday, December 14, 2007 at the International College (Teresianum) in Rome. Click here.

Brother Salvador Roman was ordained deacon in St. Mary Margaret Parish, Tucson, Arizona by Bishop Gerald Kicanas December 1, 2007. Click here

Pope Benedict XVI prays before the relics of St. Therese
(from Communicationes.org)

"The Urn containing the relics of our holy Carmelite saint is once again making a pilgrimage throughout Italy and, as ever, is being welcomed by multitudes of people. From the 9th November to the 18th, it was in Rome, visiting various churches, monasteries, the great halls of universities, pastoral centres, .... To venerate the relics, vigils were organized as well as times of prayer, celebrations of the Eucharist, conferences, reflections, ..... On the morning of Wednesday, 14th November, the relics of our Doctor of the Church arrived at the Vatican. First of all the Pope gave his weekly audience to the 20,000 gathered in St Peter’s Square. At the end of the audience, the Pope announced to those assembled: “I have the pleasure of praying before the relics, as so many of the faithful can do during this week in various churches throughout Rome...” He mentioned that we are celebrating the 120th anniversary of when Therese Martin met with Leo XIII (20/11/1887), the 80th anniversary of her being proclaimed Universal Patroness of the Missions by Pius XI (14/12/1927) and the 10th anniversary of her being proclaimed a Doctor of the Church by John Paul II (19/10/1997). In harmony with his central discourse on St Jerome in the audience, the Pope also recalled that St Therese wanted to learn biblical languages in order to understand the Scriptures better." To read the rest of the story click here.

Homily from Mass of Beatification for 498 martyrs now available in English

Cardinal José Saraiva Martins' homily at the Beatification Mass for the 498 Martyrs is now available in English translation on the Vatican website. To read it click here.

Historic Procession in Honor of the Beatification of the Martyrs in Tuscon

A procession and Mass in honor of the newly beatified martyrs, Frs. Lucas of St. Joseph and Eduardo of the Child Jesus was held Friday, November 16th. The procession began at 5:30 p.m. at Holy Family Church, 338 W. University, Tuscon, Arizona and ends at Santa Cruz Parish, 220 South Sixth Avenue, Tuscon where Bishop Kicanas celebrated Mass at 6:45 p.m.

Beatification of Frs. Lucas of St. Joseph and Eduardo of the Child Jesus Beatificación de 498 mártires del siglo XX en España, Peregrinación a Roma - 28 de octubre de 2007 Click here for Fr. Jose Luis Ferroni's Blog on the Beatification of the Martyrs On October 28, 2007 at the Basilica of St. Paul Outside the Walls in Rome, 498 martyrs of the 20th century in Spain will be beatified. Two of the martyrs are Discalced Carmelite priests who served in Arizona. These two men are Fr. Lucas Tristany, OCD (1872-1936) and Fr. Eduardo Farré, OCD (1897-1936). Fr. Lucas was the first Pastor of Holy Family Church in Tucson. He also served at Holy Cross in Morenci, Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary in Florence, and Santa Cruz in Tucson. Fr. Eduardo ministered at Holy Family and at Santa Cruz. (He also served as prior of the monastery that our Catalan friars established in Washington, D.C. in 1916). After their return to Spain from the United States, they were martyred during the Spanish Civil War in July, 1936, Fr. Lucas in Barcelona and Fr. Eduardo in Montcada.
Fr. Eduardo of the Child Jesus (Farré), O.C.D. Born: April 3, 1897 Torms, Lerida, Spain Ordained priest: June 13, 1920 Assignments: Holy Family, Tucson 1926-1927,1930-1932; Santa Cruz, Tucson 1932-1933 Martyred: July 25, 1936 Montcada, Spain Martyrdom promulgated by Holy See June 22, 2004 Beatification: October 28, 2007 Rome Fr. Eduardo of the Child Jesus (Eduardo Farre Masip y Soler) was born April 20, 1897, in Torms in the Province of Lerida. The last-born of three, his mother died upon giving birth to him. He was known to be a very serious child and was not as playful as other children his age. It seemed that growing up without a mother’s love had affected him. This could have contributed to his introverted personality and character. His intelligence made him apt for studies. Eduardo served as an altar boy for two years at the chapel of the Dominican nuns with Fr. Coll, OP. At the age of ten, he entered the minor seminary to begin his studies in the Humanities in which he excelled. When he was twelve years old, he was taken by a priest friend of the family, Fr. Deogracias, to the Carmelite monastery in Tarragona to continue his studies. He entered the novitiate in Tarragona at the age of fifteen and made his first profession on August 10, 1913, and solemn vows in 1916. As a student, Eduardo demonstrated an exceptional aptitude for literature. His poems were recognized by the Academia Mariana of Lerida and won prizes at Juegos Florales of San Andres-Barcelona. Completing his studies in 1919, Eduardo was eight months away from the required age to he ordained. He was dispensed from this requirement, was ordained by Bishop Jose Miralles Shert in Lerida on June 13, 1920, and celebrated his first Mass at the Carmelite nuns’ monastery in Lerida. That same year, he was assigned to Durango and remained there for three years. At this time, religious persecution in Mexico had targeted Fr. Eduardo; and he had to find refuge urgently. Friends of his were able to help him flee the country to the United States by disguising him as a newspaper reporter mounted on horseback. Through donations that he received for his preaching and ministry, he was able to pay for his journey to Tucson. The Province assigned Fr. Eduardo prior of the monastery in Washington, DC, which had been inaugurated and blessed by Bishop Thomas Shanahan in the presence of Fr. José Maria Isasi and Fr. Pascasio on the feast day of St. Teresa of Avila on October 15, 1916. As prior in 1927, he faced critical issues regarding the running and operation of some properties there, which he was able to solve with the help of God. After spending nine years in the Americas, Fr. Eduardo returned to Spain for the Provincial Chapter in 1930 where he was elected to the General Chapter as an associate. Although he was elected superior of the Carmelite monastery in Washington, DC, for a third term, he declined to take the position offered him and instead went to Guatemala to investigate the possibilities of establishing a Carmelite presence there. By the next Provincial Chapter in May 1936, he was elected prior of the monastery in Tarragona.	Fr. Lucas of St. Joseph (Tristany), O.C.D. Born: December 14, 1872 Su, Lerida, Spain Ordained priest: May 27, 1899 Assignments: Holy Cross, Morenci, Mar.-Dec. 1914; Assumption of BVM, Florence Jan.-Aug. 1915; Holy Family, Tucson 1915-1919, 1920-1924; Santa Cruz, Tucson Feb.-June 1919 Martyred: July 20, 1936 Barcelona Martyrdom promulgated by Holy See June 22, 2004 Beatification: October 28, 2007 Rome Fr. Lucas of St. Joseph (José Tristany Pujol) was born on December 14, 1872. He was only six months old when his father died. It became such a hardship that his mother, Rosa, had to ask her older sons and daughter to live on their own. She took with her the two younger boys to live near a hermitage on the estate called Saint Justin. They later moved to the town of Cardona where Rosa died shortly after. Jose, as a child, was taken in by a neighboring farm family that hoped to eventually train him to be a sheepherder. This only lasted for a short time until his Uncle Antonio and Aunt Margarita brought José to their home in Tarragona after his older brother, Meliton, who became known as Ludovico of the Sacred Hearts, entered the Discalced Carmelite Order. It was here that Jose spent his adolescent years and where he became interested in carpentry. He was frequently found helping at the local carpenter’s shop on Florencio Vives Street. As the boy grew older, his relatives thought he would marry. However the young man felt in his heart the vocation to be a priest. At fifteen years of age, he began his studies in Humanities at the seminary. At age eighteen, Jose, along with his relatives, made a visit to the Carmelite Desert Monastery of Las Palmas—the same monastery where his brother had lived. He began his novitiate there in 1890 and made his first profession of vows the following year. He made his solemn vows in 1894 at the hands of his brother, Fr. Ludovico. After his ordination to the priesthood on May 27, 1899, Fr. Lucas was made superior and professor of Philosophy. He became well known for his preaching and spiritual writings. His great intellectual capacity was coupled with a warm, generous heart that he placed at the service of God, the Order, and souls. His conviction as a Carmelite friar inspired him to write these prophetic words in an article: “As long as God preserves my vocation, I will not lower my head in shame for anybody because I am a religious ... If we die for the truth, we will have triumphed.” Fr. Lucas was sent to Mexico in 1902 where his apostolic work began in Mazatlan and Durango. His personality attracted many people and helped in the building up of the good name of the Carmelites. As a result, the bishop of Mazatlan requested more friars for ministry and handed over to them a parish in the city with Fr. Lucas being appointed its first pastor. However the situation was not as smooth in Durango, and both Frs. Pedro of St. Elijah and Lucas had difficulties making a Carmelite establishment in that city. The issues that impeded them from establishing in the diocese were lifted upon the installation of a new bishop in Durango who granted them all the permissions necessary to minister to the people there and establish a monastery. It was soon after these negotiations that Fr. Lucas contracted typhoid that almost cost him his life were it not for the diligent care of a religious sister who was a nurse. The religious persecution in Mexico brought the Discalced Carmelites to the Diocese of Tucson in the United States in 1912. The Catalonian Carmelites vigorously served twenty-two mission churches in the surrounding mining towns and camps. Bishop Henry Granjon, as a sign of his appreciation for the work done by the friars, assigned the newly-built Holy Family Church in the city of Tucson to the Carmelites and appointed Fr. Lucas as its first pastor in 1915. He left the United States and returned to Barcelona when he was elected provincial of the Catalonian Province in 1924. A year later, Fr. Lucas was transferred to Rome to serve as general definitor. After completing his tenure there in 1933, he returned to Barcelona and served as prior. In 1936, he assumed the office of provincial and was stationed at the Carmelite monastery in Barcelona.
Martyrdom Account: Servants of God in the Desert: Tucson Carmelite Friars Martyred in the Spanish Civil War The Spanish Civil War The political ambiance was gradually simmering on an anticlerical attitude since the assassination of General Miguel Primo de Rivera who had established a military dictatorship. The republican government, headed by President Manuel Azaña, had passed laws and restrictions including the confiscation of church property and the prohibition of clergy from teaching in public schools. When the monarchy had been overthrown by the exile of King Alfonso XIII and with the republican government established for a second time in 1931, churches in Madrid and in Andalucia were burned. Fearful that the government would lose popular support, police authorities were unwilling to stop the destruction. In the new republican government, the Catholic Political Party (CEDA) demanded representation. However in 1934, leftist groups responded with a rebellion by killing thirty-four priests, brothers, and seminarians in the mining area of Asturias. By election time in February 1936, the Popular Front Party, comprised of liberals, socialists, and communists with anarchist support, had taken power over the government. In July, the military rose up against the Popular Front government, which in turn called the working-class organizations to bear arms in response. The uprising turned into a civil war and thereby began what one historian called “the greatest clerical bloodletting in the entire history of the Christian Church.” Carmelites in Barcelona at the onset of civil war The friars at the Carmelite monastery in Barcelona, located at the corner of LIuria Street and Diagonal Avenue, were still asleep at 4:30 Sunday morning when suddenly they were awakened by shouts and banging at the door. On that morning of July 19, 1936, the quiet streets of Barcelona had turned into a battlefield when nationalist troops were sent to secure the cross streets between Paseo de Gracia and Diagonal. The troops were ambushed between Callis and Llüria Street by republican assault guards and city militia. The civil war had come to Barcelona. The sounds of horrible gun fire and the militia shouting “Viva Ia Republica” and “Viva el Ejercito” grew louder and louder. The banging at the door was increasingly frantic— shouting through the door that the wounded needed care. The monastery door was opened and infantry men from the Santiago cavalry barged in bringing with them several armed soldiers. The community had rapidly set up an infirmary in the largest room in the monastery close to the entrance. They had laid the wounded on mattresses that the friars had taken from all their cells. Food was scarce for so many inside, but the friars made sure that the wounded and fatigued were well nourished, even if it meant abstaining from food themselves. Soldiers from the infantry continued to storm into the monastery bringing weapons and ammunition and placing themselves in strategic areas throughout the compound and turning the Carmelite monastery into a military fort. An American reporter, Magan Laird, was vacationing with her family at an apartment across from the monastery when she heard what sounded like firecrackers and rockets. But when she looked out of her apartment and found no one coming out, she knew something was wrong: “The first sign of life is a private car coming rapidly up Calle Lluria ... It stops in the next block in front of the church and monastery of the Carmelites. Two assault guards get out hurriedly, grasp the rifles in firing position, and station themselves behind a tree. At the same moment, I see other assault guards running, rifles in their hands, down the diagonal, another block away ... There is a crackle and a puff of smoke from the tower of the Carmelite church. In the street below, an assault guard, sheltered behind a tree knoll, raises his rifle and fires ... this is no fiesta. This is war.” The cavalry had set a perimeter with soldiers on the bell tower, on windows inside the cells, and church areas. Laird recounts, “From time to time the air is torn with their sharp pum-pum-pum ... Suddenly the drone of an airplane motor is heard directly above our heads. In a minute the plane itself dips into our line of vision, flying high and circling above the Carmelite church. There is the sharp rattle of machine guns from the plane. They are firing at random on the streets and houses below.” In the midst of this chaos, the whole Carmelite community was able to celebrate Sunday Mass and pray the Divine Office. As evening drew near, the wounded were transferred to the library where they would be safer and make more space for the incoming troops from the street. “Cars are passing more frequently in the streets—beautiful cars, luxurious limousines, and open sport models, polished and shining—the cars of the wealthy, filled now with men and soldiers in shirt sleeves, firing constantly as they careen wildly through the streets. All of them have painted letters on the sides — FAI and CNT ...“ The streets finally fell quiet late Sunday night. Inside the monastery, as it was forbidden to light any lamps, many soldiers rested in the pews, refectory, sacristy, and basement. The Carmelites did not go back to their cells but attended to the needs of the soldiers and prisoners who had been captured by the military. “The night air is very cold ... here and there, among darkened buildings of the city, rises a column of white, heavy smoke. They are burning the churches. Off to the right, and elevated on a little hill, one church stands up like liquid gold against the night.” Early Monday morning, the friars celebrated Mass in the middle of gunfire, which was heavier than Sunday. Throughout the morning, many officers and troops inside came to the Carmelites to be enrolled in the Scapular of Our Lady of Mt. Carmel. With no reinforcements to relieve the soldiers, it was a matter of time before they could no longer hold down the monastery. Seeing that surrender was inevitable, the Carmelite community gathered in the church and knelt before the Blessed Sacrament. Fr. Lucas, the provincial, proceeded to distribute all the consecrated hosts to be consumed. Shortly after this, everyone was alerted that there was an agreement to surrender, with the condition that the lives of the officers, the troops, the wounded, and the religious be spared. For safety, the Carmelites were told not to wear their habits outside, One friar recalls: “We took off our Carmelite habits and clothed ourselves in civilian attire ... all of us were ready to die after having received the Sacrament of Reconciliation and the Eucharist.” Laird continues: “Presently, in the top of the bell tower, the white flag is run up. Instantly the streets are filled with cheering mobs. The police are powerless to hold them back; they surge against the church, shaking their fists, dancing with rage. Many carry lighted torches.” The mob had infiltrated the monastery by breaking doors and windows. The civil guard was able to give some of the friars a safe passage outside, but the mob became so uncontrollable that there was no longer any guarantee for their safety. Some friars tried to escape by blending with the crowd, but for some it was no use. Fr. Jorge of St. Joseph and Bro. Juan Jose of Jesus were killed as soon as they were discovered to be friars. Martyrdom of Fr. Lucas Witnesses testify to seeing Fr. Lucas as he came out of the monastery through the smaller door adjacent to the tower bell with his face covered with blood, his head bandaged with a colored handkerchief, and accompanied by two civil guards. The mob wanted to lynch Father, but the soldiers forced them back telling them they wanted to take him to the authorities. As they approached Diagonal Avenue, one of the civil guards with him said, “I gave you my word that I will save your life.” From a distance, however, a patrol shot the guard in the head killing him. The other soldiers fell back as the mob grew restlessly violent. Fr. Lucas crossed Diagonal Avenue alone under fire and took refuge before a large portal. A patrol, armed with two rifles, pushed him ruthlessly onto the Avenue. The patrol approached him again striking him on the head with rifle butts. Fr. Lucas was ordered to walk down the Avenue and “with an uncertain gait, he staggers slowly down the Diagonal, his palms joined before his breast praying.” After walking a few yards, he was shot from behind and fell to the ground. Wounded, Fr. Lucas was able to crawl some distance before he died near a small oak tree in front of a doctor’s clinic on Diagonal Avenue. Fr. Lucas was lying on the ground with his face turned to the Carmelite monastery until 8 o’clock that night when a Red Cross ambulance from Lluria Street came to take away the body. Martyrdom of Fr. Eduardo Fr. Eduardo, who was prior of the community in Tarragona at that time, was preaching a novena to Our Lady of Mt. Carmel to the Carmelite nuns in Tiana, for it was a custom at that monastery to begin the novena on the 16th. On the feast day of St. Elijah (July 20), Fr. Eduardo received news of the war and urged the nuns to be ready to leave the cloister. By midmorning, they saw their neighboring church on fire and rapidly changed into civilian clothes and left the cloister safely. Outside, before they parted to take refuge at family homes, the nuns knelt for a blessing from Fr. Eduardo who told them that this could be their last meeting—“until we meet again in heaven. ” Frs. Gabriel and Eduardo took refuge at the home of the Noruega family. The fathers found a welcoming and loving home where they could feel protected. Perhaps such notion of safety and optimism made the priests less cautious and fearless of their surroundings. The priests would secretly go to the nuns to celebrate Mass for them until it became too dangerous. At 6 o’clock in the evening of July 25, as the priests and family were at home, they saw about thirty militia men running in formation past the house with more riding in privately-owned vehicles. Some of them surrounded the Noruega’s house and entered through the door demanding to register and inspect the household. Mr. Noruega, realizing that the inspection might cost the lives of the priests, asked them what to do. Fr. Gabriel suggested that he tell them they were just friends of the family. However Fr. Eduardo with great fervor and courage strongly disagreed and said that they should know who they were. As the militia interrogated the family and turned to the priests, these words were heard: “Yes sir! We are two Discalced Carmelite friars!” They seized them immediately and took them to headquarters. The friars were transferred to a large truck where a woman armed with a rifle directed them on board. That was the last time they were seen. It is speculated that their bodies were buried in common graves perhaps near the town of Montcada. Fr. Eduardo died at the age of 39. 498 Martyrs Beatified on Oct. 28 Pope Benedict XVI has beatified 498 martyrs of Spain including our two priests from the United States, Frs. Lucas and Eduardo. The official liturgical feast day for all these martyrs has been set and can be celebrated throughout the world every November 6th. It was the first time ever in the history of the Church that so many were beatified in one ceremony. Click here for the story from the Catholic News Agency Two Carmelite priests with Arizona ties moving closer to sainthood Click here to read an article in the Arizona Daily Star

To see another story on the beatification of Frs. Lucas and Eduardo reported in the secular Tuscon newspaper click here.

From left to right: Fr. Jose Luis Ferroni, Bro. Juan Medina, Bro. Ramiro Casale and Fr. Stephen Watson

Fr. Jose Luis Ferroni transferred to Rome Fr. Jose Luis Ferroni begins studies October 9th at the Gregorian University in Rome. He will be working on a degree in church history. Although his home base is in the U.S.A., he has been made a permanent member of the International Community in Rome by the General of the Carmelites. He will be there for several years to do work for the Order in the field of Carmelite History after his studies at the Gregorian. He will be coming to the U.S. during his off seasons in Rome. Presently he is in an intensive course on Italian, 30 hours a week, at an institute downtown along the Imperial Way. He says that, "Rome is a mix of the new and ancient, the sublime and mundane. You can feel an ancient Roman Imperial presence everywhere. The Vatican is only a twenty minute walk from our place. It's a masterpiece of massive proportions. I miss all of you very much and ask you to pray for me and all Carmelites."

Vocations News
September 13, 2007 was the clothing of Bro. Charles of Jesus and Mary and the entrance into the postulancy of Mr. Richard Castillo from Los Angeles, California and Mr. Marinello Saguin from Mammoth Lakes, California.
To see photos click here.

News from the Missions in Uganda
The quarterly newsletter for the Uganda Missions has been released for September. News includes that the borehole in Magonga is finished. Also plans are underway for two new classrooms and a nursery at the St. Kizito Primary School in Kyengeza. For details and to read the rest of the news from the missions click here.

Announcing the Ordination of Philip Sullivan, OCD

Philip Gerard Sullivan, OCD, was ordained to the priesthood on August 4, 2007 in Alhambra, California by the Most Reverend Gabino Zavala of the Archdiocese of Los Angeles.
Click here for story.

Brother Salvador Román's Solemn Profession

Brother Salvador Román of Our Lady of Refuge, OCD made his Solemn Profession of Vows on Friday, August 3, 2007 in Alhambra, California. Very Rev. Gerald Werner, OCD, will be the principal celebrant at the Eucharist.
Click here for story.

2007 OCDS Congress

The 2007 O.C.D.S. Congress was held on Friday, June 15th through Monday, June 18th at the Hilton Bellevue (a suburb of Seattle, Washington). For information and to see photos click here.

Ordination to the Priesthood Fr. Laurence Poncini of the Holy Family, OCD was ordained May 26, 2007 at the Cathedral of Saint Joseph, San Jose, CA. Click here for story. Left: Fr. Laurence giving his first priestly blessing to Bishop McGrath of the Diocese of San Jose.

Thanks to Fr. Justin and Fr. John

Our province thanks Father Justin and Father John for their faithful service to the people of Tucson in Santa Cruz Parish they will be greatly missed. Fr. Justin Vakko and Fr. John Williamson served at Santa Cruz Parish for over five years. They generously gave to the ministry building relationships and sharing their Carmelite charism in Tucson. Fr. Justin, beside acting as parroquial vicar, was a Spiritual Assiant for the Lay Carmelites (OCDS) in Phoenix. Active in the our youth group, he was coach for the Santat Cruz Parish School volleyball team, which he lead to the regional finals. Fr. John became a household name throughtout the town. His love for the people was immense. He was seen visiting the sick at hospitals, the imprisoned, making daily home visits, helping persons with food and clothing, even going to Nogales, Mexico, just south of Tucson, to bring clothing for an orphanage there. These two great men will be greatly missed by us and we wish them well on their next assigment, Fr. Justin who is now Parrochial Vicar in a Church in Winter Haven, FL and Fr. John assigned at the Carmelite Monastery in Kensigton, in London.

Above: Fr. Paul being welcomed by Fr. Godfrey (postulant) at Entebbe Airport

Fr. Paul Joins Uganda Mission Community On Sunday, February 18, St. Therese Church in Alhambra hosted a rousing reception in the Parish Hall—a combination farewell to Fr. Paul Koenig and welcome to Bro. Laurence Poncini. It was splendid. Leading up to the celebration, Fr. Jan Lundberg (who, incidentally, had entered the Order with Fr. Paul back in 1986) made the comment: “Fr. Paul is the perfect person to go to the mission—he never gets sick, and he’ll eat anything!” (What better qualifications for a missionary, eh?)

Well, three weeks later, on the eve of his scheduled departure from Rome to Uganda, Fr. Paul did get sick. The brethren took him to a local hospital where he was admitted and spent the next three nights—including his birthday! As they might have said in the Old West: “He was purty near worn to a dog-eared frazzle.” Needless to say, his travel plans were scuttled. Two weeks later, “tanned, rested and ready” (as former President Richard M. Nixon once described himself), Fr. Paul arrived at Da Vinci Airport for his flight to Entebbe, only to find another surprise. In the U.S., airlines operate under a “piece concept,” i.e., you may check two pieces of luggage. This airline from Rome to Africa utilizes a “weight concept,” i.e., the total weight of your checked luggage may not exceed 20 kilos (weight limit for one only carry-on piece is 5 kilos). In other words, my luggage was overweight. Fr. Gerald Werner pointed out that the Latin word for luggage is “impedimenta”—so true! “So what can I do?” says I. - - - - - “You may pay an extra fee,” they say. “How much would that be?” asks I. - - - - - “One thousand nine hundred euros,” they reply. Well, between you and me and the lamp post, that sounds a little bit high to me. Picking myself up off the terminal floor, I headed back to the Teresianum, regrouped, repacked, and flew out on the next feasible flight, one week later. Third time’s the charm! Fr. Charles Serrao (rector of the International College, where I stayed), Fr. Reginald Foster (the premier Latinist in the whole doggone Church, i.e., world, is one of our own—from Wisconsin, no less—whodah thunk it?!), Bro. Ramiro Casale (my trusty guide and translator), and the Pope (needs no introduction) all send their warmest regards. All were so hospitable. I am sure Fr. Stephen Watson would have wanted to greet y’all as well, but he was not in Rome at the time. He had left me an envelope, however. When I opened it, I just about fell over. There inside were three crisp new 10,000-shilling bills. Turns out, that equates to about three $5 bills in Uganda legal tender! Turns out, the contents of that envelope just about equaled the value of the entire collection at each of our three packed, standing-room-only Masses on Easter Sunday here at St. Kizito Parish in Kyengeza! So the gift from Fr. Steve went from looking like a lot, to a little, to a lot! It has been said that the people of Uganda are known for two things especially: their friendliness and their music. Both have been very much in evidence since my arrival. When I would meet people, invariably would come the greeting, “You are most welcome here, Fathah.” The harmonies and rhythms at the Easter Masses were absolutely beautiful. The children are remarkable—their joy and enthusiasm are contagious. Anybody who has spent a summer in California or Arizona has experienced higher temperatures than I have felt here in Uganda. Even though the equator runs near here, our high plateau’s elevation takes the “torrid” out of “torrid zone.” The terrain is rolling hills, stretching as far as the eye can see. Everything is green—lush vegetation abounds everywhere. Right on our property, you can take out a machete and chop down ripe bananas, mangoes, pineapples, passion fruit, jackfruit, avocados—and then there’s the garden! Next time you’re in Africa, stop by and say hello. Thank y’all for your ongoing support. Let’s remember to pray for one another—God bless us all! Fr. Paul Koenig, OCD