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Fr. Stephen Watson, OCD – Carpenter . . .
UGANDA UPDATE: December 2009 continued...
The priority now is strengthening the foundation. I am not eulogizing the cowboy but since he arrived I really began to see the future I was looking for so dearly. I wrote to my father back home that finally I can hope to be that husband with a future since the administrative work and necessary decisions for us now is done right here in Uganda. For any meaningful foundation to take place we, Ugandans must participate and get involved by making this our own. We must live the Discalced Carmelite charisma and spiritually in our cultural settings and in such a way that it will take root and grow harmoniously. We do not need to live the American way.
So the cowboy’s coming and his presence has given us more than the hope we were longing for. What is interesting about him is that since he set foot on Ugandan soil he has gotten along quite well which is very unusual for a muzugu (that is what we Africans in East Africa call the white people). I guess this has to do with his stay in Rome as a general definitor which gave him the necessary opportunity to travel and experience different cultures. His arrival has seen many things going on and he is undoubtedly outstanding in his sense of administration and judgment. At the moment there is a lot of upgrading of the formation house here in Jinja. I am not giving a report since that is not my business. I just want to join the psalmist in singing, “If the Lord does not build the house, in vain do its builders labor.”
This is exactly what is happening here. All this progress is the work of God through the generosity of our brothers and sisters who have a unity of interest in continuing in this noble project. So we pray daily for you at the conclusion of our evening meals as we thank the Lord for our daily bread which you make possible. I know you are making a sacrifice, kindly entrusting your hard earned money to the mission of the Carmelite friars in Uganda. What is so distinctively clear and outstanding to me is that between the developing countries and developed countries there are opportunities which are both natural and human. At the moment the main focus for me is the work of building a solid foundation. For with a good and firm foundation the much needed results will come. But it is too early to be result- oriented, I mean, to expect too much so soon. Maybe after ten years we will see the fruit of our present labors. But the cowboy is certainly out of that. It is said that “the blood of the martyrs is the seed of the Christian faith.” There are very many young men, like myself, who if helped will make real choices, not just what looks like a choice. Just this past week, December 7-12, the house had ten young vocation prospects who turned up for the final live-ins. So roll up your selves for more support. We dearly need it.
Finally it is Advent and what are you doing? My people say that to measure the depth and reality of the one whom you call your friend you should pay him or her a surprise visit. The way you find your friend is the way he or she is. Because if you alert him or her of your coming, even a poor person will always try to do their best to see that your visit is well cared for. Be ever ready. I am wishing you a merry and a fruitful New Year. Thanks for reading this.
Sincerely yours in Christ,
Patrick Paul Kidega,
a Carmelite postulant, Uganda.
Mission News
UGANDA UPDATE: Into Carmelite Student House, Jinja, November 22, 2009
“When it rains it pours.” I am sure you have heard that old saying. Here in Uganda during the rainy season we get the most incredible torrential downpours. But actually, I am thinking of the rain of visitors we have had here the past two weeks. Rain is good and so were the visits of our esteemed visitors.
First there was Fr. George Tambala, OCD. He is from Malawi but came to us from Rome where he now serves on the General Council of the Order. Africa is his bailiwick, so to speak, so Fr. George was paying us a fraternal visit. While he was visiting us, Fr. David Costello, OCD, arrived with a little group of pilgrims. There was a rapturous welcome for Fr. David on the hills of Kyengeza the day he appeared. After twelve months absence the beloved shepherd came back to his people!
In his little group were two other members of our Province, Bro. David and Bro. Mark. There were also four others, all secular Carmelites, interested in learning about our Mission. And our first lay volunteer, Lillian Kelly, was also visiting. The little village of Kyengeza was growing into a town. A few days later, Fr Charles Serrao, OCD, Rector of our international college in Rome stopped in at Kyengeza on his way to the Carmelite nuns in Mityana. Some days later, he and Fr. Edmond and Lillian Kelly came to Jinja. Fr. David and his pilgrims were also here so our house was full and every single room occupied for one night. It was fun. We had a nyama choma that evening. (Barbequed goat)
The pilgrims have gone home to America and Fr. Charles is back in Rome and Fr. George is somewhere in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Fr. David is still in Kyengeza with Bro. David. Here in Jinja we have two Sisters of the Carmelite Missionaries staying with us for a week while they go about this part of Uganda promoting vocations. Our own vocation director, Fr. Godfrey is accompanying them and doing some vocation work himself. Speaking of vocations, we sorted through 19 applications last week and have invited 9 young men to come stay with us for week. We call this a live-in. It is a chance for us to know more about these young men and for them to know us. So our house will be full once again.
With all the coming and going my head was spinning so I went to see a doctor. In fact, I went to see 6 doctors, all young Slovakian (one Check) doctors who staff a rural hospital started and maintained by Catholic Charities of Prague. I met these doctors at the local parish in Jinja were I have occasionally celebrated the 11 am Sunday Mass. They came to our house for lunch a month ago and invited me to visit them. I asked them what motivated them to volunteer for some time to work in Uganda. They said that in Slovakia they spend too much time doing paper work in order to make sure they are not sued for mal-practice. (Sound familiar?) They like the hands-on medicine they get to practice here. God bless them. And God bless you, too, for all your prayers and financial support.
Fr. Stephen Watson, OCD
Regional Superior
____
Newest encyclical: In Charity and Truth (Caritas in Veritate) by Pope Benedict XVI
Charity in truth, to which Jesus Christ bore witness by his earthly life and especially by his death and resurrection, is the principal driving force behind the authentic development of every person and of all humanity. Love — caritas — is an extraordinary force which leads people to opt for courageous and generous engagement in the field of justice and peace. 
OCDS community in Denver support in prayer Fr. Steven Voss
Fraternal charity: priest donates kidney
by Julie Filby of the
Denver Catholic Register
After years of complex health issues, the kidneys of Father Steven Voss, parochial vicar at Spirit of Christ Parish in Arvada, were failing. On April 8—the Wednesday of Holy Week—the 30-year-old priest was driving to meet with his nephrologist. During the appointment, he expected the kidney specialist to tell him he needed to start dialysis: treatment required when kidneys no longer function on their own. Before he arrived at the doctor’s office, he answered a call on his cell phone from his friend, Father Matthew Hartley, 31, parochial vicar at Immaculate Heart of Mary in Northglenn. The news he received not only changed the course of the conversation with his doctor; it changed his life.
Mission News September, 009:
UGANDA UPDATE: COMING INTO THE COUNTRY
Into Uganda, I arrived before dawn on Sunday, September 27, 2009.
It was clear sailing for the 25 mile taxi ride from Entebbe to Kampala. I asked to be taken to the Catholic Cathedral on Rubaga Hill where I could wait peacefully and safely for Fr. Edmond to come after sunup. He came at 9am with the recently professed Brother Emmanuel. The 10am Mass at St. Kizito in Kyengeza was late getting started so I was able to concelebrate with Fr. Charles. I was lucky because I got to hear the choir which recently won a diocesan coral competition and also witness the baptism of four children. The Mass was over two hours long. In the evening the Sisters of Mary of Mt. Carmel came to join the friars to welcome me.
The next day I called on the Bishop of Kiyinda-Mityana only to find that he was in the United States. He was visiting Los Angeles and Chicago where he has seminarians. On Tuesday I celebrated the school Mass for St. Ambrose seniors 1-4. Their Mass is in English so it was nice to be able to help the pastor, Fr. Edmond. I visited the school afterwards and obligingly signed the guest book where my name was first entered ten years ago on October 19, 1999. It is a bit of a shock to realize how quickly time flies. I was 47 years old back then. There has been a lot of development at Kyengeza since I first laid eyes on it. Speaking of development there is a serious road improvement project of the Kampala to Mityana road. It may take awhile but the day will come when the trip to Kampala takes only 30 minutes and our parish in the bush will be a parish in the suburbs of Kampala.
Speaking of the bush, I had a rather amazing encounter with a woman in the Mwuende area of Kyengeza. I had a letter for her from California. You see, I met this Ugandan woman at the monastery of our nuns in Santa Clara. She said her sister lived in West Kyengeza village and asked me if I would deliver a letter to her. She is not Catholic but her clan name made it possible for Fr. Charles to find her for me. Boy, was she surprised that a white man was visiting her humble abode. She was in her field planting when we arrived. As she knelt before me in the traditional Ugandan greeting, I handed her the letter. She handed it back and asked me to open it. She could not read so Fr. Charles read the letter. Among other things it expressed condolences for a recent loss in the family. The pictures her sister sent elicited delight and joy in the recognition of a sister whom she probably has not seen in years and nieces and nephews whom she has never seen. Imagine that, two sisters living in two very different societies. We should not forget, though, that it is one world we all live in.
Brothers Emmanuel and Augustine are getting on well in Kyengeza under the supervision of Fr. Edmond. One morning we were eating omelets and Brother Emmanuel asked me if I could taste the paper. I said no and asked if it was edible. Yes, he said. Isn’t it hot? Indeed, I did feel the burning sensation and realized he said pepper. The diverse pronunciations of English present many humorous exchanges and sometimes complete incomprehension.
I stayed overnight at the nuns monastery in Mityana on the eve of St. Therese’s feast so I could celebrate Mass with our Carmelite nuns on October 1st. Later in the morning I went back to Kyengeza to attend the entertainment of the preschoolers at Little Flower School, which was started by the Carmelite Mission in Uganda and supported by our wonderful benefactors. Sr. Antonia is the director and Brother Augustine is the school bursar. He had the children listen to a little story about St. Therese when she was fishing with her father and a thunderstorm came. Then they had to answer questions about the story to win a prize. “To such as these belongs the kingdom of heaven.”
Fr. Edmond drove me to Jinja on October 2nd. Thanks to the new beltway around Kampala which just opened the day before, the trip was well under three hours. (I say beltway because I am from the Baltimore-Washington area but there were plenty of pedestrians and bicyclists to contend with.) That evening I was welcomed with a nyama choma which, at least as explained by Fr. Larry, is a celebratory meal of roasted meat (our postulant Patrick roasted goat meat) and song and dance. We didn’t do any singing or dancing but we did sit around the charcoal fire and watch the full moon rise (no howling either). It is the rainy season so we were quite lucky to have such a fine evening. The breeze blowing off Lake Victoria was as delicious as the roasted goat.
On Saturday morning I held my first regional meeting with Fr. Larry and Fr. Edmond. Fr. Paul is still in California with his very sick mother, Terry. Our communities here are praying for her and the Koenig family. On Sunday I accompanied Fr. Godfrey to Our Lady of Fatima, a parish in town, for the 11am Mass in English. I was invited to preside and preach. I spotted four or five wazungu, that is, white persons, in the congregation.
This is my tenth morning in Uganda. One day is rolling into another at a surprising pace and I am once again struck by how time flies. So let us do all the good we can - while we can - as we journey together in faith.
Writing from Jinja, Uganda,
Fr. Stephen Watson, OCD
Annual Famous Bar-B-Que in the Heart of Wine Country, Napa Valley, California
Join us for our steak cook-out amongst the beautiful vineyards of the Napa Valley on September 13th. Bring the whole family! Click here for more information.
Ukraine Missions
Dámaso Zuazua, OCD, General Secretary for Missions
ROME (20-08-2009).
I accompanied His Eminence, Cardinal Giovanni Lajolo, from Rome to this country of Eastern Europe. The governor of state of the Vatican city is to preside at two marian celebrations of particular historical importance for which they are expecting a great inflow of pilgrims.
New USCCB website highlights forthcoming Roman Missal
WASHINGTON: A new Website from the U.S. Conference of Catholic will educate Catholics about the forthcoming English translation of the new Roman Missal. The site, www.usccb.org/romanmissal, launched August 21, includes background material on the process of development of liturgical texts, sample texts from the Missal, a glossary of terms and answers to frequently asked questions. Content will be added regularly over the next several moths. The bishop’s Committee on Divine Worship hopes the site will be a central resource for those preparing to implement the new text.
'Teresian' Astronaut greeted by Pope
Curia OCD
Roma (2009-07-15).
The space astronaut Ronald Garan was among the faithful who came together in St. Peter’s Square, Rome, for the papal audience on Wednesday June 24. At the end of the audience he was able to greet the Holy Father in person.
Meeting of the General Definitory
Curia OCD
ROMA (15-06-2009).
The ordinary session of the General Definitory is planned for June 8 – 18. At this meeting the first decisions will be taken, the first appointments made, the calendar for the new sexennium will be worked out and the tasks and areas will be assigned to the various Definitors. In the July 1 edition of COMMUNICATIONES the results of the work of our major superiors will be published.
Practical suggestions from the General Chapter for the document ‘I was born for You’
Curia OCD
ROMA (15-06-2009).
The Order should read every year, from October 15, 2009 to 2014, either personally or as a community, one of St. Teresa’s works, with the help of a plan that is to be worked out by a commission appointed by the Definitory. Community study should be completed, where this is possible, by celebrations, short courses on spirituality, interdisciplinary conferences on her works, etc.
A complete bibliography of Saint Teresa
Curia OCD
Roma (2009-06-15).
After the two volume Concordance of St. Teresa’s works (Rome 2002), after the Teresian Dictionary (2nd edition, Burgos, 2002), we now have a third more important contributon for teresian studies. It is entitled “Bibliogafia Sistematica.” Is there a Saint that can count on a better reference book? It is the work of Fr. Manuel Diego Sanchez and published by ‘Editorial de Espiritualidad’, Madrid.
Spring Carmelite Connections Online
Carmelite Connections is the quarterly newsletter of the Discalced Carmelite Friars of the California-Arizona Province. Click here to read the latest edition.
2009 OCDS Washington Province Congress
Members of the OCDS Washington Province invite all of our Carmelite brothers and sisters throughout the country to attend the 2009 Congress lectures, workshops and panel discussions, July 16-19. Together, let us embrace these challenges and discuss practical solutions with zeal, prayer, and action.
We will open the Congress with a celebration of the Feast of Our Lady of Mt. Carmel. Come join us! (Registration is now closed.)
House of Studies Graduation Announcements
Bro. David Guzman and Bro. Ramiro Casale graduated from Mt. Angel Seminary with an M. Div. and Bro. Leonel Varela with a B.A. on Sunday, May 17th, 2009.
Santa Cruz Church Gets A Lift
In the photo above, a worn wooden truss is removed from Santa Cruz Parish in Tuscon, Arizona, which is staffed by the Carmelite Friars. The project began about five weeks ago. Besides the new roof, air conditioning and heating will be added to the church built in 1919. Crews hope to finish by late July. Donations are being accepted to help with the remodeling.
Canonization of St. Nuno Alvares Pereira de Santa Maria
Curia OCD, ROMA (15-05-2009).- The canonization of the carmelite brother, Nuno Alvares Pereira (1360-1431) took place in St. Peter’s, Rome on April 26. He was a national and mythical figure in Portugal for his feats in battle. He was made an earl of the Kingdom and the fourth verse of the national poem ‘Os Lusiada’ by Luis de Camoes eulogizes him, as did the writers Calderon de la Barca and Tirso de Molina.
News in Brief
Curia OCD, ROMA (15-05-2009).- Ü£ On April 2 the General Definitory authorized the inititiation of the cause for the Beatitification and Canonization of Mother María do Carmo of the Blessed Trinity. She founded the carmel of Tremembé, in Brazil, where she died on July 13, 1966.
Theresian studies in Lisieux
Curia OCD, ROMA (15-05-2009).- - from August 16 – 29, 2009 - After last year’s experience this second course of studies on Therese of Lisieux will be centered on the year 1896 and the study of Manuscript B. The lectures will focus on the historical context and the literary, biographical, theological and spiritual dimensions of Therese’s work.
The Acts of the International Symposium on Carmelite Historiography
Curia OCD, ROMA (15-05-2009).- The symposium was celebrated from January 2 – 5, this year, at the Teresianum, Rome. All the themes have since been published in a single volume. The conferences can be read in their original language: 15 in Spanish, 4 in Italian, 3 in English, 1 in Portuguese, 1 in German and 1 in French. The volume is an acheivement in itself for the panorama it offers on the theme.
Father Saverio Cannistrà, new Superior General of Discalced Carmelites
FáTIMA (20-04-2009).-Father Saverio Cannistrà of the Sacred Heart, until now Provincial Superior of the Italian Province of Toscany, has been chosen this morning, 20 of April, the new General Superior of the Discalced Carmelite Order. After the election and the acceptance of the position, the new Superior General made the profession of faith.
Information on the General Chapter
Curia OCD, ROMA (15-04-2009).- The generalate has made available a webpage from which you will be able to follow the course of the 90th general chapter, that the Order will celebrate on April 17 to May 9 in ‘Domus Carmeli’, Fatima, Portugal.
Appointments of the Teresianum, Rome
Curia OCD
Roma (2009-04-15).- On March 14 Fr. General, Luis Arostegui, as the chancellor of our pontifical theological faculty, in Rome, made the following appointments, following the proposals of the academic council:
1) Fr. Silvio José Báez, of the Central American province, vice-president of the faculty; 2) Fr. Juan Luis Astigarraga, of the Navare province, the new directo rof the publication “Bibliographia Internationalis Spiritualitatis” (= BIS); 3) Fr. Denis Chardonnens, Avignon-Aquitane province, director of the academic review “Teresianum”; 4) Fr. Iván de Jesús Mora Pernía, of the Venezuelan delegation, director of the publication “Archivum Bibliographicum Carmeli Teresiani” (= ABCT”); 5) the same Fr. Iván, assistant-librarian of the faculty; 6) Fr. François-Marie Léthel, of the Paris province, delegate to the academic institutes affiliated to the Teresianum.
2009 OCD General Chapter in Fatima
Click here to follow the proceedings of the 2009 OCD General Chapter in Fatima, Portugal (April 17 - May 08) through the official web site.
Solemn Professions of Mark Kissner and Mark Silva
Bro. Mark of the Sacred Hearts, O.C.D. (Mark Silva)
Bro. Mark of the Most Precious Blood, O.C.D. (Mark Kissner) professed Solemn Vows on January 24, 2009 at St. Mary's Parish in Mount Angel, Oregon.
Discalced Carmelites Nuns representation at the General Chapter
Curia OCD
ROMA (01-04-2009).- On February 26 Fr. General wrote a letter of invitation to the Federations/Associations of Carmelite nuns to elect delegates to the General Chapter. The nuns are expected to attend the Chapter and address the assembly in the chapter room on April 30.
The Mission of the Avignon-Aquitaine Discalced Carmelites to Senegal
Curia OCD
ROMA (01-04-2009).- In 2002 the brothers of the Avignon-Aquitaine Province wanted to establish a mission in Senegal. Mgr. Benjamin Ndiaye, who had just been ordained bishop of Kaolack, was at the same time looking for a contemplative community for his diocese. Kaolack is an important town, about 300 kms south of Dakar.
Ordination of Bro. David Guzman to the Diaconate
Bro. David Guzman was ordained to the Deaconate on February 10, 2009 in Redlands, California.
First Professions of Richard Castillo and Marinello Saguin
Bro. Richard of Bl. Teresa of Calcutta, O.C.D. (Richard Castillo) and Bro. Marinello of the Eucharistic Heart of Jesus, O.C.D. (Marinello Saguin) made their first profession of vows on February 2, 2009.
The Official Inauguration of the Teresian-John of the Cross Centre (Cites), Avila
Curia OCD
ROMA (01-03-2009).- At the end of the first meeting of the Presidents of the European and Holy Land Carmelite Associations and Federations, on February 14, the International Centre of St. Teresa and St. John of the Cross was inaugurated in Avila.
Conference of OCD Superiors in English-Speaking Africa
Curia OCD
ROMA (01-03-2009).- On February 17 - 18, 2009 the first meeting of OCD superiors from anglophone Africa took place. The Conference was first planned at the beginning of July 2006 on the occasion of the Formation congress, held in Nairobi, Kenya from July 5 - 7. After the statutes had been drawn up, they were approved by the General Definitory May 5, 2008, ad experimentum, for three years.
Religious Assistant for a French Federation
Curia OCD
ROMA (01-03-2009).- With the rescript from CIVCSVA of January 28, Fr. Jean Philippe Houdrait was reconfirmed as religious assistant to the Avignon-Lyon Federation of Carmelites nuns, France. Usually the Federations and Associations are helped by a religious assistant.
Solemn Professions of Brothers Mark Kissener and Mark Silva
Solemn professions of Bros. Mark Kissener and Mark Silva took place on January 24, 2009 at St. Mary's Parish in Mt. Angel, Oregon.
A Meeting of the Presidents of the Associations and Federations Of our Discalced Carmelite Nuns
Curia OCD
ROMA (15-02-2009).- The Holy See has given its approval and support for a meeting of the Presidents and First Councillors of the European Federations and Associations of our Carmelite Nuns, plus the Holy Land (cf. the letter from Cardinal Rodé, the Prefect of the Congregation, 30/7/2008). Fr. General convoked this meeting on August 5 last year.
Approaching the General Chapter
Curia OCD
ROMA (15-02-2009).- We would like to repeat the essential information. The next General Chapter, the 90th in the Order’s history, will take place from April 17 to May 9, in our house (‘Domus Mariae’) in Fatima, Portugal.
Index of the Order's Growth
Curia OCD
ROMA(15-02-2009).- It takes four to five months for the statistics from the provinces and regions of the Order to arrive at the Generalate. The statistics consist of the numbers of houses, novices, simply professed, solemnly professed, lay brothers, permanent deacons and priests on December 31 of each year.
The Relics of St. Therese’s beatified parents
Curia OCD
ROMA (01-02-2009).- Just as the relics of their saintly daughter have travelled around the world to awaken people spiritually to the gospel message, so too a part of the mortal remains of Blessed Louis Martin and Celia Guerin, placed together in an urn, began their pilgrimage outside of France. From November 25, 2008 to January 27 2009 they have visited different towns in Italy.
Fr. Dario Cumer (R.I.P. January 10, 2009)
Curia OCD
ROMA (01-02-2009). On Saturday January 10 the Blessed Virgin carried off her faithful servant. He was a Carmelite from the Venice province. Born in Trentino, Italy, August 6, 1935. Both in his Carmelite province and in the Teresianum, Rome, his life was taken up with teaching and formation.
OCD in Sri Lanka
Curia OCD
ROMA (01-02-2009).- The Definitory General organized the establishment of the Discalced Carmelites in this large island in the Indian ocean. It totals 64, 652 sq kms with a population of 17,970,000, of which 69% are buddists, 15% hindus, 8% christian and 7% muslim.
An International Symposium on the Historiography of the Teresian Carmel
Curia OCD
ROMA (15-01-2009). – As previously announced the symposium was celebrated from January 2-5 at the Teresianum, Rome. It involved the participation of some outstanding carmelite scholars: Fr. Thomas Alverez (‘St. Teresa, Foundress of the Discalced Carmelite Friars in the first period of our historiography’), Fr. Eulogio Pacho (‘Historiography of the Teresian-Carmelite Spirituality), Fr. General opened the event with an introductory talk and at the end with a closing statement.
First priest for the Delhi Commissariate (India)
Curia OCD
ROMA (15-01-2009). – From 1979 the Malabar Province of southern India has been present in the northern State of the Punjab. At the foot of the Himalayas the Province has been active in missionary work. It is an area where there are few catholics. Many of our missionaries and young carmelite students have gone there from the abundant vocational fields of Kerala.
Fourth Centenary of Avignon Carmel
Curia OCD
ROMA (15-01-2009).- The fourth centenary of the oldest priory in the Avignon-Aquitaine Province and of the present french territory in the historical papal town deserves to be recalled. Carmel was restored to France in 1839 by religious coming from Spain. However, its roots go back to the Italian Congregation.
St. Therese flies into space
Curia OCD
Roma (2008-11-15).- On August 17 the Carmelite sisters from New Caney received a promised and long-awaited visit from our astronaut friend, Colonel Ron Garan. Ron was on the crew of the latest Space Shuttle Discovery voyage, which took place last May 31-June 14 to deliver and attach the Japanese laboratory module Kibo (Hope) to the International Space Station. His mission was to go out into space, attached only by a foot strap, on a robotic arm guided from inside the station by another crew member to move the Japanese module into position and secure it, as well as make some repairs to the exterior of the Space Station. NASA had produced a short video of the mission, so the sisters were able to hear and see some of what goes on “inside” the shuttle and station. It was an exciting and enlightening afternoon for the community, and they were so grateful to Colonel Garan for sharing this experience of a lifetime with them. read more
Symposium on Historical Studies in the Teresian Carmel
Curia OCD
Roma (2008-10-01).- The symposium will take place from 2nd to 5th January 2009 in Rome. Its objective is to raise a greater awareness of the need for study and the deepening of our ‘memoria rerum’ [remembering past events], above all at the formation stage of our young religious. The symposium will consist of talks, information about our historical studies in the form of open debate and finally some practical resolutions. It is hoped that the Order’s Historical Institute can be rivived, based on new foundations.
Fr. General will open the symposium with a reflection on its objectives. Fr. Domingo Fernandez de Mendiola will talk on ‘Our historical research in general. The role of the Teresian Carmelite Historical Institute (IHCT). Following this will be one by Fr. Silvano Giordano on ‘Historical research by the Italian Congregation.’ Fr. Antonio Unzueta will deal with the same theme but with reference to the Spanish Congregation. Then Fr. Eulogio Pacho has been entrusted to talk on ‘Historical research and our Teresian-Carmelite spirituality.’ Fr. Damaso Zuazua will close the series with a talk on the theme of ‘Historical studies and our missions’.
The following will also be discussed:
1) The Order’s historical manuals and the dissemination of literature: criteria, need for,… (Miguel Angel Diez)
2) OCD Historical research in Poland (Benignus Wanat)
3) OCD Historical research in France (Stephane-Marie Morgain)
4) OCD Historical research in Austria and central Europe (Raimund Bruderhofer)
5) OCD Historical research in Portugal (Jeremias Vechina)
6) OCD Historical research in North America (Jose Luis Ferroni)
7) OCD Historical research in Mexico (Jose de Jesus Orozco),
8) OCD Historical research in India (Paul D’Souza)
Some experts in our Carmelite history have also been specially invited. Any religious friar or nun who is interested in the Order’s history and historical research can send freely write with all kinds of suggestions and proposals on the theme. Address all correspondence to: Fr. Damaso Zuazua O.C.D., at the Generalate.
Uganda Update
Meet Fr. Lawrence Daniels, OCD, who has recently joined our Carmelite Mission in Uganda. Fr. Larry transferred to Kyengeza from our Carmelite House in Nairobi, Kenya (the foundation of the Eastern/Washington Province). He is no stranger to Africa!
Fr. Larry writes . . .
“Please secure all trays. Put your seats in the upright position. Make sure your seatbelt is fastened. All luggage should be stowed overhead, or under your seat. We will collect . . . – the stewardess of the British Air flight from London to Entebbe, Uganda was announcing. Soon our Boing-767 sounded a rumbling thump and a huge plume of water followed us down the runway. A morning rain had just ended.
My luggage was first off, and a very friendly airport worker helped me with the bags and out the door. The air was hot, heavy, wet, and close. Lake Victoria captured my attention right away, for it is very close by. Then the faces of Fr. David (Costello) and Fr. Charles came up from the parking lot. What a warm greeting!
In a short two hours Fr. Charles had driven us safely to Kyengeza, our Mission in Uganda.
Oh, so many friendly people to greet. Faces become blurred and names muddled. Yet more welcomed me. Newly arrived, I knew no Luganda, so they very considerately spoke English. What a welcome!
Fr. Paul (Koenig) was in Luganda class when I took a break from unpacking. A hint of what I’d soon be doing myself. Thoughtfully, Fr. David suggested getting started with Luganda as soon as possible, which the teacher, Elizabeth, found a good idea. We began in a week. So it goes still. All my Luganda is in my heart, and nothing in my mouth. But slowly, slowly.
Each morning begins with Morning Prayer. As the light of the rising sun fills the Church, we begin our Luganda Mass and then the Office of Readings. The Luganda Mass is coming better for me now, as Fr. Charles helps me after supper to understand what I’m trying to pray.
The cooks prepare food that is plentiful, tasty and Ugandan. My abundant girth has not suffered any damage so far. My greatest surprise were the washing machines. And TWO of them! Ugandan, nonetheless. Very good, reliable and thorough. The brand names? Olivia and Judith.
This is a pleasant place. Much work has been done to build this parish with the inspiration of the pastors, and now Fr. David. There is a small gathering of animals: goats, chickens, rabbits, pigs, and a cow, “Carmelita.”
Perhaps the most pleasant time happens every evening, when our community gathers on the south-facing veranda. In the light of the setting sun and cooling breeze we pray Vespers. Usually the soft settling calls of birds come our way, and sometimes two of our friendly hens also decorate our praises. The closing of another day in the Carmelite Community of Kyengeza. A truly African blessing.
Beatification of St. Therese's Parents
ALENCON, France, JULY 13, 2008 (Zenit.org).- Louis and Marie-Zélie Martin, parents of St. Thérèse of Lisieux, will be beatified on Mission Sunday at the Cathedral of Lisieux. Cardinal Saraiva Martins, retired prefect of the Congregation for Saints' Causes, made the announcement Saturday when he presided at a Mass at Notre-Dame Church at Alencon to mark the couple's 150th wedding anniversary. Mission Sunday is celebrated this year on Oct. 19. The news comes days after Benedict XVI recognized a miracle attributable to the intercession of Louis and Marie-Zélie Martin. It involved the healing of Pietro Schiliro of Monza, Italy. Pietro was born in 2002 with a fatal lung malformation. Italian Carmelite Father Antonio Sangalli suggested that the child's parents pray a novena to Thérèse's parents to receive the strength to endure their suffering. However, Pietro's mother decided to do the novena to ask for her son's cure. When Pietro regained his health, he and his parents went on pilgrimage to Lisieux to thank the Martins.
Definitory General document on the Fifth Centenary of St. Teresa of Jesus' birth
The Generalate House of the Order has prepared a document for reflection to be used as a tool for discussion in the upcoming Definitory General, to be held in Madagascar in September. It takes its title from St Teresa’s poem “I am Yours and born for you, what do you want of me”. The Definitory has in mind the fifth centenary of the birth of the Holy Mother Teresa of Jesus, which we will celebrate in 2015. read more
Impressions of my First Religious Profession
By Fr. Godfrey Chandya, OCD
In thanksgiving to God on this day of my first religious profession as the first Ugandan Carmelite under the Western Province of the Discalced Carmelites (USA) I am greatly indebted to Fr. David Costello, OCD and the entire California/Arizona Province, headed by our Provincial Superior, Fr. Matthew Williams, OCD, for having requested for my profession to be in Uganda, and not in Nigeria, where I have had my novitiate experience.
I was honored by the fact that my vows were received by Fr. David Costello OCD, in the presence of Fr. Edmond Shabani, OCD, Fr. Larry Daniels, OCD., the Sisters of our Lady of Mount Carmel, Sr. Ulrike, OCD, representing the Carmelite Nuns of Kiyinda-Mityana, a few Sisters from other congregations and other People of God. This was a cause of great joy for me on this day of my profession, which by its mode was quite simple, but very solemn.
The liturgy of the day was vibrant, the choir and the participants made it very prayerful.
Lastly, I am grateful for the gifts I received on this day of my profession. I am also grateful for the items of entertainment that were presented in the Hall after the Mass.
May these impressions help me to live by the vows I have professed. May God grant me to drink always of the Spirit of Carmel in order to attain union with Him.
In Carmel,
Fr. Godfrey Chandya Lega, OCD
