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What's New
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.
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.
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
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