Communications n. 15
2003-12-15
LIST OF CONTENTS
FRIARS
Fr Generals Visit to the Genovese Province (Italy)
The Friars of South East Brazil Celebrate 25 Years and their Elevation to a Province.
NUNS
Third centenary of the convent of Ayacucho (Peru)
Suppression of the convent of Saint-Brieuc (France)
SECULAR ORDER
Formation Conference OCDS of the Venice Province
Youth Meeting in the Desert House of Varazze (Italy)
FRIARS
VISIT OF FR GENERAL
To the Genovese Province (Italy)
Fr General, Fr Luis Arostegui, made a recent fraternal visit to the Ligurian Province and to the Savona-Noli diocese by invitation of Fr Franco Rudasso, the Ligurian Provincial. He first visited the Priory of Bocca di Magra, then the Nuns from La Spezia and Genova, then Saint Anna, the Friars house in the same city, followed by a visit to the Shrine of the Infant Jesus at Arenzano and the Nuns of Sanremo. On the 2nd December he met the Discalced Carmelite Nuns in their Savona convent and the next day visited the Carmelite Parish of St Peters, meeting the Religious and seeing the vision of the house and the newly restored Parish Rooms. In St Peters he also met the Council of the Carmelite Secular Order, who explained to him their situation in Liguria, as well as in Mondovi and Turin. Fr Luis next visited the desert house at Varazze, where he was a guest at the lunch and then listened attentively while the community explained the Houses vision for the future. Then after his meeting with the Friars and the Novices, he continued his visit in Turin, where he met our Nuns in their convent.
This flying visit, just a few months after his election, was a very pleasant experience in getting to know one another, and helped Fr General to know at first hand the actual situation of the Ligurian Carmel. Until this visit the Friars, Nuns and Secular Order had only seen a photo of him.
THE FRIARSFROM SOUTH EAST BRAZIL
COMMEMORATE 25 YEARSAND THEIR
ELEVATION TO A PROVINCE
The Friars of Saint Joseph Province met from the 3rd - 7th November in the Spirituality Centre of Sao Roque for their first Plenary Council Meeting as a Province. It was a joyous meeting, remembering the 25 years that passed, from the time the General Delegation of South-East Brazil was formed, which thereby united foundations made by the Provinces of Rome, Tuscany and Holland. It was also an opportunity to assimilate the recommendations of the General Chapter. In all 27 friars took part, including two students who were representing the philosophy and theology students.
At the beginning of the Council Meeting the Friars reflected on the themes of the General Chapter, listening to a summary and then sharing in groups. The Operative Conclusions of the General Chapter were studied in depth, and then clarifying the most urgent for our Province. An atmosphere of hope surrounded our meeting, due in part to our recent elevation to a Province, and contributed to ensuring that the important themes that arose would be looked at in a positive light, especially those that touched upon our future presence in Brazil.
Every day during our Eucharistic celebration the surviving members of the original foundations shared their memories of those times. They have indeed left behind their mark, during all ther ups and downs, difficulties and hopes.
At the final celebrations of the Plenary Council the names of the Friars, living and dead, were read out, who had contributed to and continue to contribute to the Province. In his homily Fr. Pierino acknowledged that the present hopeful situation, owes so much to those who in former times gave their lives for the sake of the Order in Brazil. Now it was our turn to make the dream a reality. May God help us in this undertaking. We thank Him with all our hearts. We know that He will help us to progress along the road, with the same fervour and courage of those who have gone before us.
Fr. Cesar Cardoso de Resende, OCD.
N U N S
THIRD CENTENARY OF THE CARMELITE CONVENT IN AYACHUCHO, PER U
On the 3rd November, 300 years ago to the day, Mother Clemencia Teresa de San Bernardo, then prioress of the Carmelite Nuns in Ayachucho, received the keys of the new convent. The origin of this Teresian Dovecot was due to the priest Don Juan de la Maza Quijano, whose diary records that he had decided to make a Carmelite foundation with his money.
The celebrations to commemorate this happy jubilee event began on the 23rd October with a Eucharist, and thus every day, different organizations of the region took part. On the most important day, 3rd November, Mons. Luis Abilio Sebastiani presided at the solemn Eucharist, followed by many celebrations to commemorate this momentous anniversary.
SUPPRESSION OF THE CONVENT OF SAINT-BRIEUC, FRANCE
With the Decree No. 4753/2003 of 27th November 2003, the Congregation for Institutes of Consecrated Life and the Societies of Apostolic life suppressed the convent of Saint-Brieuc, in France, which is part of the Lisieux Federation. The convent was established in 1857 from Morlaix, which after its exile in Belgium, was reestablished, transferring the community from Epernay to Saint-Breuc in 1930. This decision to suppress the convent was due to the ageing of the community and the lack of vocations. The last twelve Nuns joined other communities.
SECULAR ORDER
OCDS CONFERENCE ON FORMATION,VENICE PROVINCE
For the triennium 2002-2005 the Venice Province proposed a series of meetings to the groups with a view to reflecting and deepening their identity as Secular Carmelites.
This was felt to be necessary in order to prepare the members for the new elements in OCDS Constitutions following their recent definitive approval.
A formation course based on the document of the OCDS Secretary General, Fr A. Deeney, had been organized, with the title The elements for discerning a vocation to the OCDS.
The first meeting, held in May 2003, was entitled: The Secular Carmelite is a faithful member of the Roman Catholic Church...
The second meeting took place 15th-16th November at the Priory, in Trento, with the theme: The Carmelite Charism and the Carmelite Layperson Called to Live in the Secular World according to the Spirit of the Evangelical Councils. Fr Gianni Bracchi,the Provincial, developed the theme in a way that was both original and interesting.
The Conference was appreciated by the many people who attended (almost eighty) from all the groups of the Province. It was a time to pray together as a community, and meet together joyfully and in this way help each other to a deeper awareness of our common vocation.
MEETING OF YOUNG PEOPLE IN THE PRIORY (DESERT HOUSE),
OF VARAZZE, NORTHERN ITALY
At the end of October the monthly catechetical and formation meetings took place in the Priory of Varazze, on the general themes of The Fidelity of God and of Man - Love as a Commitment: this was a natural progression following the last weekly meeting in August.
The meetings took place in a very peaceful and serene atmostphere and created occasions for growing together in friendship, and in the sharing of the Carmelite spirit.
After the initial meeting led by Fr Adriano on the Saturday, 29th November, Fr Paolo then spoke on another theme: Marked with the Seal of the Spirit: the indwelling of God in Man.