News and announcements about the Carmelite Order, our Region, and our Community
With great joy and hope we present the first electronic newsletter for the Lay Carmelites. This initiative is the result of our first meeting with the new General Commission for the Carmelite Laity and Youth of our Order. Reflection on this international group has led to the desire to strengthen two aspects during this sexennium: spiritual formation and communications.
From the 10th to the 2th of October, 2014, at the St. Albert’s International Centre in Rome, a symposium was held, to celebrate the 8th Centenary of the death of St. Albert of Jerusalem. On the invitation of the General Council, some eighty people including friars, nuns, religious sisters and lay carmelites, from Rome and from farther afield, in Europe and in Brazil, took part in the event.
Letter from Pope Francis to the Order: “On March 28, 1515, a girl was born in Avila who in time would be known as Saint Teresa of Jesus. As the fifth centenary of her birth approaches, I turn my gaze to that city to thank God for the gift of this great woman and to encourage the faithful of the beloved Diocese of Avila and all Spaniards to know the history of this famous founder, as well as to read her books that, together with her daughters in the numerous Carmelite convents spread throughout the world, continue to tell us who and how Mother Teresa was and what she can teach us, the men and women of today.
The beginning of the 5th Centenary of the birth of Saint Teresa of Avila is now close. We have received news of various events that are happening in various parts of the world which we would like to share with you in chronological order. These are in addition to those we have already publicised (citoc-online 91/2013-18 and 91/2014-21):
Message from the Prior General — 2014 Feast of Our Lady of Mount Carmel. The Feast of Our Lady of Mount Carmel is approaching, and another year has gone by. I would like to offer you my best wishes. The day means a lot to all of us, a joyous and deep-felt moment in which we celebrate our devotion to the Mother of the Lord, under the very popular title of Our Lady of Mount Carmel.
