ArticlesHermits of Christoval . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3Hermits of Chester . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4Hermits at Lake Elmo . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5Hermits in Pennsylvania . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6Life in Yauri. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7Native Chicagoan Becomes Priest . . . . . 9Meet the Pre-Novices . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13Joliet Catholic Academy TakesIllinois State Football Championship . . 14Carmelites Approved as NGO . . . . . . . 16

DepartmentsFrom the Editor. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2Provincial’s Calendar . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2Obituaries . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11Carmelecta . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15

Volume 41, Number 1 January-February, 2002

By Fr. Joseph Chalmers, O. Carm.,Prior General

Though thebeginningsof the Car-

melite Order areshrouded in mys-tery, it is wellknown that thefirst Carmeliteswere hermits. Itseems that theywere men from

Western Europe who had gone to theHoly Land to live in allegiance toJesus Christ. They were attracted bythe sacred history attached to MountCarmel and many began to live there, worshipping God in solitudeand silence.

We do not know the details of thegathering of the hermits on MountCarmel, nor the exact dates, butbetween 1206 and 1214 they were sufficient in numbers and fraternalunity to request of Albert, the LatinPatriarch of Jerusalem, to write forthem a way of life, which he probablybased on the way in which they werealready living. In 1215 the LateranCouncil decreed that no new religiousorders could be established in theChurch. Since the Carmelite “rule”had only been given by the Patriarch

of Jerusalem, this posed a problem. In 1216 Pope Honorius III declaredthat the Carmelites had received theirrule before the Council and so wereexempt from its prohibition.

The eremitical life was alwaysrecognised as having certain seriousspiritual dangers. A hermit is some-one who follows a clear call from Godto live a penitential life in solitudeand silence. Each human being has to struggle against the temptation toselfishness that lurks in every heart.Hermits need to be able to examinetheir lives with a trustworthy andexperienced person so that the diffi-culties of life do not dim their enthu-siasm and extinguish their ideals. Forthis reason the Carmelite hermitsgathered together in community.They maintained their eremiticalideals but they had the safety net ofthe community to make sure that theyhad their feet on the ground. It is veryeasy to love your neighbour if you donot have one. The faith, hope andlove of the hermits on Mount Carmelwere tested and refined by their livingwith others on a daily basis.

For a number of reasons, espe-cially Muslim advances and unrest

inside

Hermits in the Carmelite Tradition

(continued on page 8)

in Palestine, most of the Carmelitesleft Mount Carmel by the 1240’s and made foundations in variousEuropean countries. As they did sothe Carmelite hermits, with the permission of the Pope, joined thenew and popular mendicant move-ment and so became friars like theFranciscans and the Dominicans. In1247 Pope Innocent IV adapted therule of St. Albert to enable theCarmelites to live as a mendicantorder. There is evidence that the her-mits on Mount Carmel engaged in alimited apostolate with the people butan essential aspect of the vocation ofmendicant friars is an active apostoliccommitment. It seems that mostCarmelites took to this new way of life very willingly but some were nothappy. One of the earliest Carmelitedocuments still in existence, TheFiery Arrow, is a stinging criticism by the Prior General, Nicholas theFrenchman, of the movement awayfrom the eremitical life to the activeapostolate in the cities.

Hermit cell on Mt. Carmel.

Hermit cells on Mt. Carmel.

March9 Edwardo Rivero Ordination, Jose Galvez, Peru13-15 House Chapter & Formation Commission,

Whitefriars Hall21 Novitiate, Middletown, NY28-31 Carmel at Mission Valley, Nokomis, FL

April 1-5 Supply, St. Jude’s, Boca Raton, FL12 O. Carm., OCD Provincials’ Meeting, Washington, DC13-14 Carmelite Institute, Washington, DC25 Novitiate, Middletown, NY

May1-3 Council Meeting, Darien, IL13 Mother’s Day Mass, Mt. Carmel, Chicago, IL16-17 W.T.U. Trustee Meeting, Washington, DC 17 W.T.U. Graduation, Washington, DC

2 Carmelite Review

Volume 41, Number 1January-February 2002

The Carmelite Review is published by theSociety of Mt. Carmel on the 15th day ofevery other month beginning in January(except July). The issue deadline is the20th day of the month previous to publi-cation. Submitted news information, fea-ture articles, letters, photos, and othermaterials are property of the Review.

Publisher:Leo McCarthy, O. Carm.

Editor-in-Chief:Greg Houck, O. Carm.

Editorial Consultant:Sal Lema

St. Elias Province Editor:Eugene Foley, O. Carm.

Peruvian Correspondent:Miguel Brown, O. Carm.

Mexican Correspondent:Tomas Jordan, O. Carm.

Canadian Correspondent:Leo Huard, O. Carm.

European Correspondent:Antony Lester, O. Carm.

Asian Correspondent:Rey Caigoy, O. Carm.

Roman Correspondent:William Harry, O. Carm.

Copy Editors:Carmelites of Hudson, Wisconsin

Send submittals to the Editor at:6725 Reed Road,

Houston, Texas 77087-6830

E-mail: review@carmelnet.orgVoice: 713.644.8400 Fax: 713.649.6955

Electronic version available at:carmelites.org/review.htm

Carmelite Review

From the Editor

Both “Congratulations” and a “Thank You”are due to William Harry, O. Carm., now theformer editor of The Carmelite Review.

“Congratulations” on his election to the GeneralCouncil of the Order of Carmelites with duties allover the world and his residence now in Rome.“Thank You” for his years of service to the Provinceof the Most Pure Heart of Mary as editor of theReview, as Western Regional Provincial, and as

coordinator of our vocation effort. You may notice that some of the news in this issue of the Review is “old

news”. We skipped an issue of The Carmelite Review during the changeof editors from William Harry, O. Carm., to Gregory Houck, O. Carm.Future issues should be back on the bi-monthly schedule.

IN THIS ISSUEDuring the “Conference on the Rule” this past summer in San Antonio

I noticed a number of Carmelites of a different flavor. These were O. Carm.friars and candidates from the Carmelite Hermitage in Christoval, Texas,and I learned that they are soon to be incorporated into the Order. I alsolearned from John-Benedict Weber, O. Carm., provincial delegate to thenuns and hermits, that the various hermit groups have had a surge invocations. Finding all this interesting and not knowing that much aboutthese growing O. Carm. communities, I thought the readers of TheCarmelite Review would also find this interesting; therefore, this issue features the various O. Carm. hermit communities in the United States—Christoval, Texas; Lake Elmo, Minnesota; Bolivar, Pennsylvania; andChester, New Jersey. The first article is by Joseph Chalmers, O. Carm.,Prior General, on the eremetical (hermit) aspects of the Carmelitecharism (mission and tradition).

– Greg Houck, O. Carm.

Provincial’s Calendar

Carmelite Review 3

By Fabian Rosette, O. Carm.

My idea of creating a CarmeliteHermitage was born out ofmy love for Carmel and its

traditions. As a Third Order member,I was impressed by the Scriptural sim-plicity of the Rule and by the originaleremitical way of life it envisioned.This inspired in me the desire to livethe primitive Carmelite charism in itsunique contemplative dimension. Toconcretely realize this vision, it wasnecessary to form a community withan atmosphere where silence, soli-tude, and personal prayer were thefoundations sustaining this uniqueexpression of Carmel at the end ofthe 20th century.

In 1989, I approached the Bishopof the Diocese of San Angelo toobtain his permission to establish Mt.Carmel Hermitage. Later, on July 1,1991, Bishop Michael Pfeifer, OMI,granted his blessing and support formy vision, and I began to live theCarmelite eremitical way of life that Ihad always longed for. The Hermitageis situated on 100 acres of rollingforested hills, south of the City of SanAngelo, in the northernmost reachesof the Chihuahuan Desert. OnDecember 8, 1999, our communitywas formally affiliated to the Carme-lite Order of the Ancient Observanceafter visits by the Prior General andhis delegate and after approval of ourConstitutions. We have now requested

full incorporation into the CarmeliteOrder, a step which was approved bythe General Chapter in September of2001. This process will be completedwith a liturgical celebration and theprofession of solemn vows in thehands of the Prior General in thespring of 2002.

After many years living at theHermitage, I envisioned a life that hasa harmonious blend of fraternity, asthe Rule of St. Albert states, accompa-nied by silence, solitude, and theimportance of the cell for prayer, andwhich together give harmony andequilibrium to Carmelite eremitical

life. Each cell is actually a separatehouse composed of a study, chapel,bedroom, bathroom and porch. A cellis separated from the next cell by anenclosed garden and its own privateentrance.

Our day begins at 3:30 AM, withVigils in common at 4:00 AM, fol-lowed by an hour of mental prayer. At 5:30 AM the hermits celebrateMorning Prayer together. This is fol-lowed by the Eucharist and privateprayer at 6:00 AM. Breakfast, if need-ed, is eaten privately in the cell andthe time immediately following theEucharist is devoted to Lectio Divina.The Little Hours are prayed in private.Normally, each hermit performs threehours of manual labor in the morningand two more hours in the afternoon.Work is usually done in silence toinsure the spirit of recollection neces-sary for the eremitical life. Dinner, themain meal of the day, is eaten in thecell except on Sundays and feast dayswhen all meals are eaten together. Anhour of mental prayer follows in thelate afternoon and this is followed byEvening Prayer at 5:30 PM. Each her-mit also has free time for rest or read-ing or correspondence every after-noon. On Sundays and Carmelite feastdays the day is less structured withwork and provides ample time forreading or study as well as a communi-ty walk. Common recreation takesplace on Sundays, as do community

Hermits of Christoval

A Christoval Carmelite hermit.

(continued on page 10)

Kevin McBrien, O. Carm., hasbeen elected as the WesternCommissary Provincial for

the Most Pure Heart of Mary Provinceof Carmelites. This office becamevacant when William Harry, O. Carm.,former Western Provincial (and for-mer editor of “The Carmelite Review”)was elected to the Carmelite GeneralCouncil in Rome. The Carmelitesresiding in the Western Region electedFr. Kevin to complete Fr. Bill’s term.

As Regional Superior, FatherKevin is responsible for the Carmelitemembers in the states of Arizona,California, and Texas and any placewest or south of the states of NorthDakota, South Dakota, Nebraska,

Kevin McBrien, O. Carm., Elected Western Commissary ProvincialKansas, Arkansas and Mississippi.He also becomes a member of theProvincial Council.

When asked his thoughts on being elected to this position, Fr. Kevin stated that he was, “veryhumbled,” by it and “I want tolearn more and respond to theneeds and represent the men in theWest—their ideas, their feelings,their gifts, and their concerns asthey minister in the Province. I willtake their message to the Provincialand his Council.” According to Fr. Kevin, studies made by westernbishops have shown that the futureof the American Church is and willbe focused in the West.

4 Carmelite Review

Hermits of ChesterBy Sister Mary of Jesus and St. Joseph, H.O. Carm.

Somewhere it is written: “Foolsrush in where angels fear totread.” As the first awakening of

the prophetic call to Carmel—the callto become a hermit of Carmel—dawned on me, the above word of wis-dom came to mind and I swiftly saidto myself: “This is one fool who willnot rush in where angels fear totread!” However, Jesus, the IrresistibleMagnet, made it undeniably clear thatHe was calling this fool to Carmel.Upon entering Carmel the journey ofliving in Christ in faith, hope and lovebegan. The counsel of St Teresa ofJesus took deep root in me: “Remem-ber, daughters, you are not only nunsbut hermits.” I identified interiorlywith the first hermits on MountCarmel.

Then the Second Vatican Councilcame, summoning all religious to “acontinuous return to the sources of allChristian life and to the original inspi-ration behind a given community and...an adjustment of the community tothe changed conditions of the times.”

The Hermits on Mount Carmelwho communicated with Albert, thePatriarch of Jerusalem, with the desireto have a written formula that embod-ied their hermit life, are the originalinspiration at the roots of Carmel.God gave me the grace to see that thechanged conditions of the timesrevealed a need for me to learn howto communicate in the Holy Spirit inspirit and in truth. This grace, flowingfrom one’s Baptism and Solemn Vows,embodies the gift of inner healing of one’s relationship with God, withoneself and with everyone.

So the journey continued by thepower of God in the establishment of the Hermits of Our Lady of MountCarmel in our first foundation,named “Carmel of the ImmaculateHeart of Mary”, in Westfield, NewJersey, with the permission and bless-ing of Archbishop Peter L. Gerety inthe Archdiocese of Newark onOctober 23, 1976.

Again in the Father’s providentiallove and with the permission, blessingand great generosity of Bishop Frank J.Rodimer we moved to the Paterson

Adolfo Gonzalo MedranoBellido, of the PeruvianCommissariate, professed

First Vows on January 12, 2002.The novitiate chapel in Cienegilla(just outside Lima) was too small to accommodate all the guests, so the Mass and Profession were held outdoors on the novitiategrounds—it is summer in thesouthern hemisphere. Rev. GeraldPayea, O. Carm., novice director,presided at the Mass and Rev. LeoMcCarthy, O. Carm., Provincial,received Adolfo’s vows. Adolfo wasborn February 14, 1971 in Limaand attended primary and second-ary schools in the city. He met theCarmelites while working as a laymissionary in the Prelature ofSicuani (in the high Andes area) of Peru, becoming a pre-novice in 1998 and a novice in 2001. Heenjoys playing the guitar, jogging,volleyball, and soccer.

First Profession of Vows of Adolfo Medrano

(continued on page 11)The main window at the Chester hermitagechapel.

The Very Reverend Leo McCarthy, O. Carm., presents the Carmelite Rule to AdolfoMedrano, O. Carm., assisted by (back left) Father Jerry Payea, O. Carm. and DeaconEduardo Rivero, O. Carm.

Carmelite Review 5

Hermits at Lake ElmoBy John Burns, O. Carm.

The Community of CarmeliteHermits located in Lake Elmo,Minnesota, owes its origins,

at least indirectly, to a DiscalcedCarmelite Priest, Father AlbertBourke, of the Eastern Province ofDiscalced Carmelites. Father Albert,now deceased, held important officesin the Order during his long life. Hewas novice master of his province fornine years, prior of several houses,and provincial. During the 1960s, hewas elected a general definitor andserved under Father General (laterCardinal) Anastasius Ballestrero.

In the late 1970s, several youngmen gathered around Father Albert,attracted by his teaching and longexperience as a Carmelite. FatherAlbert initiated us into the practice of contemplative prayer and, since he himself was greatly attracted to the eremitical roots of Carmel,encouraged us to think of a vocationin that direction.

Having completed my studies forthe priesthood in 1982, I asked mybishop before my ordination if I couldpursue a vocation as a Carmelite her-mit. This perplexed the good bishopas he did not know how to arrange forsuch a thing from the canonical pointof view. Fortunately the new Code ofCanon Law, promulgated in 1983, con-tained a provision (Canon 603) where-by an individual could make public

profession of the evangelical counselsto his bishop as a hermit. That sameyear, I received permission from mybishop to become a hermit, followingthe Rule of Carmel, under the provi-sion of the new Code. In granting per-mission, my bishop had two main con-cerns: 1) that I receive some trainingin the eremitical life from an experi-enced religious, and 2) that I havesome way to support myself. Providen-tially there was a Trappist hermit livingin my area and I was able to meet withhim regularly for formation. As forsupporting myself, the DiscalcedCarmelite Nuns located in Lake Elmooffered me a place to stay and a smallsalary in exchange for being theirchaplain. It was an ideal arrangementand I lived very happily as a Carmelitehermit from 1983 to 1987.

In 1986, I was visited by a youngman (now named Brother Joseph)who also felt called to an eremiticform of Carmelite life. He asked if itwere possible to join me as a Carme-lite brother. Although I was contentliving alone, I had always thought itwould be a greater good to Carmeland the Church if there were Carme-lite eremitical communities wheremen and women drawn to solitudecould find their vocation more readily. After some mutual discern-ment, Brother Joseph came to livewith me in June of 1987. Together we approached the Archbishop of St.

Construction of the common areas of the Lake Elmo hermitage.

Paul Anthony Henson, O. Carm., professed hisfinal vows with the Province

of the Most Pure Heart of Maryon December 14, 2001, in thechapel at Whitefriars Hall inWashington, DC.

Paul was born in 1964 in theLos Angeles area. His parentswere Rudy Arangua and RoseHenson (both deceased). Hewas raised by his great aunt LuzSalcedo—his mother died whenPaul was still an infant. Paulattended Catholic grade andhigh schools, and then enteredSt. John’s Seminary in Cama-rillo, California. He graduatedwith a bachelors in Liberal Artsin 1986, then moved into St.Jane’s Parish (North Hollywood,California) which is adminis-tered by the Carmelites. It wasthere that he first consideredbecoming a Carmelite. Pauldescribed this as “an interestthat never went away” and heentered the Carmelites in 1995.He professed Simple Vows in1997. During formation he did a two-year ministerial internship at Transfiguration Parish inTorreón, Mexico. Currently he is finishing work on a Masters of Divinity degree from theWashington Theological Unionand was ordained a deacon onJanuary 5, 2002.

Paul Henson, O. Carm., ProfessesSolemn Vows

(continued on page 12)

6 Carmelite Review

By Bede Mulligan, O. Carm.

The up-to-date renewal of thereligious life comprises both aconstant return to the sources

of the whole of the Christian life andto the primitive inspiration of theinstitutes, and their adaptation to thechanged conditions of our time.” (Cf.,Perfectae Caritatis, n.2) It is commonknowledge that the primitive inspira-tion of the Carmelite Order was of aneremitical nature. It is also certainthat because of legitimate develop-ment our sacred Order embraces twoways of life approved by the Church,the first or eremitical one and thelater one characteristic of the mendi-cant orders. (cf., Constitutions of1971, nn.7-10; Constitutions of 1995,nn.10, 18, 20 ) From the time of thetransformation introduced by inno-cent IV, however, the ancient form ofCarmelite life has been eitherreserved to a few hermitages or beenextinct in practice. In these times adesire has arisen on the part of cer-tain brothers to restore the secludedand original life of Carmel and toadapt it to present circumstances.

The General Chapter of 1947urged the implementation of thosearticles of the Constitutions of 1930concerning hermitages. An official let-

ter issued on Pentecost 1945 in thename of the Prior General concerned“that way of life, new indeed in thistime but most ancient in the order...While this way of life is lacking, we donot venture to affirm that the order,even though its individual membersexcel in holiness, fully corresponds toits vocation.” (cf., Vinculum, Jul-Aug.l948, p. 60) In September 1956 aninternational hermitage was inaugu-rated in Wolfnitz, Austria. One of themembers of the New York Province ofSt. Elias had been permitted by thePrior General to make his Profession

The hermitage in Bolivar, Pennsylvania

Hermits in Pennsylvania

When Sal Lema first started towork part-time as a youngman of eighteen, little did he

realize that his career in Engineeringwould lead him to an early retirementat the young age of fifty. Now he is pur-suing his “real dream” of writing andmedia relations becoming Director ofCommunications for the Order ofCarmelites. Mr. Lema noted that hisprevious involvements in both publicrelations and the Catholic Church (heis ordained a permanent deacon)made the new post a good fit for him.

A Chicagoan from the southwestside Sal Lema was raised in the St.Mary Star of the Sea Parish where hereceived his grade school education,then attending St. Philip BasilicaHigh School and Loyola University.He also served in the United States

Sal Lema Becomes the Province’s Communications DirectorNavy during the Vietnam War era.As a recently ordained deacon theRev. Mr. Lema now serves the St.Fabian Catholic Community inBridgeview, Illinois, where he cur-rently resides. Sal is also continu-ing his education, again at Loyola,in the program for Youth Ministry.

Mr. Lema comes to the Carme-lites with an extensive communica-tions background, having served aspress secretary for several electedofficials, editor of several newslet-ters produced through the commu-nications corporation that bears hisname and most recently as Directorof Media Relations for his home-town Village of Bridgeview. He attri-butes much of his success to his lov-ing wife, Beth of twenty-two years.His office is in Darien, Illinois.

for the Carmelite eremitical life. Hewas present at the dedication of thehermitage and throughout most of itsrelatively short existence. He waseventually joined by a confrere of thesame Province. After the closing ofthe Wolfnitz hermitage these two werepermitted to continue their eremiticallife in New Florence, Pennsylvania onproperty rented to them by theBishop of Greensburg in 1970.

After nearly thirty years there theyreceived the gift of a better site, just afew miles away, on which to build a

(continued on page 13)

“

Carmelite Review 7

Life in YauriBy Molly Moriarty

Last Fall, Cara Moothart and I,Molly Moriarty, then seniors atLoyola University Chicago,

began talking about our post-gradua-tion plans. Both of us desired to vol-unteer and we wanted to serve togeth-er. Next we discussed, WHERE? Atfirst I was certain that Africa was theplace to go, but Cara convinced methat if I lived in a Latin Americancountry, where Spanish is spoken, I would learn Spanish, a skill thatwould later allow me to work with thelarge Spanish speaking population inthe United States. She narrowed thechoices down to those countries inthe Western Hemisphere and I chosePeru, because it is the heart and soulof the Andes Mountains.

From the moment we made thedecision to choose Peru, we had nodoubts that the decision was correct.Maybe everything that followed wascoincidental, but for us it seemed likea divine plan had been implemented.One of these divine encounters wasour meeting with the Carmelites, whoin the person of Fr. Dan O’Neill, wel-comed us into ministry in Peru. Hebecame our contact person or betterknown as our “agent,” and found aplace where we could best serve withthe Carmelites in Peru.

Currently, we are living in the

to discotheques as part of fundraisers (I know, it is a hard life!) and sharingdaily experiences with each other.However, our job title is that of Englishteachers. Learning English is veryimportant, especially for the young-adults of Yauri. There is a branch ofthe University of San Antonio in Yauriand before the students receive theirdegree, they must complete a certainnumber of hours of English courses.Another reason English is crucial is thepresence of a mine, twenty minutesfrom the town of Yauri. This coppermine is owned by an Australian firmand to communicate with theiremployers, they need to know English.

Knowing that our main responsi-bility is teaching English classes, peo-ple often ask, “So what do you do allday? Don’t you get bored?” The answersurprises Cara and I as much as theexaminer, and the answer is “No.” Weare always busy. During the Advent andChristmas liturgical seasons, we workedwith Sr. Peg Conboy, CSJ, (who has along-term relationship working withCarmelites in The United States andPeru) planning the music and decorat-ing the church. With just the three ofus working on this aspect of liturgy, Igrew to appreciate the amount of time

mountain town of Yauri, working inthe Parish of Santa Ana with the pas-tor Fr. Michael Brown. The bulk ofour ministry is maintaining a pres-ence among the young-adult pro-grams of the parish. This includesattending weekly meetings, going

Cara Moothart (left) and Molly Moriarty.

(continued on page 8)

The Most Pure Heart of MaryProvince has a new consult-ant for Hispanic Ministry—

Mr. Germán Jiménez Montalbán.He will assist those parishes thathave a Spanish- speaking popula-tion in developing ministerial pro-grams geared specifically to theHispanic members of the congre-gation. Along with MichaelSgarioto, O. Carm., he will helpcoordinate the Province’s Hispanicvocation effort. Mr. Jiménez wasborn in Acapulco, Mexico and is arecent graduate of the CatholicUniversity of Louvain, Belgium. He is fluent in Spanish, English,French and Italian. His office is atSt. Raphael’s Parish in Los Angeles.

New Director for Hispanic ParishDevelopment and Vocations

8 Carmelite Review

and energy it takes to nurture a prayer-ful faith community.

Not only are we maintaining afaith community, we are maintaininga distinct life-style. We both work andlive with Sr. Peg and living in Yauri isan experience in and of itself! My firstshock living here was realizing weonly have running water during cer-tain hours of the day. Peg warned usthat the water comes on at 6:30AM,and is turned off at 6:00PM. Ourexperience has taught us to be pre-pared for the water to be shut off at3:00PM; therefore, all of our cleaning,cooking, clothes washing and shower-ing must be done in the morning.After four years of a college lifestyleassuming household responsibilitieshas been something of an adjustment.I never held a pick axe in my lifebefore arriving here, but now I use

one all the time in our garden in whatI like to call “landscaping.”

Right now we are excitedly plan-ning our summer programs; we aregoing to continue teaching Englishclasses, but we are also starting aSummer Reading Program for Kids.We noticed that reading for pleasureis not something that most of the people here are accustomed to.Thinking that it is a shame that mostparents do not read their kids “bed-time” stories, we decided to supple-ment and read “morning-time” stories. I think it will be a lot of fun for everyone involved.

Cara and I are constantly amazedat the providence that led us to Peru.Here we are tested in endurance,faith in ourselves and faith in God.Thus far I think we are passing thesetests as we are constantly supported by the Carmelite family.

Life at Yauri(continued from page 7)

While the Carmelite Order hasbeen a mendicant Order since 1247,its origins on Mount Carmel have leftan indelible mark on its charism.There is a tension in Carmelite spiri-tuality between the city and themountaintop, between the activeapostolate and contemplation. This isa healthy tension that has producedvery many saints throughout the 800years of the Order’s existence. EachCarmelite is called to contemplation,that is to a mature relationship withGod through, with and in JesusChrist, by means of which one finallyis able to look upon the whole of cre-ation as if with God’s eyes and to love

Hermits in the Carmelite Tradition(continued from page 1) what one sees as God loves. Growing

in this relationship involves a processof purification and transformationwhereby the human being becomeswhat God created him or her to be.

The majority of Carmelites followthis path by living in community and being involved in an active apos-tolate. However, the Order has neverbeen without its hermits, who haveembraced the contemplative processby living in solitude. In our day we areseeing a resurgence of the eremiticalway of life and especially of communi-ties of hermits. The Carmelite Familyhas a long tradition and experienceand therefore can assist the aspiringhermit to stay on the Gospel path andnot veer off to follow his or her ownwhims.

I welcome the new forms oferemitical life in community, which are springing up in various parts of the world. These show that the ancientCarmelite tradition is still capable ofproducing new shoots. The traditionmay be ancient but the roots arestrong. The Carmelite hermits arepraying for us who live our vocation inthe midst of the world. We are mem-bers of the same family but our giftsare different. All of us are called to an

intimate friendship with Jesus Christ;each of us must respond to the partic-ular vocation given us by God withinthe one Carmelite Family. Let us thankGod and Our Lady of Mount Carmelthat the desire of those first hermits onMount Carmel to live in allegiance toJesus Christ in his own land, has pro-duced abundant fruit in the past andcontinues to produce fruit in the livesof so many dedicated friars, nuns, sis-ters, hermits, and lay Carmelites. Hermits on Mount Carmel.

Hermit on Mount Carmel.

Cover Story

Carmelite Vespers 1701by George Frideric Handel

This is a setting of the Second Vespers of the Feast of Our Lady of Mt. Carmel

set to music by Handel.

Recently re-issued byVirgin Classics, Ltc., London (2 CDs)

Order through your local book or music store.

(Virgin: 7243 5 61579 2 7)

Carmelite Review 9

It’s amazing to think that the littleboy who used to climb the streetlight poles in front of our house, is

now going to become a priest,” saidPhilip Supple, brother of Richard, inan e-mail to the family. On February9, 2002 the Supple family gatheredtheir singing and musical talentstogether and became the choir forthat little boy, the Rev. RichardSupple, O. Carm., who was received atthe table of the Lord as an OrdainedPriest of the Carmelite Order at OurLady of Mount Carmel Parish inDarien, Illinois.

Father Richard was ordained bythe Most Reverend Michael B. LaFay,O. Carm., Prelature of Siciani, Peru.The Order’s provincial, the VeryReverend Leo McCarthy, O. Carm.,and Rev. Emmett Gavin, O. Carm.,were the principal concelebrants atthe Mass along with many Carmelitepriests who were in attendance.

Richard was born in EvergreenPark, Illinois and grew up on thesouth side of Chicago. He attended

St. Margaret of Scotland grade schooland later graduated from St. ThomasMore. “It was a vocation director whothrough his visit ignited me,” saysRichard. “I transferred to theCarmelite High School in NiagaraFalls, Ontario, and although I didn’trealize it, my life changed directionforever.” Still unsure of his future,Richard enlisted in the United StatesNavy where his five year tour of dutyplaced him on the aircraft carrier theUSS Midway to ports of call yetunseen by him.

After returning from his five yearcommitment in the Navy, Richardcompleted his college, graduatingfrom Rosary [Dominican University]with a degree in accounting. “Thatfeeling, desire kept coming back,”says Richard. It was that sensation thatsent him to Middletown, New York,where he attended the Carmelitehouse of formation. His training hassince spanned over seven years.

Father Richard is seen by hisclassmates as a man down to earthwho can be with anyone...a man will-ing to make a commitment to go any-where and do anything for God’s peo-ple...a man that will follow the workthat his cousin, Father John Hertel O. Carm., continues to do.

Father Richard Supple, O. Carm.,is now working as an Associate at St.Joseph’s Parish in Bogota, New Jersey.Looking at the work that the Lord hasput in front of him, Father Richardsays, “It’s the right thing for me to do.”

Native Chicagoan Becomes Priest

“

The Prior General, JosephChalmers, O. Carm., has appointed Patrick

McMahon, O. Carm., as Presi-dent of the Institutum Carmel-itanum in Rome. The Institutumhas played a vital role for the pastfifty years in the Order’s aware-ness of its history and charism.Among its functions, the Insti-tutum publishes the journalCarmelus and coordinates theCarmelite Collection at thelibrary of Saint Albert’s in Rome.

Patrick professed First Vowsat the Monastery of Mt. Carmelin Niagara Falls, Ontario onAugust 22, 1968. He received aB.A. from Marquette Universityand a M.T.S. from the Washing-ton Theological Union,Washington, DC. He holds aPh.D. in history from New YorkUniversity. His dissertation forthe Doctorate was entitled“Servants of Two Masters: AHistory of the Carmine ofFlorence 1267-1400.”

Since 1998, Patrick has beenthe Provincial Delegate to theThird Order and since 1994 thedirector of the CarmelitanaCollection at Whitefriars Hallin Washington, DC. Among hiseducational work, he has been alecturer in the Carmelite StudiesProgram at the WashingtonTheological Union since 1992and at the Smithsonian Institu-tion in Washington, DC in 1997,1999, and 2000.

The InstitutumCarmelitanumNames a New Director

Richard is vested by his cousin, John Hertel, O. Carm., during the ordination liturgy.

10 Carmelite Review

meetings, and these fraternal gather-ings strengthen the bonds of commu-nity living. Supper in the cell is fol-lowed by a period of reading Carme-lite texts and the day concludes withNight Prayer at 7:00 PM.

We support ourselves by raisingand selling Boer goats, and by theproduction of breads and jellies andfudge which we sell both locally andthrough the mail. We have no formalministry outside of the life of prayerand contemplation, although ourdaily Eucharist is open to the publicin our chapel. Normally we do nottake retreatants except for those interested in pursuing our way of life.

As we are a small contemplativecommunity with a strong family spirit,formation takes place over a lifetime.The hermits profit from their sharedlived experience, as well as from thecontacts we have with other Carme-lites who regularly visit us. There arealso initial stages in the formationprocess during which the candidate

first lives with the hermits and is slow-ly incorporated into our way of life.We follow the Ratio Studiorum of theOrder to insure a proper formation inCarmelite spirituality, the charism ofthe Order and its traditions of prayer.This process during the two year novi-tiate and years of first professionincludes psychological evaluationsand counseling where appropriate. As hermits, our formation process isstructured to effect a life focused on

Hermits of Christoval(continued from page 3)

The chapel at the Christoval hermitage.

Dominic Savino, O. Carm.,and the Board of Directorsof Crespi Carmelite High

School in Encino, California areproposing a capital campaign formulti-dimensional development ofthe school. The proposal identifiesfive specific areas: 1) studentrecruitment and retention; 2) facil-ities; 3) program; 4) faculty recruit-ment; and 5) fundraising. As partof the proposal, a new master planfor the facilities expansion hasbeen designed. This plan features a new three-story building for thelibrary and new classrooms, a newfootball and soccer field with track,a one-level subterranean parkingstructure, a new gymnasium and afine arts building, plus renovationsto the current two-story classroombuilding. Because this proposal isextensive, if implemented the planwould be in phases. Phase I will tryto alleviate critical space limitationsof the current campus plan andfocus on the academic center, parking, and the sports field. Theplan is currently in review by theArchdiocese of Los Angeles andthe Provincial Council.

Crespi Carmelite High School Proposes Expansion Project

prayer and contemplation. We do not formally prepare our Brothers for ordination to diaconate or priest-hood, although the possibility for for-mal theological study is available asthe community will always be in needof ordained hermits for the liturgicallife of the Hermitage.

The Hermitage community ishappy to welcome fellow Carmeliteseither for a visit or for a few days ofsolitude or even for a private retreat.

Carmelite Review 11

A cell at the Chester hermitage.

Diocese and our permanent desert inChester, New Jersey on August 15, 1980.

We believe and know that onlyJesus could work such miracles. Hecalls us to total, unconditional surren-der to the Father in union with Himin the power and love of His HolySpirit. As Hermits in Carmel’sprophetic call we strive to live in alle-giance to Jesus Christ, to be pure inheart and steadfast in conscience bybringing every thought into captivityto make it obedient to Christ.

In this purifying crucible of yourintellect, memory and will your needfor inner healing emerges. Jesus, ourHealer, through the daily participa-tion in the Eucharist and seeking toremain with Him in prayer in thedepths of your being heals and freesyou from your human resistance andspiritual blindness. Painful as it is, it isa joy to meet Jesus in your wounded-ness and know that without Him youcan do nothing. Just ask Him to dothe humanly impossible in you andHe will! Hidden in the heart of Christthrough our inner healing mission oflistening and self revelation in prayerand in every aspect of life, we listen toHis stirrings in our hearts to die toourselves that He may live in each ofus. The Hermits personally and indi-vidually journey from “sense to spirit,”as St. John of the Cross says. It is ajourney from reacting apart fromChrist to responding with Him in theHoly Spirit. Jesus draws us into Hisobedience to the Father, His passionfor the Father’s Will. Ours is a divinecall to be the praying, healing, forgiv-ing Christ in the Heart of the Churchfor the sanctification and salvation ofpriests and all our brothers and sistersin the human family.

We try to live as close as possibleto the original Carmelite Rule. Forexamples, each hermit lives in a sepa-rate hermitage in silence and solitudeof the desert with the gracefulsequence of prayer that begins andends each day. We also do Lauds andVespers in the chapel on the FeastDays and Solemnities. Otherwise,each hermit prays the entire Liturgyof the Hours in her hermitage, thussanctifying the entire day with theincense of continuous prayer and thesacrifice of praise.

Besides sharing in solitude in thecommon work of cooking, cleaning,lawn and property maintenance, eachhermit contributes to the financialsupport of the Carmel by the creativedevelopment of her gifts and talents.The hermits strive to earn their ownliving in order not to burden others.

The spiritual formation of eachhermit from the initial pre-entrancephase, through postulancy, novitiate,first profession to solemn vows and on-going transformation into Christ is a journey of total abandonment of lovefor God, open to meet Him in thegraces and surprises He has in store for her. This journey to sacred intimacywith the Living God after the pattern of Our Mother Mary and the ProphetElijah is His precious Gift––Jesus Christ,Our Savior, Healer and Bridegroom.

So the journey continues...

“One dark night,Fired with love’s urgent longings...I went out unseen,With no other light or guideThan the one that burned in my heart;This guided meMore surely than the light of noonTo where He waited for me...” (The Ascent of Mount Carmel)

Hermits of Chester(continued from page 4)

Sr. Mary working on the new chapel at theChester hermitage.

The Reverend Benedict, E.Hogan, O. Carm., 68, died atLittle Sisters of the Poor Center

for the Aging here on Wednesday,Dec. 12, following a long illness. Awake was held on Friday, December,14, 2001 at Mt. Carmel Church inDarien, Illinois. A Mass of ChristianBurial was offered at Mt. CarmelChurch on Saturday, Dec. 15, at 10a.m. with the Very Rev. BernhardBauerle, O. Carm., Midwest Com-missary Provincial, as the principalcelebrant. Interment is at Mt. OlivetCemetery in Chicago.

Born in Chicago on Septem-ber 28, 1933, Benedict was the son of the late Edward and Anne(O’Malley) Hogan. He attended St. Kilian’s School before entering Mt. Carmel Prep Seminary in NiagaraFalls, Ontario. He professed his firstvows as a Carmelite on September 3,1952 in New Baltimore, Pennsylvania.He was ordained a priest on May 23,1959 in Chicago. Among his assign-ments as a teacher were Mt. CarmelHigh School in Chicago, and CrespiCarmelite High School in Encino,California. He also served as pastor ofSt. Patrick’s Church in Niagara Falls,Ontario, and St. Mary’s CarmeliteChurch in Joliet, Illinois. He alsoserved as chaplain of the MarriageEncounter Movement in the Chicagoarea, and as assistant director of theLittle Flower Society in Darien,Illinois.

Obituary

12 Carmelite Review

Hermits at Lake Elmo(continued from page 5)Paul and Minneapolis to request permission for the formation of aCarmelite eremitical community.Permission ad experimentum wasgranted to us on October 24, 1987,and formal erection as an Associationof the Christian Faithful took placeon August 23, 1994. In the meantimeour community was growing andneeded larger living quarters.

The Carmelite Nuns in LakeElmo, having ample property andwishing to retain us as their chaplains,gave us a portion of their property forthe construction of our ownmonastery. In 1991, when our com-munity numbered six, we began con-struction of our community buildingwhich houses the kitchen, refectory,library, laundry, infirmary, and a tinychapel. Since then we have built ninehermitages and a large woodworkingshop with attached greenhouse. Atpresent we are finishing the construc-tion of our cloister, a series of coveredwalkways, which serves to tie the vari-ous buildings of the hermitage togeth-er. Future plans call for the construc-tion of a larger chapel, a guest house,and more hermitages.

On December 8, 1999, our com-munity was affiliated with the Order ofCarmelites by Prior General JosephChalmers. We are now in the process offull incorporation into the Order. Atpresent our community numbers nine,three priests and six brothers. We live asemi-eremitical life, although the possi-bility of greater solitude exists, even fullreclusion, for experienced members ofthe community. Each day we gathertogether for the Eucharistic Liturgy,Morning and Evening Prayer, and twomeals. Contemplative prayer, the otherhours of the Divine Office, spiritualreading, and study are the occupationsof the hermitage. The hours of latemorning and mid-afternoon find us

busy at various forms of work such asgardening, painting, woodworking ,and sandal making. The balance of soli-tude and community is one of the mostfruitful aspects of our life, providing asilent environment for the deepeningof contemplative prayer within a frame-work of support given by the communi-ty. It is not by accident that St. JohnClimacus and other early monasticfathers showed a preference for “thelife of stillness shared with a few others”(cf., The Ladder of Divine Ascent), asopposed to the cenobitic or purelyeremitic forms of religious life.

In our hermitage, we emphasizeboth liturgical and personal prayer.There is a grace and enrichmentwhich comes from each form ofprayer, the corporate prayer of the

liturgy and solitary prayer in the her-mitage. We have a deep interest in theliturgical heritage of the CarmeliteOrder, and have received permissionfrom our Archbishop to make use ofsome of the riches of the CarmeliteRite. In 1998 we published an Englishtranslation of Carmelite Compline,updated for use by our community.We are now at work on Vespers.

Our interest in the liturgy ismatched by an equal interest in con-templative prayer. In fact the her-mitage, with its environment ofsilence and solitude, provides an idealsetting for the development of con-templation. In our practice of con-templative prayer, the teaching of St.John of the Cross is fundamental.Throughout his works, but especiallyin The Ascent of Mount Carmel, St.John of the Cross explains that the

transcendence of God requires anemptying or silencing of our humanfaculties and a stripping away of ouroverly human conceptions of God inorder that a deeper and truer experi-ence of God may emerge. Here wecan see a continuity with the teachingof the early Greek and Syrian hermitswho spoke of hesychia or “stillness” asthe ascetic way proper to hermits. It iswhen we have “put to rest” (cf., St.John of the Cross’ poem, “The DarkNight”, and corresponding commen-tary in The Ascent of Mount Carmel,Book II, Chapters 1-12) the humanactivities of sense and imagination,and engage in a very simple prayer ofthe heart (or prayer “of loving atten-tiveness” to use St. John of the Cross’term; cf., The Living Flame of Love,3:33-35) that our attention rests mosteasily on the inner light of the HolyTrinity shining from the most interiormansion of our soul. This contempla-tive experience of the Trinitarian Godis the pearl of great price sought bythe hermit in his solitary cell.

Lest this contemplative searchseem a selfish one, we should pointout our intense interest in the life ofthe Church and the world. The her-mit learns to see that charity to neigh-bor goes beyond word and deed, andpartakes of the mysterious sharing ofgrace which we call the communionof saints. The hermit, in the famousdefinition of Evagrius, is “a man whois separated from all and who is inharmony with all”, or as St. PeterDamian stated so well, “though [thehermit] is separated in space from thecongregation of the faithful, yet he isbound together with them all by lovein the unity of faith; though they areabsent in the flesh, they are near athand in the mystical unity of theChurch.” (cf., “The Book of ‘TheLord be with You’ ”, 18, in St. PeterDamian, Selected Writings on theSpiritual Life, Tr. Patricia McNulty,Faber and Faber, 1959).

The Christian quest for holiness isa quest for the transfiguration of thehuman person and human society inChrist so that, in the unity of the HolySpirit, we may realize the life andfreedom of the children of God. Theprayer and work of the hermit is toattain to this goal in his person, thusbecoming a vessel of grace and a sign of spiritual resurrection for thePeople of God and those many people who seek God.

DOMUS CARMELITANACARMELITE HOUSE OF ST ALBERT,

PATRIARCH OF JERUSALEMSituated at Saint Alberts (only 500 meters from St.Peter’s in Rome). Each room has a bathroom, centralheating, air conditioning, satellite television, telephone,and refrigerator-bar. The house also has a charmingreception area, a bar, a terrace with panoramic view, aninternal garden, a meeting room with simultaneous trans-lation, a room dedicated to inter-faith dialogue, and theopportunity of celebrating religious functions in thechapel of the adjacent International Center of St. Albert.

The hermit...“is separatedfrom all and is in

harmony with all”.

Carmelite Review 13

new hermitage. Situated near Bolivar,Pa., this modest structure still needssome additional cells. It was dedicatedon December 4th, 1999 by BishopAnthony Bosco of Greensburg in thepresence of the Prior Provincial, theVery Rev. Mario Esposito. It was madepossible through the money inheritedby the two hermits from theirdeceased parents as well as throughsome donations from friends andtheir own savings. The hermits havenever solicited funds and have triedto avoid publicity. The architect andchief builder of the hermitage is nowa novice there.

Our Statutes state: “We, hermitbrothers of the Most Blessed VirginMary of Mount Carmel, in allegianceto and in honor of her, wish to restorethe original form of Carmelite lifeand adapt it to the conditions oftoday. Therefore, tempering the soli-tary life with certain cenobiticalusages, we interpret the Rule of SaintAlbert, Patriarch of Jerusalem, in amanner consonant with eremitical tra-ditions.” (From the Statutes of Mt.Carmel Hermitage, art.1) “Our ‘prin-ciple duty...is to present to the DivineMajesty a service at once humble andnoble within the walls’ of the her-mitage, so that we may give ourselvesover ‘to God alone In solitude andsilence, in constant prayer and willingpenance.’” (ibid., art. 2,; PerfectaeCaritatis, n. 9)

Is our happy privilege to preservein our small way that “treasure of ines-timable value...the musical traditionof the universal Church” (cf., Sacro-sanctum Concilium, n.112), in partic-ular, Gregorian chant, so eminentlyconducive to contemplative prayer.

Like our holy Father Elijah andthose whom Nicholas of France called“certain predecessors of ours” (cf.,Ignea Sagitta, ed. A. Staring, O. Carm.,in Carmelus, 9, pp. 286-287), referringperhaps to some of the Latin hermitson Mt. Carmel in the early 13th centu-ry or, more probably, to certain out-standing figures in the universalmonastic tradition, the hermits mayoccasionally engage in certain forms ofpastoral ministry. “May God grant thatthat form of life which was the sourceand origin of the multiform Carmelitefamily may be reborn for the good ofthat same family and of the wholeChurch.” (from the prologue of theStatutes of Mt. Carmel Hermitage).

Hermits in Pennsylvania(continued from page 6) Meet the Pre-Novices

Herman Kinzler, age 42, comes to usfrom Carnegie, PA. He’s a second cousinof (the late) Fr. Leonard Kinzler, O. Carm.He is a graduate of Duquesne University(BA) and the University of Pittsburgh(MBA). He was a Grand Knight (K of C)before coming to Carmel. He’s a big“Steelers” fan.

Alex Loyola, age 31, was born in Manila,but had lived and worked in Chicago forthe last ten years. He has a degree inmedical technology from the Universityof Manila. He loves “club mix” typemusic.

Tony Mazurkiewicz, age 27, is a gradu-ate of Mt. Carmel High School inChicago and a Yale grad (BA History),and worked in education. His hobbiesare marathons, triathalons, decathalons,etc.-athalons.

Paul Rosenberger, age 25, is completinga BA at the University of St. Thomas inHouston. He had been a member of Our Lady of Mount Carmel Parish inLouisville, KY. He can disappear incyberspace for hours at a time.

This year’s class at Casa Santa Teresita, Houston, Texas.

The new priory at Our Lady of Mt. Carmel in Darien, Illinois

14 Carmelite Review

By Amisu M. Estrada

Reprinted with permission from “TheCatholic Explorer”, the newspaper of theDiocese of Joliet, Illinois

JOLIET—With their hardfought 27-20victory over Morris High School forthe Class 5A state football champi-onship, the Hilltoppers of JolietCatholic Academy climbed to a pinna-cle of success that remains untouchedby any other high school in the landof Lincoln—10 state championshiptitles. The Nov. 24 victory that hoistedthe Hill into the annals of high schoolfootball fame marks the third consec-utive state title for the men in brownand blue who played for Coach DanSharp. “The secret (to consecutivestate titles) is our kids’ work ethic.More than that, it’s their unselfish-ness. They play so well together—per-sonal glory is unimportant to them.They trust each other and can rely oneach other,” said the Joliet Catholicalum and head football coach. It wasthis superior teamwork, said Sharp,that allowed JCA to pull together.When Morris tried to send theHillmen on a one-way trip across theocean with a surprise offensive attackthe Morris players had termed“Hawaii,” a phrased coined becausethe quarterback appears to be by him-

self on an island. Although the strate-gy has existed for decades under thename “lonesome polecat,” it wassomething the Hillmen had nevercome up against before Saturday’sgame and required some quick half-time adjustments, explained Sharp.With the help of veteran defensecoaches, Sharp said the team heldMorris’ scoring to just six points inthe second half. With the mettle oftrue champions, JCA overcame theunusual offensive attack and emergedtriumphant. During the rally follow-ing the victory, Sharp commendedthe team on the attitude that madethem champions. “You are the truestof role models. I don’t ever want tohear anything about the NFL players,the NBA guys. They’re not my rolemodels—you are my role models...Youplay for each other...all you careabout is representing your school withclass and with dignity.”

Sharp also paid tribute to the JCAfamily—parents, faculty, staff andalumni—who have made the footballprogram a success over the years. “Iguarantee that the effort of Hillmen,the effort of champions, will alway bepart of our program, because of thestandards you have set,” the coach

promised the generations ofHillmen/Angels who crowded thegymnasium. During a conversationwith the Catholic Explorer, Sharpshared that the biggest boost to theteam’s success comes from above. Hesaid the school’s athletic chaplain,Carmelite Father Raymond Foster,leads the boys in a “Gung Ho Prayer”before every “battle.” Sharp said theprayer serves to “rally” the team, andasks for strength to believe in God, ineach other and in their mission. Headded that the team also attends Masstogether before every game.

Joe Burke, an instructor for sen-ior-level religion classes, also com-mented on the team’s faith-filledfocus. “All the athletes here at JCAemulate spirit, faith and fortitude. Itgoes beyond just the playing field, it’s(also felt) in the classroom and wewitnessed it downstate today. There isjust something about Catholic educa-tion. They are incredible kids, eachand every one,” said Burke. The post-game reactions of the players whobrought home the coveted trophyfocused on the sense of fellowshipand brotherhood shared by the team.

Editor’s Note: JCA is administered by theCarmelites and the Franciscan Sisters ofJoliet.

Joliet Catholic Academy Takes Home Tenth Illinois State Football Championship

2001 Illinois Class 5A Title Trophy at JCA.

Sister Faith, JCA principal, celebrates the10th championship win.

JCA’s J.R. Zwierzynski was one of six final-ists for the 2001 national high school play-er of the year award

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Carmelite Review 15

Carmelecta

Eastern CommissaryThere are new rectories planned fortwo Florida parishes. Lukas Scmidt,O. Carm., at Our Lady of MountCarmel, Osprey, and Bart Larkin, O. Carm., at St. Francis, Englewood,have submitted plans to the VeniceDiocese and Provincial Council forreview. William O’Malley reports thatwork is nearing completion of thenew cafeteria/gym/auditorium atSaint Joseph’s School in Demarest,New Jersey. The All Students Meeting,January 18-20, at Whitefriars Hall wasled by John Malley, O. Carm., whosetopic was “The Internationality of theOrder”. The architect for the 1990renovations and additions to White-friars Hall, Frank Schlesinger, wasrecently honored by the WashingtonChapter of the American Institute ofArchitects’ “Centennial Award”. Thisaward is the highest honor the AIAcan bestow and is given to an archi-tect whose contributions span at leasta decade of service to the profession.Casimir Zielinski, O. Carm., spent twomonths in El Salvador working atParroquia Calle Real filling in forDavid Blanchard, O. Carm.

Midwestern CommissarySt. Joseph’s/Immaculate ConceptionParish organized an ecumenical pres-entation for Black History Month ledby Ivan Cormac Marsh, O. Carm.,

which became the feature article inthe archdiocese’s weekly publication,“The Leaven”. With William Harry’selection to the General Chapter, theposition of Vocation Coordinator wasaccepted by William Wert, O. Carm.,who was the Eastern VocationDirector. He will do both jobs.

Attending the Vocation Discernment Weekend held at Casa Santa Teresita (Houston, Texas)Feburary 1-4, 2002 (left to right): Francis Canoan, Ramon Martinez, Guillermo Andrade,Edgar Lopez, Joseph Alba, Peter DeLocca, Kyle Lee, Devin Rose, Juan Carlos Ortiz, Bob Kelm,Jude Fournier, and Frank Welch.

Western CommissaryThe Sacramento Diocese offered aYouth Vocation Rally entitled “Nerveto Serve” October 20, 2001, at whichKevin McBrien, O. Carm., was fea-tured in the article in the diocesannewpaper, “The Catholic Herald”. The Province sponsored an informa-tion booth at the Religious EducationConference in Anaheim, Californiarepresenting Vocations, The LittleFlower Society, Carmelite Institute,and the Lay Carmelites. This boothwas staffed by William Wert, O. Carm.,Patrick McMahon, O. Carm., MarioLoya, O. Carm., Brian Henden, O. Carm., Jeffery Smialek, O. Carm.,and Kevin McBrien, O. Carm.

Peru CommissaryThe Commissary held its annual Gen-eral Meeting at Villa Carmelita outsideLima on January 8-11, 2002. Duringthis meeting Miguel Ángel Bombilla,O. Carm., made a renewal of Vows.Besides the men of the Commissary,this meeting was attended by GregoryHouck, O. Carm., Michael Driscoll, O. Carm., Provincial of the St. Elias,New York Province, and Leo McCarthy,O. Carm., Provincial (PCM) Province.

Jeffery Smialek, O. Carm., and Kevin McBrien, O. Carm., at the Annaheim, California,Religious Education Conference.

The Order of Carmelites recentlywas granted NGO (Non-Governmental Organization)

status with the United Nations. NGOstatus gives the group recognition asan organized political body with amission commensurate with the mis-sion of the United Nations. TheUnited Nations defines an NGO as“any non-profit, voluntary citizens’group which is organized on a local,national, or international level andorganized around specific issues, suchas human rights, the environment orhealth”. The declaration states this as,“the newly associated (non-govern-mental) organization conforms withthe principles of the United NationsCharter, operates solely on a non-profit basis, and demonstrates a long-standing involvement with UnitedNations issues”. This allows the

“Our vision of a more peaceful, justand loving world inspires us to active min-istries for the needs of God’s people. We arenourished by contemplative prayer and ourdevotion to Mary, a woman of simplicityand faith”.

The application was approved by the 53rd United Nations Assemblyon December 14, 2001. Sister JaneRemson, O. Carm., will coordinatethe NGO office in the United Statesand Father William Harry, O. Carm.,will coordinate this in Europe.

At the “Conference of the Rule”(a gathering of Carmelite andDiscalced Carmelites on the CarmeliteRule) which was held in July, 2001,Father Camilo Macisse, OCD,Superior General of the DiscalcedCarmelites, proposed that theCarmelites and Discalced Carmelitesshould try to coordinate their effortsinto one NGO. Currently both ordershave their own NGO offices.

More information on Non-Governmental Organizations can befound on the World Wide Web atwww.un.org/dpi/ngosection.

Carmelite Order to receive U.N. pub-lications, attend U.N. sessions, partici-pate in workshops prepared by theU.N. for non-governmental organiza-tions, and gives the Carmelites recog-nition in the international communi-ty. Currently there are 1480 differentUN-designated NGO’s.

The idea of forming a CarmeliteNGO was first proposed at theMeeting of All Carmelite Provincialsin 1999 in Bamberg, Germany. Theprovincials agreed to pursue the appli-cation. Similarly, this idea was pro-posed at the February 2000 Meeting ofthe Superiors General of the affiliatedcongregations to the Carmelite Order.They also agreed to pursue the appli-cation and asked Sister Jane Remson, O. Carm., of the Congregation of OurLady of Mount Carmel, Louisiana tocoordinate the project.

After researching the project Sr. Remson, along with Sister HelenOjario, O. Carm. (also of theLouisiana congregation), and FatherMicael O’Neill, O. Carm. (of theGeneral Council of Carmelites) sub-mitted the application in September,2000 with the Louisiana congregationof sisters being the sponsoring body.The application states that theCarmelites were seeking NGO statusin order to promote economic andsocial development, to work forhuman and civil rights, and the pro-mote literacy and education. Theapplication states the mission of theCarmelite NGO:

The Carmelites Approved as an NGO

6725 Reed Road • Houston, Texas 77087

Sister Jane Remson

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