CARMELITE INSTITUTE Newsletter
Summer 2003NEWLY ELECTED O.C.D. GENERAL
From 28 April to 18 May, 2003, the Discalced Carmelite friars held their sexennial General Chapter in Avila, Spain, the birthplace of the Reform movement inaugurated by St. Teresa in 1562. After twelve years-two terms-in office, Fr. Camilo Maccise, O.C.D., has retired as General. It was during his long tenure, and with his encouragement, that the Carmelite Institute was first founded a decade ago, and together with Generals Fr. John Malley, O.Carm., and Joseph Chalmers, O.Carm., he has remained a constant supporter of our efforts.
The Carmelite Institute was well represented at this 2003 General Chapter. The three O.C.D. provincials of the United States (Frs. Jude Peters, Ralph Reyes, and Stephen Watson), who serve on the Institute’s Board of Directors, were delegates, along with Fr. Bonaventure Sauer, O.C.D., past chair of our Board, and Fr. John Sullivan, O.C.D., who attended the foundational meeting of the Institute as Fr. Camilo’s representative in 1993. Sr. Maria Valla, O.C.D., who served for many years on our Executive Committee, was also among the Discalced Carmelite women invited to give reports on the life and concerns of the nuns.
Father Luis Aróstegui Gamboa, O.C.D.The General Chapter quickly moved to elect Fr. Luis Aróstegui Gamboa of St. Thérèse, O.C.D. as successor to Fr. Camilo. According to his curriculum vitae, Fr. Luis was born in Gatica (Viscaya, Spain) on 21 January 1939, later attending Carmelite high schools, and he was professed as a Discalced Carmelite in Larrea (Viscaya) on 15 July 1956. He was then sent to the Teresianum in Rome for theological studies, and after his ordination to the priesthood there on 5 April 1964 he went on to obtain his licentiate in theology.
His first assignment after ordination was in Panama, where he taught courses in christology and history of religions at St. Mary’s Catholic University. He also spent 10 months working with Mexican immigrants in Dallas, Texas. In October 1967 he began studies at the Philosophy/Literature School of the Sacred Heart University in Milan, receiving his doctorate in 1971 for his thesis on "Dietrich Bonhoeffer: Christian Ethics as a Critique of All Ethics." He also spent time near Vienna learning German and published a book of poems in his native Basque language. For several months he served as a member of the O.C.D. community in Monte Carlo before returning to Pamplona in Spain to teach philosophy and to be a member of the formation team for his province’s theology students.
Between 1987 and 1993, Fr. Luis served as provincial of the Navarre province in Spain, visiting all the far-flung "mission" areas under his province’s jurisdiction, including Panama, Guatemala, Peru, Chile, and Malawi. In 1996 he was again elected as provincial. More recently he has been Director of the Spirituality Center of Larrea-Amorebieta (Viscaya) and Assistant to the "San Joaquin of Navarre" Association of the Carmelite Nuns. Those who know Fr. Luis describe him as a gifted and holy man, and many of us are looking forward to meeting him at the 2004 Carmelite Institute Conference in Chicago next July.
"Your loins are to be girt with chastity, your breast fortified by holy meditations, for, as Scripture has it, holy meditation will save you."
-from the Rule of St. Albert
Meanwhile, we are told that the Carmelite Institute received very favorable reviews at the O.C.D. General Chapter. In his invited remarks, Fr. Joseph Chalmers praised the Institute as a prime example of successful collaboration between the two main branches of the Carmelite family. Information on the Institute’s programs was distributed to the delegates, and several provincials have already contacted us about taking advantage of our Carmelite Studies programs. We are most grateful to have had this opportunity to make the work of the Institute better known, and we hope it will bear much fruit in the future.
Steven Payne, O.C.D.
CONTINUING EDUCATION IN CARMELITE STUDIES
Vidya Angela Pillai, O.C.D.SAngela was born in Shri Lanka and educated in the country’s school system. She learned English at an early age and earned a degree in International Law from the University of Ceylon. After graduating she served as an assistant and researcher for an attorney specializing in appeal cases for the circuit courts. The civil war in her country forced her to come to the United States in 1980. Angela currently works for an attorney who specializes in personal injury cases.
Several years after she settled in Hampton, VA, Angela received a card from a Priest who was leaving her parish. The card was one of the greatest gifts she would ever receive. Written on the card were the words:
On that glad night,
In secret, for no one saw me,
Nor did I look at anything,
With no other light or guide
Than the one that burned in my heartAngela explains that as she read this verse her heart was actually listening to the meaning of the words, but she had no idea who St. John of the Cross was, nor that this was the third stanza from the Dark Night of the Soul. The meaning of life began to unfold for her as she searched for the Poet and was introduced to Carmel.
She lived in Gaithersburg, MD, for some years and became an aspirant with the St. Joseph’s Community at the Monastery on Lincoln Road in Washington, DC. She made her first promises before returning to Hampton, VA, where she founded the secular order group, also named after St. Joseph. Angela has now been a professed secular Carmelite for twelve years and has served as president and formation director of the Hampton community and is the spiritual assistant for the community of Our Lady of the Annunciation in Virginia Beach, VA.
She finds this ministry challenging and hopes "to meet the needs of the community by offering them talks that are based on Teresa’s and John’s teachings and also to help people develop the inner life they can lead." Angela explained that, "with God’s grace I do it, I enjoy it, and continue to see this as a learning experience."
Her love for Carmel led her to the Distance Education program. She began taking one course every semester since 1999 and in the fall of 2002 completed her last requirement. She found the course on St. John of the Cross gratifying and continues to be drawn to his teachings on transformation through love and knowledge.
Angela believes that others can complete the certificate program in Carmelite Studies and hopes to inspire them to study the courses. She is grateful for the opportunity to complete the program and thankful to each of the Instructors who helped her with her course work.
Congratulations, Angela!
Mary E. Rodríquez-Harrington, O.C.D.S.
The Distance Education Program is offering two new courses: Elijah and Carmel, taught by Jane Ackerman, Ph.D. and Prophets of the Presence of God, taught by Daniel Chowning, O.C.D.
CONGRATULATIONS!
Congratulations to the students in the residential program upon their completion of the Graduate Certificate in Carmelite Studies:
Br. Anthony Armstrong, O.Carm., England
The Carmelite Institute's Fourth Conference
Carmel as a Sign of Hope and Healing
in our Troubled World
is the theme of the conference to be held in Chicago, Il,
on July 21-24, 2004. Among our guest speakers are:
Joseph Chalmers, O. Carm., Superior General
Luis Aróstegui Gamboa, O.C.D., Superior General
Jean Sleiman, O.C.D., Archbishop of Baghdad
Francis Cardinal George, O.M.I., Archbishop of Chicago
Quinn Conners, O. Carm., St. Luke’s Institute
Daniel Chowning, O.C.D., Institute of Carmelite Studies
Christina Puchalski, O.C.D.S., Director of the George Washington Institute for Spirituality and Health
Aloysius Deeney, O.C.D., General Delegate of the Secular Order
Jane Remson, O. Carm., New Orleans Bread for the World
Other presenters will address us from their working experience and knowledge of the Carmelite tradition. Brochures will be mailed in February of 2004. Registrations will be limited.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO US!The year 2003 represents an important milestone in the history of the Carmelite Institute. We are now ten years old! A decade ago, after many months of preparatory work, on the weekend of 13-15 April 1993, an organizational meeting was held at Whitefriars Hall in Washington, DC, attended by representatives of the entire Carmelite family. By the end of that weekend, the five Carmelite provincials of the United States and Canada (Quinn Conners, O.Carm., Aloysius Deeney,O.C.D., Gary O’Brien, O.Carm., Phillip Thomas, O.C.D., and Gerald Werner, O.C.D.) formally inaugurated what was then called the North American Carmelite Institute. From these modest beginnings we have continued to grow.
Quinn Conners, O.Carm., and Gerald Werner, O.C.D.,concelebrating the Mass of ThanksgivingAccordingly, for our general assembly this past spring, several special events were included to celebrate our tenth anniversary. On the evening of Friday, March 28, in the Discalced Carmelite chapel on Lincoln Road in Washington, DC, the Institute hosted a public concert by The Suspicious Cheese Lords (www.cheeselords.org), a local male a cappella ensemble specializing in medieval chant and renaissance polyphony. The name comes from a humorous mistranslation of the title of a Thomas Tallis motet, Suscipe Quaeso Domine. The group is
becoming increasingly well known in the Washington area and has just released their first CD of music by Elzéar Genet (d. 1548). The evening’s program was introduced by local radio and TV personality Robert Aubry Davis, who also read excerpts from writings of the Carmelite saints. Along with traditional Carmelite chants, the music included works on Lenten, Marian and Carmelite-related themes by Genet, Felix Mendelssohn, and Spanish composers contemporary with St. Teresa of Avila, as well as original pieces by members of the ensemble on texts from Sts. Teresa and Thérèse of Lisieux.
Above: Robert Aubry Davis, Master of Ceremonies.
Top Left: Steven Payne, O.C.D., and Mary Harrington, O.C.D.S., with the Suspicious Cheese Lords after a memorable concert.
Bottom Left: A beautifully decorated birthday cake.
Below: Sr. Vilma Seelaus, O.C.D., bringing more light to the Mass of Thanksgiving.
On Saturday morning Fr. Gerald Werner, one of our original founding provincials, returned to preside at our opening eucharist, while Fr. Quinn Conners, another of our founders, preached the homily. The liturgy included a candle-lighting ceremony remembering all of the different individuals and groups who had contributed to our Institute’s beginnings and growth over the past ten years: O.Carm. and O.C.D. friars, nuns, affiliated communities, and laity. We were blessed by the return of many familiar faces (some who have been regular attendees since the beginning) as well as those we had not seen in a while, such as Rob Stefanotti, O.Carm., our first executive director, and Maria Vigil, our first secretary. We also welcomed several newcomers, including those currently participating in our Carmelite Studies program at the Washington Theological Union, whom we hope will continue to be active supporters of the work of the Institute. All in all, the weekend provided a wonderful opportunity to celebrate what the Lord has done through the Carmelite Institute over the past ten years, and to look forward in God-given hope to an even more promising future.
Steven Payne, O.C.D.
CHANGES IN LEADERSHIP
This fall Michael Kissane, O.Carm., from the Province of St. Elias (New York) will be a new member of the Board of Directors. Welcome! Stephen Watson, O.C.D., has been appointed Definitor for English-speaking Countries for the General Council of the O.C.D. Order, and will be living in Rome. Gerald Werner, O.C.D., who has been serving on the Executive Committee has been elected the new provincial for the Discalced Carmelites of the Western Province (California-Arizona). Therefore, he will be a member of the Board of Directors replacing Fr. Stephen. Fr. Gerald is well acquainted with the Institute since he was one of the Provincials who in 1983 founded our organization. Maria Valla, O.C.D., coordinator for the contemplative nuns in Mary, Queen of Carmel Association will be serving as a Board Member. Mary Lou Cereghino, O.C.D.S., a new board of director member, joined us last March for our 10th anniversary celebration and general assembly meeting. Sister M. Peter Lillian DiMaria., O. Carm., joins the executive committee as a new member as well, Welcome to you too! We thank Michael Driscoll, O.Carm., and Stephen Watson, O.C.D., for their work on behalf of the Institute and wish them well in their new ventures.
Mary E. Rodríquez-Harrington, O.C.D.S.
10TH ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION
Participants of the March 2003 10th Anniversary Celebration and General Assembly: Mary Harrington, O.C.D.S., Kieran Kavanaugh, O.C.D., Brocard Connors, O.Carm., Nancy Thompson, O.C.D.S., Quinn Conners, O.Carm., Kevin Culligan, O.C.D., Patricia Kelly, O.C.D.S., Vilma Seelaus, O.C.D., Bill Hummel, Maria Vigil, Stephanie McCain, Constance FitzGerald, O.C.D., Rob Stefanotti, O.Carm., Janice Fortunato, T.O.Carm., Suzanne Treis, O.C.D.S., Annamae Dannes, O.C.D., Jude Peters, O.C.D., Mike Wastag, O.Carm., Dianne Massiello, T.O.Carm., Michael Driscoll, O.Carm., Maria Valla, O.C.D., Susan Cordsen, T.O.Carm., MaryLou Cereghino, O.C.D.S., Stanley Makacinas, O.Carm., Stephen Watson, O.C.D., Steven Payne, O.C.D., DeRouen, O.Carm., Gerald Werner, O.C.D., and Patrick McMahon, O.Carm.
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