Carmelite Institute - Newsletter

More than 200 women and men from all branches of the Carmelite family (friars, nuns, sisters, and laity) and all corners of the globe, as well as other laity and clergy drawn to Carmelite spirituality, gathered in Chicago July 21-25 to learn how the Order and its members are called to be a “Sign of Hope and Healing in Our Troubled World.” The Windy City’s elegant Palmer House Hilton Hotel was the setting for this fourth conference sponsored by the Carmelite Institute.

The Order’s universality was evident in the lineup of conference speakers, the liturgies, and the participants themselves: Carmelites of both O.C.D. and O.Carm. branches, from Spain, Iraq, Sweden, Cameroon, Vietnam, the United States, Kenya, Scotland, the Philippines, Mexico, Italy, China, Ukraine, Canada, and India—to name just a sampling. The theme of the opening ceremony, with its powerful images of a wounded, despairing planet juxtaposed with those of the Gospel hope and healing Carmel is called to bring, was echoed over the next four days by the conference’s nine major presentations, four workshops, daily Eucharist and prayer times, and concluding panel discussion.

Scripture scholar Dianne Bergant, a member of the Congregation of St. Agnes, set the conference’s tone with her opening presentation on the reign of God and how this biblical concept offers an alternate vision for contemporary life. Using the first letter of Peter as her springboard, Bergant challenged participants to “give an explanation for the hope that is in you” by prophetic and counter-cultural Gospel living.

The tragedy of the clergy sex abuse scandal and the darkness into which it has plunged the church was the starting point for the talk by Fr. Quinn Conners, O.Carm., on the theme “Darkness in the Church: A Carmelite Response.” A licensed clinical psychologist, Fr. Conners mined images and experiences from Carmel’s rich tradition, showing that these offer contemporary models for a healthy faith-response to crisis.

Long before his election as General Superior of the Discalced Carmelite Order in 2003, Fr. Luis Aróstegui Gamboa, O.C.D., of Spain already had extensive ministerial experience of Carmel’s spiritual and practical resources. He brought that experience to his information-filled July 22 presentation, as he traced the rich variety of ways the Order today ministers in the developing world, describing pastoral projects and apostolic efforts from Africa to Asia.

The first native Swede to lead the Catholic Church in Sweden since the Reformation, Bishop Anders Arborelius of Stockholm discovered St. Thérèse’s Story of a Soul as a young student, which led him to the Catholic faith and to the Discalced Carmelites. In his July 23 morning talk, Bishop Arborelius explored contemporary society’s individualism and secularism in the light of the mystery of the church. Mary and Carmel’s saints, he noted, model a life-giving “yes” that goes beyond oneself to the One for the sake of the kingdom, offering a corrective to 21st century self-focus and isolation.

For decades, many in the medical community dismissed the role of prayer and spirituality in coping with illness and alleviating pain. But growing awareness of the body-spirit relationship and what religious faith can bring to it—now supported by clinical studies—has caused medical professionals to take a second look. Dr. Christina Puchalski, a physician and Secular Carmelite who is the founder and director of the George Washington Institute for Spirituality and Health addresses this in her presentation “Spirituality and Healing: A Caring Partnership for Our Troubled World.” She explored recent developments in inner healing, medical personnel’s training in the place of spirituality in healthcare, and the role compassion plays in healing and wellness.

Fr. Andrew Skotnicki, O.Carm., served for many years as Catholic chaplain for the Cook County Department of Corrections in Chicago. Today an associate professor of religious studies at Manhattan College in New York, he has also written and taught extensively on social ethics, with special focus on the theological and moral foundations of criminal justice. What does Carmel have to do with the incarcerated? Plenty, suggested Fr. Skotnicki, even with just the title of his presentation: “Prisoners for Christ: Voluntary and Involuntary Confinement in Carmel.” According to the veteran prison chaplain, the goals of confinement—voluntary and religiously motivated for Carmelites, involuntary for prisoners—are ideally the same: purification and integration. Carmel’s tradition of solitude and enclosure, Fr. Skotnicki suggested, can deepen understanding and help Carmelites reach out to “fallen” men and women in prison as to Christ himself, who was also a prisoner.

On Saturday morning, July 24, Francis Cardinal George, Archbishop of Chicago, addressed the gathering. In his short but insightful remarks, Cardinal George challenged Carmelites to offer genuine hope to the world, a hope, he suggested, that can only be real when it is rooted in the fullness of the Gospel message and in total fidelity to the church.

With the conflict in Iraq leading the nightly news and making daily headlines, Mgr. Jean Sleiman, the Latin-rite Archbishop of Baghdad and a Discalced Carmelite, was a major drawing card. The Lebanese-born leader of Iraq’s tiny Roman Catholic community has a lifetime of firsthand experience in the troubled Middle East. He outlined for the standing-room-only crowd the complex situation of existence in Iraq, from life under Saddam Hussein to the new and growing danger of an increasingly hostile fundamentalist Islamist regime. Archaic structures, despotic regimes, an uncertain future, and what the archbishop called a “deep crisis of culture” mean that the proclamation of the Gospel in Iraq must be prophetic. But, Archbishop Sleiman pointed out, “success” can come only through the total self-emptying modeled by Christ that Paul called kenosis.

Beginning with his own experience of dire poverty as a child, to his tender care for the sick and dying, on through to his “dark night” experience in the prison of Toledo, St. John of the Cross is a consummate model for Carmel in its mission of bringing hope and healing and the full integration of the human person in God. That was the message of Fr. Daniel Chowning, O.C.D., in his presentation, “The Human Person Made Whole: Healing according to St. John of the Cross.” John’s model of healing the person at the person’s deepest level, through the grace of divine purification and transformation, is a necessary corrective to narcissism, dysfunction, and addictions, as well as our society’s recourse to “quick fixes.” At the same time, Fr. Chowning suggested, John’s contemplative healing complements and deepens many modern psychological and medical discoveries, especially the importance of knowing that we are loved.

Precious Blood Father Robert Schreiter knows a thing or two about conflict and violence. Called on internationally to be a mediator in such high-conflict areas as Bosnia and Central America, Fr. Schreiter holds the Bernardin Center Vatican Council II Chair in theology at Catholic Theological Union in Chicago and is a recognized expert on inculturation, reconciliation, and the church’s global mission. In his talk, “Pursuing the Contemplative Dimension in a Spirituality of Reconciliation,” Fr. Schreiter linked a series of helpful practices that contribute to reconciliation and healing to similar values in contemplative life. Creating safe spaces for victims, truth telling, attending to the wounds, for example, are prerequisites for victims – whether of clergy sex abuse or of war – to come to an inner place where reconciliation can occur. Carmel’s gift of contemplative prayer, Fr. Schreiter suggested, creates that “safe place” and silence as a site for truth telling. Even in community, he said, “if you’re going to get to your wounds, you’re going to have to tell the truth.” In this, John and Teresa are models of purification that leads to healing of “suffering that finds its meaning because it is placed in the context of larger redemptive patterns—which Christians call the Paschal Mystery.”

A Saturday afternoon panel discussion moderated by Father John Welch, O.Carm., enabled participants to ask questions of the presenters and to comment on the conference.

In addition to the main presentations, participants could choose from a variety of workshops:

—Friars, contemplative sisters, and Secular Carmelites from parts of the world as diverse as Africa and Ukraine shared the experience of Carmelite life in their unique regions in “Carmel: A Global Community of Prayer and Service.” —Father Joseph Chalmers, O.Carm., the Order’s prior general, spoke on the importance of inner healing for authentic contemplative prayer and offered a guided prayer experience.

—Charlotte Rogers, an Episcopalian who is a spiritual director and pastoral counselor based in Maryland, examined how our basic assumptions, structures, and sense of identity are challenged by disasters, and how one’s spiritual life can both sustain the individual and also enable one to help others in times of personal and social crisis.

—Sister Jane Remson, O.Carm., and Father John Sullivan, O.C.D., presented Carmel’s new NGO (Non-Governmental Organization) status at the United Nations—a collaborative venture of the two branches of Carmel—and explored the NGO’s pivotal role in social justice and prospects for the future.

In addition to the workshops, different nightly prayer services, led by Carmelite friars, nuns, and laity, enabled participants to experience a variety of prayer styles in the Carmelite tradition as they closed the day.

Rounding out Saturday’s events, Father James Boyce, O.Carm., presented a piano concert—a wonderful prelude to the closing dinner Saturday night.

A closing Eucharistic celebration Sunday morning, July 25, featured vibrant music by a mixed Carmelite instrumental group to send participants forth. The Orders’ two superiors general and numerous priests concelebrated the liturgy, which included a procession with candles symbolizing Carmel’s prayerful presence—“a Sign of Hope and Healing”—in the world.

2004 CONFERENCE VIDEOS AND AUDIO CASSETTES
NOW AVAILABLE (to order please call the office at 202-635-3534.)

Michael Manasseh Kannervilakath, O.C.D., of the province of St. Pius X, Manjummel, Cochin, Kerala, India, came to Louisiana to work in parishes. He longed to be associated with a Carmelite community here in the United States because he felt like a fish out of water away from community life. He became friends with the Sisters in Lafayette, LA, and with the O.C.D.S. community in Alexandria, LA.

As he searched the internet to find communities he came across the Carmelite Institute website. His desire to know the rich heritage of Carmel and to be imbued with the wealth of its spirituality prompted him to begin taking courses. He writes, “I am fully convinced that in order to respond effectively to the needs and challenges of our time, a genuine member of Carmel has to be well informed about the origin, customs, traditions, and factors that have influenced the formation, development, and evolution of the Order.” He believes that one has to remain in contact with one’s religious, cultural, and familial roots.

The studies were beneficial, in particular, the courses dealing with historical development. In India the Discalced Carmelites stress the expansion of the Order from the life of St. Teresa of Avila. Although he has lived with the Carmelites for over 35 years, and ordained for 27 years, he was not aware of so many historical facts about the Order. He collected books, videos, and audiocassettes available on various subjects and now has a good Carmelite library. He continues to read, study, and incorporate what he has learned in his sermons and classes. He has published a book, Searchers for God: The Evolution of an Ideal in light of what he studied. He has sold copies of the book to the Carmelite communities in India and has given copies to the members his province. He hopes that people will benefit from his book, but recommends that they take the courses offered by the Carmelite Institute. He desires to continue his research and work on it from an Indian context.

Cindy Perazzo is a Lay Carmelite from Fairfield, Ca. Currently she is a regional coordinator for nine lay Carmelite communities in North-Central California and serves as a member of the Lay Carmelite Interprovincial Commission. From the time Cindy heard about the start of the CI Distance Education Program she was intrigued by the thought of deepening her Carmelite spirituality through these courses.

Her favorite courses were the history courses. For Cindy, the Carmelites have an amazing history—friars, nuns, and lay members. Cindy relates that a close second would have to be her studies of Teresa of Jesus. The course on the history of her reform and her spirituality took place the year Cindy turned 50. She relates, “What a wonderful time to learn about life and love from a woman who was so full of both!”

Cindy enjoyed the research and paper writing part of her studies. The comments she received from her course instructors, she stated, were helpful and filled in many blanks. “They are all so very knowledgeable and often gave me areas to ponder that didn’t occur to me originally. It was a great experience to work with today’s Carmelite experts in North America.”

As a Lay Carmelite in the Province of the Most Pure Heart of Mary, she has been involved in the formation of others in her community, so she has been able to share what she has learned with her community and others in her province. She feels it is important for all Carmelites to learn deeply about our heritage in order to try to live our spirituality. Cindy writes, “Learning about Carmel has changed my life in many varied ways. I am so grateful for the opportunities that come up to share that with others. This program was the beginning point for me to learn at a deeper level and I soon found out why the scholars in our Order can spend a lifetime on one or two facets of Carmel.”

Cindy recommends the CI Distance Education Program to anyone who has a sincere interest in learning more than the basics of Carmelite spirituality.

Sister Beverley Quinn (Sister Tharsicius, OCDM) has spent most of her life in Carmel, first at the Carmelite Monastery at Melbourne, where she received her early formation in the life, and later at the foundation at Canberra, the capital city of Australia, where she has since resided.

Sister Beverley has previously experienced distance learning. She has a diploma with credit from the Catholic Correspondence Centre (Sydney, Australia). There she studied theology, The New Testament, Psalms, and the history of the Catholic Church in Australia. She was asked if she would like to enroll with the Institute and she agreed to accept the challenge. New insights on the Carmelite life and its history opened up a whole treasury of reading that she feels will continue well into the future.

While Sister Beverley feels it is unfair to compare the wealth of any particular area of study over another, she really enjoyed St. John of the Cross and St. Thérèse. “These two saints are now very good friends of mine,” she relates. “The studies gave me a deeper appreciation of the richness of Carmelite spirituality in all its aspects. The availability of modern English translations in their abundance was more than helpful. The instructors throughout were helpful and encouraging. A teacher/student relationship by written contact only, at first seemed formidable. Electronic communication, however, encourages questions and clarification if the need arises.”

Sister Beverley also relates that research on St. Thérèse increased her love of the French language and French history in general. The modern European Carmelite saints whose lives contrasted to the atrocities of the modern era were also fascinating to her. In the future, Sister hopes to study the history of the Carmelite liturgy, in particular the study of illuminated texts and calligraphy. At present she is occupied with the history of the papacy and the lives of the popes past and present.

Sister Beverley has one point of encouragement to any prospective students. “Don’t give up even if you find the going hard. Perseverance is the essence of achievement. The final reward will enrich your spiritual life. The readings set for all the courses (perhaps read in haste to complete a paper) deserve a slower approach when all is over. Read and re-read! Keep researching our Carmelite tradition, which is ancient yet ever new, and a veritable treasure house. The more you search, the more you will find.“

Pat Thibodeaux is a Secular member of the Discalced Carmelites. When she began taking classes from the Carmelite Institute in their Distance Education program, she was living and teaching in northern California. At the end of the first year, she retired from teaching and traveled with her husband monthly to and from southern Arizona (for his job.) She worked as a volunteer part-time at the OCDS Central Office in San Jose, CA until she moved to southern Arizona permanently in April 2004. The Certificate took 3 1/2 years for her to complete by taking one class each semester. She now enjoys retirement and volunteering at her parish. She is also a formation director for the OCDS Community in Tucson.

When Pat finished the OCDS formation and made her definitive promise as a Secular Discalced Carmelite in July of 2000, she felt she still had a lot to learn, and remembered the brochure about advanced courses offered by the Carmelite Institute in Washington, DC. She found more information on their website and decided to try one of the history courses. She learned so much about the origins of the Order and the Carmelite Rule in the first course that she was eager to take the other three history classes. Pat feels that each class taught her about not only the history of Carmel but also its place within the history of the Church.

Pat relates that the courses on St. Teresa of Jesus and St. John of the Cross were excellent. Although she had read their works before, the courses gave her an opportunity to do a more in-depth study, read background material, and express her own opinions in several research papers. She now feels she has a much better understanding of these great saints’ spirituality that will serve as a good foundation for her future reading about Carmelite subjects.

For an elective, she studied Spiritual Direction in the Carmelite Tradition. She chose this course because she was interested in learning more about St. John of the Cross and his approach to this subject. “It more than exceeded my expectations,” Pat relates.

“Of course I could have simply read works by and about Carmelite subjects on my own, but the certificate classes challenged me to keep to a schedule and read more than I normally would. I really want to thank all my teachers: Fr. Patrick McMahon, O.Carm., Fr. Steven Payne, O.C.D., Sr. Vilma Seelaus, O.C.D., Richard Hardy, and Fr. Kevin Culligan, O.C.D., as well as the Carmelite Institute for all their work in making such a wonderful experience possible.”

Carmelite Studies program

Congratulations to Spring 2004 Recipients of Graduate Certificates

Emiel Abalahin, O.Carm.

Michael Mannasseh Kannervilakath, O.C.D.

Boniface Makau Kimondolo, O.Carm.

Mary Clare Mancini, O.C.D.

Joseph Mothersill, O. Carm.

Onesmus Muthoka, O.Carm.

Cynthia Perazzo, T.O.Carm.

Patricia Thibodeaux, O.C.D.S.

Last spring, as most of you know, the officers of the Carmelite Institute were in a panic mode, looking for “hope and healing” ourselves. We had been advised earlier to plan a 2004 conference for at least as many participants as came to San Antonio in 2001 (when 500 attended) and encouraged to conjoin our event with the Lay Carmelite Congress, in the expectation that many would stay for both gatherings. Accordingly, for the site we had chosen a famous convention hotel, the Palmer House Hilton in downtown Chicago (which offered amenities for large groups that most college campuses and smaller venues could not have provided) and reserved a corresponding number of rooms. By June, however, we still had less than 200 pre-registrations, and we were facing a crippling penalty from the hotel for the unfilled spaces.

But hope and healing came! Our urgent appeals for financial help brought in many donations, large and small, for which we are enormously grateful. And at the last minute the hotel unexpectedly was able to fill the remaining rooms we had reserved. They credited the opening of nearby Millennium Park; we credited the intercession of Mary and our Carmelite saints. But whatever the cause of our good fortune, in the end the conference broke even and avoided financial ruin. We thank you for your prayers and support.

Inviting Mgr. Jean Sleiman, O.C.D., a Discalced Carmelite and Latin archbishop of Baghdad, to speak turned out to be both timely and providential. His visit to the United States for our conference generated enormous media interest and, with the help of the Lumen Christi staff and others, we were able to arrange numerous interviews and contacts for him, publicizing the current plight of Christians in Iraq.

Another continuing effect of the conference came from the proposal by our two Carmelite General Superiors, Fr. Joseph Chalmers, O.Carm., and Fr. Luis Aróstegui Gamboa, O.C.D., to endorse the United Nations’ eight “Millennium Development Goals”: 1) eradicate poverty and hunger; 2) achieve universal primary education; 3) promote gender equality and empower women; 4) reduce child mortality; 5) improve maternal health; 6) combat HIV/AIDS, malaria, and other diseases; 7) ensure environmental sustainability; and 8) develop a global partnership for development. Participants at the conference approved a letter which read, in part, “We Carmelites, who minister worldwide and have convened here in Chicago to discuss ‘Carmel as a Sign of Hope and Healing for Our Troubled World,’ are particularly affected by the difficulties encountered in the world’s developing countries. As we recommit ourselves to pursue justice and peace for all, we share the vision proposed by the United Nations’ Millennium Development Goals and we urgently call for their fulfillment within the stated timeframes assigned to them.” This letter, signed by both Generals, was later delivered by the Orders’ representatives, Sr. Jane Remson, O.Carm. and Fr. John Sullivan, O.C.D., to Mr. Paul Hoeffel, chief of the NGO Section in the Department of Public Information/Non-Governmental Organizations at the United Nations in New York City. We hope that this initiative may inspire the whole Carmelite family to work and pray more fervently for the world’s hope and healing.

Finally, the written evaluations of the conference that we received were extremely positive. What suggestions there were largely confirmed what we had already concluded: that next time we might consider planning for smaller conference in a less expensive venue, scheduled so as not to compete with other Carmelite events, and so on. Nevertheless, all those who responded rated the theme and speakers highly and said they found the conference very beneficial. Once again, we thank all of you who helped make the gathering such a success.

In September 2004, The Public Information/Non-Governmental Organization Conference on “Millennium Development Goals (MDGs): Civil Society Takes Action,” took place at the United Nations in New York City. The statement in support of the MDGs presented at the Carmelite Institute’s summer conference and signed by the Father Generals, Joseph Chalmers, O.Carm. and Luis Arostegui Gamboa, O.C.D. was presented to Paul Hoeffel.