The beginning of the 5th Centenary of the birth of Saint Teresa of Avila is now close. We have received news of various events that are happening in various parts of the world which we would like to share with you in chronological order. These are in addition to those already publicised (citoc-online 91/2014-21-10 and 91/2013-18-11):
In July the “Teresian Carmelite Family” in Portugal made a pilgrimage to places associated with Teresa in Spain with over 500 people taking part. This association, created for the centenary is made up of the Carmelites, Discalced Carmelites, the Congregations of Sisters and groups of Lay Carmelites. It is now organising a second spirituality congress on the theme of “The Christian Mystical Experience” which will take place in Fatima from 17th – 19th October 2014.
An ongoing formation course took place took place for the Iberian Region in Salamanca from 5th – 6th August on “The Carmelite Milieu of St. Theresa” (Jordi M. Gil, O.Carm.) and “The Presence of the Saint in the City of Salamanca” (Desiderio Garcia, O.Carm.)
The General Commission for Formation organised an ongoing formation course at CITES in Avila from 7th – 17th September 2014. 48 Carmelites from 16 countries took part in the course which focussed on the life and doctrine of Saint Teresa (see citoc-online 82/2014).
In Ireland on 12th October Mass celebrated by Mons Philip Boyce, OCD will be televised from Donnybrook with both branches of the Order taking part. On 22nd November Professor Donna Orsuto will give a conference at our house in Whitefriars Street, Dublin, for the whole Carmelite Family.
The Carmelite Forum of Britain and Ireland which is a collaborative project of the whole Carmelite Family in Britain and Ireland are preparing a whole series of liturgies, events and lectures. The Centenary year will begin with opening Masses celebrated both in Dublin (Saint Teresa’s Discalced Carmelite Church in Clarendon Street) and in London (Our Lady of Mount Carmel Discalced Carmelite Church in Kensington). The forum has established a website as a central resource for the Centenary and this can be found at www.teresaofavila.org
In Australia the “Carmelites Together” association includes the various branches and groups of the Carmelite Family. During October 2015 they are organising a pilgrimage to Teresian sites in Spain which will be led by Greg Burke, OCD and Paul Gurr, O.Carm.
Source: Order of Carmelites website
https://www.ocarm.info/cgi-bin/dada/mail.cgi?flavor=archive&list=Citoc
