News and announcements about the Carmelite Order, our Region, and our Community
February 2, 2015: Pope Francis opened the Year for Consecrated Life at Mass in St. Peter’s Basilica, marking the start of an entire year dedicated to the many who have chosen the vocation of religious life. This World Day of Consecrated Life was instituted by John Paul II in 1997. February 2 is also the Feast of the Presentation and coincides with the Candelmas.
The Order of Carmelites is pleased to present the second bulletin for the Lay Carmelites. In this issue they share different activities and initiatives of our laity and youth in various parts of the world.
Following Jesus around through the first week of Ordinary time has taught me that no matter how ordinary — or extraordinary — life is, when I take time to pray, I can do anything he asks me to do. Jesus changed the world for everyone who came in contact with him. In fact, he changed everything in the life of every man, woman, and child throughout history. He even changed me.
On the occasion of the first anniversary of the beatification of the ten martyrs of the Bética Province (Carmelo Moyano and companions) and the nine martyrs of the Province of Castile (Alberto María Marco y Alemán and companions), the Prior General, Fernando Millán Romeral, O.Carm. has written a letter to the whole Carmelite family, with the title, “Thank you for the martyrs that you have given to the church”.
"Like the prophet Elijah, all the Saints of Carmel have been shaped through a school of spiritual fire. They also intimated the example of Mary and made their truest expression in the experience of love and that love makes the history of the Order. They became a hymn of praise to offer to our God."
