Karnataka-Goa OCDS Provincial Council Election and Fraternal Visit by the Delegate General for OCDS
The Karnataka-Goa OCDS Provincial Council election was held on 14th November 2024 at Pushpashrama, Mysuru, in the presence of eminent Carmelite leaders. The election was presided over by Rev. Fr. Ramiro Casale, the General Delegate of the OCDS, alongside Rev. Fr. Silvestre D’Souza, Provincial Superior, Rev. Fr. Deep Fernandes, Delegate Provincial, Rev. Fr. Alphonso Britto, Councillor in charge of Spirituality and the Spiritual Assistants of various OCDS communities. The electorate consisted of 16 eligible voters, including the presidents of canonically established communities, their elected representatives, and outgoing members of the Provincial Council. Of these, 11 voters were present, while 5 were unable to attend.

The election resulted in the formation of a new Provincial Council. Mr. Roy Rodrigues from the St. Therese of the Child Jesus Community, Lar, Margao, was elected President. The elected Councillors include Mr. Sebastian Mendes (Our Lady of Mount Carmel, Margao) as the First Councillor, Mrs. Laveena Noronha (St. Teresa of Avila, Mangaluru) as the Second Councillor, Mrs. Jessy Pinto (St. Joseph’s Community, Mira Road) as the Third Councillor, and Mrs. Daina Wilson (St. Elizabeth of the Trinity, Mira Road) as the Fourth Councillor. Following the election, Rev. Fr. Ramiro Casale officially confirmed the results and invoked blessings upon the newly elected council, encouraging them to lead with dedication and faith.

After the Provincial Council election, Rev. Fr. Ramiro Casale embarked on a fraternal visit to various OCDS communities across the Karnataka-Goa Province, meeting members and encouraging them in their Carmelite vocation. His itinerary began on 16th November with visits to the St. Teresa of Avila Community in Bikarnakatte and the Infant Mary Community in Bajjodi, at Carmel Hill, Mangaluru. On 17th November, he visited the St. John of the Cross Community in Ranipura and the St. Mary of Jesus Crucified Community in Kankanady at Ryshivana, Mangaluru. The following day, 18th November, he traveled to the Infant Jesus Community in Koteshwar, Kundapur, before visiting the Flos Carmeli Community in Matadakeri, Honnavar, later that evening.

Continuing his journey, Fr. Ramiro visited the St. Therese of the Child Jesus Community and Our Lady of Mount Carmel Community at the Carmelite Monastery in Margao on 19th November. On 20th November, he visited the St. Teresa of Avila Community at Avila Jyothi, Mapusa. His visits concluded on 22nd November with interactions at the St. Elizabeth of the Trinity Community and St. Joseph’s Community in Mira Road.

Throughout his visits, Fr. Ramiro delivered inspiring messages, urging OCDS members to treasure their vocation to Carmel as a gift from the Lord. He encouraged them to lead lives rooted in prayer, fraternity, and fidelity to the OCDS Constitutions, which provide a pathway to sanctity. He emphasized the unity within the Carmelite family, affirming that friars, nuns, and secular Carmelites are all part of the same spiritual heritage, with no distinctions in their shared mission.

Each community prepared a detailed report of their life and activities, presenting them during the visit. Members sought clarification on various matters and expressed their gratitude for the Delegate General’s guidance. Fr. Ramiro expressed his admiration for the members' commitment, their prayerful lives, and the talents they displayed. He reminded them that following Jesus, the center of their vocation, would never lead to disappointment in their pursuit of holiness. His fraternal visit brought inspiration and encouragement to all the OCDS communities, strengthening their resolve to live out their Carmelite charism more faithfully.

The election and the subsequent fraternal visit were significant milestones for the Karnataka-Goa Province of the OCDS. They not only strengthened the governance of the Province but also reinforced the spiritual unity and commitment of its members, renewing their zeal for living out their Carmelite charism.