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CKG/XIV/09/2022 Sadbhavana, Bengaluru
Circular, Karnataka-Goa Province
15 July 2022
Dear Sisters, Brothers and
Fathers,
We are in a festive mood as we celebrate the Solemn Feast of our Lady of
Mount Carmel, Patroness of our Order – our Mother and Sister! Our spiritual
drive should be: “Draw us after you, Virgin Mary; we shall follow in your
footsteps.”
Where are we going? The question posed by our previous Superior General Fr.
Saverio Cannistrà is still keeping us prickling… It is stirring us to give a
personal and communitarian response. We have already determined to act and one
batch of friars has already attended the renewal programme basing on the
document – BEING DISCALCED CARMELITE FRIARS TODAY −Declaration on the Carmelite-Teresian
Charism, at Divine Springs, Xellim, Goa. Three more batches will follow in these
months. I appeal to everyone to respond ardently and zealously and be renewed.
Celebration of the Feast of Our Lady of Mount Carmel this year should be an
occasion for us to get back to our roots. As our Primitive Rule exhorts us, we
need to equip ourselves in God’s armour so that we may be true to our charism –
Contemplation, Fraternity and Mission. May faith be our shield, holiness our
breastplate, our head set with the helmet of salvation and may the Word of God
as sword of the spirit abound in our mouths and hearts. In Mother Mary, we have
the perfect example of contemplation, fraternity and mission. May she draw us
after her and inspire us each day to follow in her footsteps.
This triennium began in the midst of pandemic and kept us threatening. We hope
we are out of it. Nonetheless we have completed the pastoral visitation of our
communities in India and of the Cloistered Carmel Sisters of our Mount Carmel
Federation.
I did the pastoral visitation of our communities in South Africa. As I jot down
these lines, I receive the happy news of having our own monastery in Cape Town.
The deal could not yet be completed since we are still awaiting government
papers to be exempted from tax. Please pray for this project to reach its
completion. I would like to keep on record the hard and tireless work of Fr.
Mari Joseph together with Fr. Antony Stephen. Our Friars from Benoni stood like
Gibraltar rock in supporting them. May God bless our friars in South Africa.
Their services are well appreciated both by the Diocesan heads and all people.
From the ashes they have risen like phoenix. I see great opportunities to expand
our ministry there and help the spiritual life of the people there.
I am planning to visit Europe in the month of August and if the visa arrives, I
will visit Canada in September.
Very Rev. Fr. General Miguel Marquez Calle together with V. Rev. Fr. Pius James
D’Souza our Definitor will be making their fraternal visit to our Province from
10 to 15 October 2022. Let us pray that their visit will be an occasion for us
to experience the catholicity of our Order. Let us pray that fraternal
visitation may fill us with renewed vigour and greater commitment. May I appeal
to all the Superiors to be present for the meeting with Fr. General at
Sadbhavana on 14th October. Those who wish to have darshan of the General may
join the nearest communities he will visit.
All our formation and school communities are in full swing after the two years
of pandemic lull. I thank all the vocation promoters, their collaborators,
formators and superiors, all the heads of our educational institutions –
correspondents and principals together with the teaching staff for their
commitment and hard work.
I take this opportunity to wish you a very happy feast of our Lady of Mount
Carmel. May she draw down many graces from above and draw us to her son Jesus.
Fraternally yours in Carmel
Rev. Fr. George Santhumayor, OCD
Provincial Superior
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