The collapse of the Communist regime in Czechoslovakia at the end of 1989 opened the way not only to unrestrained development of religious communities but also to the renewal or rather fresh re-assembling of groups of Carmelite laity, i.e. the Third Order. Many volunteers and benefactors who helped the friars with the reconstruction of their monastery in Kostelní Vydrí, many parishioners in places cared for by the Carmelites, and other believers as well were interested in getting more closely connected with the Order.

The first group of tertiaries was established in 1991, the first common tertiary profession was made in 1992. At that time, people interested in the Third Order used to have formation meetings twice a year. The friars first began to give them a three-day retreat every year. Since the summer of 1996, the formation meetings have been organised at several places in the Czech Republic for the greater convenience of the participants. Also their frequency has increased to every month or every second month.

Thus the participating groups can grow in real companionship. These groups consist of people who are young and old. The basic tertiary guidelines are to be found in the Rule of the Third Order. Its proposal has been drawn by the Czech Carmelites, and will be submitted to the General Council of the Order to be approved.

This year, 66 novices made their profession during the national meeting of tertiaries in Kostelní Vydrí which was held on the day of Commemoration of the Immaculate Heart of Our Lady. Some 230 persons participated at this year’s retreat for tertiaries and friends of Carmel. Altogether our Order has about 200 Third Order members in the Czech Republic.

In 2002 the Lay Carmelite community of the Little Flower Chapter – South Trinidad, decided to build a house for a family of six. They lived in a 10’-x10’ galvanized hut and were one of the seventeen families the community cared for through their Thrift Shoppe. Having got the permission from the Land Settlement Agency to build around the existing hut, they started immediately. The neighbors began to complain about the ‘big house’ being built. After many complaints, the Land Settlement Agency asked that what had already been commenced on the house be pulled down. It was decided to move the family from squatter’s land and buy them a piece of land rather than run into trouble again with the authorities. In December 2002, land was bought in Bonne Venture for $15,000 and subsequently a 20’x20’ two bedroom house was built. It was seven feet off the ground with living room and inside steps and a downstairs kitchen, bath and out-house.

The top was made of wood and the kitchen and bath concrete. The Lay Carmelites painted it in white, tan and yellow and ran a spouting on one side of the house straight into a 400-gallon tuff tank for the family’s water supply. They furnished the bedroom with cupboards, beds and linen and the kitchen with cupboards, sink and a new stove. A living room set was sourced and a picnic table with two benches was made for the open dining room downstairs. A concrete sink was installed for washing clothes. As there was no electricity, kerosene lamps were brought in for each room.

The keys were handed to the family and Lay Carmelites moved the family from Gasparillo to Bonne Venture amid much joy. The entire project cost approximately $53,500. With grateful thanks to God and Mary and to all the benefactors and friends of Carmel.

Kenya

Fifty-five Lay Carmelites participated in the Retreat held in April, 2004 - more than double the number of the participants for last year. This is a great sign of life for the Lay Carmelites in Kenya. Twenty-six members renewed their profession. Janet Wafula made her Final Profession at the end of the Retreat.

An historically important event for the Carmelite family in Kenya took place on 9 June. The foundation stone for a Carmelite House of Formation was blessed in Nkoroi, Ongata Rongai, in the diocese of Ngong. This event marked the official founding of the Carmelite Order in Kenya. General Councillor Fr. Anthony Scerri O.Carm was present for the occasion.

On 17 July the first two Kenyan Carmelite priests were ordained to the priesthood after completing their studies in Spain. The ceremony took place at the Cathedral in Machakos, about 100 Km from Nairobi. It was a very colorful event. There is a gtreat sense of joy amongst the people to know they now have Kenyan Carmelite Priests. The two newly ordained priests will go back to USA for completion of their studies and then return to work in Kenya.

The Lay Carmelites had a wonderful celebration as a group, at a Day of Recollection on 18 July in Nairobi. Members had an opportunity to share their experiences on the theme "My Life in Carmel" where they shared different experiences since they became Carmelites. It was declared a very enriching day.  

An International Formators Conference will be held in October in Kenya.

Jennifer Wajiku, TOC.

Lay Carmelite Jennifer Wanjiku has now completed her course of Higher Diploma in Counselling Psychology and is working in the HIV/AIDS clinic with an NGO at Nairobi.

New Appointment for Miguel Ubarri TOC

It is now official that Miguel Norbert Ubarri TOC will be working in the University of Antwerp, Belgium. He applied for a job as Spanish Literature Professor.

From Antwerp, they will build up an inter-university collaboration with the University of Puerto Rico, and the CITeS, in Avila (which is intended to be the University of Mysticism in Spain). He has received institutional support from the three institutions.

Congratulations Miguel!

Obituary: Maria Teresa Rullán Vda. Del Toro, T.O.Carm.

María Teresa Rullán Vda. Del Toro was part of the Carmelite Third Order of Puerto Rico and went home to God on Saturday, May 15, 2004.

María Teresa born in the city of Yauco, Puerto Rico, in 1921. In her youth, she was a follower of Servant of God Mother M. Dominga Guzmán Florit, foundress of the Congregation of Hermanas Dominicas de Ntra. Sra. de Fátima. At 28 years of age, she became a widow with three children. At the death of her husband, she consecrated her life to God with a vow of perpetual chastity and under the direction of Fr. Roberto M. Barreneche, O. Carm., she entered the Third Order, making profession on December 17, 1961. All through her life she was an exemplar mother, prayerful soul, and untiring worker.

She was not hindered from being active in the local Church and the Order where she was strengthened and matured in her spiritual life. In the Third Order, she was prioress of the Community of St. Teresita, responsible for formation. She participated in various international meetings. She supported the lay identity and the idea of a Third Order during the difficult years following the Vatican Council. Later, thanks to the support and enthusiasm of the new director, Fr. Tarsicio M. Gotay, O. Carm., María Teresa saw the fruit of her perseverance with the flowering of the Carmelite Third Order which today numbers 600 on the island of Puerto Rico.

She worked hard for the propagation of the devotion to Our Lady of Providence, Patroness of Puerto Rico, of Fr. Saturnino Junquera, SJ, and in the Cursillo movement.

Her funeral was celebrated in the parish of Santa Teresita de Santurce and was led by Cardinal Luis Aponte Martínez, Archbishop of San Juan and Bishop Roberto O. González Nieves, O.F.M., Archbishop of San Juan.