Let us walk together, Lord: Document of the 92nd OCD General Chapter - Introduction (Part 1)

 

Introduction

The 92^nd General Chapter of the Order of Discalced Carmelites (OCD) was held in Rome from August 30 to September 14, 2021. The theme of the chapter was "Let us Walk together, Lord: In the Footsteps of Saint Teresa of Jesus and Saint John of the Cross, for a Renewed Carmel in the Heart of the World."

The chapter was attended by 92 friars from 5 continents. The friars gathered to reflect on the current state of the Order and to discern the direction for the future.

The chapter produced some important documents, including a declaration on the Carmelite-Teresian charism, a message to the Discalced Carmelites throughout the world, and a concluding document that summarizes the main themes of the chapter.

Here are some of the key insights from the General Chapter:

• üThe Carmelite-Teresian charism is a gift to the Church that is both contemplative and apostolic.
• ü  The Order of Discalced Carmelites is called to be a community of brothers who are united in their love for Christ and their commitment to the Carmelite way of life.
• ü  The Discalced Carmelites are called to be prophets of hope and joy in a world that is often filled with darkness and despair.
• ü  The Discalced Carmelites are called to be beacons of light in a world that is searching for truth and meaning.

The 92nd General Chapter was a time of great renewal and hope for the Order of Discalced Carmelites. The friars who gathered in Rome were filled with a renewed sense of purpose and commitment to the Carmelite way of life. They are confident that the Order has a bright future in the Church and the world.

Here are some of the key themes of the General Chapter:

• ü  The importance of prayer and contemplation in the Carmelite life.
• ü  The need for the Discalced Carmelites to be open to the world's needs.
• ü  The importance of community life and initial and on-going formation in the Carmelite Order.
• ü  The call for the Discalced Carmelites to be engaged in evangelization.

The General Chapter challenged the Discalced Carmelites to be faithful to their roots and to embrace the future with courage and hope. The friars are confident that the Order can continue to be a source of light and inspiration for the Church and for the world.

Pope Francis's address to the Discalced Carmelites during the General Chapter

Pope Francis began his address by expressing his joy to be with the Discalced Carmelites, a "family of saints" who have been a gift to the Church for centuries. He reminded them of their rich heritage and their call to be contemplatives and apostles, following in the footsteps of Saint Teresa of Jesus and Saint John of the Cross.

The Pope then spoke about the importance of prayer and contemplation in the Carmelite life. He said that prayer is not just an intellectual exercise but a way of being with God, of listening to His voice and of allowing Him to transform us. He also said that contemplation is not just about thinking about God but about experiencing His presence in our hearts.

Pope Francis also spoke about the need for the Discalced Carmelites to be open to the world's needs. He said that they should not be afraid to leave their cloisters and go out to the peripheries, where the poor and the marginalized are. He also said that they should be a voice for the voiceless and a beacon of hope for those who are suffering.

The Pope then spoke about the importance of community life in the Carmelite Order. He said that the community is a place where we can support and encourage one another, and where we can learn from one another's experience. He also said that the community is a place where we can celebrate the joys of life and where we can grieve the losses.

Finally, Pope Francis spoke about the call for the Discalced Carmelites to be engaged in evangelization. He said that they should be a "light to the world" and that they should share the Good News of the Gospel with others. He also said that they should be a "city set on a hill" and that they should show the world what it means to live a life of love and service.

In conclusion, Pope Francis thanked the Discalced Carmelites for their work and their witness to the Gospel. He also encouraged them to continue to be faithful to their charism and to be a source of light and hope in the world.

Being Discalced Carmelite Friars Today- Declaration on the Carmelite-Teresian Charism

The Declaration on the Carmelite-Teresian Charism is a document produced by the 92nd General Chapter of the Order of Discalced Carmelites in 2021. The document reflects on the charism of the Order and its relevance for today's world.

The Declaration identifies four key dimensions of the Carmelite-Teresian charism:

ü  Contemplation/Prayer: The Discalced Carmelites are called to a life of deep prayer and contemplation. This is not just about thinking about God, but about experiencing His presence in our hearts.

ü  Mission: The Discalced Carmelites are also called to be missionaries, to share the Good News of the Gospel with others. They are called to be a "light to the world" and to show others what it means to live a life of love and service.

ü  Formation:

Here are some specific ways that the Declaration on the Carmelite-Teresian Charism can be applied to formation:

·   Prayer: Formation should provide opportunities for friars to develop a deep and personal relationship with God through prayer. This could include individual prayer, communal prayer, and liturgical prayer.

·   Solitude: Formation should also provide opportunities for friars to experience solitude. This could involve spending time in silence, reflecting on the Scriptures, or simply being still in God's presence.

·   Community: Formation should help friars to grow in their ability to live and work together in a community. This could involve participating in community activities, sharing meals, and praying together.

·   Service: Formation should also prepare friars for a life of service to others. This could involve learning about social justice issues, volunteering in the community, or simply being present to those in need.

The Declaration on the Carmelite-Teresian Charism is a valuable resource for Discalced Carmelite friars who are involved in formation. It provides a clear vision of what formation should be about, and it offers some specific suggestions for how formation can be implemented.

ü  Community: The Discalced Carmelites are called to live in community with one another. This is a place where they can support and encourage one another, and where they can learn from one another's experience.

ü  Conversion: The Discalced Carmelites are called to a life of conversion, to constantly be growing in their love for God and for others. This is a lifelong journey that is never complete.

The Declaration also identifies several challenges that the Discalced Carmelites face today. These include the secularization of society, the decline in vocations, and the need to find new ways to communicate the Gospel in a changing world.

Despite these challenges, the Declaration affirms the hope and optimism of the Discalced Carmelites. They believe that their charism is still relevant in today's world and that they have a unique role to play in the Church and in the world. The Declaration concludes by calling the Discalced Carmelites to be faithful to their charism and to live it out with courage and hope. They are called to be a beacon of light in a world that is often filled with darkness and despair.

The Declaration on the Carmelite-Teresian Charism is an important document for the Discalced Carmelites today. It helps them to reflect on their charism and to discern how they can best live it out in the 21st century.                                                                                                             (To be Continued)

                                                                                                         Prepared by 
                                                                                                       Fr. Nicholas Macedon OCD