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Flos Carmeli
Western Canada OCDS of the Karnataka-Goa Province
St. John of the Cross St. Teresa of Avila
St. Joseph
Our Lady of Mt. Carmel
Newsletter - October 2019 Edition 2019.018
P.O. Box 43011 Richmond Centre P.O.
Richmond, BC Canada V6Y 3Y3
Tel:1-403-285-3773
October 2019 Edition 2019.18
Fr. Roshan D’Souza OCD Provincial Delegate
2
Molly Diaz OCDS President Regional Council
Leslie Blair, OCDS Central Director of Formation Regional Council
We are Carmelite Missionaries!
Our Holy Father Pope Francis called the month of October 2019 “The Extraordinary Missionary
Month.” His message for the entire month was titled “Baptized and Sent: The Church of Christ
on Mission in the World.” The Church began this month by celebrating the Feast of St. Therese
of the Child Jesus, who is the patroness of the Missions. How wonderful it is to have a
Carmelite saint as a model for the whole Church to follow the great Missionary, Jesus.
Belonging to the Order of Discalced Carmelites, we have a best opportunity to know the
spirituality of this saint and follow her path to be like Christ. From her childhood, Therese had
an ardent desire to be a missionary. She wanted to go around the world preaching the Gospel of
Christ. God’s ways are numerous and different. She was called to be a nun in the cloistered
Carmel. Although she was living a cloistered life, her missionary spirit did not die out rather
went on increasing. She reached to the several people in need through her prayer. Even a
prisoner was converted through her prayer.
Jesus commissioned his disciples saying “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations,
baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit…” (Mt 28.19).
We are baptized in the name of the Trinitarian God. Through this first Sacrament we are led into
the life of grace. Grace is God’s life in us. Our call is to allow the grace of God to flow into the
lives of others. As Carmelite missionaries, we are blessed to experience the grace of God
through the life of Prayer. When Jesus chose his apostles, he called them to be with him and to
be sent out. In our Prayer, we Carmelites stay with him and through our Apostolate we take him
to others.
The nature of the Church is to be Missionary like Jesus. As members of the Church of Christ, we
Carmelites are called to be actively involved in its mission through Prayer and Apostolate. We
not only pray for ourselves, we pray for others who are in need. We not only serve our needs, we
serve others. As we are going to enter soon into the Advent and prepare for the celebration of
Christmas, we give time for Jesus in Prayer and give that experience of the love of Jesus to
others through our Apostolate in our communities, families and to everyone we meet.
May St. Therese of the Child Jesus pray for us!
In Carmel,
Fr. Roshan D’Souza OCD
Provincial Delegate for the OCDS
3
St. Joseph, Calgary AB Meetings: Fourth Sunday of the Month
Place: St. Thomas More Church,
Calgary
Time: 1:00 p.m.
President: Carla Jane Romeo OCDS
Tel: 1.403.288.2296
Sp. Assistant: Fr. Roshan D’Souza OCD
St. Teresa of Jesus of the Andes, Group
Vernon BC
Meetings: Fourth Sunday of the Month
Place: Our Lady of the Valley Church
Coldstream, BC
Time: 1:30 p.m.
President: Loretta Sharko OCDS
Tel: 1.250.448.5633
Sp. Assistant: Fr. Peter Nguyen
St. John of the Cross, Coquitlam BC
Meetings: Third Saturday of the Month
Place: St. Edmund’s Church,
N. Vancouver
Time: 8:15 a.m.
President: Marilyn Cunada OCDS
Tel: 1.604.931.1555
Sp. Assistant: Fr. Cannio Cardozo OCD
St. Teresa of Jesus, Vancouver BC
Meetings: Second Saturday of the Month
Place: Guardian Angels Church
Vancouver
Time: 9:00 a.m.
President : Assunta Tan OCDS
Tel: 1.604.264.7227
Sp. Assistant: Fr. Victor Fernandes OCD
OCDS COMMUNITIES
Fr. Roshan D’Souza, OCD - Provincial Delegate Email: [email protected]
Molly Diaz OCDS - President, Regional Council Email: [email protected]
Leslie Blair OCDS - Central Director of Formation Email: [email protected]
Regional Council
Official Matters to Provincial Delegate & Regional Council Email: [email protected]
OFFICE OF STATISTICS
Grace Aleong - Membership lists and formation status, forms, scapulars, Constitution & Ritual Booklets
Email: [email protected]
ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT TO THE REGIONAL COUNCIL
Norma Lo - Special projects under the direction of the President, Regional Council and the Provincial
Delegate.
EMAIL DISTRIBUTION
Carla Jane Romeo – Email: [email protected] 4
St. Therese of the Child Jesus & the Holy Face Group
Parkland County AB
Meetings: Third Saturday of the Month
Place: Mt Carmel Spirituality Centre, Parkland County
Time: 11:00 a.m.
Tel: 1.780.963.0896
Formator: Fr. Mario Fernandes OCD
UPCOMING OCDS EVENTS 2020
Mar 14 Lenten Recollection – St. Teresa of Jesus & St. John of the Cross Communities
Guardian Angels Church, Vancouver at 9:00 a.m.
Mar 21 Lenten Recollection – St. Joseph Community
St. Thomas More Church, Calgary AB at 10:00 a.m.
May 8-10 Annual Retreat, St. Joseph Community, Calgary
Mount St. Francis, Cochrane AB
May 9 Information Meeting – Guardian Angels Parish after 9:00 a.m. Mass
May 16 Information Meeting – St. Edmund’s Parish after 9:00 a.m. Mass
Jun 28-30 Annual Meeting w/Provincial Delegate
Little Flower Monastery, Deroche BC
July 16 Solemnity of Feast of Our Lady of Mt. Carmel – Venue TBN
Aug 4-6 Annual Retreat, St. John of the Cross Community
Little Flower Monastery, Deroche BC
Aug 7-9 Annual Retreat, St. Teresa of Jesus Community
Little Flower Monastery, Deroche BC
Aug 21-23 Annual Retreat, St. Teresa of Jesus of the Andes Group
Seton House, Kelowna BC
DATES & EVENTS MAY BE SUBJECT TO CHANGE
MASS REQUESTS
Masses can be requested by emailing Talisa Chan at [email protected]. The Masses are offered
by our OCD Friars at Little Flower Monastery, Carmel Hill. Cheques are payable to Discalced Carmelite
Fathers and mailed to P.O. Box 43011, Richmond Centre P.O., Richmond BC Canada V6Y 3Y3
GREETING CARDS
Jose Sepidoza – Responsible for formatting and emailing greeting cards.
Email: [email protected]
WEB MASTER
Leslie Blair - Update and maintain OCDS website www.ocdswest.ca under the direction of the President,
Regional Council & Provincial Delegate. Email: [email protected]
EVENT PICTURES - FLOS CARMELI & WEBSITE Submit event pictures through your respective
presidents with a short description . Email Regional Council Office at [email protected].
REGIONAL COUNCIL MAILING ADDRESS:
P.O. Box 43011, Richmond Centre P.O. , Richmond BC Canada V6Y 3Y3
ST. JOHN OF THE CROSS COMMUNITY NORTH VANCOUVER
w/FR. CANNIO CARDOZO
ST. TERESA OF JESUS
OF THE ANDES GROUP, VERNON
ST. TERESA OF JESUS COMMUNITY, VANCOUVER
ST. JOSEPH COMMUNITY, CA,LGARY
ST. TERESA OF JESUS COMMUNITY VANCOUVER
Provincial Superior
Rev. Fr. Charles Serrao, OCD
(Administration and Personnel)
Sadbhavana, Carmelite Provincialate
P. B. 5602, Rajajinagar I Block
Dr. Rajkumar Road, Bangalore - 560 010
Tel : 080 - 23476402 / 22902678
Fax : 080 - 23476584
Mobile : +91 7760841578
E-mail : [email protected]
Provincial Council Karnataka-Goa Province
Rev. Fr. Pius James D’Souza, OCD
First Councillor
(Vocation Promotion, Spirituality and
Community Life)
Rev. Fr. Ronald D’Souza, OCD
Second Councillor
(Formation and On-going
Formation)
Rev. Fr. Oswald Crasta, OCD
Third Councillor
(Mission and Apostolate)
Rev. Fr. Clifford D’Souza, OCD
Fourth Councillor
(Temporalities and Finances)
Rev. Fr. Silvestre D’Souza, OCD
(Provincial Council Secretary)
DISCALCED CARMELITE FRIARS
Canadian Community - Karnataka-Goa Province
9
Rev. Fr. Ranjan D’Sa OCD
St. Dominic Parish, Oakville ON
Rev. Fr. Jerome Mascarenhas OCD St. Patrick Parish, Caledonia ON
Rev. Fr. Jerald D’Souza OCD
Regional Superior
St. Thomas More Parish, Calgary AB
Rev. Fr. John Alex Pinto OCD
Guardian Angels Parish, Vancouver BC
Rev. Fr. Rudolf D’Souza OCD
Mt. Carmel Spirituality Centre
Parkland County AB
Rev. Fr. Mario Fernandes OCD
Mt. Carmel Spirituality Centre, Parkland County AB
10
Rev. Fr. Melvin Pinto OCD
St. Aloysius Parish, Kitchener ON
Rev. Fr. Steny Mascarenhas OCD
St. Edmund’s Parish, North Vancouver BC
Rev. Fr. Vijay Martin OCD
Our Lady of Perpetual Help Parish Kamloops BC
Rev. Fr. Godwin Arun Pinto OCD
St. Patrick Parish, Burlington ON
Rev. Fr. Victor Angelo Fernandes OCD
Chaplain, St. Paul’s Hospital, Vancouver BC
Rev. Fr. Alexander Braganza OCD
Little Flower Monastery, Carmel Hill
Deroche BC
DISCALCED CARMELITE FRIARS
Canadian Community - Karnataka-Goa Province
11
Rev. Fr. Rajesh Madtha OCD
Little Flower Monastery, Carmel Hill, Deroche BC
Rev. Fr. Jaison Tellis OCD
Our Lady of Perpetual Help Parish, Kamloops, BC
Rev. Fr. Vincent D’Souza OCD
St. Mary’s and St. Ann’s Parishes Hagersville, ON
Rev. Fr. Roshan D’Souza OCD
Provincial Delegate for the OCDS
St. Thomas More Parish, Calgary AB
Rev. Fr. Ivan Leo Sanctis OCD
Mt. Carmel Spirituality Centre, Parkland County AB
Rev. Fr. Venil D’Souza OCD
St. Aloysius Parish, Kitchener ON
Bro. Frank Sharma OCD Rev. Fr. Cannio Remedio Cardozo OCD
St. Edmund’s Parish
North Vancouver BC
DISCALCED CARMELITE FRIARS
Canadian Community - Karnataka-Goa Province
MONASTERIES
The Carmel of St. Joseph 12, 51222 Rge Road 270
Spruce Grove, AB T7Y 1G7
Tel: 780-963-3380
Prioress: Mother Catherine of
Our Lady of Divine Providence OCD
The Carmel of St. Joseph St. Agatha, Ontario, Canada
1127 Carmel-Koch Road
R.R. 1St. Agatha, Ontario
N0B 2L0
Phone: 519-884-7563
The Carmel of St. Joseph - 4815 Salmon River Road
Armstrong, BC Canada V0E 1B4 Tel: 1-250-546-8801
Prioress: Mother Ann of Jesus OCD www.carmelspall.org
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THE CALL TO RELIGIOUS LIFE
Praise be to God! He has called Teresita Garbino,
formerly an OCDS member of St. Joseph
Community, Calgary, to the religious life.
Teresita joined the St. Joseph Community in September 2015. She was clothed a year later on
September 25, 2016 and her First Promise was officiated by Provincial Fr. Charles Serrao on
October 14, 2018.
Teresita was born in the Philippines on February 29, 1960 and from a young age always had a
desire for the religious life. She had entered a convent there but had to leave due to health
reasons and also to care for her parents. As she stated “living in the secular world really opened
her eyes to see the beauty and the reality of life in the world. It enables me to feel the Spirit
present in all created things”.
Her latest desire to enter the Monastery was brought to her Local Council around the end of
2018. With this intention, in early 2019 she met with Mother Catherine, Prioress of the Carmel
of St. Joseph, Spruce Grove, Alberta where she remained for a few days to discern her
vocation. However, this was not her time and she had to leave due to personal health
reasons. Having recovered as God would have it, she was accepted to begin her novitiate on
October 1, 2019, the Feast Day of St. Therese of Lisieux.
13
For more information, please call 1-780-963-3380 or
visit www.carmelitenuns.ca
"All must be Friends, all must be loved, all must be held dear, all must be helped." St. Teresa of Jesus
Carmel of St. Joseph Order of the Blessed Virgin Mary of Mount Carmel
(Served from St. Joseph's, Armstrong, BC)
4815 Salmon River Road Armstrong, BC V0E 1B4
Phone 1-250-546-8801
www.rcdk.org/vernon-north-okanagan/carmelite-monastery--2
Welcome!
We are cloistered contemplative nuns of the Order of the Blessed Virgin Mary
of Mount Carmel, an Order rich in its heritage of saints among whom we find
three Doctors of the Church: St. Teresa of Avila, St. John of the Cross, and St.
Therese of Lisieux, the “Little Flower”. This Order follows the Primitive Rule
of the ancient monks of Mount Carmel in Palestine, with its eremitical spirit of
silence and solitude. Each day, Mass is celebrated at 7:30 a.m., at which anyone
may attend.
A Carmelite monastery stands as a silent witness of the life to come - eternal life –
which has no end.
It is a reminder that we have here, no lasting city.
Carmel of St. Joseph Order of the Blessed Virgin Mary of Mount Carmel
(Served from St. Joseph's, Armstrong, BC)
*******************************************************************************
Rev. Fr. Silvestre D’Souza, Secretary for the Provincial Council, set foot on Canadian soil for the first time
when he arrived into Vancouver on July 30, 2019 upon the invitation of the Communities of Western Canada
to be the Spiritual Director of their retreats. It was the initiative of Fr. Steny Mascaremhas, former Provincial
Delegate, to have all the retreats scheduled consecutively, which would allow for a friar from abroad to visit
and witness the workings of the Order in Canada.
The retreat schedule took him to St. Teresa of Jesus of the Andes Community in Kelowna, BC; St. Teresa of
Jesus, St. John of the Cross and Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Communities in Deroche, BC; St. Joseph Community
in Calgary, AB; and St. Therese of the Child Jesus and the Holy Face in Edmonton, AB. The theme of the
retreats was “At home with God! (a retreat with St. Elizabeth of the Trinity: prophet of the divine
indwelling)”. Fr. Silvestre also officiated at the Ceremonies for the candidates of each community. He was
made welcome by all the communities and was toured around the local sights.
WELCOME TO CANADA
Rev. Fr. Cannio Remedio Cardozo hails from Comurlim De Salcette, a village
in Goa, India. He is the youngest of four siblings having two sisters and a brother.
His father is a musician by profession and worked for the Indian Navy and the
Goa Police band. His mother is a house maker.
When he finished Grade 12, he received the call to a religious life and joined the
Carmelites in 2005. He pursued 12 years of formation in the Carmelite Order and
was ordained on Jan 18, 2017. In the course of time, he completed his Bachelor
of Science in Psychology, Bachelor of Philosophy, and Bachelor of Theology and
Masters in English literature.
Soon after his ordination, he served as the Bursar and the Vocation Promoter for three years at
Carmelite Minor Seminary in Mapusa, Goa. Previous to his appointment to St. Edmund’s Parish, North
Vancouver, he served as Youth Director, Magazine Editor-in-Chief and Vocation Promoter for two
years at St Joseph Church, Mira Road, Mumbai.
The Exaltation of the Holy Cross
The Crucifixion (1577-1579), El Greco
“You are to fast every day, except Sunday, from the feast of the Exaltation of
the Holy Cross until Easter Day, unless bodily sickness or feebleness, or
some other good reason, demand a dispensation from the fast; for necessity
overrides every law” (Rule of St. Albert).
In the writings of the Carmelite saints, we read of the great fast, which has been kept in Carmelite
monasteries for centuries. It always begins today, the feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross, and
ends with the celebration of the resurrection of our Lord on Easter. However, beyond merely the
beginning of a period of penance, or a curbing of eating for winter, this holy feast has held special
significance for our saints. Two of them, St. John of the Cross and St. Teresa Benedicta of the Cross,
chose the Holy Cross as their devotional title and would have understood this feast to hold special
significance for their own religious life. According to the constitutions of the Discalced Carmelite
nuns, vows are renewed yearly on this day. However, throughout the Church, this feast is relatively
unknown or lightly observed.
On September 1, 1939, Nazi Germany invaded Poland. Two days later, World War II formally began
with the declaration of war on Germany by France and the United Kingdom. In her monastic cell in
Cologne, Germany, St. Teresa Benedicta wrote in preparation for her renewal of vows for the feast
on September 14:
The world is in flames, the battle between Christ and the Antichrist has broken
into the open. If you decide for Christ, it could cost you your life. Carefully
consider what you promise. Taking and renewing vows is serious business.
You make a promise to the Lord of heaven and earth. . . . The world is in flames.
The conflagration can also reach our house. But high above all flames towers
the cross. They cannot consume it. It is the path from earth to heaven. It will
lift one who embraces it in faith, love, and hope into the bosom of the Trinity.
The world is in flames. Are you impelled to put them out? Look at the cross.
From the open heart gushes the blood of the Savior. This extinguishes the
flames of hell. Make your heart free by the faithful fulfillment of your vows;
then the flood of divine love will be poured into your heart until it overflows
and becomes fruitful to all the ends of the earth (“Elevation of the Cross,
September 14, 1939” in The Hidden Life: Essays, Meditations, Spiritual Texts
(Washington, D.C.: ICS Publications, 2014), 94–96.).
The conflagration of flames would ultimately reach the house of Echt Carmel less than three years
later in August 1942. But the hope that Teresa Benedicta held in the cross strengthened her to live
her vows in faith and love, even as she was arrested and transported to her death.
Like St. Teresa Benedicta, we must learn to exalt the cross and hold it before our eyes as a symbol
of victory. However, when we look at a crucifix, by simple appearance, it still seems to signify a
lifeless Christ, either dead or suffering in anguish. When we read the passion narratives of the
gospels, the bystanders walk away beating the breasts, not shouting in exaltation. Behind simple
appearances, the theme of victory quietly swells. We are reminded, like the disciples at Emmaus:
“Oh, how foolish you are, and how slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have declared! Was
it not necessary that the Messiah should suffer these things and then enter into his glory?“ (Luke
24:25–26) Before and immediately after Jesus’s death on the cross, the cross as a symbol meant
death and torture. But Jesus, through His death and resurrection glorified the cross, exalted it and
gave it new meaning. Now when we gaze upon the cross, we see the symbol of victory, triumph,
and glory.
The feast of the Exaltation of the Cross honors the power of the Holy Cross. It is the festival
recognition of what the crucifixion and death of Jesus has effected for us and continues to effect for
us. It is an invitation to unite ourselves with Jesus on the Cross for the salvation of the world
today—here and now—through our daily crucifixion of our sins, inordinate desires and affections,
and imperfections. The season it inaugurates every year is an opportunity to intentionally take the
mission of being united with Jesus on the Cross seriously, and for seven months to live daily with
Jesus particularly in his saving action. This uniting enables us to pour the Blood of Jesus on our
ailing world, and to put out the conflagration of the world in flames through the death of ourselves,
as St. Teresa Benedicta observed. Through our acts of selfless mercy and love, we are enabled to
heal the broken relationships, hopeless situations, and endless poverty that we ourselves have
created by our sins.
To save the world in flames, we must ourselves be wounded by the winning side and won over from
our sinful cooperation with the enemy. Christ wins us over by the powerful weapons of His Cross
and Precious Blood. Father Garrigou-Lagrange, a French Dominican who also lived during the
events of World War II, writes this:
Intense love, becoming violent “wounds” him who loves and “makes him die to
self” by making him live for another, by leading him to “go out of himself” and
give himself generously to the beloved. Intense love is, therefore, not without
a certain destruction of the lover, not without that interior immolation represented
by exterior sacrifice and spoken by the Scriptures. It implies a martyrdom of heart
known to all the saints and a mystical death symbolized in the Gospel by the death
of the grain of wheat that becomes the seed of new life. Happily, love causes this
death, destroying all that is contrary to it (The Love of God and the Cross of Jesus,
vol. 1, 71–72.).
To be wounded by love is the great grace that we are all seeking in this supernatural war
between good and evil. By placing ourselves willingly before the foot of the cross, we are in
effect throwing ourselves into the line of fire. Instead of fighting for the enemy, we are
captured by the love of Jesus. When we engage in daily mortifications, we are wounding
ourselves for love, surrendering our cooperation with Satan for our salvation in Jesus Christ.
We die with Christ and so live with Him in eternity. On this feast of the Exaltation of the Holy
Cross, let us throw ourselves before the Cross and be washed clean by the Precious Blood of
Jesus Christ.
Br. Pier Giorgio of Christ the King, OCD
About the Author: Br. Pier Giorgio became a Discalced Carmelite friar for the Washington
Province in 2014. He is the managing editor for the Institute of Carmelite Studies Publications.
He completed his master’s in sacred theology in 2019 at the Catholic University of America
and is currently pursuing a master's degree in translation studies at the University of
Wisconsin-Milwaukee.
CEREMONIES
ST. TERESA OF JESUS OF THE ANDES GROUP, VERNON
Rev. Fr. Peter Nguyen, Pastor of St. James Church, Vernon and Our Lady of the Valley Church
Coldstream, and Spiritual Assistant of the St. Teresa of Jesus of the Andes Group, officiated at
the ceremony for the First Promise of Elizabeth Thomas. The Ceremony took place at the
regular Sunday Mass with the parishioners witnessing. This had a positive effect in creating
awareness and interest in the OCDS.
Elizabeth Shaw & Fr. Peter Nguyen Members of St. Teresa of Jesus of the Andes Group
& Fr. Peter Nguyen
Lenten Recollection 2019
Lower Mainland Communities
Father Jerald D’Souza OCD led the Lenten Recollection held at St. Edmund’s Church, North Vancouver on
23rd March 2019. The theme was “Put on Christ and be Holy”. The Recollection started with Holy Mass,
followed by a break for shared refreshments hosted by the participating communities.
The group re-assembled in the church where Father Jerald D’Souza welcomed all, including friends and
parishioners from other churches in Vancouver. At the outset, he emphasized the importance of allowing the
Lord to speak to us rather than taking notes, thus distinguishing the difference between a lecture and a
recollection. He made reference to St. Paul’s epistles on the subject of putting on Christ and covered the
many paths to holiness, pointing out that the Beatitudes would act as a map.
One of the highlights (along with the Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament and Adoration) was when Father
led us in the hymn ‘Change My Heart O God’, stopping after the first refrain, and challenging our sincerity as
we voiced the rest of the lyrics in front of the Blessed Sacrament. For those who heeded Father’s advice to
listen intently to the Lord as He knocks at the door of our hearts (referencing William Hunt’s famous ‘Light
of the World’ painting), choosing even one aspect of change inspired by the talk, we would be strengthened
in our determination to allow ourselves to be transformed and truly rejoice in the Risen Christ at Easter.
VISIT OF DEFINITOR GENERAL REV. FR. JOHANNES GORANTLA
During his visit to Canada, Fr. Johannes Gorantla met with OCD Friars and the St. Joseph OCDS
Community at St. Thomas More Parish, Calgary on May 7, 2019. The evening began with celebration of
the Mass with the parish community, followed by a meeting that included Evening Prayer, a short talk,
and discussion time. The evening concluded with a potluck supper prepared by the OCDS members.
On May 12, 2019 members of the three Lower Mainland OCDS Communities congregated at Guardian
Angels Church for Mass presided by Fr. Johannes Gorantla. After Mass, everyone joined in for a
welcome lunch in the Parish Hall. Fr. Steny Mascarenhas gave a heartwarming welcome and along with
Fr. Rajesh Madtha thanked Fr. Johannes for his visit. Fr. Johannes was warmly welcomed by the
Communities and briefed on their various experiences.
VISIT OF DEFINITOR GENERAL REV. FR. JOHANNES GORANTLA - VANCOUVER
RITES OF VOWS!
June 29, 2019, the Solemnity of Sts. Peter and Paul was a special day for Marilyn Cunada, member of
St. John of the Cross Community, Coquitlam, BC. on the occasion of her vows of chastity and
obedience.
The ceremony took place during a Eucharistic celebration officiated by Fr. Jerald D’Souza at St.
Edmund’s Church, North Vancouver. It was an emotional occasion for Marilyn who prepared herself
spiritually in the preceding year under the spiritual direction of Fr. Jerald. OCDS members, Marilyn’s
family and friends were in attendance to render their support and well wishes. The ceremony
culminated with the Salve Regina and the celebration continued with refreshments and fellowship.
FR. JERALD D’SOUZA , MARILYN CUNADA & MEMBERS OF ST. JOHN OF THE CROSS COMMUNITY
FR. JERALD D’SOUZA, MARILYN CUNADA
& FAMILY MEMBERS
FR. JERALD D’SOUZA, MARILYN CUNADA
& OCDS MEMBERS
LIVING IN THE LOVING CASTLE,
Canadian Carmelite Publication, Deroche (Canada, 2019), pp. xiv+174.
Rev. Fr. Rudolf V. D’Souza OCD has completed his new book on the Interior Castle of St. Teresa of Avila
titled: Living in the Loving Castle. This is his 35th literary product. The book contains 27 articles
methodically written scanning through Mansion after Mansion browsing through every chapter. These articles
partially appeared on the Karnataka Goa Carmelite Province’s Website during the V Birth Centenary Year
of St. Teresa of Avila. Now this complete volume, can be termed as Commentary on the Interior Castle of
St. Teresa is available in a book form Published under Canadian Carmelite Publication – Canada. The
articles on the above-mentioned website received a lot of positive and encouraging feed back from many
readers from all over the world. The book has 188 pages helping anyone for a smooth easy reading. Most
Rev. Greg Homeming OCD, Bishop of Lismore – Australia has given his very positive short review printed
on the back-cover page. Rev. Fr. Charles Serrao OCD (Provincial) has written a beautiful Foreword for the
book. The book will be marketed mainly in North America and copies can be ordered from Little Flower
Monastery – Deroche – Canada.
St . Teresa of Jesus Community with Fr. Silvestre D’Souza
Little Flower Monastery, Carmel Hill, Deroche BC
Fr. Silvestre D’Souza &
Fr. Rajesh Madtha
Talisa Chan
Investiture
Luc Bengono (1st Promise;
Norma Lo (Def. Promise) Happy Candidates w/ Fr. Silvestre D’souza,
Formator Bernadette O’Connor, & President
Assunta Tan
RETREAT & CEREMONIES 2019
ST. TERESA OF JESUS COMMUNITY, VANCOUVER
St . Joseph Community with Fr. Silvestre D’Souza & guests
Mt .St. Francis Retreat Centre, Cochrane AB
From L to R: MaryAnne McGill (Investiture – Member from Mt. Carmel Spirituality Centre), Rob MacDonald
(Investiture), Marta Garcia (1st Promise), Jon Maka (1st Promise), Fanny De Leon (1st Promise), Ron Nelson
(Investiture), Beata Labentowicz (Investiture, Mt Carmel Spirituality Centre), Jessica Cataraja (1st Promise),
Lynne McLaughlin (Investiture).
RETREAT & CEREMONIES 2019
ST. JOSEPH COMMUNITY, CALGARY
Investiture Ceremony
St. Thérèse of the Child Jesus and the Holy Face Group
On August 21 2019, the Feast of St. Pius X, thirteen candidates were clothed with the
Scapular of Our Lady of Mount Carmel. They are the founding members of the newly-formed
St. Thérèse of the Child Jesus and the Holy Face Group which meets at Mount Carmel
Spirituality Centre in Parkland County, AB.
The Spirituality Centre was entrusted to the friars of the Karnataka-Goa Province in July
2017 and within months several people had made inquiries about the OCDS. Fr. Mario
Fernandes, the Director of the Centre, graciously responded to these inquiries and in January
2018 a “Come-and-See” meeting was held. Many of those who attended this meeting
continued to meet monthly with Fr. Mario to discern the founding of a new OCDS Group. In
September 2018, the Group began its aspirancy year under the guidance of Fr. Mario and the
St. Joseph Community of Calgary. The fledgling group placed themselves under the
patronage of St. Thérèse of Lisieux and have enjoyed her heavenly support from the very
beginning.
During their aspirancy year, the Group experienced the challenges and the joys of building
community and beginning to live the vocation. At the end of this period and the required
discernment, thirteen aspirants were clothed. The number seemed fitting, considering that Our
Holy Mother initially indicated that thirteen be the number of sisters in each reformed
Carmel!
The investiture ceremony took place at the end of the Group’s first annual retreat with Fr.
Silvestre D’Souza as Retreat Master. Eleven candidates were clothed by Fr. Silvestre,
assisted by Fr. Mario and Fr. Ivan Sanctis. The remaining two aspirants were unable to attend
and they were permitted to be clothed at the ceremonies of the Calgary Community. After the
ceremony, their hearts echoed the words of the Canticle they had prayed that morning: “I
rejoice heartily in the Lord, in my God is the joy of my soul; for He has clothed me with a
robe of salvation, and wrapped me in a mantle of justice” (Morning Prayer, Wednesday, Week
IV).
The founding members have now begun their Year One of Formation and the Group has
welcomed new aspirants into the September 2019 Formation Year. The Group is profoundly
grateful for the wisdom and generosity of Fr. Mario, and the guidance and support of the
Calgary community. It is their prayer that they will remain faithful to the Lord to the praise of
His Glory!
St . Joseph Community with Fr. Silvestre D’Souza & guests
Mt .St. Francis Retreat Centre, Cochrane AB
Investiture Ceremony
St. Thérèse of the Child Jesus and the Holy Face Group
RETREAT & CEREMONIES 2019
OUR LADY OF MT. CARMEL, N. VANCOUVER &
ST. JOHN OF THE CROSS COMMUNITY, COQUITLAM
Cecilia Son & Fleuri Nielson
(Def. Promise)
Ceremonies officiated by
Fr. Silvestre D’Souza
Impromptu address of the Holy Father. Midday
prayer in the Monastery of the Discalced Carmelites
(Antananarivo. Saturday, 7 September 2019)
You will be given a copy of the text I
prepared, so that you can read and ponder
it quietly. But right now I would like to
speak to you from the heart. The reading
from the First Book of Kings (2:2b-3) was
addressed to Joshua. It begins with an
appeal to be courageous: “Be strong, and
show yourself a man!” Courageous. To
follow the Lord, we always need courage,
a bit of courage. It is true that the Lord
does the heavy work, yet courage is required to let him do it.
I recall something that has helped me greatly in my life as a priest and as a bishop. Late one evening,
two nuns, one very young and the other very old, were walking from the chapel, where they had just
prayed vespers, towards the refectory. The old nun had difficulty walking and the young nun tried to
help her, but the old nun was irritable. She said: “Don’t touch me! Don’t make me fall!” God knows,
maybe sickness made the old nun a bit irascible. Smiling, the young nun accompanied her. Eventually
they arrived in the refectory and the young nun tried to help her sit down, and the old nun said: “Stop
it, you’re hurting me, you’re hurting me here...”, but in the end, she sat down. A young person
experiencing all this surely would have loved to send her packing! But that young woman smiled,
took a piece of bread, prepared it and gave it to her. This is not some edifying story; it happened. The
old nun was called Sister Saint Pierre, and the young nun, Sister Therese of the Child Jesus.
A true story, and one that gives us a glimpse into community life; it shows the spirit with which one
can live in community. Charity in little things and in big things. That young woman could have
thought, “Tomorrow I will go to the Prioress and ask if she could send someone stronger to help this
old woman because I can’t do it”. But she didn’t think like that. She believed in obedience: “I have
been given this job and in obedience I will do it”. With the strength born of obedience, she did this
work with exquisite charity. I know that all of you, cloistered nuns, have come here to be close to the
Lord, to seek the way of perfection; but the way of perfection can be found in these small steps along
the path of obedience. Small steps of charity and love. Small steps that look like nothing, yet small
steps that attract, that “seduce” God; little threads that “disarm” God. This young woman was thinking
about the thread with which she can disarm God; she was thinking about the cords – the cords of love
– which are the small acts of charity. Small, very small, because our little soul cannot do great things.
Be strong! Have the courage to take little steps, the courage to believe
that your littleness makes God happy and brings salvation to the world. -
“No, but I think religious life should be changed, it should be made
more perfect and more divine, and for this I want to become a Prioress, a
Superior, in order to bring about the change!...” I’m not saying that some
of you think like this... But the devil instils these thoughts. If you want
to transform and save the world with Jesus – and not just the monastery
and religious life – it begins with these little acts of love and self-
sacrifice, which “trap” God and bring him close to us.
Let’s go back to the story of the young nun and the old nun. One of
those nights, before dinner, while they were going from the chapel to the
refectory – they used to leave the chapel ten minutes early, to walk
slowly to the refectory – Therese heard the sound of music from outside
the convent, the sound of a party and dancing... And she imagined a
party where young men and women were dancing, a nice family party, like a wedding or a birthday.
She thought about the music and everything else, and she felt something inside. Maybe she felt: “It
would be nice to be there”. I don’t know. But immediately, and firmly, she said to the Lord that she
would never, ever trade any of her kindnesses to the old nun for that worldly party. Those kindnesses
made her happier than all the dances in the world.
Worldliness will surely approach you in many hidden guises. Together with your Prioress and the
monastic community, learn how to discern the voices of worldliness, so that they don’t make their way
into the cloister. Worldliness is not like a cloistered nun; rather, it is like a goat that wanders in and
leads you away from the cloister... When thoughts of worldliness come to you, close the door and
think of small acts of love: these are what save the world. Therese chose to take care of the old nun
and to keep moving ahead.
What I’m going to tell you now is not to frighten you, but it is a reality. Jesus himself said it, so allow
me to say it too. To enter the monastery, each of you had to fight; you did so many good
things and you conquered the worldly spirit, sin, and the devil. Perhaps, on the day you entered the
monastery, the devil stopped at the monastery door, dejected, and said: “I have lost a soul”,
and then left. But then he went and sought the advice of another devil, one older and more astute, who
surely told him: “Just be patient, wait...” This is the devil’s typical way of acting. Jesus says
so. When a devil loses a soul, he leaves and comes back later and sees that beautiful, orderly and
wonderful soul, and he wants to return to it.
What does Jesus tell us? That devil then goes and looks for seven others worse than he is and comes
back with them to enter the orderly house. But they don’t enter loudly, like thieves; they enter politely.
These “polite” devils ring the bell and say: “Might I come in? Could you help me with this or that?”
Then they are allowed in. They are polite devils, they come into the house, settle in and then, Jesus
says, the end of that man or woman is worse than the beginning. - But didn’t you realize that this was
an evil spirit? - “No, he was so polite, so nice! And now, no, I’m going home because I can’t take it
any more”. Now it’s too late; you let him enter too deeply into your heart. Didn’t you realize, couldn’t
you have talked to the Prioress, couldn’t you have talked with the Superior or with some of the Sisters
in the community?
The tempter does not want to be discovered; that is why he disguises himself as a noble,educated
person, and even at times as a spiritual father... Please, Sister, when you feel something strange, talk
right away! Speak up! Make it known. If Eve had spoken up in time, if she had gone to the Lord to
tell him: “This snake is telling me such and such; what do you think?” If only she had spoken up on
time! But Eve did not speak up, and then disaster struck. So this is my advice: when there is something
that troubles your tranquility, speak up immediately, speak on time. I do not say your peace, but even
before peace, your tranquility. This is the help, the defense you have in community, that each of you
helps the other to form a united front, to defend holiness, to defend the glory of God, to defend love, to
defend the monastery.
- “But shouldn’t feel well protected from spiritual worldliness and from the devil because we have
double grill and a curtain!” The double grill and the curtain are not enough. You could have hundreds
of curtains! Charity and prayer are required. The charity needed to ask in time for advice from the
Sisters and from the Prioress. But also say a prayer to the Lord: “Lord, is it real, what I am feeling;
what the serpent is telling me, is it true?” The young Therese, as soon as she felt something inside,
spoke about it with her Prioress, the Prioress, who didn’t like her! - “But how can I go to the Prioress
if she snarls at me every time I go to her!” Yes, but the Prioress is Jesus. - “But, Father, the Prioress is
not a good person, she’s bad”. Let the Lord decide that; for you, the Prioress is Jesus. - “But the
Prioress is a bit old, things are not working well...”. Let the chapter decide; if you want to bring this
forward, say it at the chapter, but you have to report to the Prioress, because she is Jesus. There should
always be transparency of the heart! You always win by speaking up.
So then, Therese, who knew that the Prioress did not like her that much, would go to her anyway.
Well, we have to realize that not all Prioresses get the Nobel Prize for sympathy! But they are Jesus.
The path of obedience is one that submits you to love, that makes us submissive to love.
Then, Therese got sick. She fell ill and little by little she thought she was losing her faith. The poor
thing, who in her life knew how to deal with the “polite” devils, was, at the time of her death, at a loss;
she couldn’t cope with the devil that was besetting her. She would say: “I can see him circling around
me”. The darkness of the last days and months of life. When it comes to temptation and spiritual
warfare, charity does not go into retirement: you have to keep fighting to the end. To the very end.
Even when you are surrounded by darkness. Therese thought she had lost her faith! So she called for
the nuns to sprinkle holy water on her bed and to bring blessed candles... In the monastery, the battle
continues to the end. But it is a beautiful battle, for in this cruel but magnificent battle, when it is
real, peace is never lost.
I’m sure you are going say: “This Pope is a bit ‘folksy’; instead of talking theology, he talked to us
like children. Would that you were all children, at least in spirit. With that aspect of being a child that
the Lord loves so dearly! I would like to finish the story of Therese and that old woman. That same
Therese now accompanies an old man.
I would like to give a testimony about this, because she has accompanied me at every step of the way.
She taught me how to walk. Sometime I am a little irritable and I send her away, as Mother Saint
Pierre did. Sometimes I listen to her; sometimes my troubles keep me from listening carefully... But
she is a faithful friend. That is why I didn’t want to talk to you in the abstract; I wanted to share with
you my experience with a saint, and in doing so, to tell you about what a saint can do and about the
path to becoming saints.
Be strong! And keep going!
Fr. KIERAN KAVANAUGH, O.C.D.
(Age 90)
On Saturday, February 2, 2019, of
Washington, DC, originally from Wisconsin.
Beloved member of the Discalced Carmelite
Order. Relatives, friends and religious may
call at Carmelite Monastery, 2131 Lincoln
Road NE, Washington, DC, on Friday,
February 8, from 2 to 4 p.m. where Mass of
Christian Burial will be celebrated on
Saturday, February 9, at 11 a.m. Interment
Holy Hill, Hubertus, WI. Memorial
contributions may be made to the Discalced
Carmelite Friars at the above address.
“Since 1957 – almost his entire priestly ministry – the Milwaukee native has dedicated his life to
translating the thousands of pages that comprise the works of the 16th-century Spanish Carmelite
spiritual masters, Sts. Teresa of Avila and John of the Cross, from the original Spanish into standard
American English.
The fresh translations – which Father Kavanaugh regularly updated with new scholarship – have
helped to bring the spiritual teachings of these two famous but often previously unread Carmelite
saints into the lives of modern scholars of all religious traditions.
Today these affordable translations are available from the United States to the Philippines, and from
Africa to Great Britain.
Father Kavanaugh was not only known for his translations, but was also an internationally
recognized expert on Carmelite saints and spirituality. His 10-page bibliography lists 82 published
articles, essays, reviews and translations on Carmelite themes, published in English, Spanish and
Italian.
In addition to his translations and other writing, the friar’s five decades-plus of priestly ministry have
been rich and varied. He was a charter member of the Institute of Carmelite Studies, as well as of the
Carmelite Forum, which includes men and women scholars representing both Carmelite branches,
the Discalced and the Ancient Observance.
He was in frequent demand for retreats, lectures, seminars and workshops, both in the United States
and in Europe, Asia and Africa.
Father Kavanaugh served in numerous elected posts within the order, including local superior,
provincial councilor, vicar-provincial and delegate to provincial and general chapters. He has also
served as spiritual liaison to various Carmelite secular communities and to those communities of
Discalced Carmelite nuns under the jurisdiction of the provincial.
He was the Washington province’s postulator, or promoter, of causes for canonization of Discalced
Carmelite friars, nuns and lay members.
When Father Kavanaugh was not busy translating, editing or in other ministerial responsibilities,
Father Culligan said, he can “be found praying, doing dishes or answering the phone” in his
community’s monastery in Washington.”
Source: https://www.archbalt.org/carmelites-honor-father-kavanaugh-for-lifes-work-as-translator/
Fr. KIERAN KAVANAUGH, O.C.D.
Website www.ocdswest.ca e-mail: [email protected]
Mailing Address: Western Canada OCDS of the Karnataka-Goa Province P.O. Box 43011 Richmond Centre P.O. Richmond, BC Canada V6Y 3Y3
St. Joseph
Patron Saint
