340 01.2019 Conference on Father Francisco Palau he congregations of the presented, as well as his manner of Carmelite Missionaries and living out the Teresian Carmelite the Teresian Carmelite Mis- charism in his situation of exclaus- Tsionaries, together with the Pontifical tration and diverse other topics Faculty and the Pontifical Institute having to do with his spirituality of Spirituality Teresianum in Rome, and mystico-theological legacy organized a conference on Father to the charismatic heritage of the Francisco Palau, ocd. It took place Church and Carmel. from November 26th to 28th, 2018, The Congress concluded with a on the occasion of the 30th anniver- prayer of thanksgiving which also sary of his beatification by Saint John implored the prompt canonization Paul II, which occurred in 2018. of our brother Father Francisco of Historical and biographical topics Jesus, Mary and Joseph (Palau y about Blessed Francisco Palau were Quer), Discalced Carmelite. Carmel: 400 years in Bologna ceremony began the celebra- ing that long period of time, have tions of the 400th anniver- helped and given support to the sary of the foundation of the community. In 1617, Cardinal Lu- Amonastery of Discalced Carmelite dovisi, wishing to welcome a com- Nuns in Bologna, the Father Provin- munity of Carmelites in his diocese, cial of the Discalced Carmelites of said: “This is a very holy undertak- Lombardy presiding. ing, and with time it will be of great aid to our city,” thereby voicing the Thanking God for the 400 years of desire of all the citizens to provide presence of the feminine branch of assistance for a foundation that they Carmel in that city, our sisters also foresaw would give spiritual and invite us to thank all those who, dur- temporal support to Bologna. 1 Communicationes 340/01.2019 We unite ourselves to our sisters’ always from good to better, faithful prayers and ask for the accomplish- to the charism inherited from Holy ment of their desire to advance Mother Teresa of Jesus. The Soso Carmel in the state of Jharkhand, India celebrated its 50 years of foundation n 14 november 2018, a sol- who gathered for the south east emn Eucharistic celebration association general assembly added presided over by the bishop great joy to the celebration. On this Oof Gumla and bishop of Simdega auspicious occasion two temporarily marked the solemn occasion. Fr. professed sisters : Srs. Neelima and Johannes Gorantla the Definitor for Maxima pronounced their solemn South Asia, fr. Sebastian the provin- vows in the presence of a big crowd cial of Malabar, several Carmelite of faithful. Soso Carmel has 17 sis- fathers and brothers were present. ters and two candidates at present. The presence of 23 of our sisters Meeting of the Latin American Association of Carmelites he 4th conference organ- laity and religious, male and female ized by the Latin American – from almost all Latin American Association of Carmelites countries, met in the Santa María of T(ALACAR) was celebrated in San- Altagracia Retreat House to allow to Domingo from November 6th themselves to be enlightened by the through 11th. The Fathers General lives, witnesses, and messages of of Carmel, Saverio Cannistrà, OCD, these three persons, whose martyrial and Fernando Millán, O.Carm., were offerings surpasses the frontiers of present. The theme chosen to in- space and time. spire the reflections was: “Yesterday’s The Carmelite Missionary, Sandra martyrs for today’s Latin American Henríquez, opened the conference Carmel: Archbishop Romero, Edith with the topic, “Edith Stein, by the Stein, and Titus Brandsma.” sign of the Cross: The Christian Approximately 120 participants – martyrdom of a daughter of Israel.” Communicationes 340/01.2019 2 Father Saverio Cannistrà followed topic, “Sanctity from the starting with a presentation titled, “The point of humanity.” participation in the love of Christ in These have been providential days the martyrdom of Edith Stein.” The to re-create the fraternity of Carmel Salvadoran Carmelite bishop, Oswal- at the same moment in which we do Escobar, prelate of the diocese of renew our commitment to be wit- Chalatenango, presented the figure nesses of Jesus who suffers in the of Archbishop Romero, the Saint of dehumanization of those who are the poor. And lastly, Father Fernan- persecuted and marginalized, but do Millán presented the figure of who triumphs at the same time by Blessed Titus Brandsma with the the surrender of our martyrs. Our Lady of Mount Carmel Shrine: a Minor Basilica ast 14 December 2018, So- tion. After obtaining the approval of lemnity of our Holy Father the Catholic Bishops Conference of St. John of the Cross, Most the Philippines (CBCP) in July 2018, LRev. Honesto F. Ongtioco, D. D., the bishop forwarded the petition to Bishop of Cubao, informed Fr. Joey the Holy See last August 2018. At Mabborang, OCD, Rector & Parish the plenary meeting of the CBCP Priest of the National Shrine of Our in 2015, Bishop Ongtioco endorsed Lady of Mt. Carmel in Quezon City the petition to declare the church a of the approval of the petition to National Shrine. The following year, elevate the National Shrine to the the Apostolic Penitentiary granted rank of Minor Basilica. The Apos- a Spiritual Bond of Affinity between tolic Nunciature in Manila received the National Shrine and the Basili- the decree of the Sacred Congre- ca of St. Mary Major in Rome. This gation for Divine Worship and the privilege grants special indulgences Discipline of the Sacraments and to the pilgrims and visitors of the transmitted it to Bishop Ongtioco. Shrine on solemnities and feasts of Earlier, Bishop Ongtioco encouraged Our Lady. the Friars to initiate the said peti- 3 Communicationes 340/01.2019.