Brothers Avelino Dos Santos, Anacleto Guterres da Costa and Abrão De Jesus, 3 student friars from Timor Leste, recently attended the gathering of Carmelite student friars from the Asia-Australia-Oceania region in Manila, Philippines together with Fr Roque Soares.

The gathering was organised by the Filipino formators of the Carmelite Province of Blessed Titus Brandsma.

Participants in the regional Students’ Gathering were student friars from India, Indonesia, Timor Leste, Vietnam and the Philippines. "These are young student friars who are deeply searching for consecrated life through gradual affinity to the charism and mission of the Carmelites. These are young student friars who tenaciously cling to their emerging religious vocations for the benefit of the Asian people who are experiencing the contradictions of the present economic and social systems in various Asian countries. These are young student friars who allow the Holy Spirit to lead and direct them in the search for consecrated life in the service of humanity and the Church," Fr Roque said.

The content of the gathering were divided into inputs, open discussions and workshops. The input included Consecrated Life in the Context of Asia (Fr Eugene Cañete, Missionary of Jesus), The Challenges of Building Community in the Multi-Cultural Dimension of Asia (Sr Rhean Justin L. Sanchez (Carmelite sister of Our Lady),  and The Significance of Teresa of Avila (The Way of Perfection) in the Context of Carmelite Formation in Asia in the 21st Century (Angela Bradony Ureta, Association of O.Carm).

The program also included an opportunity for student friars form each country to celebrate their unique culture and traditions.

We were encouraged to share and build on perceptions and points of view on the social, economic and cultural challenges that the Asian region offers to emerging consecrated life. We were also urged to see the relevant and significant contribution to community building which is the core of Carmelite mission, including the way of Teresa of Avila and how it might serve the needs of consecrated life in the 21st century.
                                
OBRIGADO WAIN - Thank you very much.