At first sight, a 16th-century Spanish Carmelite nun and someone living in today’s world might seem to be hopelessly remote and irrelevant to one another. Yet Teresa’s rich humanity, her gentle humour, and her deep love for the Lord still have about them a freshness that is both appealing and practical. Her wisdom still speaks to us with great appeal. Join Professor Austin Cooper OMI on Wednesday 6 April at 10.30 on Zoom to discover more. Book here.
This month we reflect and recognise the part that the Press and journalists play in risking their lives to bring us truthful, current news as the world celebrates their achievements on World Press Freedom Day on 3 May. Carmelites also commemorate the work of Dutch journalist and academic Titus Brandsma O.Carm, soon to be canonised on 15 May. Peter Thomas has had a fulfilling career in this area himself and has written with great passion the parallels he sees in how the work of Titus Brandsma and World Press Freedom Day are connected.
You can download and save the scripture texts, reflections and prayers for Lectio Divina for each day of this month. Lectio Divina is a traditional way of praying the Scriptures. Visit our Lectio Divina page for more information about how to pray using Lectio Divina. Join our Lectio Online group every Friday at 10am (Australian Eastern Standard Time) to prayerfully reflect on the coming Sunday's Gospel. Register here.
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Lectio Divina April 2022 PDF
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Lectio Divina April 2022 for iPhone & iPad
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Lectio Divina April 2022 for Kindle
Throughout his life, Fr Titus Brandsma was a man of forgiveness and reconciliation, including in the most complicated situations and contexts. When he was Assistant Press Officer of the Catholic Press, he had to face complex situations (political instability, tension, labour struggles, radicalisation, etc.) and always demonstrated a willingness for dialogue, open to the pleas of all. Through this, he earned the nickname “the reconciler.”
The Gospels of the last two Sundays were parables about God’s forgiveness and tender care in nurturing us back to life. In today’s Gospel we see God’s lavish forgiveness in action as Jesus deals with a concrete human situation of life-threatening judgement and condemnation. We are called, not to be judges over others, but practitioners of God’s lavish compassion and mercy.
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Celebrating At Home 5th Sunday in Lent [PDF]
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Celebrating At Home 5th Sunday in Lent [ePub]
Br Marcolino Gomes graduated with the degree of Bachelor of Theology at the University of Divinity Graduation Ceremony on 25 March. The ceremony, held in St Paul’s Cathedral, Melbourne, saw over 370 students receive a variety of awards from diplomas to doctorates. Marco is now studying for his master’s in theological studies. Congratulations, Marco! More photos & video
This Sunday’s Gospel is a parable of lavish and unexpected forgiveness and reconciliation. It is one of three parables in which God’s mercy breaks through all human and religious restrictions about how God should act toward sinners, like the parable of the patient gardener in last week's Gospel. Today's Gospel offers not just the hope of God’s forgiveness but the certainty of it. The message today is: Rejoice in God’s abiding mercy!
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Celebrating At Home 4th Sunday in Lent [PDF]
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Celebrating At Home 4th Sunday in Lent [ePub]
Rector Tom Brocks has been governing the former Carmel Lyceum in Oss, founded in 1922 by Titus Brandsma, since 2007. After WWII the school was renamed Titus Brandsma Lyceum. Titus' ideas are alive and well here, permeating the school culture.
Being of central importance to the Christian life, it is no surprise to find the Eucharist at the heart of Carmelite life from its earliest beginnings. The first Carmelites built an oratory in the midst of their cells on Mount Carmel to facilitate common prayer and common celebration of the Eucharist. Titus was convinced that our spiritual life, just as our physical life, requires food. We are strengthened by the gift of the Eucharist as we ‘walk in life’s journey here below.’
Carmelites, Brs Albino, Marcolino, José and Anacleto, joined other young Timorese students in Melbourne to help out during the recent Timor-Leste Presidential Election. Greeting voters, giving out masks and hand sanitiser, checking the electoral roll, issuing ballots and counting the results were some of the tasks they undertook at the Timor-Leste Consulate. More photos
