Canonical Foundation: Mater Carmeli TOC Community

Te Deum Laudamus!

It is with great joy that the Mater Carmeli TOC Community celebrated their canonical foundation on March 17, 2012 together with the TOC National Council and the community of the Carmelite Nuns at Mater Carmeli Monastery. After 6 years of perseverance, the community was canonically recognized by Rome.

The Rite of Canonical Foundation was celebrated by Fr. Noel Rosas, OCarm., Provincial Delegate of the Order. After the celebration of the Holy Mass, a sumptuous lunch was served. The day was also capped by a recollection about leadership to the members of the community.

Mo. Teresa, prioress of the monastery, singing the responsorial psalm

Fr. Noel incensing the altar

The nuns as choir during the Holy Mass

Reading of the Canonical Letters

Members of the National Council

Giving of the Certificate

Blessing of the Banner of the Community

Canonical Visit from the Representatives of the Carmelite Curia

On February 25, delegates from the Carmelite Curia headed by Fr. Albertus Herwanta, OCarm (General Councilor for Asia, Australia, and Oceania) with Fr. Desire Alimange, OCarm. (General Councilor for Africa and Evangelization) visited the Lay Carmelites in Manila. The venue of the visitation was held at Titus Brandsma Center. Before the meeting began, a Holy Mass was held and presided by Fr. Albertus. Communities present came from Sta. Ana, Cubao, Tondo, Makati, Project 6, Project 7, Project 4, Kamias, and as far as Sta. Cruz, Laguna.

Sis. Sally Castro, TOCarm presented the status of the TOC in the Philippines and the two projects being done namely the Domus Carmelitana and the Flos Carmeli House of Prayer. Bro. Ruel Santos, TOCarm presented the status of formation and the different activities regarding formation. During the presentation, it was stated that the complete formation program for the TOC Philippines will be released by 2013.

The host of the program was Bro. Arnold Alcala, TOCarm who came all the way from Bicol. After the conference, the National Council together with Fr. Albertus, Fr. Desire, and Fr. Toots Buenafe, OCarm (Commissary General) have a hearty lunch at Kopi Tiam near Santolan.

Admission of New Aspirants to the Order

The Flower of Carmel is indeed growing. Two communities made the rite of admission for aspirants to the Third Order. The Blessed Maria Sagrario of St. Aloysius Gonzaga TOCC held their rites on February 12 at the Parish of St. Aloysius Gonzaga, San Luis, Pampanga while the Our Lady of the Pillar TOCC held theirs on February 25 at the Our Lady of the Pillar Parish, Pilar Village, Las Pinas City.

Bl. Maria Sagrario TOCC Rites:

Imposition of the Brown Scapular

Interrogation of the Presider

Image of Our Lady and Bl. Maria Sagrario

Fr. Fernando David giving inputs to the newly received aspirants

Our Lady of the Pillar Rites:

The community with their new aspirants and the parish priest