International Congress of the Carmelite Laity in Rome, September 15-21, 2018

TOC delegates from the different communities all across the world recently convened to attend the International Congress of the Carmelite Laity in Rome last September 15-21, 2018. The Philippine delegation was led by TOC Philippines National Prior Brother Ruel Santos. Centering on the theme, Our Lady of Carmel, Mother of Family, the event was attended by members from across Asia, America and Europe.

Carmelites in action

Sharing by TOC National Prior Bro. Ruel Santos

Fr. Millan delivers his message to the TOC members

Celebration of the Holy Eucharist

A rosary vigil for Our Lady

Cultural Night

Delegates enjoyed an evening of entertainment and revelry as members in their traditional attires presented their number before the attendees. 

An added highlight of the event included a papal audience from Pope Francis at the Vatican Square.

Pope Francis blessing the crowd at St. Peter's Square

TOC members in the foreground (in yellow baseball caps)

The Hail Mary - Praying the Rosary Devoutly

The whole month of October is devoted to Our Lady of the Holy Rosary. Let us reflect on the teachings of St. Louis de Montfort on the recitation of the holy rosary with love and devotion, particularly the Hail Mary.

The Heavenly Salutation (i.e. Hail Mary) draws down upon the blessings of Jesus and Mary in abundance, for it is an infallible truth that Jesus and Mary reward in a marvelous way those who glorify them. They repay us a hundredfold for the praises that we give them. "I love them that love me... that I may enrich them that love me and fill their treasures" (Proverbs 8:17, 21). Jesus and Mary have always said: "We love those who love us; we enrich them and fill their treasuries to overflowing". "He who soweth in blessings, shall also reap blessings" (Corinthians 9:6).

Now, if we say the Hail Mary properly, is not this a way to love, bless and glorify Jesus and Mary?

In each Hail Mary we bless both Jesus and Mary: "Blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus".

By each Hail Mary we give Our Lady the same honor that God gave her when He sent the Archangel Gabriel to greet her for Him. How could anyone possibly think that Jesus and Mary, who often do good to those that curse them, could ever curse those that bless and honor them by the Hail Mary?

Both St. Bernard and St. Bonaventure say that the Queen of Heaven is certainly no less grateful and conscientious than gracious and well-mannered people of this world. Just as she excels in all other perfections, she surpasses us all in the virtue of gratitude; so she would never let us honor her with love and respect without repaying us one hundredfold. St. Bonaventure says that Mary will greet us with grace if we greet her with the Hail Mary.

Who could possibly understand the graces and blessings which the greeting and tender regard of Our Lady effect in us? From the very first instant that St. Elizabeth heard the greeting that the Mother of God gave her, she was filled with the Holy Spirit and the child in her womb leaped for joy. If we make ourselves worthy of the greeting and blessings of Our Lady, we shall certainly be filled with graces and a flood of spiritual consolations will come down into our souls.

(The Secret of the Rosary by St. Louis Montfort)