TOC Advent Recollection 2021

Members of the TOC from different communities in the country recently attended their respective annual Advent recollection with the following theme: Coping with Our Personal Crises (Prayer and Our Inner Healing). The recollections were conducted by Reverend Father Baltazar P. Ronato, OCarm. via Zoom.

Emphasizing the essence of the human body in the context of faith, Fr. Bal reminded attendees that man is the image of God. "The quality of the soul is the quality of the body", he explained.

First Batch -North Luzon A & B Regions and Eastern Mindanao Communities  November 20

Second Batch - Bulacan, Pampanga and Cabanatuan Communities

November 27

Third Batch - NCR North, Bicol and Bulacan Communities

December 4

 

Fourth Batch - NCR South

December 10

Credits to the different communities for sharing pictures of their recollection through the TOC Philippines Facebook Page.

TOC Attends Webinar on JPIC and Human Rights

 

Members of the TOC joined fellow Carmelites at the webinar entitled: “JPIC and Human Rights: A Carmelite Perspective” last November 27. The webinar was conducted by Prior General Fr. Miċéal O’Neill, OCarm.

Outlining the history of the 1948 Declaration of Human Rights, Fr. Miċéal emphasized four focus areas of Carmelites which include: 1) human rights; 2) the environment; 3) culture and freedom of religion, and; 4) justice and peace. It was for this reason that the Justice, Peace and Integrity of Creation was established to help society become “a more peaceful and just world”.

“We must become aware of human rights to make us more committed,” Fr. Miċéal explained, reminding attendees that Carmelites carry a prophetic zeal that supports human rights and “… works side by side by those who are suffering.”

Rev. Fr. Christian “Toots” Buenafe, OCarm, made a brief presentation on the human rights activities of Carmelites in the Philippine context.

The webinar was hosted by the Institute of Spirituality in Asia. A video of the learning session can be accessed through the official Philippine Carmelites Facebook Page.                                               

(Source: Fr. Jesus Salonga Wenceslao's Facebook page)

The Third Order of Carmelites wishes to congratulate Rev. Fr. Jesus Salonga Wenceslao, TOC, on his upcoming ordination to the Sacred Order of Presbyters on the Feast of the Immaculate Concepcion on December 8, 2021. He is one of the three scheduled for ordination.

Fr. Wenceslao belongs to the St. John Paul II TOC Community in UST Central Seminary. 

(Source: Fraternitas Sacerdotalis Tertii Ordinis Carmelitarum Facebook page)

Acceptance and Vestition to the Novitiate

(From left: Bro. Ruel Santos, Rev. Fr. Jerry Oblepias, Bro. Aeron Ruazol and Sis Nene Alimagro)

The TOC recently celebrated the acceptance and vestition to the Novitiate of Bro. Aeron A. Ruazol on the Feast Day of All Carmelite Saints (14 November) at the Diocesan Shrine of Our Lady of Turumba in Pakil, Laguna.

The mass was officiated by Rev. Fr. Jerry R. Oblepias, SThL, parish priest of the shrine. 

Photo credits to Sister Nene Alimagro, TOC and the Facebook page of the Dambana ng Mahal na Birhen ng Turumba.

All Souls of the Carmelite Order

Feast Day: 15 November

(Source: British Carmelites)

Let us remember in our prayers today the souls of our Carmelite brothers and sisters who went ahead of us. These are souls who may have once belonged to our community, whom we may have met during retreats, recollections, and other community events. They are brothers and sisters whom we may have laughed with, cried with and loved in the spirit of Carmelite fraternity. They are souls who, by the grace of God, touched our lives and the whole Carmelite family.

May our Heavenly Mother of Carmel, Star of the Sea, bring relief to the souls most dear to us, and them ever closer to the august presence of the Most Holy Trinity forever.

Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon them. May their souls rest peacefully in the love of the Most Triune God. 

"Devotion to the memory of the dead is one of the most beautiful expressions of the Catholic spirit". - Pope Saint John XXIII.

Lay Carmelites celebrate the Feast of Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Amidst the Pandemic

Despite the continuing pandemic world-wide, lay Carmelites in the country celebrate the feast of Our Lady of Mt. Carmel in their communities. 

On the second year of the pandemic, TOC members made their way to their respective parishes to attend the Holy Eucharist and distribute the Brown Scapulars to parishioners present*.

Bacoor 

TOC members at the Sto. Nino de Molino Parish

Investiture of the Brown Scapular in Queensrow

Camiling 

Dumaguete 

At the St. Catherine of Alexandria Cathedral Parish

Pasig

Pilar/Sta. Rosa 

At the Our Lady of the Pillar Parish

Chair of St. Peter Parish, Balibago, Laguna

With Fr. Jerry Gaela, Parish Priest

We wish to thank the communities who contributed photos of their celebration. For those still wishing to submit, you may contact us through the Third Order of Carmelites - Philippine Province of Blessed Titus Brandsma's Facebook page.

* Note: Social distancing and wearing of face masks and face shields were observed all throughout, in compliance with the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF) Guidelines and the appropriate local government unit instructions.

A Message from the Prior General on the Feast of Our Lady of Mt. Carmel

 

(Source: Carmelitengo.org)

A Message from the National Prior and the TOC Council

The National Prior Alejandro “Bot” Bautista and his Council together with the Administrators of this page wishes the Carmelite Family, Members of the Brown Scapular Confraternity, our readers and subscribers and everyone a BLESSED AND HAPPY SOLEMNITY OF OUR LADY OF MOUNT CARMEL.

May all of us who are faithful devotees of the Our Lady of Mount Carmel be blessed by our good Lord and may Our Lady impart her maternal graces to us all.

MABUHAY!

Formation Talk on the Brown Scapular

 

Fr. Sirenio Jaranilla, OCarm., delivered a formation talk on the Brown Scapular on July 3 via Zoom. The talk focused on the history of Mariology and its influence to Carmelite Spirituality and the Brown Scapular.

Several TOC members from different communities joined the virtual event.

Invitation to the Carmelite Rosary

Experience praying the Holy Rosary the CARMELITE WAY!

We invite all to experience reciting the Carmelite Rosary and the Evening Prayer of the Church (Liturgy of the Hours) with the Friars and Novices of the Spring of Carmel Novitiate Community this evening, July 3, at 6:00 pm, Philippine Standard Time, thru Zoom or FB Live.

Join us in honoring Our Lady of Mt. Carmel and in celebrating the Public Prayer of the Church every First Saturday of the month!

Those joining via Zoom may use the following Zoom ID and passcode below:

Zoom ID link: 815 2296 1531

Passcode: 905268

Thank you!

The New TOC National Council (2021-2024)

CAUSA NOSTRAE LAETITIAE

The Third Order of Carmelites recently concluded its 2021 National Convention last June 26, 2021 with the election of the TOC National Council.

The following members have been elected for the period 2021-2024:

National Prior: Bro. Alejandro "Bot" Bautista, TOCarm (Barasoain)

Councilors:

1st - Sis. Catherine "Peachy" Roa, TOCarm (Project 7)

2nd - Sis. Crisanta "Nene" Alimagno, TOCarm (Pilar)

3rd - Sis. Rosario "Tina" Guillerme, TOCarm (Cubao)

4th - Sis. Mary Ann Navalta, TOCarm (Project 7)

Provincial Delegate: Rev. Fr. Baltazar Ronato, OCarm

Congratulations to the newly-elected officers!

(Source: Carmelitesph.org)