From September 2–21, 2013, the General Chapter of the Order of the Brothers of the Blessed Virgin Mary of Mount Carmel takes place in Sassone, Italy (Rome). Its theme is: “A Word of Hope and Salvation” (Constitution 24): living the charisma and mission of Carmel today.
The General Chapter is the highest authority of the religious order. Its main tasks are: to protect and renew the spiritual heritage of the community, to elect the highest superior and other members of the order leadership, to discuss serious matters, and to issue regulations binding for all (e.g. changes in the statutes). It is therefore the highest governing and legislative body of the order.
Before the chapter began, an Instrumentum laboris (1) was published, to which individual provinces, houses, and order members could express their opinions in advance. Each member of the order, each province, and local community could also freely submit other proposals for discussion at the General Chapter.
Participants in the chapter with voting and advisory rights are designated in the constitutions of the order.
From the Czech-Moravian delegation, the General Chapter is attended by the General Delegate P. Gorazd Cetkovský. Another member of the delegation at the chapter is the current General Procurator of the order, P. Josef Jančář.
(1) A text containing questions and themes for reflection and contemplation, serving to prepare for the General Chapter.
Official website of the chapter: Here...
Program of the General Chapter (PDF): Here...
General Chapter in photos: http://www.facebook.com/ocarm.org
Prayer for the General Chapter
Loving God,
You are the source of all goodness,
You are the living God of history,
always faithful to your little ones.
You have called us,
to strive to find You
and to live together in brotherly life among people
in obedience to Christ.
Humbly we ask You:
give us wisdom and strength,
that we may have the courage to live among the little ones
and to speak in today’s changing world about hope and salvation
– more by our lives than by our words.
Guide us during the General Chapter.
Pour out your Holy Spirit upon us,
that we may remain faithful to our mission
and gather with humility and sincerity,
as we reflect on our charism in the light of today’s needs.
Always keep us faithful to You.
Help us seek Your will,
that we may serve Your people as best we can in many different ways.
We ask this through the intercession
of our patroness, the Blessed Virgin Mary of Mount Carmel,
who is always close to us.
In the name of Jesus Christ, Your Son,
who lives and reigns with You and with the Holy Spirit. Amen.
