450 Teresian Reform

450TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE TERESIAN REFORM Message of the Superior General Communicationes ROMA-ITALIA (19-08-2012).- This year we celebrate an anniversary of particular significance: the 24th of August will see the completion of 450 years since the foundation of St. Joseph’s in Avila, and therefore too, since the beginning of Teresa’s reform.To read the entire message and other related events you may visit the website of the OCD Generalate in Rome www.carmelitaniscalzi.com. Vatican City, (VIS) - The holy father, Pope Benedict XVI has also sent a message to Bishop Jesus Garcia Burillo of Avila, Spain, to mark the 450th anniversary of the foundation of the Monastery of St. Joseph and the beginning of the Carmelite reform by St. Teresa of Avila. The message, ample extracts of which are given below, is dated 16 July. "The reform of the Carmelite Order, the anniversary of which fills us with inner joy, arose from prayer and tends towards prayer. In promoting a radical return to the original Rule and abandoning the mitigated Rule, St. Teresa of Jesus sought to create a form of life which favoured a personal encounter with the Lord, finding 'a place where we can be alone and look upon Him present within us. Nor need we feel strange in the presence of so kind a Guest'". "St. Teresa presented a new way of being Carmelite in a world which was also new.

Reopening of the Troostbasilica

On 18 March, was the Troostbasilica reopened to the public (after 2 and a haf years of the interior restoration). The significant event was marked by a solemn concelebrated Mass with Godfried Cardinal Danneels as the main celebrant. There were 14 concelebrating priests and around 400 people who joined in the celebration. Some had to sit in the verrijzenispandwhere they could follow the Mass through a large screen. We will try to publish an excert of the beautiful and touching of the homily of the Cardinal when we get hold of the copy.

The most touching parts were the re-enthronement of the miraculous image of Our Lady of Consolation and the moment of Adoration after the blessing of the new altar-tabernacle while the choir was singing Ave Verum.

More photos to follow...

Please our apology for the delay in updating our blog. We had problem in accessing our blog account. Thank you for your understanding and patience! A blessed lenten season