The year 1619
marks the beginning of the first
Carmelite establishment in India. So this year Carmelites are completing 4
centuries of its presence in India The celebration of the 400 years of
Carmelite presence in India is organised under the umbrella of Inter-Provincial
Conference of India of the Carmelites by it’s Steering committee formed for the
purpose which is headed by Rev. Dr. Archibald Gonsalves OCD and Fr. Mark
Furtado OCD, representing Karnataka-Goa province of the Carmelites. This
celebration will be held from Ferbruary, 8-10, 2019 in Goa. This will coincide
with the Extra-Ordinary Definitory from February, 4-11 at St. Joseph Vaz
Spiritual Centre, Old Goa.
In view of this celebration, facelift has been given to the
ruins of Convento do Carmo at Old Goa. Very Rev. Dr. Saverio Cannistra OCD,
Superior General of the Carmelites will preside over the Eucharistic
Celebrations at the Ruins of the Carmelite Monastery (Convento do Carmo) Old
Goa on 8th February, 2019 at 7.30 a.m. Fr. Superior General will bless the
renovated Carmelite Monastery Church and the Monastery at Margao in the
evening. Carmelite Scholastic meet is also be held at Pallotti Home, Chicalim
on 9th February, 2019. More than 150 scholastics from Indian provinces will
participate in the meet.
If you enjoyed reading this article, you can help support our journalism by adding OHeraldo as a preferred source.
Archbishop Filipe Neri Ferrão will preside over the Solemn Eucharistic
Celebration on 10th February, 2019 at 4.00 p.m. at Se Cathedral Church, Old
Goa. Most Rev. Dr. Derek Fernandes (Bishop of Karwar Diocese) and Most Rev. Dr.
Aloysius Paul D’souza (Bishop Emeritus of Mangalore Diocese) will concelebrate
with Rev. Dr. . Saverio Cannistra, Superior General of the Discalced Carmelites
and other priests. This will be followed by Light and Sound Presentation of the
Carmelite History in India—Solo Dios Basta (God alone suffices) by Rev. Dr.
Allan Tavares s.f.x. . His Emminence George Cardinal Alencherry (Major
Archbishop of the Syro- Malabar Church) will be the Chief Guest. Most Rev. Dr.
Derek Fernandes ( Bishop of Karwar Diocese) and Most Rev. Dr. Aloysius Paul
D’souza ( Bishop Emeritus of Mangalore Diocese) will be the Guests of honour.
Seminar on the History and Contribution of the Carmelites in India will be held
in the morning from 9.00 a.m. -1.30 p.m., inaugural ceremony will be presided
over by Very Rev. Dr. Saverio Cannistra, the Superior General of the Discalced
Carmelites. All are invited for this mega event.
Seminar
on Carmelite History and Contribution will be in three sessions. The first
session will be moderated by Rev. Dr. Chris CSST ( Mother General of the
Congregation of the Sisters of St. Teresa) which include papers on Historical
Background of the arrival of Carmelites in Goa by Dr. Fatima Gracias,
Architecture of First OCD Monastery in Goa by Dr. Fernando Velho and Spread of
Carmel in Old Goa by John Marshal while in the second session, papers on
Carmelite Spirituality in the Indian Context and Carmel’s Contributions in the
Spiritual Apostolate of the Church in India presented By Rev. Dr. Peter
Chakiath OCD and Rev. Dr. . Verony CTC respectively . This session will be
moderated by Superior General of the CMI Fathers, Rev. Dr. Paul Achandy. Rev.
Dr. Tresa CSST will present on Carmelite contributions in the Social Apostolate
of the Church in India and Rev. Dr. Prasad Theruvathu OCD will speak on
Challenges of Carmel in India Today in the third session which will be
moderated by the Assistant General of the Congregation of the Apostolic Carmel,
Rev. Dr. Mabilia A.C.
