OLD GOA: The Superior General of the Order of Discalced Carmelites has arrived in Goa to participate in the weeklong “Extra-Ordinary General Definitory” which will be held from February 4-11at the St Joseph Vaz Spirituality Centre, Old Goa.
On his arrival at Dabolim Airport, the Superior General Rev Dr Saveiro Cannistra was welcomed by Rev Dr Archibald Gonsalves, the convenor of the steering committee formed for the celebration of 400 years of the Carmelite presence in India. Others present to welcome Dr Saveiro Cannistra were Rev Dr Pius James D’Souza, Vicar-Provincial of Karnataka-Goa Province of the Order of Discalced Carmelites and other Carmelite Friars.
Dr Cannistra was formally welcomed by Rev Fr Charles Serrao, Provincial of the Karnataka-Goa province at the St Joseph Vaz Spirituality Centre, Old Goa, where the Definitory will be held.
Dr Cannistra hails from Calabrian city of Catanzaro (Italy), heads more than 55,000 Discalced Carmelites comprises of 4000 friars, 11,000 nuns and 40,000 secular Carmelites.
With a Doctorate in Dogmatic Theology from the Gregorian University of Rome, Rev Cannistrà, is a member of the Italian Theological Conference (northern area) and has participated in numerous congresses of the Order.
Extra-Ordinary Definitory is a plenary Council of Superior General, Definitors, Provincials, Commisars, Vicars, General Delegates and Provincial Delegates.
General Definitory is a preparation for the General Chapter to be held in 2021. There are two definitories held in a sexennium, but this being, an extra-ordinary General Definitory, organised in Goa on the occasion of the celebration of 400 years of Carmelite presence in India, discussion on “Discalced Carmelites ‘Constitution” will be the theme of this Definitory. Delegates from 65 countries will participate.
Dr Saveiro Cannistra will preside over the Eucharistic celebration at the ruins of Convento do Carmo (Carmelite Novitiate house) in Old Goa on February8, at 7.30 am. General Definitors, delegates of the Definitory and Carmelite Friars will concelebrate the Eucharistic celebration.
The Superior General will bless the renovated Carmelite Monastery and Monastery Church at Margao where he along with the delegates will participate in the evening prayer.
Scholastics Meet has been organised on February 9, where nearly 150 young Carmelites will participate. Archbishop Filipe Neri Ferrão will preside over the Eucharistic celebration on February 10, followed by a ‘Light and Sound’ programme –Solo Dios Basta (God alone Suffices) on Carmelite History and mission by Rev Dr. Allan Tavares, SFX. Seminar on the history and contribution of Carmelites in India will be held in the morning.
