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Approximately 250 Lay Carmelites from twenty-four countries converged at Il Carmelo (Sassone, Italy) for a week of learning, prayer and fraternity during the Fourth International Congress of Carmelite Laity held September 2-9, 2006. This included thirty-nine participants from the Most Pure Heart of Mary Province and eighteen from the Saint Elias Province. The event was sponsored and coordinated by the International Lay Carmelite Commission, led by Father Josef Jancar, O.Carm., General Delegate to the Lay Carmelites and Mrs. Anita Renehan, T.O. Carm., International Lay Carmelite Secretariat. An international event such as this is held every six years.
The theme of the weeklong event was “Formation and Communication at the Service of Community.” The planned schedule consisted of six major conferences. Father John Malley, O.Carm., presented small “language group” discussions, and testimonies in regard to provincial and personal formation and communication experiences from eight Lay Carmelites from around the world. Each presentation was given in the speaker’s native language but with the help of translators and audio headphones, Lay Carmelites quickly found that language differences were relatively unimportant when it came to sharing our common spirituality. The daily program was rounded out with liturgies, meals, sharing with all those we met, and lots of fun.
There were several exciting pinnacles during the week. A trip to Rome was planned for the whole group. Five huge busses were rented to transport us to Saint Peter’s Square in Rome to an Audience with Pope Benedict XVI. Even though it was an extremely hot morning, spirits were high as we waited to be introduced, along with the other groups, to the Holy Father. What a thrill it was to hear “Carmelitani” announced, in Italian, over the loud speaker! After our Audience there was time to spare for exploring the area of the Vatican and to eat an authentic Italian “pranzo.”
Another highlight for the Americans was “talent night.” Each province or country was responsible for a skit, song or some other display of talent to entertain the rest of the attendees. Each country was wittier than the next, as we all hammed it up and joined in the fun. Both North American provinces joined together to prepare a “second line,” or genuine New Orleans style funeral march to the tune of “When the Saints go Marching In.” Although we started the song as a dirge, we soon livened up to a peppy march with scarves and umbrellas swinging in the air, pulling everyone who was willing into our dance line. I must say that even the Italians were impressed with the Americano spunk! In fact, they serenaded us that night until midnight repeating our song and many others with accordion and guitar and wonderful voices.
Probably the best underlying experience of the week was meeting many Lay Carmelites from almost every corner of the world. At meal and break times it soon became obvious that there were more similarities among the participants than there were differences. Conquering the language diversities seemed easier when the topic was Carmel. We shared our individual formation and communication challenges as well as our victories. The discussions gave each of us new ideas and inspirations to bring home to our own communities and regions.
The presentations were enlightening and inspiring. Those in attendance came home with many months worth of written material for personal reflection and community enrichment. The prayer exercises (including lectio divina) celebrated in the official languages of the Order (Italian, Spanish and English) and other languages as well, reinforced our link with all parts of the Carmelite world. Sharing this experience with brothers and sisters from the rest of the world brought the global existence of our Order to a personal level; one that we hope will be repeated again.
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