(Second from right) Father Stephen Watson, O.C.D., member of the General Council, is joined by the five Carmelite Provincials of the United States. Pictured from left: Father John Welch, O.Carm., Father Philip Thomas, O.C.D., Father Michael Kissane, O.Carm., Father Gerald Werner, O.C.D., and Father Gregory Ross, O.C.D.

Thanks to Mary Rodriquez- Harrington, Executive Director of the Carmelite Institute, and others on her staff, the Carmelite Institute’s Fifth National Conference held in Warwick, Rhode Island, at the Crowne Plaza Hotel from July 25-29, 2007, was a major success. From the moment one arrived at the conference until the closing Mass five days later, it was difficult not to notice the enthusiasm of the Carmelites whether it was cloistered sisters mingling with Third Order Carmelites, the interaction during the presentations, or the lively conversation at the dinner table. The Carmelites truly enjoyed each other’s company!

Father Kevin Culligan, OCD gave the keynote address.

The conference was offered in celebration of the 800th anniversary of the Carmelite Rule. Approximately 400 Carmelites from both branches of the Order gathered for one purpose, to reflect and study closely the prophetic dimension of the Rule that is of enormous value for all Carmelites today. Thanks to thoughtful and insightful presentations, workshops, prayer sessions and Eucharistic celebrations, attendees were challenged to see the Rule as being relevant for today. The Rule is an enormous value that challenges Carmelites to live ethically, healthfully, and temperately. The study of the Rule has a profound moral implication that reflects justice and respect for the individual and gentle concern for others. Carmelites are privileged with the unique gifts of reflective silence, prayerful dialogue with God, simplicity of life, and personal confrontation with evil. Most importantly these gifts are to be shared with the Church and the world.

	Father Craig Morrison, O.Carm., professor at the Pontifical Biblical Institute in Rome, traced Elijah’s role as a prophet and challenged the Carmelites to rediscover their prophetic roots.

Challenging the Carmelites to continue to walk in the footsteps of the first hermits of Carmel were ten outstanding Carmelite and lay speakers with expertise in their fields of study. Four speakers bear mentioning. In a keynote address Father Kevin Culligan, OCD, who has written extensively on Carmelite spirituality, argued that in addition to prayer, a Carmelite’s spirituality must extend to promoting the church’s teachings on peace and justice, confronting America’s disordered attachment to military power, and calling people to moral and spiritual renewal. Father Craig Morrison, O.Carm., an associate professor of biblical languages at the Pontifical Biblical Institute in Rome, traced Elijah’s role as a prophet, and how Carmelites today are challenged to rediscover their prophetic roots. Sister Vilma Seelaus, OCD, of the Carmelite Monastery in Barrington, Rhode Island, stressed that a Carmelite’s prophetic witness to silence, solitude, and fasting are significant in our world today. Mr. Andrew Bacevich, author, professor, and graduate of the United States Military Academy, challenged the Carmelites to look at their stance on war by focusing on the question: How is it that the United States has come to define itself in terms of military power, and what can be done to reverse this inclination?

In addition to the talks and workshops, Carmelites were given the opportunity to join an organized tour of the city of Providence, as well as to be entertained at a marvelous evening musical reflection by Carmelite Discalced Sisters Clorinda von Stockalper, Claire Sokol, and Mary Margaret Yascolt from the Reno Carmel community. Needless to say the Carmelites were nourished as well as challenged to live Carmel in allegiance to Jesus Christ who is the center of the Rule and of the entire Carmelite life. The Rule of Saint Albert continues to be a source of inspiration for all Carmelites.