FINAL WORLD MEETING UPDATE

The final report from Vivien at the World OCDS meeting which concluded yesterday.

As the OCDS World Encounter in Avila draws to a close, the Order leaves us with something of a self portrait, one painted in numbers as well as words, one that can help us to advance in a kind of collective version of Teresian self-knowledge.  For a start, we were privileged to get a preview of the results of the recently-concluded OCDS Global Census. It turns out that we are over 32,000 OCDS worldwide, spread across 1,255 communities on five continents. What is particularly interesting, though is the growth dynamic with as many as 20% of those members and as many as 40% of those communities still in early stages of formation. At the same time, the average age of our membership is 60, suggesting that while growing we are also aging. Our geographic centre of gravity is now Asia with over 9,000 members, and our largest country is USA with some 4,000 members.  We were also treated to excerpts from a survey conducted among Secular Carmelites ahead of the World Meeting. In their responses, members highlighted how in a world afflicted with hyperactivity and superficiality, the Teresian Carmel offers a spirituality of interiority and depth. The best way we can bear credible witness to this is to lead lives characterized by coherence between words and actions, serenity before daily difficulties, and authentic fraternal love. In our day, the church needs us to be people who are spiritually mature with a solid formation, people who are faithful to the vocation of leading a deep life of prayer, and people who can communicate about this in accessible language via modern means.  As our delegation came together one final time on Sunday evening, we shared some of the moments that each of us will treasure. Being led in silent adoration of the Blessed Sacrament by a cloistered OCD nun. Hearing inspirational addresses from Secular Carmelites around the world. Seeing Fr Miguel listening so attentively to every presentation from the front row of the auditorium. Some 900 voices chanting “Nada te turbe” in unison across so many language barriers. Watching video greetings from various communities of OCD nuns around the world. Standing up with our flag when our country was called out in the vast assembly hall.  As Fr Ramiro said in his closing remarks, “Let us remember the past with gratitude and look to the future with hope. Let us take the spirit of Avila back to our communities.” After Avila 2026, Secular Carmel will never feel quite the same again.

Intercessions

RIP Fr Jon Bielawski, Jacqui, Sister Maisie

Cancer: Brian Davis, Bernard (and wife Angela caring for him), Catherine, Alex (43 with five children), Theresa K, Elena

Sophie – newborn having heart surgery; Sianna, young child in the post-operative phase; James, recovering from heart surgery

Ivy – sick child

Brian (recovering from Pneumonia)

Kevin (heart attack)

William Gove (in recovery)

Illness:  Katy Keeling

Siena, Elara – sick children

David OCDS – housebound

Grace – troubling ailments, job difficulties, family (deceased mother and health of father)

Mark – brain infection

Michael, Kira – vulnerable youngsters

Defence of the unborn and the elderly

We are asked to pray for the Diocese of Chiang Mai and Northern Thailand, as the Northern Mission celebrates its centenary. The process of selecting a new bishop continues.