The spread of the Carmelite spirit

 Yesterday I came across mention of a wonderful Carmelite congregation previously unknown to me:  The Handmaids of Our Lady of Mount Carmel Sisters, an Apostolic Congregation of Diocesan Right affiliated to the Order of Carmelites, in which Sisters commit themselves to follow the Holy Gospel in the spirit derived from the Carmelite Rule and the Carmelite Spiritual traditions.  This Congregation (commonly known simply as the Carmelite Sisters) was founded in Zimbabwe by Bishop Donal Lamont O. Carm (1911-2003), Bishop of Mutare Diocese, who came from County Antrim.  As renewal in Mutare diocese was in the form of development of local people by the building of new structures for education and health and for liturgical worship, there arose the problem of a shortage of personnel. Schools did not have enough teachers, there was a shortage of nurses in hospitals, and catechumenates had few catechists or no catechists.  It was in this historical situation that Bishop Lamont felt the need for deepening and concretizing Christian spirituality. There was need for a spirituality issued from the heart, a spirituality of contemplation in action. The concrete ways of expressing this spirituality were full involvement in catechetical work, education,  empowerment of women, provision of health services and facilities. There was a need for prophetic witnesses who would testify to the presence of God among his people. In this situation the congregation of the HLMC was founded.  Such is the enduring quiet international influence of our wonderful charism.

Intercessions:

Cancer: Brian Davis, Bernard (and wife Angela caring for him), Jacqui, Sue B, Theresa K, Fr Jon B

Siena, Elara – sick children

Matthew – six-year old boy dying of bladder cancer

Wojtek – massive heart attack leaving him incapacitated

David OCDS – housebound

Sophia – blind infant

Joy Smith OCDS – seriously ill

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

Lucia – Overwhelmed by weariness

 Defence of the unborn and the elderly

 RIP Martin Gilham OCDS