Several hundred delegates from every continent arrived on Sunday 16th September at 'Il Carmelo', a conference centre run by one of the Italian provinces of the Carmelite Order at Sassone, a few miles outside central Rome.
A handful of delegates had already been at Sassone for a couple of days for a meeting of those with pastoral oversight of Lay Carmel (namely Provincial Delegates to the Third Order and Lay Moderators).
For the majority who had been travelling, an evening Eucharist was celebrated in the larger of the two chapels at 'Il Carmelo'.
Over the evening meal the ten delegates from the British Province of Carmelites had the opportunity to meet friends old and new from across the world.
There's nothing quite like an Italian coffee after a good meal!
As the Congress proceeds, please keep the delegates and their deliberations in your prayers.
The Opening Mass was celebrated by the Prior General, Fr. Fernando.
Jennifer Wanjiku John from Kenya offering a bidding prayer in her native language.
The Carmelite Family at prayer
The music group at Mass.
Rose Mary Lancellotti and Vladimira Polišenská of the Congress Secretariat.
Delegates gathered in the Aula (meeting hall) for the opening session
Delegates in the Aula enjoying a joke relayed by one of the translators.
Fr. Giovanni Grosso explaining how books can be ordered during the week.
Left: John Berry and Anne Hayden of the British Province at the opening session.
Right: Pens and iPads at the ready!
Amanda Rodigues Jordao speaking on 'The Transforming Power of Contemplation'.
Lay Carmelites from the Philippines.
An English language discussion group preparing to share ideas.
Eucharist.
A friar from Kenya proclaiming the Gospel.
'Our Father'.
'Your Kingdom come, your will be done'.
A group of Lay Carmelites from Spain.
Delegates talking together in the 'Aula' conference hall.
Maneya Imay (centre) speaking on 'The Fraternal and Prophetic Dimension of the Apostolate'.
Rose Mary Lancellotti of the Secretariat giving notices.
Delegates in the Aula.
Delegates in the Aula.
Dr. Edeltraud Klueting relating the experience of the Third Order in Germany.
Fr. Jim De Laurier introducing Gabrielle Fogarty.
Gabrielle speaking on the experience of Lay Carmelites from Australia who have supported the development of Carmel in Timor Leste.
Lay Carmelites from Brazil relating details of their social projects.
Discussing questions from the plenary talks in small groups.
Lay Carmelites from the USA, Britain, the Philippines, Belgium and Germany in dialogue together.
A Lay Carmelite from The Netherlands beginning Evening Prayer by singing the 'Hail Mary' in Dutch.
For Evening Prayer the Rosary was led in the native languages of delegates from Indonesia, the Philippines, the Czech Republic, Germany and Zimbabwe.
During the audience the Pope greeted the Congress delegates, saying "I greet the Lay Carmelites who are taking part in an International Meeting ... On each one I invoke the continued protection of God and of the Most Holy Virgin for a fruitful service to the Gospel and to the Church."
Video footage of the papal audience can be seen by clicking here. The mention of the Carmelite Group by the Master of Ceremonies is at 1:02:18 and this runs through the singing of the Flos Carmeli to 1:03:15. The Prior General can be seen during the singing of the Pater Noster at 1:08:32.
A full report will be published in the coming days; in the meantime we share some photos of the day.
Anne Hayden (left, British Province) and Lourdes Crabtree (right, formerly of the British Province, now living in Canada as a member of the PCM Province)
The delegates outside the Carmelite Church of Traspontina.
Walking to the Vatican.
Walking to the Vatican.
Pilgrims walking together to the Vatican.
Carmelite laity and religious head for the Vatican.
Lay Carmelites from Brazil.
Arriving in front of St. Peter's
Pilgrims together.
Lining up to pass through Vatican security.
Heading into the screening area of Vatican security.
Patient pilgrims!
The Prior General, Fr. Fernando, arrives to join the group of pilgrims.
Victoria from the British Province.
Italian delegates from the Congress.
For further images from the day please click here.
For the previous page please click here.
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For the previous page please click here.
For the next page please click here.
Heading into the 'Janiculum Terminus' building for lunch.
Fr. Joe Mothersill of the Irish Province.
Hats off to the Carmelite Family!
Carmelites from the USA and Australia.
Fed spiritually, the Carmelite group was ready for physical sustenance!
Smiles and waves from Italian Carmelites.
Bringing up the rear of the group.
Buon appetito!
Carmelites enjoying lunch.
Carmelites from the British Province enjoying tea together at the 'Domus Carmelitana' in central Rome.
Distributing prayer cards before Mass in the
Carmelite church of Santa Maria in Traspontina.
Carmelite friars processing into Mass.
The Prior General reflecting on a day full of happy memories.
A Carmelite sister proclaiming the Word of God.
Carmelite pilgrims at prayer.
Fr. James De Laurier proclaiming the Gospel.
Carmelites: attentive to God's Word.
Revd. Koenraad Janssen, a Deacon and Carmelite Tertiary from the community in Antwerp, Belgium, which is under the pastoral oversight of the British Province.
Prayers of intercession.
A Carmelite from Ireland offering a bidding prayer.
An Italian Carmelite leading the people in prayer.
The Prior General, Fr. Fernando, offering the Eucharistic gifts.
'Through Christ, with Christ, and in Christ...'
'... Hallowed be thy name ...'
'Behold the Lamb of God'
The body of Christ
Final prayer before the icon of Our Lady.
Carmelite friars process from the altar.
The Prior General, senior brother of the whole Carmelite Order.
For the previous page please click here.
A member of the Carmelite Family from Zimbabwe.
Spanish delegates.
Irish Province delegates.
The Prior General blessing some scapular medals that will be given to members of the Carmelite Spirituality Groups in the north of England.
Johan Bergström-Allen (British Province) with the Prior General.
Participants at the Congress from Central Europe.
The British Province at Traspontina.
The Province of Austalia-and-Timor Leste.
Carnelites from Zimbabwe with the Prior General.
Italian Carmelites with the Prior General.
Delegates from the Dutch and German Provinces with the Prior General.
Fr. Kevin Alban (centre) discussing with Fr. Josef Jancar (right) and Miguel Norbert Ubarri (left) practical arrangements for heading home.
Sheltering from the rain is second nature for members of the British Province!
The Prior General leaves Traspontina.
A rain storm failed to dampen high spirits at the end of a memorable day.
Fr. Giovanni Grosso spoke on 'The Apostolic Commitment of Lay Carmelites: A Way to Holiness'. As Postulator General of the Order, who compiles the dossiers for saints to be canonised, Giovanni examined some holy Carmelite laity so as to see common characteristics. He encouraged delegates to look out for holiness in their own communities today.
Fathers Míceál O’Neill and Raúl Maraví in the translation booths.
One of the English-language discussion groups.
Sharing insights and experiences of Carmelite life.
Practicing the music for midday Mass.
A Lay Carmelite from Portugal proclaiming the Scriptures.
The Gospel was proclaimed by Revd. Koenraad Janssen, a Deacon and Carmelite Tertiary from the community in Antwerp, Belgium, which is under the pastoral oversight of the British Province.
Music for the worship of God.
Holy communion.
Fr. Désiré Unen Alimange on the drums.
The 'Carmelite Market Place' continued after lunch.
Putting Britain on the map!
Lay Carmelites who live in Canada and Ireland.
Lay Carmelites from Puerto Rico.
Johan Bergström-Allen, editor of the formation resource 'Climbing the Mountain', with two fellow Lay Carmelites who bought the book at the Congress. This publication is now going to be used by the Lay Carmelites across North America as part of their formation.
Delegates awaiting the start of the afternoon presentation.
Fr. Giovanni Grosso in the translation booth.
Fr. Francisco de Sales Alencar Batista from Brazil spoke on 'The Role of Lay Carmelites in the Apostolic Action of the Carmelite Family'.
Attentive listeners from Brazil.
Members of the British Province were pleased to see that Fr. Francisco de Sales used artwork from the British Province in his PowerPoint presentation.
Evening Prayer included a time of Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament.
Evening Prayer concluded with a beautiful and lively rendition of the 'Ave Maria' by delegates from Africa.
A 'Cultural Evening' was held in the bar area. Delegates from the United States of America dressed as the Statue of Liberty and sang national songs.
Delegates from Africa in song.
African delegates dancing.
Music from Puerto Rico.
Fr. Joseph Hung Tran, webmaster of the Order's central website,
wearing a traditional hat from Puerto Rico.
Italian dancing.
Italian singing.
Entertainment from Spain.
The Prior General, Fr. Fernando, entering into the spirit of the evening.
German and Dutch Carmelites giving a rendition of
'Heads, shoulders, knees and toes'.
For their rendition of 'Waltzing Matilda' the Australian Province
found their very own Irish convict in the form of Fr. Joe Mothersill!
Portuguese singers.
The British Province delegates entered wearing Union Jack bowler hats and medals celebrating the 2012 London Olympic and Paralympic Games.
Johan Bergström-Allen giving a word of introduction to 'Maybe It's Because I'm a Londoner' and 'On Ilkley Moor'.
A great time was had by all.
Just as the Olympics have been passed on from London to Rio, so the British delegates passed on an inflatable Olympic torch and teddy bear wearing a scapular to delegates from Brazil.
Miguel Norbert Ubarri is the founder of the Lay Carmelite community in Antwerp, Belgium, which is connected to the British Province.
John Berry and Angela Bergström-Allen singing 'On Ilkley Moor'.
'On Ilkley Moor' was acted out, with John Berry being 'buried'
(his grave being blessed by Koen!)
The Vice Prior General (left) Fr. Christian Körner, with Deacon Koen Janssen.
The Word of God proclaimed at Mass.
Fr. Fernando preaching.
Fr. Fernando preaching.
Fr. Fernando preaching.
Fr. Fernando preaching.
As part of the renewal of commitment,
a Third Order Scapular was carried forward to the altar.
As part of the renewal of commitment,
a Third Order Scapular was carried forward to the altar.
Suzanne Phillips of the British Province offering a bidding prayer in sign language.
The presentation of gifts at the offertory.
'This is my body'.
'Through Christ, with Christ and in Christ...'
'Our Father...'
The sign of peace.
Recording memories of the Congress.
The Prior General blessing the congregation.
Carmelite friars and laity from Asia and Australia.
Fr. Fernando with Carmelites from Africa.
To see the following report please click here.
To see the previous report please click here.
Lunch.
Fr. Fernando, Prior General, saying goodbye to delegates at the end of lunch.
Fr. Kevin Alban, Bursar General, arranging delegates' payments.
Fr. Albertus Herwanta and Danieli Pieri checking the translation headsets.
Fr. Matias Tejerina reporting on the meeting of Provincial Delegates
and Assistants that had taken place before the Lay Carmelite Congress.
Fr. Matias Tejerina speaking on the meeting before the Congress.
John Berry reporting on the meeting of Provincial Delegates
and Assistants that had taken place before the Lay Carmelite Congress.
The panel at the penultimate session.
Sylvia Lucas and John Berry, both of the British Province.
Fr. Míceál O’Neill speaking about the Carmelite NGO.
Fr. Míceál O’Neill speaking about the Carmelite NGO.
Jennifer Wanjiku John speaking about how
Lay Carmelites can support the Order's NGO.
Members of the Australian & Timor Leste Province.
Sue Stuckey appealing for theological books for the friars in Timor Leste.
The final panel of the Congress.
Overcoming a technical hitch!
Fr. Francis Amodio summarising the outcomes of the group discussions.
Members making note of the final resolutions.
Fr. Francis recounting the discussion group deliberations.
Delegates ending the Congress with the Carmelite antiphon 'Flos Carmeli'
Delegates ending the Congress with the Carmelite antiphon 'Flos Carmeli'
Organisers ending the Congress with the Carmelite antiphon 'Flos Carmeli'
Final words of thanks
Final words of thanks
Final words of thanks
Thanks to the translators!
A round of applause for the organising team.
] 
Expressing thanks to the Congress convenor, Fr. Josef Jan?á?.
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