Fr Johannes Gorantla, the Third Definitor of the Discalced Carmelite Order, who hails from India, carried out recently a fraternal visit to the Manjummel province where he was able to visit 17 of the 37 communities that the province has in India (as well as 11 in other countries). At present, the province has 269 members. Recently, the growth in numbers of the friars enabled the creation of various new communities. A special interest exists in expanding the Order in the North of Kerala, in the pastoral ministry of Carmelite spirituality, and in helping the missions.
Fr Johannes was present at the inauguration of the Discalced Carmelite nuns’ monastery in Kolayad. From the 3rd to the 5th of February, he organized a meeting of our Father General with the prioresses, presidents, and councils of the three associations of the Discalced Carmelite nuns in India.
Fr Johannes also spent some days in Sri Lanka. He visited the nuns’ monasteries in the area and encouraged them to develop the desire to create a Federation. The friars have a missionary presence of 5 friars from the Tamil Nadu province, in three communities.
Never losing hope, the Discalced Carmelites keep moving ahead. “My Lord, it is time to move on. Well then, may your will be done. O my Lord and my Spouse, the hour that I have longed for has come. It is time to meet one another.” — St. Teresa of Ávila, upon her deathbed