"And Samuel grew up, and the Lord was
with him, and he let none of the Words of
the Lord fall to the ground." (1 Samuel
3.19)
by Fr. Dominic Borg, OCD
Dear Brothers and Sisters in Carmel,
Like the young Samuel, each one of us grows,
but not always "up". The Jewish
sages tell us that whenever we pray to God,
He usually answers us with one of these three
responses: Yes; No; and the most common one;
Grow up! Scripture tells us that Samuel "grew
up". He learned how to be flexible to
the direction of the Word, and in doing so,
he has become mature and wise in the sight
of God: he let none of the Words of the Lord
fall to the ground!
I am writing this short note on the eve of
the Feast of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, a
Feast which is at the heart of every member
of the Maltese Province of the Discalced
Carmelites. Our Province is under the patronage
of the Sacred Heart of Jesus! It is this
great symbol of God's love for us that pushes
us to act and tirelessly render service to
our brothers and sisters who are waiting
to experience God's love through our actions.
At this point I want to steal the opportunity
to thank all the members of the OCDS who
have served their brothers and sisters in
Carmel during the past three years that they
have been in Office. My sincere thanks go
especially to all those who for some reason
or other have not sought re-election or because
of health reasons are not in a position to
continue to serve the Community or take any
office. May the Lord in His kindness reward
you for your dedication and hard work with
great love.
We congratulate the newly elected Presidents
and members of Councils, while at the same
time pray for them to work with love and
zeal for the glory of the Church and Carmel.
During the last few months we were honored
to be visited by Our Fr Provincial, Fr Victor
Mallia, OCD, and also the Definitor Fr Stephen
Watson. During his stay, Fr Provincial and
I have signed the documents for the hand-over
of the Our Lady of Fatima Parish in Scarborough.
Fr Carmel H. Muscat, OCD will be installed
as Pastor by His Excellency Bishop Grecco,
Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of Toronto
at a later date. The date of the hand-over
is June 27th. Fr Henry will be working in
this Parish with a friend of his, one of
our Fathers from Taiwan. We congratulate
both Friars, and continue to assist them
with our prayers.
As I am writing this short note, I am preparing
to leave for Kingston for a day of recollection
with the OCDS members of the English and
French Communities. I am looking forward
to meeting each and every one of them, and
to share their enthusiasm and faith! Next
week, God willing, I will be visiting our
OCDS brothers and sisters in Richmond, British
Columbia on the 23rd of June. Your prayers
are greatly appreciated.
The preparations for the OCDS Congress in
Toronto are moving very well, thanks to the
enthusiasm and great work of the OCDS Secretariat.
Please continue to prayer that it will be
done in such a way that we work together
for the glory of God, the Church and Carmel.
Encouraging people to attend is one way of
advertising for the Congress.
Another gift from God is the printing of
the new Formation Booklets that are just
coming out of print while I am writing. A
job well done with great study and zeal behind
them. May God reward all those who have contributed
in one way or another towards the writing,
editing, typing, reviewing, printing and
advertising of these gems!!! Please show
your support by buying these booklets.
Because during the month of July I have a
few talks and retreats to give in B.C., I
will not be able to celebrate with you the
Feast of Lady of Mount Carmel. However, Fr
Pius will be coming to supply for me during
my absence. Thank God he will be able to
be driven to Toronto and celebrate the Eucharist
for all those of you who can make it to join
the Community of St Joseph in their celebration
of this great Feast. In September I will,
God willing, visit the newly formed OCDS
Community at Thunder Bay. The enthusiasm
of the President and Council and the members
has filled me with great expectation and
urge to visit and share with them a few days
of reflection and relaxation. As you can
see, the Secretariat is very busy co-ordinating
these things, and your support and prayers
are very much appreciated.
Even though my blood brother, Carmel, and
his wife Rose, have come to visit me all
the way from Malta, I still have to be in
Malta in January in order to give the annual
retreat to our Friars, and another to the
O.C. Friars. Fr Provincial told me that a
few other talks are waiting for me as well.
The reason that I am sharing this with you
is so that you will join me in our mission
to preach the Good News and also to spread
the Charism and Spirituality of Carmel. In
February, God willing I have a mission at
St Andrew's Cathedral in Victoria. Dear brothers
and sisters, please do keep me and these
missions in your prayers so that the people
who come to listen will meet Christ and experience
God's unconditional LOVE .
As we continue our task, to praise God with
our prayers and actions, May Mary, Queen
and Mother of Carmel, protect us and guide
us to the land of Peace! May the spirit of
St Teresa, St John of the Cross, and St Therese,
continue to grow within us and manifest itself
outwardly through our deeds: "Little
children, let us not love in word or speech
but in deed and in truth." 1 John 3.18
Enjoy your summer holidays and do not forget
to make them holy - days!
May God Bless each and every one of YOU.
In Carmel,
Fr Dominic, OCD