"Make me know your ways, O Lord;
teach me your paths.
Lead me in your truth, and teach me,
For you are the God of my salvation;
For you I wait all day long."
(Psalm 25.4-5)

by Fr. Dominic Borg, O.C.D.

Dear Brothers and sister in Carmel,

The Congress has come and gone, but thank God, its effects are still with us and the benefits of it are things that we will carry with us into the future, a future that as the Prophet Jeremiah tells us, Is full of hope! (Jeremiah 29.11; 31.17).

It was indeed a spectacle to see the large number of OCDS members from all over Canada: Moncton, Prince Edward Island, Halifax, Ottawa, Bellville, Kingston, Trenton, Toronto, Mississauga, Brampton, Cambridge, Hamilton, Kitchener, Tillsonburg, London, Windsor, Thunder Bay, Calgary A.B., Richmond B.C., Vancouver, B.C., etc. who came to listen attentively to God's Word and the teachings of our Carmelite Saints. It was beautiful to see all the Friars, Fr Aloysius Deeney (from Rome), Fr Victor, Fr Manny, Fr Gerry (from B.C.) and it goes without saying…me! The enthusiasm and the hard work that was behind this Congress for the OCDS could be easily seen in the organization and co-operation of many OCDS members under the direction of the Past President, Teresa.

One cannot avoid mentioning the fact that while we were at the Congress in Toronto, in Rome the Bishops and the Cardinals were meeting for the Synod on the Word of God. Every Carmelite ought to have attached to his heart, like St Therese of the Child Jesus and the Holy Face, the Word of God, especially the Gospels. Such behaviour is praised also by The Catechism of the Catholic Church. The Rule of St Albert encourages us to meditate, like the Psalmist, on God's Word, day and night! It is one of the great blessings bestowed on us to be able to read, analyze and study the 55 Propositions of the Synod of the Bishops, and also to familiarize ourselves like Blessed Elizabeth of the Trinity did, with the Writings of St Paul. The references from THE APOSTLE in the writings of Our Carmelite Saints are unending. More than others, Blessed Elizabeth of the Trinity has mastered the profound doctrine of St Paul on the Cross, and also the presence of God's Kingdom inside each one of us.

The Year of St Paul, is also something that should be taken very seriously in our OCDS Communities, and create opportunities where the knowledge and love for St Paul will be increased. This is not an option; it is also the desire of Our Holy Father, Pope Benedict XVI. As a suggestion, each Community can pick up a topic from St Paul and study it together in the Community. A practical idea of how this can be actualized is to take one of the Catechesis of the Pope on St Paul (See Zenit) and have a discussion about it.

We were also honoured to have among us Very Rev Fr Provincial, Fr Alfred Grech, OCD. His stay here and also his talk on the 30th November at Our Lady of Fatima Parish were very much appreciated.

Now that Advent is here, may we prepare ourselves during this moment of grace, in such a way, that on Christmas Day we will be in a position to enter into the mystery of God's love for us when we hear the powerful statement: "To you today is born a Saviour".

May the Word of God become flesh in our hearts and manifested in our actions.

I cannot conclude this short introduction without once more thanking all those who have worked very hard for the success of the Congress; and wishing that Deacon Brian, responsible for the co-ordination of next Congress, will find the same co-operation that was clearly seen in the past Congresses.

May Jesus Christ, Our Lord and Saviour, fill each and every one of us with His Joy and the Blessing of His PEACE ON EARTH.

Please keep me in your prayers that I will always be open to His grace the way St Paul was.

Grace and Peace be with you all.

A Happy and Blessed Christmas, you and yours!


Fr. Dominic Borg, OCD