Carmelite Student Friars Communication Group

10/09/2026

Celebrating At Home - 24th Sunday in Ordinary Time

A family formed by forgiveness - Part 2
(Matthew 18:21-35)

Today’s Gospel follows directly from last Sunday’s reading about how to deal with differences and disputes.
Peter has understood the point of last Sunday’s Gospel (forgiveness and pastoral care), but wants to know the limits – is forgiving someone seven times enough? Jesus’ reply indicates that there should be no limit to the number of times. Then he tells a parable about forgiveness and gratitude.
There is no doubt that genuine forgiveness, forgiveness ‘from the heart’, is a real challenge. The more personally we are hurt by another person the harder it is to forgive them. Forgiveness is often more a movement than a moment. Often we only come to forgiveness step by step over a long period of time.
If we can pray for those who hurt us we have already taken the first step on the road to forgiveness.
Forgiveness does not imply that what a person did was OK.
The biblical idea of forgiveness is built on the awareness of God’s extraordinary compassion towards us; God’s refusal to hold our past against us - the theme of today’s first reading.
But that action of God must find its resonance in how we behave towards each other. It will only have that resonance when we experience personally God’s overwhelming love for us. That is what binds us into relationship with God and into acting towards others as God has acted towards us. That experience of God’s compassion builds a gratitude in us which enables us to forgive each other.
For the disciple of Jesus, forgiveness must be real and genuine - from the heart - and built on the awareness of God’s compassion and mercy towards us. That is why Jesus includes forgive us our debts as we have forgiven those who are in debt to us in his great prayer. If God has forgiven us, then we must forgive each other.
We don’t live our Christian lives in some kind of fantasy-land filled with pious thoughts and lovely dreams. We live it in the often harsh realities and difficult situations that human beings encounter.
How we live it will depend on the degree to which we have the same mind and heart as God.
Real life is the proving-ground of faith.

Read more at ocarm.org

English: https://t.ly/jl5c9
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08/09/2026

IN FOCUS.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, MAMA MARY

This September 8, the Catholic Church marks the Feast of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary.

In preparation, the Blessed Angelo Paoli and St. Elijah Student Communities have organized special activities, practicing chants and hymns rooted in prayer and devotion, and preparing food for an evening gathering.

The birthday of Mama Mary serves as a reminder to trust God and follow His will, echoing Mary's faithful
"yes" to the Lord.

No one has ever loved Jesus more deeply than Mama Mary, our loving Mother, who guides us always toward her Son's loving embrace.

Viva Bambina Maria!

📷Fray Mark Jay Bandong Halili, O.Carm.

07/09/2026

IN FOCUS. CARMELITE FAMILY DAY 2026

Sept. 6, 2026 — THE CARMELITE FAMILY DAY 2026 was held at Mater Carmeli School of Novaliches, bringing together members from different Carmelite communities for a day rooted in unity and faith.

This year’s celebration carried the theme “Discerning Truth and Manifesting Inner Peace,” which reminded everyone of the Carmelite call to grow in wisdom, inner stillness, and faithful guidance.

The event was originally set for August 30 but was rescheduled because of bad weather. Even with the change in date, the spirit of the day remained strong, and the guiding message “One prayer, one family, one heart” shone through every part of the gathering.

The celebration began with Mass led by Rev. Fr. Roberto Noel Rosas, O.Carm., Prior Provincial of the Philippine Carmelite Province of St. Titus Brandsma. Fr. Ramil Oraiz, OCD gave the homily, and Fr. Joseph Roque, O.Carm., joined as concelebrant.

In his message, Fr. Ramil shared that God places each of us in this world not to rule over one another but to care for all creation as faithful stewards. He encouraged everyone to truly hear and respond to the “groaning of the world” around us.

Following the Mass, Ms. Victoria Parco, NDV., PhD spoke about the theme, drawing inspiration from the teachings of St. John of the Cross. She reflected on the path from the dark night of faith to the bright warmth of flaming love, showing how truth and peace grow within the heart.

The day ended with a shared Agape lunch, lively community presentations, enthusiastic yells from each group, and a segment called “Home Sweet Home.”

There, old friends drew closer and new friends were welcomed, wrapping up the celebration in true family spirit.

📷Fray Asper S. Perlas, O.Carm.


prayer_one family_one heart

03/09/2026

Congratulations mga KAPATID!

BANNS FOR ORDINATION TO THE SACRED ORDER OF DEACONS

This is to let the faithful know that our confreres:

Br. Alvin Ramos Evangalista, O.Carm.
Son of Noel Evangelista and Gladina Ramos of San Ildefonso, Bulacan

Br. Brandon Pasco Bahayanan, O.Carm.
Son of Charlie Bahayanan and Flora Pasco of Malaybalay City, Bukidnon

Br. Nelson Bongon Anciano, Jr., O.Carm.
Son of (+) Wilfredo Nelson Anciano, Sr. and (+) Eleanor Bongon of Naga City, Camarines Sur

are candidates for ordination to the Sacred Order of Deacons, scheduled at 9am on October 8, 2026, at the Sacred Heart of Jesus Parish, San Francisco, Agusan del Sur.

The faithful are earnestly requested to pray for these candidates and for an increase in vocations to the priesthood and religious life in the Order of Carmelites.

Should there be any impediment or circumstance that would prevent any of them from receiving ordination, please contact our Prior Provincial, Fr. Roberto Noel Rosas, O.Carm. Through the secretariat office at tel. Nos. 8-721-3391/ 0922-880-8466, or email us at [email protected] with such information as soon as possible.

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Interested in joining the Order of Carmelites (O.Carm.)? You may reach us through our vocation promotion page Be A Carmelite

23/08/2026

See You soon, our dearly beloved BROTHERS AND SISTERS IN CARMEL!

17/08/2026

Pagninilay para sa araw ng Martes sa Ika-20 na Linggo sa Karaniwang Panahon
Ika-18 ng Agosto 2026
Pagbasa mula sa Mabuting Balita Mateo 19:23-30

PAGNINILAY:

Sa Ebanghelyo ngayon, ipinapaalala sa atin ni Hesus na hindi madaling pumasok sa Kaharian ng Diyos kung ang ating puso ay labis na nakatuon sa kayamanan at mga bagay na materyal. Sinabi Niya, “Mas madali pang makadaan ang isang kamelyo sa butas ng karayom kaysa makapasok ang isang mayaman sa paghahari ng Diyos.” Hindi ibig sabihin nito na masama ang pagkakaroon ng kayamanan. Ang tunay na babala ni Hesus ay ang pagiging alipin ng kayamanan at paglimot sa Diyos at sa kapwa.
Hindi mahirap sumunod sa yapak ni Hesus kung tunay nating bubuksan ang ating puso sa Kanyang mga turo. Sa panahon ngayon, maraming tao ang naghahangad ng yaman, tagumpay at kapangyarihan. Ngunit hindi lahat ng mayaman sa materyal na bagay ay tunay na mayaman sa puso. May mga taong mahirap sa buhay ngunit mayaman naman sa pananampalataya, pagmamahal, kabutihan at pagtitiwala sa Diyos. Ang ganitong kayamanan ay hindi nasusukat sa pera kundi sa paraan ng ating pamumuhay.
Si Kristo mismo ay naging mahirap kahit Siya ay mayaman, upang tayo ay maging tunay na mayaman sa biyaya at pagmamahal ng Diyos. Kaya tinatawag tayo ng Ebanghelyo na gumawa ng mabuti, tumulong sa nangangailangan, magbahagi sa kapwa at higit sa lahat, manatiling tapat sa Diyos.
Sa huli, ang tunay na kayamanan ay hindi ang dami ng ating pag-aari, kundi ang lalim ng ating relasyon kay Kristo. Kapag pinili nating sundin ang Kanyang yapak, matututuhan nating ang pinakamahalagang kayamanan ay ang Diyos at ang pag-ibig na ibinabahagi natin sa iba. Amen.

FRAY RODGEN APOR, O.Carm.
4th Year Simple Professed Friar

16/08/2026

Pagninilay para sa araw ng Lunes sa IKA-20 na Linggo sa Karaniwang Panahon
Ika-17 ng Agosto 2026
Pagbasa mula sa Mabuting Balita Mateo 19:16-22

PAGNINILAY:

Habang pinagninilayan ko ang Ebanghelyo ni San Mateo ngayong araw na ito nakita ko ang aking sarili sa katauhan ng mayamang lalaki. Hindi man ako nagmamay-ari ng malaking kayamanan may mga bagay pa rin akong mahirap bitawan. Minsan ay nakakapit ako sa aking sariling kagustuhan, mga plano, takot sa kabiguan, at pagnanais na maging ligtas at komportable. Unti-unti kong napagtanto na ang mga ito rin ay maaaring maging kayamanan na pumipigil sa akin upang lubusang sumunod kay Kristo.

Sa espirituwalidad ng Karmel ang buhay ay isang patuloy na paglalakbay tungo sa mas malalim na pakikipagkaibigan sa Diyos. Ang katahimikan at panalangin ay hindi pagtakas sa mundo, kundi paraan upang makita kung ano ang tunay na laman ng aking puso. Sa harap ng Diyos wala akong maitatago. Doon ko nararanasan na tinitingnan Niya ako hindi bilang isang taong kulang kundi bilang isang anak na minamahal. Katulad ng mayamang lalaki nararamdaman kong tinitingnan din ako ni Hesus nang may pag-ibig bago Niya ako anyayahang magbago.

Unti-unti kong nauunawaan na ang tunay na pagsunod ay hindi lamang pag-iwas sa kasalanan. Ito ay araw-araw na pagpiling unahin ang Diyos kaysa sa aking sarili. Ang tunay na kayamanan ay hindi nasusukat sa aking tagumpay, kakayahan, o mga pag-aari kundi sa lalim ng aking pagmamahal sa Diyos at sa aking kapatid. Kapag natututo akong magbahagi ng aking oras, makinig sa mga nasasaktan, magpatawad, at maglingkod nang walang hinihintay na kapalit, doon ko nararanasan ang buhay na walang hanggan na sinimulan na ni Kristo.

Hindi madali ang tawag ni Hesus. May mga araw na mas gusto kong kumapit sa aking sariling plano kaysa magtiwala sa Kanyang kalooban. Ngunit ang Karmel ay nagtuturo na ang kabanalan ay hindi bunga ng sariling lakas kundi ng biyaya ng Diyos. Ang aking tungkulin ay manatiling bukas sa Kanyang paghubog tulad ng karupukan sa kamay ng magpapalayok. Sa panalangin unti-unting binabago ng Diyos ang aking puso upang mas maging malaya akong magmahal.

Ang pinakamahalagang aral na aking baon ay hindi lamang ang pagsunod sa mga utos kundi ang pagkakaroon ng pusong handang magsuko ng lahat alang-alang kay Kristo. Ang buhay na walang hanggan ay hindi lamang pangako sa hinaharap. Ito ay nagsisimula sa bawat araw na pinipili kong sumunod sa Kanya nang may pananampalataya, kababaang-loob, at pag-ibig. Bilang isang Karmelita dalangin ko na ang aking buong buhay ay maging tugon sa Kanyang mapagmahal. Nawa'y maging malaya ang aking puso sa anumang humahadlang sa aking pakikipagkaibigan sa Diyos sapagkat sa Kanya lamang matatagpuan ang tunay at walang hanggang kayamanan.

FRAY ALBERT MAGBAG, O.Carm.
Solemn Professed Friar

12/08/2026

JPIC FORMATION

THE ST. ELIJAH STUDENT FRIARY held a Justice, Peace, and Integrity of Creation (JPIC) formation program from 8:30 AM to 12:10 PM. The session was facilitated by Fr. Christian Buanafe, O. Carm.

During the discussion, Fr. Christian focused on JPIC, covering the promotion of justice and human dignity, the building of peace and reconciliation, and care for God’s creation. He also highlighted how spiritual faith connects with social action, human rights, and environmental protection, offering a moral call to ecological conversion and sustainable living in response to climate change.

The formation emphasized that JPIC is not simply a program, but an important part of living out the Christian and Carmelite vocation.

The session deepened the student friars’ understanding of JPIC as a Carmelite mission to serve those who are oppressed and marginalized by social structures.

Fray Arnold Sabanal, O.Carm.
📷Fray Alfred S. Perlas, O.Carm.