The Carmelite Institute of North America held this year’s symposium at Loyola University in Chicago, IL on June 25-29, 2017.  Sr. Helena and Sr. Philomena traveled to attend this wonderful Carmelite event. The theme chosen was “Pope Francis Points the Way to Carmel.”  The Holy Father’s encyclical “Laudato Si” was the major point of reference for many of the speakers’ talks. The symposium was well represented by over 100 attendees of Friars, Nuns, Sisters and Lay Carmelites, as well as Carmelite Brothers and Sisters in initial formation.  Our own Sr. Anthony, Sr. Kathleen, Sr. Lois Ann and Sr. Raphael from Saint Patrick’s Residence in Naperville, IL were able to travel and to join us during one of the conference days! The Symposium opened with the Opening Remarks by Edith Matlock, Executive Director of the Carmelite Institute and the Welcome Address by Very Reverend William J. Harry, O.Carm. Chairman of the Board and Prior Provincial of The Most Pure Heart of Mary. Most Rev. Fernando Millan Romeral, Prior General of the Carmelite Order of the Ancient Observance, was present and opened the conference with his talk on “The Carmelite Family Responding to the Holy Father’s Initiatives in Renewing the Life of Our Church.” Several other speakers presented relevant topics as follows:

Father Vinko Mamic, O.C.D on “Biblical Backgrounds of Pope Francis’ Indications Regarding the Way of Carmel.”

Mary Evelyn Tucker, PhD. A professor from Yale University shared her expertise on “The Promise of Laudato Si for an Integral Ecology.”

Fr. Donald Buggert, O.Carm. presented on the topic of “Pope Francis’ Challenges to Carmel.”

Fr. Bonaventure Sauer, O.C.D presented his topic on “The Call of Pope Francis for an Integral Ecology and the Practice of Carmelite Humility and Detachment Today.”

Donna Orsuto, PhD. who spoke at our last Carmelite Symposium in Mundelein, IL and a professor at the Pontifical Gregorian University, Rome, presented on “Being the House of God in the Midst of the World- St. Elizabeth of the Trinity and Pope Francis speak to the Laity.”

Fr. Daniel Chowning, O.C.D presented on “The Merciful Gaze of Jesus in the Spirituality of Pope Francis and the Carmelite Traditions.”

Fr. Matt Malone, S.J, Editor in Chief of America Magazine, provided the Jesuit context in his talk “Pope Francis The Jesuit.”

Fr. Tracy O’Sullivan, O.Carm. presented on “The Gifts of Pope Francis and St. Teresa: Evangelization and Contemplation.”

Brother Patrick Mullins, O.Carm. member of the Carmelite Institute of Britain and Ireland presented on “The Carmelite Rule (1247) and Pope Francis on the Implications of the Parable of the Good Samaritan.”

It was an honor for the Carmelite Institute to have Cardinal Blasé J. Cupich of the Archdiocese of Chicago celebrate Mass during one of the symposium days. The last day of the Symposium was a banquet held in honor of the late Father Patrick McMahon, O.Carm. who passed away this year and was President of the Carmelite Institute since its inception.