On Sunday 6 December Brs Cesaltino Dos Santos, Julião Dos Santos and David Soares made their first profession of vows to Fr Denis Andrew (Prior Provincial) during Mass at Santo Elias Community in Hera, Timor-Leste.

Family, friends and Carmelites gathered to celebrate the Mass marking the end of 2 years of Novitiate formation for these young East Timorese.

Click to read more & see photos of the Profession Ceremony

Jeronimo Emiliano Nunes, Paulo Martins Araujo, Caitano Soares da Silva and Jacob dos Reis Carvalho became the latest additions to the Carmelite Novitiate Community at Hera last Friday evening (4 December) when they were formally received into the Novitiate.

For the last 2 years Jeronimo, Paulo, Caitano and Jacob have been part of the Carmelite Pre-Novitiate program at Fatuhada in Dili.

Click to read more & view photos of the ceremony

St Joseph’s Primary School, Hillston has welcomed the visit of Br Matthew Tonini during the busy end of year and pre-Christmas period.

Matthew taught at St Joseph’s from 2010 to 2012 when he left to join the Carmelites. He has returned to St Joseph’s as part of his pastoral ministry training. He will be helping staff and students prepare for the end of the year and with the Advent preparations for Christmas.

As well as his theological studies this year, Matthew has been working with Year 7 students and teachers at Whitefriars College, Donvale VIC.

Matthew’s visit to Hillston has been covered in St Joseph’s School Newsletter and Communio – Catholic Education Office, Wilcannia-Forbes

Today the Church begins a Jubilee Year of Mercy.

Pope Francis’ idea is that the whole Church will spend the year practising mercy at every level – from priests celebrating the sacrament of Reconciliation to people feeding the hungry and clothing the naked.

Christians are called to be the living presence of God in the world - people who uncover the face of God and the heart of God in the words and actions of their everyday life.

That's how Jesus is born, not only in one moment of history, but in every moment of history. Read more...

Today Brs Januario Pinto, Agedo Bento and Martinho Da Cruz Lemos returned to Timor to spend Christmas and the holidays with their families and Carmelite confreres. As well, Agedo and Martinho will do a 30 day retreat as part of the discernment process as they approach Solemn Profession (life commitment) in the Carmelite Order.

In their villiages, Januario, Agedo and Martinho will lead the Liturgy of the Word with Holy Communion and help the local parish priest during the very busy Christmas Season.

Their time back in Timor will allow them to re-connect with their families, culture and other young Carmelites there.

If you would like to support Januario, Agedo and Martinho in their Carmelite Formation, you can make a donation here.

The 2016 edition of the Carmelite Liturgical Guide is now available.

The Guide integrates in Carmelite Liturgical Calendar with the liturgical calendars of Australia and Timor-Leste to provide a guide to the Seasons, Solemnities, Feasts, Memorials and Carmelite celebrations for every day of the year.

The Guide also lets you know where to find celebrations in the 3 Volume edition of the Divine Office.

The Guide begins with Advent this year which marks the beginning of 2016 Liturgical Year in the Church.

Printed copies are available for $5.00 including postage from

Carmelite Communications
75 Wright Street
MIDDLE PARK VIC 3206

Download the Liturgical Guide

Welcome to the December issue of The Vine - our Lay Carmelite newsletter for Australia and New Zealand.

In this issue:
•Tributes to Fr Jim De Laurier RIP
•St Teresa of Avila Pilgrimage
•Canonisation of parents of St Therese of Lisieux
•Rockhampton retreat, receptions and first professions
•Coorparoo retreat and final profession
•Perth receptions
•New South Wales Lay Carmelites retreat in Wentworthville

Download this issue

Led by the Carmelites of Australia and East Timor, a group of 29 people participated in the Annual 40 km pilgrimage in the beautiful Yarra Valley.

The pilgrimage took place over three days and is the sixth Pilgrimage organized by The Carmelite Centre Melbourne. Pilgrims find the experience one of friendship, openness and warmth.

The Carmelites of Australia and Timor-Leste are united in solidarity and prayer with the people of France and victims of the terrorist attacks in Paris.

We remember also all victims of terrorism throughout the world.

May the Spirit of God calm hearts, bring comfort and guide responses.

On this day in 1991 more than 250 mainly young people were shot as they sought refuge in the Santa Cruz Cemetery, Dili. The pro-Independence demonstrators had begun a peaceful march from a local Church to the Cemetery. Pursued by Indonesian soldiers as they approach the Cemetery many sought refuge within its walls. An estimated 200 Indonesian soldiers opened fire on hundreds of unarmed civilians.

We remember and pray for the victims, their families and friends.

Today we remember all those Australian service men and women who gave their lives in the pursuit of freedom.

 We remember those who mourn them and those who were left to battle on alone. 

We remember those who returned home scared in body, mind or spirit and those who loved and supported them. 

We remember courage, dedication, sacrifice, mateship and service.

We pray that the world may never again see the massive violence and loss of life experienced in world war.

Newsletter of the JPIC Commission of the Carmelites in Australia & Timor Leste.

In this issue:

An encounter with Aboriginal Culture & the NT Intervention
Interesting Websites
Carmelite Tradition
Simple actions you can take
Prayerful Reflection
Prevention of Violence Against Women
JPIC Calendar for this month

JPIC No 47 November 2015

In this issue we commemorate the lives of 3 Carmelites who have died this year: Fr Noel Kierce, Fr Frank Shortis and Fr Jim De Laurier.

We also share the stories of 2 young Carmelites, Br Agedo Bento and Br Martinho Da Cruz Lemos, and their work with homeless people and refugees.

Many people around Australia support the work of the Carmelites. You can read more about what's happening in our parishes at Coorparoo QLD, Wentworthville NSW and Port Melbourne/Middle Park, VIC, and at Whitefriars College, Donvale VIC.

With Christmas fast approaching, don't forget to order your special Carmelite Christmas Cards & Gifts. All proceeds help our work in both Australia and East Timor.

CC No 100 October 2015

Our young Carmelite students in Hera, Timor Leste write and publish a newsletter of Carmelite spirituality and reflection twice a month.

Reflections on the Seasons of the Year and the Sunday Scripture are also included. Articles are written in Tetum, Portuguese and Indonesian.

Next year we hope to be able to offer some excerpts from Magnificat in English for you.

Magnificat Advent 2 2014

Carmelite Communications now has its own YouTube channel.

The new YouTube channel provides a place for videos about Carmelite news, events and spirituality. Snapshots from various presentations at The Carmelite Centre Melbourne will also be added as they become available.

The channel currently has two videos about the 2014 Carmelite Way Pilgrimage and a day in the life of the Carmelites in Formation at Hera, Timor Leste.