To all our dear friends –

This issue of the Vox Eliae carries the sad news of the deaths of two veteran members of the St. Elias Province, Father Aquinas Stack, O.Carm. and Father Vincent McDonald, O.Carm. Both of our brothers were well-known Carmelites who served zealously for many years. Both of them were lively members of our fraternity, who spiced up and added to our life in community. They will be sorely missed by the other friars, by the members of their families, and by many of the people of God that they served so faithfully. We are happy to devote some space in this issue to them, and ask you to keep them in your prayers.

We are also happy to share with you the news of the solemn profession of vows of Brother Anthony Trung Nguyen, O.Carm., a member of our Carmelite foundation in Vietnam. He is the 13th Vietnamese friar to profess solemn vows in the Order, and we look forward to adding several more to our ranks during 2012. We are grateful to God for the gift of every vocation we receive. Page 11 presents to you our current pre-novices. We expect to add two more to the community at St. Eliseus Priory, in Harrison, New Jersey, in February and two or three more in August. Join with us in praying for vocations to our Province and the Order.

The first half of 2012 will be a busy time for us. In addition to the professions and ordinations we are looking forward to, our Prior General, Most Reverend Fernando Millán Romeral, O.Carm., and the General Councilor for the Americas, Very Reverend Raúl Maraví, O.Carm., will be making the canonical visitation of most of the houses of our Province from March 19 to 31, 2012. The Carmelite Constitutions require this type of formal visitation to every house and religious of the Order every six years. We welcome our Visitators and know that their experiences and insights will strengthen the living of our Carmelite call.

Finally, June 2012 will see the 27th Provincial Chapter of the North American Province of St. Elias. It seems like only yesterday that we were gathered for our last Chapter, but since then we have had two fine Annual General Meetings, and feel ready for this upcom¬ing appointment with the Holy Spirit that every Chapter represents. We entrust our Chapter to Mary, the Mother of Carmel, and to the Prophet Elijah, our Father and the Patron of our Province. With their assistance, we will continue to serve the Lord with gladness.

Please enjoy reading this edition of the Vox Eliae. God bless you and Mary keep you always.

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