Carmelites Friars – North of American Province of St. Elias in allegiance to Jesus Christ
Di An, Ho Chi Minh City — August 28 to September 1, 2025 — At St. Thérèse Priory, the Carmelites of the Commissariat of St. Joseph, Vietnam, gathered to participate in the Carmelite Study Week under the theme: St. Mary Magdalene de Pazzi. The week was directed by Fr. Simon Nolan, O.Carm., Provincial of the Irish Province.
From the very first day, the friars experienced a palpable atmosphere of fraternity and communion. This was not only a time of study, but also an opportunity for the Carmelite communities in Vietnam to meet, share, and renew the family spirit within the same charism. With the presence and guidance of Fr. Simon Nolan, the participants were led into a deeper understanding of the life and rich theological insights of St. Mary Magdalene de Pazzi (1566–1607), a Carmelite nun renowned for her mystical experiences and ardent love for God.
Fr. Simon Nolan presented a wide range of topics, including:
- The life of St. Mary Magdalene de Pazzi
- Mysticism and the daily life of Christians
- Awakening to God’s love – the foundation and summit of Christian life
- Christ and the Cross
- The Holy Spirit and the mystical experiences that drew the saint deeper into God’s mystery
- Trinitarian communion: the heart of prayer and fraternity
- The Eucharist and the Liturgy: where the saint encountered and united intimately with the Lord
- The Blessed Virgin Mary – Mother and Sister of the Carmelites, a living model for consecrated life
- The Church and the work of renewal
Through insightful lectures, fraternal discussions, and moments of contemplative prayer, the participants not only gained theological knowledge but also experienced the spiritual vitality flowing from the witness of St. Mary Magdalene de Pazzi’s life.
With his profound yet approachable style of teaching, Fr. Simon Nolan helped the community discover that the saint’s spirituality is not distant or confined to the 16th century, but remains alive and relevant for religious today. Her burning love for Christ, her passionate concern for the Church, and her union with the mystery of the Trinity continue to be a powerful call for all members of the Carmelite family to live their contemplative vocation and mission to the full.
The Study Week was not only a source of knowledge and mystical depth, but also an opportunity for members of the Order to deepen their Carmelite spirituality, renew their vocational zeal, and draw spiritual inspiration from the witness and teachings of St. Mary Magdalene de Pazzi. At the conclusion of the week, the friars gave thanks to God for the spiritual graces received, and expressed heartfelt gratitude to Fr. Simon Nolan, O.Carm., for his warm presence, heartfelt sharing, and wise guidance. The week closed in an atmosphere of joy, communion, and hope, opening the way for new spiritual fruits in religious life and mission within the heart of the Church
