MCC VERSION

(This version appeared on the paper prepared for the First Commencement Exercises of Mount Carmel College, Escalante, Negros Occidental. Author is unknown.)

The geographical discoveries of the 15th and 16th centuries brought about an expansion of Carmel towards South and North America. These centuries witnessed the missionary activities of Carmelites in Brazil, Ethiopia, the Antilles. The first enclosed Nuns opened a monastery in Santurce, Puerto Rico in 1650.

In the wake of a devastating secularism the Order of Carmel was at the brink of destruction when around the beginning of this century new life started showing. Two provinces were erected in North America; Carmelites from Ireland went to Australia; from Holland new foundations were made in Brazil and various other South American countries received proof of Carmel's renewed vigor. A mission was opened in Indonesia after the 2nd World War. The Irish Fathers took over a mission in Southern Rhodesia.

In 1957, the Carmelite Fathers of the Dutch Province came to the Philippines, where His Most Rev. Execellency Msgr. Epifanio B. Surban entusted them with the care of the parishes of Tobos, Old and new Escalante. In 1958, enclosed Carmelite sisters from Spain made a foundation in Dumaguete, where several Filipinashave already joined them in their life of prayer and sacrifice.

Although the formal arrival of the Order did not come until this century, Carmel is not a stranger in the Philippines. The devotion to Our Lady of Mount Carmel and her scapular is one of the oldest in the Philippines. In 1617, her statue was brought to Manila from Mexico. In 1625 the confraternity of the Brown Scapular was erected in San Sebastian Church at Manila. The Recollect Fathers had obtained the necessary authorizations from the Carmelite Provincial of Andalucia (Spain), Very Rev. Fr. Diego del Castillo. They were confirmed in 1691 by the Prior General of the Order, Most Rev. Fr. Pablo de San Ignacio, O.Carm. So in a way with the arrival of the Carmelites of the First and Second Order Our LADY of Mount Carmel came only into her own.

Even before the Fathers and Nuns had arrived, a flourishing chapter of the third Order had begun its activities. Later on chapters were added at Dumaguete city and also at Santa Ana, Manila.

The Carmelite Order has come to the Philippines to help the Bishops in their care for the souls entrusted to them by the Divine Shepherd. In order to continue this work for the years to come, the Fathers and nuns hope to establish the Order by accepting Filipino candidates for the priesthood, the religious life, or the enclosed life of the Nuns. It is their fond hope that many yong boys and girls will dedicate themselves to Mary, the Mother of Carmel, as priests, brothers or Nuns. First, Second and Third Orders pray that many young people may spend their good and beautiful talents for the propagation and stengthening of the Church in this “pearl of the East”.

The change from a heremitical order into an order with a mixture of contemplation and action, first enforced by circumstances, has proved a blessing to Church and Order both. For souls no work is unknown to the Order of Carmel, although the Order does not specialize in any particular type of work.

In the midst of all its works and activities, Carmel continues to stress the interior life as its first aim. It is here that Fathers, Brothers and Nuns are completely one in mind and heart. It is from here that they expect the increase for their labors, which only God can give. May Our Lady bless their work and call many boys and girls into her vineyard of Carmel.