Portugal (21-06-2012).- “Prayer and the Life of Prayer” was the theme
for a course of Formation given to the Association of Discalced
Carmelites of Our Lady of Fatima by Fr. Gabriel Castro OCD from the
Burgos Province.
Perhaps the most important novelty of the course was in the method used. It was held simultaneously for eight monasteries of our Sisters using Skype. The six monasteries that form the Association shared the course with two other monasteries that had been invited to take part. In all, more than 80 Nuns were able to enjoy the series of lectures, thanks to this new technology.
Fr. Gabriel based his talks about prayer and the life of prayer on the traditions of Sts. Teresa and John of the Cross. The entire course was considered a great success, which comes as no surprise, given Fr. Gabriel’s vast experience as a Retreat Director and his skills in communicating. Fr. Thomas Alvarez was also present for the final conference.
Although it was a “Skype baptism” for the chief lecturer, it proved to be a very positive experience. This method of communication has the advantage of being able to address any number of Sisters while availing of different speakers, without the need of having to move from our home base.
This is not the first time that the Order has availed of videoconference to provide Formation courses for Carmelite Nuns. It has already been employed in Argentina with great success and the participation of over a dozen communities. Similar courses have been held for one or two Carmels in Spain.
Perhaps the most important novelty of the course was in the method used. It was held simultaneously for eight monasteries of our Sisters using Skype. The six monasteries that form the Association shared the course with two other monasteries that had been invited to take part. In all, more than 80 Nuns were able to enjoy the series of lectures, thanks to this new technology.
Fr. Gabriel based his talks about prayer and the life of prayer on the traditions of Sts. Teresa and John of the Cross. The entire course was considered a great success, which comes as no surprise, given Fr. Gabriel’s vast experience as a Retreat Director and his skills in communicating. Fr. Thomas Alvarez was also present for the final conference.
Although it was a “Skype baptism” for the chief lecturer, it proved to be a very positive experience. This method of communication has the advantage of being able to address any number of Sisters while availing of different speakers, without the need of having to move from our home base.
This is not the first time that the Order has availed of videoconference to provide Formation courses for Carmelite Nuns. It has already been employed in Argentina with great success and the participation of over a dozen communities. Similar courses have been held for one or two Carmels in Spain.
Source:
Communicationes - Information Service of the Disclaced Carmelite Curia
