Rev. Fr. Charles Serrao - New Provincial of the Carmelites

Mangalore, 02 May 2014: By way of introducing the Carmelites, we can say, that they are coming up with a long history of contribution for the spiritual vitality of the church ever since they appeared around the year 1100 as hermits living in natural caves on the slopes of Mt. Carmel in the Holy Land. They are the first religious community with Marian patronage and be founded in the Holy Land.

 

Many of them were from the European nobility who were touched by God to renounce the world and experience the inner change that human being can experience here on earth when any one meets God in the intimacy of their heart. They affirm along with the world wide Carmelite cloistered nuns (Kankanady, Hassan, Bangalore, Mysore, Mumbai, Pune, Baroda etc.) spread in 850 monasteries, the spiritual worth of human being, advocates of spiritual life and the prophets showcasing authentic holiness of the Catholic church.

 

During renaissance St. Teresa of Avila and St. John of the Cross, the leading mystics and teachers of spiritual life in the church, spearheaded a reform of Carmel in Europe.  These reformed or Discalced Carmelites spread very fast and they reached the shores of India around 1510 sent by the Pope directly, and built their first monastery with an international community at Old Goa. From this monastery Bl. Dionysius (French) and Redemptus (Portuguese) set out to Sumatra, Aceh in Indonesia to preach the Gospel where they were martyred. They were beatified in 1900, giving a heroic and powerful witness to the proclamation of the Gospel in the East.

 

This too has been the preoccupation of these contemplative missionaries for the last 5 centuries of their presence in India, especially throughout the western side, from Agra and Sardana in UP to Thuckalay in Kanyakumari dt, including Tatta in sind, surat and baruch in Gujarat, founding the Mumbai diocese in 1720 and amalgamating it with Bijapur mission in the Deccan. They facilitated the reconciliation and integration of the syromalabar church with the Roman church after the Coonan kurish protest against the Jesuit interference in their liturgy after the Udaipur (Diampur) synod in july1653 and establishing the missions of Verapoly and Quilon and after the death of Tippu sultan the mission of Sunkeri, Honnavar, Virajpet in coorg, Mahe,  shirva and Mangalore were entrusted to them.

 

 

The Karnataka-Goa Province including Maharashtra and Gujarat, is one of the 7 independent Units of the Discalced Carmelites in India today, with almost 225 professed members. It was instituted as an autonomous province in 1981 and since then has steadily grown in numbers and foundations. At present they have 159 Priests, 5 Non Clerical Brothers, 63 Professed students, 20 Novices and 57 Aspirants. Besides the 21 houses in India they have spread in other 17 communities beyond the shores in Italy, Canada, South Africa and the Mission in Tanzania. There are already 5 local Tanzanian Priests and the first two vocations from Canada will be making their first Religious Profession in September this year.

 

The friars are mainly involved in spiritual ministry and are in demand for retreat preaching, spiritual guidance, counseling and confessions. Many of our communities offer space and guidance for those who want to make their retreats round the year. The four Institutes of Spirituality draw Priests, Religious and Laity from India and abroad for short term formation or spiritual renewal programmes. In Mangalore the Infant Jesus Shrine attracts thousands of devotees, while in the Archdiocese of Bombay, the Carmelite Fathers cater to the needs of the biggest parish in Mira Road. In mission stations like Hoovinahadagalli, works for social development and inter-religious harmony are promoted. Recently a few schools also have been opened in areas needing good moral and quality civil education for the children.

 

Every three years representatives from the Province gather together in what is called a PROVINCIAL CHAPTER during which new superiors are elected and major decisions for the future are deliberated and planned. The XII Provincial Chapter of the Karnataka-Goa Province began on 28th April, 2014 at Dhyana Sadhana, Mysore. In preparation for the 5th Birth Centenary of St. Teresa of Avila, the main theme chosen for the gathering is to bring in greater connectivity between peoples at all levels in this individualistic world  as a vital element for the Christian proclamation, epitomized by the Teresian expression of “College of Christ” (Characteristics of a Teresian Community).

 

In the session held on 30th April, 2014, Rev. Fr. Charles Serrao OCD was elected as the new Provincial Superior, to guide the Province in the next three years. Rev. Fr Charles Serrao, OCD was born on 26 August, 1950 at Vamadapadav, Bantwal in the Diocese of Mangalore. He made his first religious profession on 19th March, 1971 and was ordained a priest on 23 December 1978. After the formation of the Karnataka-Goa Province in 1981, he held the offices of Director of the Aspirants at the Vocation Home - Mangalore, Master of Theology Students - Mangalore, Vocation Promoter and Provincial Councillor. He obtained a Licentiate in Psychology and Pedagogy from Salesian Pontifical University in Rome and a Diploma of Specialization in Consecrated Life at "Claretianum", an Institute of Theology for Religious Life, in Rome. He also, holds a Diploma in Human Growth and Development Relationships, Spiritual Counselling Skills, Community Living from the Institute of St Anselm, London. On his return to India he was again elected Provincial Councillor and appointed as Master of Philosophy Students - Mysore.

 

In the General Chapter of 1991, he was elected Definitor General in Rome and then re-elected for a second sexennium in 1997. On completion of this assignment he was appointed Rector of Collegio Teologico Internazionale OCD, in Rome where he continued for 11 years. During his 35 years as priest, he worked 13 years in formation of the seminarians, both in India and Rome. He has teaching experience in the Philosophy College in India and in “Teresianum”, the Pontifical Institute of Spirituality - Rome. He has also wide experiences in giving seminars, especially on formation and religious life. He has closely collaborated in the formation of the Discalced Carmelite Friars and Cloistered Nuns as General Councillor and Religious Assistant.