Preparing for the General Chapter

Every six years the Prior General calls the friars togather for a General Chapter. This gathering of the Order is vital to the ongoing life of Carmel. Each province will send delegates and these will elect the Prior General (senior friar of the Order) and his council who will serve for the next six years. The chapter also takes note of the 'vital signs' of the Order - a bit like visiting the Doctor to have your blood pressure, temperature and pulse checked. The British province is currently electing its delgates for the Chapter. This week the General Curia published this prayer to help us to prayerfully prepare for the Chapter

Loving God,
You are the source of everything that is good;
You are the living God of history,
Ever faithful to the little ones.

You called us to live in communion a life of allegiance to Christ
through a commitment to find you
and through our fraternal life in the midst of the people.

We humbly pray,
give us your wisdom and strength
that we may have the courage to live a life with the little ones,
speaking words of hope and salvation
in today's changing world - more by our lives than by our words.

Guide us in our preparation for the coming Chapter.
Pour out upon us your Holy Spirit,
so that we may remain faithful to our mission
and come together with sincere and humble hearts
as we reflect on our charism in the light of the needs of our times.

Keep us ever faithful to you.
Help us to seek your will
so that in many and various ways we may best serve your people.

We make this prayer through the intercession
of our Patroness, the Holy Virgin Mary of Mount Carmel,
who is ever near to us.

In the name of Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit. Amen.