ASIA/INDONESIA - The Carmelites in Flores: rooted in pastoral, educational and spiritual service

Ende (Agenzia Fides) - The Carmelite charism continues to expand in eastern Indonesia and will strengthen its service to the population on the island of Flores.
Today, March 25, 2025, when the universal Church celebrates the Feast of the Annunciation, the Carmelite Order of the Province of Indonesia announced the creation of a new province on the island of Flores, within the East Nusa Tenggara region. The new province has chosen Saint Titus Brandsma as its patron.
The first Carmelite religious arrived in Flores in 1969 to begin their mission. Over time, their presence was consolidated through the establishment of formation houses for candidates for religious life. Today, that presence has reached a new level of institutionalization with the creation of the new province. The General Council of the Carmelite Order in Rome has appointed Friar Marselinus Barus OCarm as its first Prior. “With this new province, we hope that the Carmelite mission in eastern Indonesia will continue to grow. My wish is that the Carmelites here, anchored in Christ, will continue to build fraternity and cooperation,” the Prior declared. The impact of the Carmelite presence in Indonesia is evident in three key areas: education, pastoral care, and spiritual accompaniment. In the field of education, the Carmelites seek not only intellectual formation (ratio), but also the formation of the heart and spiritual growth. Therefore, Carmelite schools are deeply marked by the spirituality of the Order. Currently, the Carmelites run two schools in Java, two in Flores, and one in Sumba, in addition to seven dormitory schools distributed throughout these regions. In the pastoral sphere, the religious are present in numerous parishes and dioceses, where their contemplative charism enriches the work of evangelization. In addition to preaching the Word of God, the Carmelites foster fraternal life and promote a concrete commitment to justice. Their presence is valued in dioceses such as Medan, Padang, Palembang, Jakarta, Bandung, Malang, Surabaya, Denpasar, Maumere, Ende, Ruteng, Weetebula, Pontianak, Palangkaraya, Banjarmasin, Makassar, and Sorong Manokwari.
In the spiritual sphere, the Carmelites are recognized as masters of prayer and guides in the spiritual accompaniment of the faithful. They organize retreats, formation courses, study days, and seminars on Christian and Carmelite spirituality, often in collaboration with the Indonesian Carmelite Institute (IKI) and utilizing various retreat houses. The Carmelites have also extended their work to the fields of culture and communication.
Through their publishing house, "Karmelindo," they publish books, magazines, bulletins, biblical reflections, and theological texts, with the aim of strengthening catechesis and spiritual formation. More recently, they have promoted multimedia projects, with the creation of "Carmel Vision" and "Radio Carmel," platforms through which they produce audiovisual and informative content to evangelize and spread Carmelite spirituality.
Finally, in its commitment to the most vulnerable, the Carmelite Province in Indonesia founded the NGO "Darma Laksana," which promotes assistance and cooperation projects for the poor and destitute, bringing a message of hope and salvation to those most in need. (PA) (Agenzia Fides, 25/3/2025)

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