Throughout his life, Fr Titus Brandsma was a man of forgiveness and reconciliation, including in the most complicated situations and contexts. When he was Assistant Press Officer of the Catholic Press, he had to face complex situations (political instability, tension, labour struggles, radicalisation, etc.) and always demonstrated a willingness for dialogue, open to the pleas of all. Through this, he earned the nickname “the reconciler.”
The Gospels of the last two Sundays were parables about God’s forgiveness and tender care in nurturing us back to life. In today’s Gospel we see God’s lavish forgiveness in action as Jesus deals with a concrete human situation of life-threatening judgement and condemnation. We are called, not to be judges over others, but practitioners of God’s lavish compassion and mercy.
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Celebrating At Home 5th Sunday in Lent [PDF]
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Celebrating At Home 5th Sunday in Lent [ePub]
Br Marcolino Gomes graduated with the degree of Bachelor of Theology at the University of Divinity Graduation Ceremony on 25 March. The ceremony, held in St Paul’s Cathedral, Melbourne, saw over 370 students receive a variety of awards from diplomas to doctorates. Marco is now studying for his master’s in theological studies. Congratulations, Marco! More photos & video
This Sunday’s Gospel is a parable of lavish and unexpected forgiveness and reconciliation. It is one of three parables in which God’s mercy breaks through all human and religious restrictions about how God should act toward sinners, like the parable of the patient gardener in last week's Gospel. Today's Gospel offers not just the hope of God’s forgiveness but the certainty of it. The message today is: Rejoice in God’s abiding mercy!
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Celebrating At Home 4th Sunday in Lent [PDF]
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Celebrating At Home 4th Sunday in Lent [ePub]
Rector Tom Brocks has been governing the former Carmel Lyceum in Oss, founded in 1922 by Titus Brandsma, since 2007. After WWII the school was renamed Titus Brandsma Lyceum. Titus' ideas are alive and well here, permeating the school culture.
Being of central importance to the Christian life, it is no surprise to find the Eucharist at the heart of Carmelite life from its earliest beginnings. The first Carmelites built an oratory in the midst of their cells on Mount Carmel to facilitate common prayer and common celebration of the Eucharist. Titus was convinced that our spiritual life, just as our physical life, requires food. We are strengthened by the gift of the Eucharist as we ‘walk in life’s journey here below.’
Carmelites, Brs Albino, Marcolino, José and Anacleto, joined other young Timorese students in Melbourne to help out during the recent Timor-Leste Presidential Election. Greeting voters, giving out masks and hand sanitiser, checking the electoral roll, issuing ballots and counting the results were some of the tasks they undertook at the Timor-Leste Consulate. More photos
Throughout his life Titus Brandsma was heavily involved in many forms of education. He wrote articles, gave talks and lectures, helped his native Freisland people rediscover their cultural and spiritual heritage. As Director of Catholic Schools he fought to keep Jewish children enrolled. Typically, Titus' focus was always on the people. He believed in proper resourcing for education and trained teachers. You can read more about Titus Brandsma's lifelong involvement in and contribution to Education below.
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Titus Brandsma: Education
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Tito Brandsma: Edukasaun [Tetum]
Oh, how we love a good story about disaster befalling someone else! The strength of Jesus reply to those who told him about the crucified Galileans seems to indicate that they shared this news with some delight. Jesus reply tells us not to assume that bad things happen only to bad people and not to think that disasters are some kind of punishment for sin; stop thinking about the guilt of others and put your energy into repentance – turning back towards God.
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Celebrating At Home 3rd Sunday in Lent [PDF]
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Celebrating At Home 3rd Sunday in Lent [ePub]
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Anno Brandsma was born in the Dutch province of Friesland in 1881. He joined the Carmelite Order in 1898 taking his father’s name, Titus, as his religious name. He made his First Profession in October 1899 and was ordained priest on 17 June 1905. As an academic Titus specialised in philosophy and mysticism. He helped to found the Catholic University of Nijmegen in 1923 and later served as Rector Magnificus. You can read and download the story of Titus Brandsma below.
