Displaying items by tag: Elections

Elective Chapter Held for the Carmelite Monastery in Batu, Indonesia

The Carmelite monastery of Flos Carmeli in Batu, Indonesia, held its Chapter of Elections on September 24, 2026

The monastery of Flos Carmeli was founded in 1962 by two Indonesian nuns from the "St. Mary Magdalene" monastery in Boxmeer, Netherlands, together with three nuns from the "Holy Trinity" monastery in Schlüsselau, Germany. This undertaking was carried out with the approval of Antonius Everardus Ioannes (Avertanus) Albers, O. Carm., the bishop of that diocese.

The Batu monastery is the first Carmelite monastery in Indonesia. In 1993, nuns from this monastery established a daughter foundation at Palangka Raya, Indonesia.

The website of the monastery is: www.floscarmelibatu.org

The nuns elected to leadership roles are:

Prioress | Priora | Priora:
Sr M Brigitta Gitasianiningsih Purnama, O. Carm.

1st Councilor | 1ª Consejera | 1ª Consigliera:
Sr. M. Gerarda Suwarti Jokasemo, O. Carm.

2nd Councilor | 2ª Consejera | 2ª Consigliera:
Sr. M. Rosa Sukatmi Rahayu Moensarip, O. Carm.

3rd Councilor | 3ª Consejera | 3ª Consigliera:
Sr. M. Laura Inacentia Sulistiowati Widjajakusuma, O. Carm.

4th Councilor | 4ª Consejera | 4ª Consigliera:
Sr. M. Angelina Wiwik Andriani Koesman, O. Carm

Formator | Formadora | Formatrice:
Sr. M. Gabriela Sri Wiharti Solichin, O. Carm.

Treasurer | Ecónoma | Economa:
Sr. M. Elisabeth Widhi Habsari Soetadi, O. Carm.

Sacristan | Sacristana | Sacrestana:
Sr. M. Lusia Dwi Estina Waluyaningrum, O. Carm.

New Leadership Elected for the General Commissariat of Paraná

The Fifth Chapter of the General Commissariat of Paraná is taking place from 21 to 25 September 2026 in Maringá, Brazil, under the theme "Carmel: Presence and Mission" and the biblical motto, "Lord, in your light we see light" (Ps 36:9).

During the Chapter, Frei Edmilson Borges de Carvalho, O. Carm., was elected Commissary General. The Chapter also elected Frei Flávio Barbosa dos Santos, O. Carm., First Councilor; Frei Cleidimar Vilela Roquim da Silva, O. Carm., Second Councilor; Frei Vagner Sanagiotto, O. Carm., Third Councilor; and Frei Romualdo Borges de Macedo, O. Carm., Fourth Councilor.

In 1951, the Upper German Province of the Order began missionary work in the city of Paranavai, in the Brazilian state of Paraná, and within a few years sent fifteen missionaries to the new foundation. The friars immediately fostered local vocations, and as early as 1953, they established a second foundation in the city of Graciosa, where a minor seminary was built.

In 1965, the Paraná mission was raised to the status of a Provincial Commissariat. In 1967, the friars assumed pastoral care of the parish of Saint Joseph in Cidade Gaúcha and the parish of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin in Fanny-Curitiba; at this latter parish, they also established a novitiate and a minor seminary. In 1968, following the division of the Cidade Gaúcha parish, the friars took charge of a new parish in the city of Tapira. The following year, the friars established the Saint John of the Cross Seminary and middle schools in the city of Paranavai. In 1984, the friars took over the Good Jesus parish in the city of Dourados, in the state of Mato Grosso do Sul. In 1994, the friars relinquished the parishes they had been serving in Cidade Gaúcha and Tapira in order to launch a new mission in the northern region. Consequently, they assumed pastoral care of the parish of Our Lady of Aparecida in the city of Rolim de Moura, in the state of Rondônia (Amazon region).

In 1996, a house of formation was founded in Barrio Novo, Curitiba; there, the Blessed Titus Brandsma friary for postulants and the Blessed Virgin Mary of Mount Carmel friary for professed friars studying theology were also established. At the beginning of the third millennium, communities were established in Manaus and Navegantes [2009] and in Florianópolis [2011]. On October 20, 2012, the Prior General, with the approval of the Council of the Order, canonically erected the General Commissariat of Paraná.

The Provincial Chapter of the Neapolitan Province was held from August 31 until September 3, 2026, in the Oasi Francescana De Lilla Center (Bari, Italy)

The Prior General, Desiderio García Martínez, O. Carm., in his homily at the opening Eucharist, reminded the participants that our faith is not based on human intelligence, but on the wisdom of God. (la nostra fede non si fonda sull'intelligenza umana, ma sulla sapienza di Dio) He said, “We must certainly be intelligent witnesses of the Gospel, but Jesus reminds us that intelligence, according to human logic, alone is not enough.” (Dobbiamo certamente essere testimoni intelligenti del Vangelo, ma Gesù ci ricorda che l'intelligenza secondo la logica umana, da sola, non basta.)

While acknowledging the obvious challenges that the province faces, the outgoing prior provincial, Cosimo Pagliara,  O. Carm., said that the life of the province (founded in 1379) is rich in having a great history and still has fertile resources for the future. (ricca di una grande storia (1379) e ancora ha feconde risorse per il futuro.)  The originality of living the Carmelite charism among the people of Southern Italy must never be lacking. 

The theme of the chapter was I Have Plans of Peace for You and Not of Misfortune for a Future Full of Hope (cf. Jeremiah 29:11) – Young People and Interculturality: A Challenge for Carmel.” (Ho per voi progetti di pace e non di sventura per un futuro pieno di speranza (cfr. Geremia 29,11) Giovani e interculturalità: una sfida per il Carmelo.)

Don Riccardo Pincerato (head of Italy’s National Service for Youth Ministry) spent an afternoon in dialogue with the chapter. He reminded the participants that too often young people are seen as the objects of our ministry and not as the subjects themselves who say something to us about God. Instead of trying to answer the question, “What must I do for the young?” instead each person needs to answer the question, “Who am I for the young?” Our youth ministry is about ensuring that young people become adult Christians (and not about creating projects of events). The challenge is to create communities that welcome young people. 

Dominic Praveen Lawrence, O. Carm., (who until his election as Commissary General in India had been the prior and rector of the Shrine of Maria Santissima di Campiglione, Caivano, Naples) gave a presentation to the chapter on Internationality and Interculturality. Interculturality does not happen through great meetings or events but through the actions and routines of daily life. He observed that not only was he welcomed but he was valued and given co-responsibility. Interculturality is not just a sociological action but also places Christ at the center which is especially important for Carmelites being brothers called by the same Lord.  

Bency Varghese, O. Carm., also gave a presentation to the chapter on Interculturality. He observed how welcomed he was into the province. Interculturality is now an essential part of our religious life which is not just about living together but living in communion. He noted that just because people eat, work and pray together does not mean that they have authentic interculturality. There is always the risk of ethno-centrism: thinking of one’s own culture as being the right culture and using it to judge other cultures. Communion and true interculturality does not come about by hosting people in a province or in a community. 

During the chapter, the participants made a visit to the Basilica of St Nicholas in Bari which contains the relics of Saint Nicholas. The Dominicans have had responsibility as custodians of this important shrine for over 70 years. Emmanuel Albano, OP, spent time with the participants explaining the importance of the shrine especially as a center of ecumenism. It is a place which has succeeded in bringing all Christians together. A very special moment was our moment of prayer together at the relics, led by the prior general, Desiderio García Martínez, O. Carm.

During the chapter, the following were elected to be the government of the province for the next three years:

Prior Provincial: Cosimo Pagliara, O. Carm.
First Councilor: Nicola Barbarello, O. Carm.
Second Councilor: Milosz Mazewski, O. Carm.
Third Councilor: Bency Varghese, O. Carm.
Fourth Councilor: Aureliano Pacciolla, O. Carm.

The XXIst Ordinary General Chapter of the las Hermanas Carmelitas del Sagrado Corazón de Jesús was held in Málaga

The 21st Ordinary General Chapter of the Hermanas Carmelitas del Sagrado Corazón de Jesús began on August 2 and concluded on August 22, 2026. 

The Chapter took place at their Motherhouse / Madre Asunción School in El Limonar (Málaga) under the theme of the Chapter Year: Anchored in the Heart of Jesus Christ, Forgers of Hope. 

During these three weeks, representatives from communities in various countries evaluated the progress of the Congregation and discerning the organizational steps for the coming years.

The Chapter Assembly elected the Superior General and her Council, who will guide the life and mission of the Congregation over the next four years.

The General Council is composed as follows:

Sr. Ma Teresa Delgado Aguado
Superior General

Sr. Lus Marina Materano Perozo
Vicar General

Sr. Lucía María Frois Colaco
Delegate Councilor for the Africa Zone

Sr. Mercedes Espinal de Jesús
Delegate Councilor for the Caribbean Zone

Sr. María José Medina Alguacil
Delegate Councilor for the Iberian Zone

Sr. Ma Dolores Calvo López
General Treasurer

Elective Chapter of the Carmelite Hermitage of the Blessed Virgin Mary in Lake Elmo, Minnesota Held on June 24

The elective chapter of the Carmelite Hermitage of the Blessed Virgin Mary in Lake Elmo, Minnesota (USA), was held in a spirit of fraternity and discernment under the presidency of the prior general, Desiderio García Martínez, with the participation of the General Councilor for the Americas.

The eight solemnly professed members proceeded with the election of its leadership in accordance with the norms of the Order. The community elected John Mary Burns as prior, Elijah Schwab as sub-prior (First Councilor), Peter Peach as Second Councilor, and Christopher Burnside as Third Councilor.

In his address, the prior general reflected on the exercise of authority as a ministry of humble service rooted in the Carmelite Rule. He encouraged the community to continue fostering unity, co-responsibility, and healthy formation, while maintaining vigilance in safeguarding, transparency in governance, and sound financial administration. He also highlighted the importance of maintaining a strong bond with the wider Carmelite Order.

Fr. Desiderio further noted that a revision of the hermitage’s statutes will need to be initiated in order to bring them into closer alignment with the Constitutions of the Order. He emphasized that this process should be carried out with careful discernment and fidelity to the charism.

Additionally, he underscored the importance of maintaining a proper balance between the development of physical structures, such as the new basilica project, and the ongoing task of building a healthy and vibrant community life.

Elective Chapter Held in Carmelite Monastery of Carmel of Mary, Star of the Sea in Tanay, Philippines

Carmel of Mary, Star of the Sea, of the Diocese of Antipolo, Rizal, Philippines, held its 9th Canonical Election of the Prioress on February 19, 2026. Following the celebration of the Votive Mass of the Holy Spirit, the election was presided over by the Most Rev. Ruperto C. Santos, D.D., the bishop of Antipolo.

The elections of the other officials followed on February 24, 2026.

The community will celebrate the Silver Anniversary of its foundation in 2001 on November 11 this year. The Silver Anniversary of the dedication of its chapel will be celebrated on December 15, 2027. As the first and only foundation of teh Stella Maris Federation of the Carmelite Nuns in the Philippines, the monastery is the fruit of the union of the member monasteries.

The nuns elected to leadership roles are:

Prioress | Priora | Priora:
Sr Maria Esperanza of the Immaculate Heart of Mary Ceclio, O. Carm.

1st Councilor | 1ª Consejera | 1ª Consigliera:
Sr Maria Wilma of Jesus Crucified Galang, O. Carm.

2nd Councilor | 2ª Consejera | 2ª Consigliera:
Sr Maryver of the Cross Mabanta, O. Carm.

3rd Councilor | 3ª Consejera | 3ª Consigliera:
Sr Maria Alma Jesusa of the Divine Mercy Santos, O. Carm.

4th Councilor | 4ª Consejera | 4ª Consigliera:
Sr Maria Rebecca of the Sacred Heart of Jesus Valdez, O. Carm.

Treasurer | Ecónoma | Economa:
Sr Mary Grace of the Crucified and Risen Jesus Bruno, O. Carm.

Formator | Formadora | Formatrice:
Sr Maria Rebecca of the Sacred Heart of Jesus Valdez, O. Carm.

Sacristan | Sacristana | Sacrestana:
Sr Mary Therese Katherine of Jesus Balane, O. Carm.

General Commissariat of Portugal Holds Elective Chapter in Fatima, Portugal

The triennial chapter of the General Commissariat of Portugal as held April 21-23, 2026 in Hotel Casa São Nuno in Fatima. The theme of the chapter – echoing the theme of the General Chapter in 2025 – was: “You Must Do Some Work” (Rule 20). Our Contemplative Fraternity Discerns Its Mission in Portugal. Before the chapter, the preparatory commission did a lot of work synthesizing the reflections of the friars and the communities, as well as putting together the various proposals for the chapter to consider.

The afternoon before the chapter began, the gremiales were led in a reflection guided by the Reverend Father José Antunes, missionary of the Divine Word, under the theme, “International Religious Communities.”

In opening the Chapter, Desiderio García Martínez, O. Carm., the prior general, encouraged the friars to rediscover the beauty of the Carmelite charism especially with regard to our interior life. On the second day of the Chapter, the Prior General gave a presentation building further on the theme of spiritual renewal.

During the Chapter of the General Commissariat of Portugal were elected:

Commissary General | Comisario general | Commissario generale
Altamiro Tenório da Paz, O. Carm.

1st Councilor | 1er Consejero | 1^o Consigliere
Agostinho Marques de Castro, O. Carm.

2nd Councilor | 2do Consejero | 2^o Consigliere
Fernando Manuel Afonso Araújo O. Carm

3rd Councilor | 3er Consejero | 3^o Consigliere
João Manuel Oliveira da Costa, O. Carm.

4th Councilor | 4to Consejero | 4^o Consigliere
Pedro José Martins Monteiro, O. Carm.

Elective Chapter Held in Carmelite Monastery of the Incarnation in Granada, Spain 

At noon on April 15, 2026, the Carmelite Monastery of the Incarnation in Granada (Spain) held its triennial elective chapter. After celebrating the Eucharist and singing a hymn to the Holy Spirit, the nuns began the elective chapter with the election of the prioress.

The monastery is part of the “Mater et Decor Carmeli” Federation and is located in the Diocese of Granada. Originally an ascetery (asceterium), in 1508 it became an enclosed monastery of the Order through the efforts of Mary Anne of St. Sebastian, a nun of the city of Ecija. The Venerable Joan Ursula of St. Joseph lived at Incarnation in Granada.

The nuns elected to leadership roles are:

Prioress | Priora | Priora:
Sor Ma. Lourdes Santos, O. Carm.

1st Councilor | 1ª Consejera | 1ª Consigliera:
Sor Ma. Dolores Montes, O. Carm.

2nd Councilor | 2ª Consejera | 2ª Consigliera:
Sor Ma. Jeanette Monica Santos, O. Carm.

Treasurer | Ecónoma | Economa:
Sor Ma. Dolores Montes, O. Carm.

Formator | Formadora | Formatrice:
Sor Mary Jeanette Monica Santos, O. Carm.

Sacristan | Sacristana | Sacrestana:
Sor Gretchen Marie Cabalquinto, O. Carm.

Catalonian Province of Most Holy Redeemer Holds Elective Chapter in Olot, Spain

The Catalonian Province held its 2026 Provincial Chapter in the Carmelite house in Olot. The Chapter took place March 24-26, 2026. 

The Prior General, Desiderio García Martínez, O. Carm., presided over the opening Eucharist. Later on, in his address to the Chapter, the Prior General reminded the participants that Father Bartolomé Xiberta, O. Carm., (a famous theologian and member of the Catalonia Province who died in 1967) used to say, “I cannot understand how anyone could serve Jesus and Mary without joy.” The prior general asked God, through the intercession of Father Xiberta, to continue strengthening the Carmelite vocation of the members of the Province.

Monsignor Jordi Font, a diocesan priest and rector of the seminary who holds doctorates in theology and in liturgy, then gave the chapter participants a very profound reflection on the Prophet Elijah.

As normal, various reports were presented during the chapter including the report of the outgoing Prior Provincial (Javier Domingo Garmón Calvo, O. Carm.), the report of the Delegate of Venezuela (Frederick Kenny Castro Salazar, O. Carm.) and the reports of the priors of the three communities Olot (Jordi M^a Gil O. Carm.), Barcelona (Raúl Masana, O. Carm.) and Terrassa (Manuel Bonilla, O. Carm.). Further reports were also presented regarding the Nuns of the Province, financial aspects and formation.

Good discussion was held around various proposals which looked to discerning the future of the province, formation, and regarding the various ministries of the province. Significant time was spent on reflecting on Carmel in Venezuela.

Some of the oldest foundations in the Order were part of mid-13th century Catalonia: Perpignan (1265) and Narbonne (from 1321). In 1336 the vicariate of Perpignan was erected, which three years later was called “Perpignan and Majorica”; in 1342 it was erected into a province named Majorica and from 1354 was called the province of Catalonia.

In 1835, all the convents of the province of Catalonia were suppressed by the civil authorities. 

Towards the end of the 19th century, with the efforts of the brothers of Majorica (1875), the work of restoration began, culminating in the restoration of the “Province of Spain” (1889); this was divided in 1906 into the Baetic and Aragon-Valencian provinces. From this, in 1932, houses were detached to establish the General Commissariate of Catalonia, which, in 1950, was again raised to the status of a province. Before the restoration of the province, beginning in 1894, the brothers worked on the restoration of the provinces of Rio de Janeiro, Bahia, and Pernambuco, and later also Poland; they carried out missionary work in Puerto Rico and have been active in Venezuela since 1922. Beginning in 1933, it had provincial commissariats in Brazil (Minas Gerais) and Venezuela.

The 2023 Status Ordinis reflects that the province has 27 members living in six houses. The titular of the province is the Most Holy Redeemer.

The following members were elected to lead the province for the next triennium:

Prior Provincial | Prior Provincial | Priore Provinciale
Luis José Maza Subero, O. Carm.

1st Councilor | 1er Consejero | 1^o Consigliere
Frederick Kenny Castro Salazar, O. Carm.

2nd Councilor | 2do Consejero | 2^o Consigliere
Nicolás Ubaldo Carrizalez Castillo, O. Carm.

3rd Councilor | 3er Consejero | 3^o Consigliere
José López Villalba, O. Carm.

4th Councilor | 4to Consejero | 4^o Consigliere
Joan Güell i Casademont, O. Carm.

Elective Chapter Held in Carmelite Monastery "San Miguel" in Huesca, Spain 

On the morning of March 17, 2026, the Carmelite monastery of San Miguel in Huesca, Spain held its triennial elective chapter. The nuns prayed for a renewed leadership and spiritual life through the conversion of their hearts to the love of God. After celebrating the votive Mass of the Holy Spirit, the nuns began the elective chapter with the election of the prioress.

The monastery was founded by the Carmelite Peter Sobrino in the year 1622. The monastery of the Assumption of Our Lady into Heaven, in the same city of Huesca, was founded from San Miguel in 1656.

The monastery is part of the "Mater Unitatis" Federation and is located in the Diocese of Huesca.

The nuns elected to leadership are:

Prioress | Priora | Priora:
Sor Ma. Gloria de Dios Caballero, O. Carm.

1st Councilor | 1ª Consejera | 1ª Consigliera:
Sor Ma. Blanca de la Eucaristía Barril, O. Carm.

2nd Councilor | 2ª Consejera | 2ª Consigliera:
Sor Ma. Pilar Borau, O. Carm.

Treasurer | Ecónoma | Economa:
Sor Ma. Blanca de la Eucaristía Barril, O. Carm.

Formator | Formadora | Formatrice:
Sor Ma. Gloria de Dios Caballero, O. Carm.

Sacristan | Sacristana | Sacrestana:
Sor Ma. Pilar Borau, O. Carm.