Elective Chapter of the Rio de Janiero Province in Brazil Held January 26-30, 2026
The Carmelite Province of Fluminense gathered for its Provincial Chapter in the city of Belo Horizonte, capital of the state of Minas Gerais, from January 26 through 30, 2026, with the theme “Gratitude that Drives, Co-responsibility that Builds” -- a theme that springs from the concrete experience of those who recognize that God has been faithful to Carmel throughout history and continues to act in our present reality. Christian gratitude does not paralyze us in the past. On the contrary, it drives us forward. Those who give thanks do not settle; they take on the demands of the mission with greater freedom, maturity, and generosity. For this reason, this Chapter was not only about grateful memory, but also about missionary zeal; not about the end of a cycle, but about a confident opening to the future.
We had as our advisor Jesuit Father Jaldemir Vitório, theologian and professor at the Jesuit college in Belo Horizonte, who addressed the theme of the crisis of fraternity in religious life, pointing to Marian spirituality as a model response to the challenges of consecrated life today.
Friar Thiago Borges Isidoro was elected provincial. Friar Thiago is 36 years old, was born in the city of Pouso Alegre, Minas Gerais, and is currently parish priest of the Basilica of Our Lady of Carmel in São Paulo.
The website of the province is https://carmelitas.org.br
The following members were elected to leadership at the Chapter:
Provincial | Prior Provincial | Priore Provinciale
Thiago Borge, O. Carm.
1st Councilor | 1er Consejero | 1o Consigliere
Adailson dos Santos, O. Carm.
2nd Councilor | 2do Consejero | 2o Consigliere
Atanael de Almeida, O. Carm.
3rd Councilor | 3er Consejero | 3o Consigliere
Evaldo Xavier, O. Carm.
4th Councilor | 4to Consejero | 4o Consigliere
Geraldo D'Abadia, O. Carm.
