Displaying items by tag: Elections

The Monastery of Our Lady of Maravillas in Madrid, Spain Celebrated Its Elective Chapter July 24-25

On July 24-25, 2025, the Carmelite nuns of the monastery of Nuestra Señora de las Maravillas in Madrid, Spain, held their elective chapter.

The monastery was founded by Joanna de Baraona in 1612 as a place for pious women to gather in order to practice Christian perfection. With the help of Antonio Pérez, prior provincial of the Castille Province, the beateria became an official Carmelite monastery with its reception of the papal enclosure.

The monastery founded San José de las Matas (1954) and Dumaguete (1958). 

The monastery belongs to the Mater Unitatis Federation.

Those elected to leadership are:

Prioress | Priora | Priora:
Hna. M^a Brunilda Rodríguez Velasco

1st Councilor | 1ª Consejera | 1ª Consigliera:
Hna. M^a Inmaculada Ochoa Blázquez

2nd Councilor | 2ª Consejera | 2ª Consigliera:
Sr. Ma. Antonia Domínguez Cortés

3rd Councilor | 3ª Consejera | 3ª Consigliera:
Hna. M^a Luisa Ruiz Cerro

4th Councilor | 4ª Consejera | 4ª Consigliera:
Hna. M^a del Carmen Martínez Pérez

Treasurer | Ecónoma | Economa
Hna. M^a Cristina Gil Moreno

Formator | Formadora | Formatrice
Hna. M^a Antonia Domínguez Cortés 

Sacristan | Sacristán | Sacrestana:
Hna. M^a del Carmen Ruiz Navas

The Monastery of the Holy Family in Guiguinto, Philippines Celebrates Elective Chapter

On Friday, June 9, 2025, the Carmelite community of the monastery of the Holy Family in Guiguinto (Philippines) held their elective chapter under the presidency of the Bishop of Malolos, Dennis C. Villarojo.

During the Chapter, the nuns confirmed that their activites are ordained in and subordinate to contemplation. The decision was made to form a community centered in the presence of Christ among us and whose relationships tend toward a deeper union in charity. The nuns confirmed their intent to intensify their prayers and sacrifices in communion with the present needs of humanity.

In 1966, the nuns of the Monastery of St. Anne landed in the Philippines and first established a monastery in the city of Meycauayan in the Diocese of Malolos and then in the city of Guiguinto. In 1983, seven nuns from Guiguinto went to the Diocese of Cabanatuan and established a monastery there. In 1993, seven nuns of the Guiguinto community went to the Diocese of Alaminos to found a new monastery in Burgos. Then, four nuns founded a new monastery of the federation of nuns in Tanay, in the Diocese of Antipolo. Finally, on December 7, 2001, seven nuns founded a new community in the town of Sta Ignacia in the Diocese of Tarlac. In 2017, five sisters were sent to seek a new foundation in the village of San Fabian, in the Province of Pangasinan, in the Archdiocese of Lingayen-Dagupan.

The monastery of the Holy Family belongs to the Stella Maris Federation. The monastery has a Facebook page.

Those elected to leadership are:

Prioress | Priora | Priora:
Sr. Mary Jenicca L. Mariano

1st Councilor | 1ª Consejera | 1ª Consigliera:
Sr. Mary Ruth Alethea C. Clavio

2nd Councilor | 2ª Consejera | 2ª Consigliera:
Sr. Ma. Liza G. Jeremias

3rd Councilor | 3ª Consejera | 3ª Consigliera:
Sr. Mary Josephine B. Faustino

4th Councilor | 4ª Consejera | 4ª Consigliera:
Sr. Ma. Teresa E. Santos

Treasurer | Ecónoma | Economa
Sr. Ma. Fatima B. Faustino

Formator | Formadora | Formatrice
Sr. Mary Josephine B. Faustiono 

Sacristan | Sacristán | Sacrestana:
Sr. Mary Ruby Ann D. Aurelio

Monastery of the Most Holy Trinity in Jesi Holds Elective Chapter

On Friday, June 20th the Carmelite community of the monastery of the Most Holy Trinity in Jesi (Italy) held their elective chapter.

The monastery was founded in 1684 by Cardinal Pietro Matteo Petucci († 1701), bishop of Aesinate. He changed the Franciscan Tertiaries, Aesinate ascetics, founded in 1660 into Carmelites. A few years later, in 1697, they received the papal cloister, passing to the Second Order. Around 1822, the Carmelite nuns of Montecarotto were received when their monastery was extinguished. Pope Pius IX visited the Aesinate monastery in May 1857. In 1965, a daughter monastery was founded in Montegnacco di Cassacco, and in 1979 the monastery of Carpineto Romano was founded.

The website for the Jesi monastery is: www.carmelitanejesi.com

Those elected to leadership are: 

Prioress | Priora | Priora:
Sr. Alma M. Joseph di Gesù Crocifisso

1st Councilor | 1ª Consejera | 1ª Consigliera:
Sr. M. Giovanna Francesca Dei Verbum

2nd Councilor | 2ª Consejera | 2ª Consigliera:
Sr. M. Chiara dell'Eucaristia

Treasurer | Ecónoma | Economa
Sr. M. Chiara dell'Eucaristia

Formator | Formadora | Formatrice
Sr. Alma M. Joseph di Gesù Crocifisso 

Sacristan | Sacristán | Sacrestana:
Sr. M. Giovanna Francesca Dei Verbum

Elective Chapter Held in the Monastery of the Incarnation in Barcelona, Spain

The Carmelite nuns of the Monastery of the Incarnation in Barcelona, Spain, recently held their triennial, elective chapter.

The monastery was founded in 1649 by Srs. Gertrude of the Infant Jesus and Teresa of Jesus, two nuns from the monastery of Vilafranca del Penedès. Ven. Eulalia of the Cross, a mystic and author of several works, lived there, dying in 1721. This monastery founded the Carmelite monasteries in Valls, Vic, and Tarrega. In 1983, the community founded the monastery of Porlamar on the Isla Margarita.

The monastery is part of the Virgo Flos Carmeli Federation. The webpage of the monastery is: www.carmelitasbcn.org. The Facebook page is: carmelo.laencarnacion

The following nuns were elected to leadership:

Prioress | Priora | Priora:
Sr. Hna. María Jacinta Mutio Muithya

1st Councilor | 1ª Consejera | 1ª Consigliera:
Sr. María del Carmen Izquierdo Marín

2nd Councilor | 2ª Consejera | 2ª Consigliera:
Sr. Maria Joana Josa

Treasurer | Ecónoma | Economa
Sr. María Jacinta Mutio Muithya

Formator | Formadora | Formatrice
Sr. María del Carmen Izquierdo Marín

Sacristan | Sacristán | Sacrestana:
Sr. María Elizabeth Mbovi Mutisya

Province of St. Elias Holds Chapter in Middletown, New York (USA), to Elect New Leadership June 17-20, 2025

The North American Province of St. Elias held its 31st Provincial Chapter in Middletown, New York from June 17-20, 2025. The theme of the Provincial Chapter was "Daily Bread for the Journey: Carmel and the Eucharist.”

There was a presentation by Dr. Susan Timoney, associate professor of Practice in Pastoral Studies at the Catholic University of America on the elements of Eucharistic spirituality in Carmel. The Chapter also spent time developing provincial priorities for the next triennium. These focus on improvements in the province’s vocation and formation programs, enhancing the quality of our community life, and identifying new areas of ministerial outreach, in line with our Carmelite charism. Reports were also heard about the growth and development of our missions in Vietnam and Trinidad.

The following were elected to positions of leadership:

Provincial | Provincial | Provinciale
Robert Chiulli, O. Carm.

1st Councilor | 1er Consejero | 1^o Consigliere
Anthony Trung Nguyen, O. Carm.

2nd Councilor | 2do Consejero | 2^o Consigliere
Michael Kissane, O. Carm.

3rd Councilor | 3er Consejero | 3^o Consigliere
Paul Denault, O. Carm.

4th Councilor | 4to Consejero | 4^o Consigliere
Marlon Beharry, O. Carm.

Province of Germany Holds Triennial Chapter June 9-13, 2025

The fourth provincial chapter of the German Province was held from June 9 – 13, 2025 in the Carmelite Retreat Center at Springiersbach (Germany).

In his opening address, the prior general, Míċeál O’Neill, O. Carm., expressed his wish that the chapter would be “a meeting of minds and hearts that see more clearly who we are, what we have received from God and what is our calling in this country and in Africa today.”

The theme chosen for the chapter was: “What are you doing here, Elijah?” (1 Kings 19:9). The chapter participants (gremiales) took this question of God to Elijah as an opportunity to ask themselves what constitutes their religious life today. Arising from this, the gremiales considered their spiritual and community life. They examined how they were to live in the world: how to communicate their lives and what service they wanted to present to people.

Among the normal reports and topics, typical of every provincial chapter, the gremiales considered how they could strengthen their relationship with Cameroon. Time was also spent considering the new leadership of the province and what needed to happen after the provincial chapter was concluded. In addition, the chapter supported the province’s participation in the projects for closer cooperation within the North European Region.

The chapter was facilitated and moderated by Frau Stefanie Kainzbauer. Wilmar Santin, O. Carm., Bishop of Itaituba, Para, Brazil, a member of the province, attended as a guest. In addition, Dr Raoul Kiyangi, OCD, provincial of the Discalced German Province attended for a day as a guest of the province.

The following members were elected to leadership:

Provincial | Provincial | Provinciale
Peter Schröder, O. Carm.
1st Councilor | 1er Consejero | 1^o Consigliere
Theodor Vreeswijk, O. Carm.
2nd Councilor | 2do Consejero | 2^o Consigliere
Stephan Panzer, O. Carm.
3rd Councilor | 3er Consejero | 3^o Consigliere
Lorenz van Rickelen, O. Carm.
4th Councilor | 4to Consejero | 4^o Consigliere
Severin Tyburski, O. Carm.

Elective Chapter Held in Villalba del Alcor (Huelva), Spain on May 13, 2025

On May 13, 2025, the Carmelite nuns of the Monastery of St. John the Baptist (San Juan Bautista) in Villalba del Alcor (Huelva) España held their elective chapter.

The monastery was founded in 1619 by the nuns of the Monastery of St. Anne in the city of Seville, under the leadership of Sister Beatrice Tinoro of St. John the Baptist († 1622) and with the support of Saint Franco García Jiménez, her cousin. They were accompanied by several lay women who intended to take the Carmelite habit in the new community. They were highly motivated following the Council of Trent.

From here the monastery of the Most Blessed Sacrament (Monasterio del Smo. Sacramento) in the city of Cañete la Real was founded (1662). The monastery celebrated its 400th anniversary in 2019.

The webpage of the monastery with a large selection of pictures from the 2019 celebrations as well as other information is located at www.carmelitasenvillalba.com

The following were elected to leadership:

Prioress | Priora | Priora:
Sor María del Carmen del Toro Medina

1st Councilor | 1ª Consejera | 1ª Consigliera:
Sor María Pilar Martín Gómez

2nd Councilor | 2ª Consejera | 2ª Consigliera:
Sor María Inés Vázquez Gallardo

3rd Councilor | 3ª Consejera | 3ª Consigliera:
Sor María Consuelo de Jesús Pérez García

4th Councilor | 4ª Consejera | 4ª Consigliera:
Sor Antonia María Díaz Sánchez

Treasurer | Ecónoma | Economa
Sor María Yolanda Romero Talamante

Formator | Formadora | Formatrice
Sor María Pilar Martín Gómez

Chapter of General Commissariat of "La Bruna" Held in Naples May 12-14, 2024 with Elections

The Chapter of the General Commissariat  “Santa Maria 'La Bruna'” took place May 12-14, 2025, in the Carmelite monastery in Naples under the presidency of the prior general, Míceál O’Neill, O. Carm., accompanied by Richard Byrne, General Councilor for Europe. The theme chosen for the chapter was: “The love of Christ impels us“ (2 Cor 5,14). Contemplation: towards the renewal of fraternal and missionary life in Carmel.

Unfortunately, the Carmelites in Tanzania were unable to receive visas to attend the Chapter in Italy. Instead, they participated by electronic means.

The Chapter opened on Monday, 12th May 2025 with a Votive Eucharist to the Holy Spirit. Thereafter, the gremiales went to the Chapter Hall and listened to an address from the Prior General. As usual, the chapter reflected on the previous three years aided by the reports from the officials of the Commissariat. Over the course of the chapter, the gremiales spent a lot of time reflecting on the relationship between the Carmelites in Tanzania and those in Italy and, in particular, how the Carmelite presence in Tanzania might be developed. Towards the end of the Chapter, the elections for the General Commissary and his Councillors were  held.

On the last day of the chapter, 14th May 2025, the Prior General celebrated the Eucharist on the Feast of St Matthias which coincided with the traditional Wednesday devotions to the Madonna of La Bruna in the Carmelite sanctuary which, as usual, were attended by a large number of the faithful. After the celebration of the Eucharist, the Acts of the Chapter were unanimously approved and signed by all present. With some final words of encouragement, and noting the rich history of the Commissariat, the prior general formally declared the chapter concluded.

The Commissariat is the heir to a tradition that dates back from 1524, when the convent of Carmine Maggiore in Naples was placed directly under the prior general. For awhile it became part of a province and, when this province disappeared due to the civil revolution, Carmine Maggiore was again placed under the jurisdiction of the prior general with the exception of the years 1910-1920 in which it was part of the Province of Naples. In 1947 a commissariat entitled "La Bruna" was set up to include Carmine Maggiore and two other houses. In October 2009 the foundation in Tanzania was established.

First page: www.santuariocarminemaggiore.it

The following members were elected to leadership:

Commissary General | Comisario General | Commissario Generale
Alfredo Di Cerbo, O. Carm.

1st Councilor | 1er Consejero | 1^o Consigliere
Luciano Di Cerbo, O.Carm.

2nd Councilor | 2do Consejero | 2^o Consigliere
Dominic Somola, O. Carm.

Elective Chapter of the Province of Australia and Timor-Leste Held April 28-May 2, 2025  

The Carmelites of the Province of Australia and Timor-Leste held their Provincial Chapter from April 28-May 2, 20225. Míċéal O'Neill, the prior general, accompanied by Robert Puthussery, General Councilor for Asia, Australia, and Oceania, participated.  

In 1881 five members of the Irish province went to Australia; they were entrusted with the parish of Gawler in South Australia. In 1882 Sandridge (Victoria) was founded, which was later, in 1890, divided into the present-day Port Melbourne and Middle Park. In 1886 the Australian Commissariat was established but lasted only two years. In 1902 the Gawler house was closed and Port Adelaide, now called Pennington, was opened (the Carmelites left this parish in 1999). On March 22, 1930, the area was erected as a General Commissariat. After the founding of communities in Coorparoo, Queensland, and Donvale, Vic, the province was then erected.  

In 1949, the Australian Carmelites went to New Zealand and founded a house in Meadowbank but that closed in 1970. In May 2001, the Province accepted an invitation to engage in East Timor. On September 24, 2004, the Prior General and his Council changed the name of the province to Province of Australia and East Timor. The province is dedicated to Our Lady Help of Christians.   

The website of the province is www.carmelites.org.au  

The following members were elected to leadership at the Chapter:

Provincial | Provincial | Provinciale
Bruce Clark, O. Carm.

1st Councilor | 1er Consejero | 1^o Consigliere
Paul Cahill, O.Carm.

2nd Councilor | 2do Consejero | 2^o Consigliere
Martinho Da Costa, O. Carm.

3rd Councilor | 3er Consejero | 3^o Consigliere
David Hofman, O. Carm.

4th Councilor | 4to Consejero | 4^o Consigliere
Januario Pinto, O.Carm.

Elective Chapter of the Provincial Commissariat of Sumatra Celebrated

The members of the Provincial Commissariat of Sumatra held their elective chapter. The Commissariat is part of the Indonesian Province.

The following were elected on Wednesday, April 8 to the responsibilities listed:

Commissary Provincial | Comisario Provincial | Commissario Provinciale
Yohanes Rudy Kartolo Malau, O. Carm.

1st Councilor | 1er Consejero | 1^o Consigliere
Valentinus Aditya Permana Perangin-angin, O. Carm.

2nd Councilor | 2do Consejero | 2^o Consigliere
Martinus Manaek Sinaga, O. Carm.