Displaying items by tag: prior general
The 2025 General Chapter Elects New Leadership
From the General Chapter | September 9-26, 2025
Prior General, Vice Prior General, Procurator General, and General Bursar Elected by General Chapter
Following the day of retreat and reflection by Bishop Henricus Pidyardo, the members of the Chapter spent some time reflecting on the possible candidates for the Order’s government. This morning, following Morning Prayer and Eucharist, the members of the Grneral Chapter assembled in the Chapter Hall to begin the voting process.
The 2025 General Chapter has elected four members of the Order's central government on Day 1 of the elections. The positions filled were prior general, vice prior general, procurator general, and general bursar.
Prior General:
As announced earlier, Desiderio García Martínez of the Arago, Castellae et Valentiae Province was elected Prior General for the next sexennium.
Fr. Desiderio holds a Bachelor's Degree in Ecclesiastical Studies (1989-1994), a Bachelor's Degree in Biblical Theology (1994-96), and a Bachelor's Degree in Hebrew Philology (1996-2000). He has served as prior provincial of the Province of ACV (2017-2023), Novice Master (1997-2009, 2011-2017), Formation Counselor (2002-2017), and Counsellor for Religious Life (2023-25) and parish priest (2009-11, 2023-25).
Vice Prior General:
Later in the morning Rm. Franciscus Xavarius Hariawan Adji, the current prior provincial of Indonesia, was selected to serve as Vice Prior General. Fr. Hariawan holds a Bachelor degree in English Linguistics (1992), a Bachelor in Industrial Management (1993), a Bachelor in Christian Philosophy and Theology (2006), a Masters degree in Biostatistics (2000), a Masters degree in Christian Philosophy and Theology (2009), and a doctorate in Inter-religious studies (2017).
He is a lecturer at the Airlangga University Surabaya (1992 - present) and director of Studies at Access English Centre Surabaya (1993-2000). He served as Provincial Secretary (2009-2012), Head of Indonesian Carmelite NGO (2010 - present), Asian Representative of the Carmelite NGO (2006 - 2024), Member of the General Commission of JPIC: 2013 - 2025, Vice Prior Provincial of the Indonesia Province (2015-2018 and 2018–2022), and as Prior Provincial of the Indonesian Province (2023-present).
Procurator General:
Fr. Michael Farrugia was postulated for the position of Procurator General which he has held for 12 years (2 terms).
Michael did studies in Sacred Theology at the Pontifical Gregorian University, in Rome. In 1986, he was ordained to priesthood by Saint Pope John Paul II. Fr. Michael continued his studies in Canon Law at the Pontifical Lateran University where he earned his doctorate.
In the Province, Fr. Michael served as Provincial Bursar, Provincial Councillor, Prior, Parish Priest and member of the formation team. In the year 2009 he was elected Prior Provincial and re-elected in 2012. He was president of the Italy-Malta Region.
In the Archdiocese of Malta, Fr. Michael was Defender of the Bond and Justice Promoter in the Ecclesiastical Tribunal and Judge of the Regional Tribunal of Second Instance. In 2006, he was elected member of the Presbyterial Council and was member on various diocesan commissions. He was councillor and President of the Conference of Religious Major Superiors.
Bursar General:
Christian was born in Würzburg (Bavaria), Germany. He entered the Carmelite Order in 1981, following his studies at the school of the Carmelite Theresianum in Bamberg. He completed his studies in Philosophy and Theology in Bamberg and Rome. After he was ordained a priest in 1988, Christian worked in a parish as vice parish priest. He was master of novices from 1992 to 1997 and for the next three years from 1997 to 2000 master of the students. Before his first election as prior provincial of the German Province in 2000 (to 2007) he was prior of the community of Bamberg and provincial counsellor. From 1994 to 2007 he was member of the International Commission for Formation of the Order.
At the General Chapter 2007 Fr. Christian was elected Vice Prior General of the Order to serve for six year term 2007-2013 and at the General Chapter 2013 he was re-elected to serve for the second term 2013-2019. Then at the General Chapter in 2019, he was elected Bursar General of the Order to serve for six year term 2019-2025.
Fr. Desiderio (ACV) Elected as Prior General
The General Chapter has elected Desiderio García Martínez as Prior General for the next six years. Congratulations to Fr. Desiderio!
More information on the other elections for members of the Council will follow when all the elections have been completed.
Prior General's Schedule for September 2025
Fr. Míċeál O'Neill, the prior general, has the following schedule planned for the month of September 2025:
September 01 - 03: Indonesia, Maurere, the island of Flores, for the celebration of the erection of the new province of Eastern Indonesia (Indonesia Timor)
September 4 – 7: Bali, Final plenary session of the General council
September 8 – 28: General chapter, Malang, Indonesia
September 29 – 30: Rome.
Prior General's Schedule for August 2025
Fr. Míċeál O'Neill, the prior general, has the following schedule planned for the month of August 2025:
August 1–4: Brazil, Aparecida, Lay Carmelite Congress
August 7-21: Holidays in Ireland
August 21-25: Rome
August 25-28: Hong Kong
August 29-31: Maumere, Indonesia: Inauguration of the new province of East Indonesia.
Solemnity of Our Lady of Mount Carmel, July 16, 2025
Message Of The Prior General On The Occasion Of The Feast Of Our Lady Of Mount Carmel In The Jubilee Year 2025
"Mary, Mother Of Hope"
Brothers and Sisters,
Once again, we have the great joy of celebrating the solemnity of Our Lady of Mount Carmel as a celebration of the Church and of the whole Carmelite Family throughout the world.
A Video Message for the Celebration of the Solemnity of the Blessed Virgin Mary of Mount Carmel – July 16, 2025 from Fr. Míċeál O’Neill, O. Carm., Prior General of the Order
Sisters and Brothers in Carmel,
Once again, we have the joy of celebrating the solemnity of Our Lady of Mount Carmel as a celebration of the Church and of the whole Carmelite Family throughout the world.
IN SOLLEMNITATE B.V. MARIAE DE MONTE CARMELO
Flos Carmeli, vitis florigera,
splendor caeli, Virgo puerpera singularis.
Mater mitis, sed viri nescia,
Carmelitis esto propitia,
stella maris.
MÍCEÁL PRIOR GENERALIS
DOMUSQUE GENERALIS COMMUNITAS
16.VII.2025
Celebrating the Solemnity of Our Lady of Mount Carmel in Bobo Dioulassou, Burkina Faso
The celebration of the solemnity of Our Lady of Mount Carmel at Bobo Dioulassou, Burkina Faso began with a procession at 1700hrs and finished with Mass which ended at 2100hrs followed by a meal for all attendees.
https://www.ocarm.org/en/itemlist/tag/prior-general?limit=10&start=20#sigProId8aa4bbb747
Novena to Our Lady of Mount Carmel
The Province of Australia & Timor-Leste had made a novena to Our Lady of Mount Carmel available on its website for the wider Carmelite Family. The novena is in English.
For nine days before the Feast of Our Lady of Mount Carmel on July 16, we pray for the following intentions for all those in need throughout the world. The novena can be prayed at any time of the year for these intentions or for your own asking Our Lady of Mount Carmel to intercede and pray with us. You are invited to light a candle each day, reflect with the intention and prayer, and spend a few moments in silence with Our Lady. For more information, go to: https://carmelites.org.au/
- Novena to Our Lady of Mount Carmel
- Click here to download the prayers and intentions.
Major Events Throughout History That Took Place on July 16th
On the occasion of the Solemnity of Our Lady of Mount Carmel, we can look back at the major events throughout History that took place on July 16th.
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We would like to hear how others are celebrating the feast in their local communities or ministries. Please send a short writeup and pictures to the Communications Office (This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.).
A Video Message Of The Prior General
A Video Message Of The Prior General On The Occasion Of The Feast Of Our Lady Of Mount Carmel In The Jubilee Year 2025
Sisters and Brothers in Carmel,
Once again, we have the joy of celebrating the solemnity of Our Lady of Mount Carmel as a celebration of the Church and of the whole Carmelite Family throughout the world.
We do so this year as part of the Jubilee celebrations and this gives added significance to our novenas, processions and liturgical celebrations because this year the late Pope Francis asked us to look at the hope that is in our lives and at the foundations of that hope, Jesus Christ and Mary, the Mother of Jesus. Because of them and what they represent we are able to live in hope with a hope that cannot disappoint. Jesus is the Incarnate Word of God. Mary is the handmaid of the Lord, ever obedient to his Word. Jesus, hanging on the Cross is the promise of resurrection, the victory over all that could hold us back. Mary stood and understood and without knowing what was happening, remained in hope and did not turn away as she saw her Son dying of crucifixion.
For Carmelites who read John’s account of that moment every year in our celebration, the message is very clear. We are not alone. Our hope is in Jesus Christ and in Mary. Our hope is also in our brothers and sisters. We must not lose hope in one another. While there are many things that are bound to disappoint us in what is happening at this time in the world, our hope in one another can still flourish as we recognise the work of God and the tenderness of Mary in those with whom we live. When we pray for peace we think of the thousands and thousands of people who are praying with us. When Elijah thought that he was alone, he soon discovered that there were seven thousand other prophets who had not bent their knee to Baal. (I Kg 19,18) Heaven’s gates are open, we are flanked by sisters and brothers like us, and we stand on the earth blessed by the feet of Jesus and Mary. We look down at the earth touched by our feet as pilgrims of hope and workers in the vineyard, walking in the direction of hope, moving away from all that speaks of death into a realm of hope through fraternity, prayer and service in the way that Carmel understands these three words. They say to us that a Carmelite life lived well, will always offer reason for hope for those who are willing to accept it.
I pray that our celebrations may increase our joy and our hope and lead many others to find that hope and joy in Jesus the Incarnate Word, in Mary the Mother of Jesus ever obedient to his word, and in the people who adorn each day of our lives, as brothers and sisters, pilgrims of hope.
Rome, July 5, 2025
Míċeál O'Neill, O. Carm.
Prior General
Message for the Solemnity of Our Lady of Mt Carmel 2025
Mary, Mother Of Hope
Carmel, Pilgrims of Hope, Participate in Jubilee Year 2025
Representatives of the entire Carmelite Family, made up of the two traditions of the Carmelite Order (OCARM and OCD), gathered to celebrate the Jubilee Year in Rome on June 2, 2025.
In the afternoon, the members of both General Councils undertook the pilgrimage way to pass through the Holy Door of St Peter’s Basilica. Starting from the new Piazza Pia, the group moved along Via della Conciliazione chanting the psalms, singing the litany, and listening to Scripture and other reflections until they passed together through the Holy Door.
Inside St Peter’s Basilica, the group was led to the Tomb of St Peter. There, everyone recited the Apostles’ Creed and were blessed by the Preposito General of the Discalced Carmelites, Miguel Márquez Calle, OCD.
After a short break, everyone gathered again for the celebration of the Eucharist in the Church of Our Lady in Traspontina. The church was full to capacity as many members of the Carmelite Family who were present in Rome at that time gathered to celebrate the Jubilee Year together.
The prior general of the Carmelite Order, Míċeál O’Neill, O. Carm., presided at the Eucharist and the preposito general, Miguel Márquez Calle, OCD, preached the homily. Giuseppe Midili, O. Carm., and the other members of the community at Traspontina guided the celebration liturgically and musically. Two members of the Carmelite community at Albano also assisted. After Communion, the choir from the Teresianum sang a hymn that they had composed especially for the Jubilee Year.
Afterwards, Tadeusz Popiela, O. Carm., prior of the community, welcomed both General Curial communities (along with some guests) to a supper in Saint Albert’s International College (CISA) with the rest of the community there.
Prior General's Schedule for June 2025
Fr. Míċeál O'Neill, the prior general, has the following schedule planned for the month of June 2025:
June 2 – 6: General Council plenary session.
June 2: Jubilee pilgrimage and celebration OCARM and OCD together.
June 6: Celebration of the closing of the bicentennial year of the birth of Madre Teresa Scrilli, Montevarchi, Arezzo.
June 9-13: Provincial Chapter in the Province of Germany
June 27 - 30: Convocation of Lay Carmelites in Washington, DC, via zoom.
Prior General's Schedule for May 2025
Fr. Míċeál O'Neill, the prior general, has the following schedule planned for the month of May 2025:
May 1-4: Completion of Chapter and visit to Australia.
May 5 -10: Congress on Liturgy in Sassone, Italy.
May 7: Address to the Meeting of Formation Directors in Lima, Peru.
May 12 -15: Chapter of the General Commissariat of La Bruna, Naples, Italy.
May 16 - 20: Rome, Italy.
May 21 - 23: Assembly of the USG, Rome, Italy.
May 24 - 26: Canonical Visitation in Romania.
May 27 - 31: General Council, plenary meeting.
