ALACAR Meeting Yields Much Unity in the Carmelite Family

The Asociación Latinoamericana de los Carmelitas (Latin American Association of Carmelites) (ALACAR), held a gathering at the Centro Teresiano de Espiritualidade in São Roque, Brazil, from October 20–25, 2025. It was hosted with exceptional hospitality, care, and contemplative spirit by our Discalced Carmelite (OCD) brothers and sisters.

ALACAR is composed of religious of the Order of Carmel (OCARM) and the Order of Discalced Carmelites (OCD), members of various Carmelite congregations, and Lay Carmelites of the Third Order from across Latin America. This year’s assembly brought together over 90 participants, representing the richness and diversity of the Carmelite family; friars, nuns, sisters, and lay Carmelites from every region of the continent.

The theme of the conference was “María, maestra de oración” (Mary, Teacher of Prayer). Eight lectures were scheduled. They included: Missionary Mary Visits Latin America—Features of a Marian Mission Since the Guadalupe Event by Cándido Celestino Gonzalez, OCD and Mary, Ark of the Covenant—Marian Presence in the Shrines of Latin America by Renê Augusto Vilela da Silva, O. Carm.

On Wednesday, the talks were Mary, Woman and Mother—A Feminine Interpretation by Liliana Franco of the Company of Mary and Mary, Magnificat—An Approach from Carmelite and Ecological Spirituality by Miguel Márquez, OCD, Superior General of the Discalced Carmelites. On the third full day, the lectures were Mary Queen and Beauty of Carmel by Martín Martínez, OCD and Mary in Everyday Life—A Mariological Approach in the Light of St. Teresa of the Andes by Luisa Escobar, CM. The final two talks were Mary, Follower of Jesus—A Biblical Approach to Mary from the Beatitudes by Jairo Gómez, OCD and Mary, Mystagogue—Mary’s Role in Initial and Ongoing Formation by Edimar Fernando Moreira, O. Carm.

The gathering included the participation of leadership from both Orders: Fr. Miguel Márquez, OCD, Superior General; Fr. Martín Martínez Larios, OCD, Definitor General for Latin America; and Fr. Nepi Willemsen, O. Carm., General Councilor for the Americas. Their participation was a strong sign of communion and shared vision in the Carmelite family.

On Wednesday, Bishop João Bosco Barbosa de Sousa, OFM, presided at the Eucharist. He is the third bishop of Oasaco in the state of São Paulo, where the conference was held.

Throughout the week, participants reflected on Mary as the living model of prayer, a woman of silence and interiority, of listening and intercession, of mercy and prophetic faith. Far from being a merely devotional figure, Mary emerged as the true teacher of discipleship and contemplative prayer, guiding the Carmelite family to rediscover its contemplative roots and prophetic mission.

The week was also marked by a profound experience of communion and fraternity among all branches of the Carmelite family. The exchanges, liturgies, and shared reflections deepened the awareness that we are one family in Carmel, united in diversity, and called to pray and serve together for the life of the Church.

The ALACAR gathering, held every four years, will next be organized by the Order of Carmel (OCARM) and is projected to take place in October 2029.