Displaying items by tag: Elections

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.

The members of the Indonesian Province of the Carmelite Order held their elective chapter on February 10-15, 2025.

In 1923, the territory of the Diocese of Malang was entrusted to the Dutch Province o the Carmelite Order. On July 6, the first members of the Province arrived in Malang. After 15 years, their number had grown to 25 and the first Indonesian Carmelite had been ordained priest. On March 19, 1960, the foundation was established as a General Commissariat. Seven years later, this was raised to a province.

In 1965 the first foundation was made outside the Diocese of Malang on the island of Sumatra in the Diocese of Medan. Four years later, the province establshed a foundation in the Diocese of Endehena on Flores Island. In 1973, the Diocese of Jakarta was founded.

As of 2023, the Province has a Commissariat in Sumatra and the East. It also has a mission in China. There is the beginnings of a foundation in Hong Kong.

In 2023 the Province has 405 members in 64 houses. Thirteen members live in other provinces. The homepage for the province is: www.karmelindonesia.org

Three major decisions were taken by this Chapter. The commitment to the new East Indonesia Province was formalized. Support will be in the form of finance, formation, and guidance. For three years the Indonesian Province will financially support the new entity based on the number of solemnly professes members. 

Due to the change in the culture and situation of the province, the formation manual will be revised based on psychology, sociology, and technology. The present situation of the Church and Order will also be taken into consideration. 

The third major decision is a commitment to play bigger role in the Order due to the situation faced by our Order, especially with the European provinces which there are few vocations. This is building on the support that the Indonesian Province is already giving to many parts of the Order through personnel. 

The following members were elected to leadership at the meeting:

Provincial | Provincial | Provinciale
FX Hariawan Adji, O. Carm.

Vice Provincial | Vice Provincial | Vice Provinciale
Ignasius Budiono, O. Carm.

1st Councilor | 1er Consejero | 1^o Consigliere
Ignatius Loyola Joko Purnomo, O. Carm.

2nd Councilor | 2do Consejero | 2^o Consigliere
Fransiskus de Sales Borta Parlindungan R, O. Carm.

3rd Councilor | 3do Consejero | 3^o Consigliere
Stanislaus Lirmanjayasastra, O. Carm.

4th Councilor | 4do Consejero | 4^o Consigliere
Alexander Dimas Pele Alu, O. Carm.

Triennial Chapter of the Carmelite Nuns of SS.ma Concezione Monastery in Sutri, Italy Held

The Elective Chapter of the Carmelite Monastery of the SS Concezione in Sutri (Italy) was held on February 2, 2025, the Feast of the Presentation of the Lord in the Temple.

The monastery was founded in 1515 or, possibly 1489 by the Carmelites of the Congregation of Mantua who had a house of the Congregation in Sutri. St. Paul of the Cross, the founder of the Congregation of the the Passionists, gave spiritual exercises and meditations at the monastery. In 1641 Sr. Clara Androsilla and other sisters founded the Veliternine monastery.

More recently, the nuns of the Carpineto Romano monastery came to help restore the community of Sutri which was close to closing.

The monastery belongs to the S.M. Maddalena de' Pazzi Federation.

The following nuns were elected:

Prioress | Priora | Priora:
Sr M. Martina del Sacro Cuore, O. Carm.

1st Councilor | 1ª Consejera | 1ª Consigliera:
Sr Teresa di Gesù Bambino, O. Carm.

2nd Councilor | 2ª Consejera | 2ª Consigliera:
Sr M. Francesca Romana della Redenzione, O. Carm.

Treasurer | Ecónoma | Economa
Sr Teresa di Gesù Bambino, O. Carm.

Formator | Formadora | Formatrice
Sr M. Martina del Sacro Cuore, O. Carm.

Triennial Chapter of the Carmelite Nuns of Sacred Heart Monastery in Hudson, Wisconsin Held

The Elective Chapter of the Carmelite Monastery of the Sacred Heart in Hudson, Wisconsin (USA) was held on January 7, 2025. Bishop James Powers of Superior presided.

The Carmel of the Sacred Heart was established in the Diocese of Superior by the Carmel of Allentown in August 1963. It celebrated its 60th anniversary on July 16, 2023.

The website for the monastery is carmelofthesacredheart.com

The following nuns were elected:

Prioress | Priora | Priora:
Sr Patricia Erickson, O. Carm.

1st Councilor | 1ª Consejera | 1ª Consigliera:
Sr Sheryl Guzek, O. Carm.

2nd Councilor | 2ª Consejera | 2ª Consigliera:
Sr Grace Rocha, O. Carm.

Treasurer | Ecónoma | Economa
Sr Lucia LaMontagne, O. Carm.

Formator | Formadora | Formatrice
Sr Lucia LaMontagne, O. Carm.

Triennial Chapter of the Carmelite Nuns of the Monastery of Santa Catalina in Aracena, Spain Held

The Elective Chapter of the Carmelite Monastery of Santa Catalina in Aracena, Spain was held on November 18-19, 2024. Fr. Emilio Rodriguea Claudio, OSA, vicar general and episcopal vicar for Contemplative Life in the Diocese of Huelva presided. Eight nuns of the community participated.

Various decisions were taken. Among these was to work on ongoing formation and within it to deepen the community's identity according to the charism and the teachings of the Carmelite saints.

The Aracena monastery was founded when two pious sisters of the Castilla Infante family, with the assistance of a religious, opened a house on their property. On Feburary 21, 1536, the house became official, dedicated to the Blessed Virgin Mary of Mount Carmel. It was annexed to the church of St. Catherine by Cardinal Alphonso Manrique, the Archbishop of Spain. The monastery has founded other monasteries in Andalucia (Southern) Spain, Portugal, and Kenya.

The monastery belongs to the Mater et Decor Carmeli Federation. The website for the monastery is www.monjascarmelitasaracena.es

The following nuns were elected:

Prioress | Priora | Priora:
Sor Elena M. López Font, O. Carm.

1st Councilor  | 1ª Consejera | 1ª Consigliera:
Sor Ma. Remedios Álvarez Soríano, O. Carm.

2nd Councilor | 2ª Consejera | 2ª Consigliera:
Sor Ma. Victoria Escamilla Martín, O. Carm.

Treasurer | Ecónoma | Economa
Sor Ma. Victoria Escamilla Martín, O. Carm.

Formator | Formadora | Formatrice
Sor Elena Ma. López Font, O. Carm.

Sacristan | Sacristana | Sacrestana
Sor Ma. Remedios Álvarez Soríano, O. Carm.

Triennial Chapter of the Carmelite Nuns of the Monastery of Santo Stefano in Ravenna, Italy Held

The Elective Chapter of the Carmelite Monastery of Santo Stefano in Ravenna, Italy was held on November 21, 2024. The archbishop of Ravenna-Cervia, Lorenzo Ghizzoni, presided.

In 1760 the Carmelite Peter Tombi gathered pious young women in the village of Molinella, near Bologna, who lived as Third Order Carmelites. In May 1773 they moved to Ravenna. By 1840 the group became members of the Order, receiving the papal enclosure. On July 24, 1857, Pope Pius IX visited the nuns along with other nuns who had been brought there. In 1976 nuns from St. Stefano assisted in the founding of the Carmelite monastery in La Vega, Philippines. In 1992, other sisters assisted in the founding of the monastery in Sogliano al Rubicone.

The monastery belongs to the S. M. Maddalena de' Pazzi Federation.

The following nuns were elected:

Prioress | Priora | Priora:
Sr M. Anastasia de Gerusalemme Cucca, O. Carm.

1st Councilor  | 1ª Consejera | 1ª Consigliera:
Sr M. Elisabetta Mambelli, O. Carm.

2nd Councilor | 2ª Consejera | 2ª Consigliera:
Sr M. Paola Teresa Laudicina, O. Carm.

Treasurer | Ecónoma | Economa
Sr M. Anastasia di Gerusalemme Cucca, O. Carm.

Formator | Formadora | Formatrice
Sr M. Elisabetta Mambelli, O. Carm.

Sacristan | Sacristana | Sacrestana
Sr M. Barbara Stella, O. Carm.

The Elective Chapter of the Carmelite Monastery of St. Ann in Carpineto Romano was held on September 21, 2024, the feast of St. Matthew, Apostle.

The monastery was founded in April 1979 with nuns from the monastery of Aesinati. It was named after St. Ann. It was first located in the rectory of St. John the Evangelist parish. It was officially approved on December 11, 1985 by the Congregations and the bishop made it official on March 19, 1986. In 1992 the new monastery of Cerreto was started and in 2005 the new foundation of Biella was made.

The monastery belongs to the St. M. Magdalen de' Pazzi Federation. More information about the monastery and the nuns' lives can be found at: www.monasterocarpineto.it

The following were elected:

Prioress | Priora | Priora:
Sr M. Valentina Rossin, O. Carm.

1st Councilor  | 1ª Consejera | 1ª Consigliera:
Sr M. Noemi Malagese, O. Carm.

2nd Councilor | 2ª Consejera | 2ª Consigliera:
Sr M Paola Ricci, O. Carm.

3rd Councilor | 3ª Consejera | 3ª Consigliera:
Sr M. Agnese Talano, O. Carm.

4th Councilor | 4ª Consejera | 4ª Consigliera:
Sr Ana Mihaela Tiba, O. Carm.

Treasurer | Ecónoma | Economa
Sr M. Agnese Talano, O. Carm.

Formator | Formadora | Formatrice
Sr M. Noemi Malagese, O. Carm.

Sacristans | Sacristanas | Sacrestane
Sr M. Carla Zinno, O. Carm. e (vice) Anna Luisa Voltazza, O. Carm.

The Provincial Chapter of the Italian Province was held in Istituto Madonna del Carmine “Il Carmelo” (Sassone, Rome) from Sunday, 17th June until Saturday, 22nd June 2024.

The theme for this chapter was “Non temere … Alzati” (Mt 1, 20;3,13) which was seen as having three steps: dreaming, discerning, converting (sognare, discernere, convertirsi).  In the preparation for the chapter, the Province chose the figure and witness of St Joseph. During the first two full days of the chapter, various reports were presented from the Prior Provincial, the Commissary Provincial of the DR Congo, the delegate in Columbia and the prior of the community in Romania and the Provincial Bursar. 

On the third day (Wednesday), the gremiales joyfully approved the request to erect the DR Congo as a new province in the Order. They also agreed to take the steps necessary to establish the Carmelite presence in Columbia as a provincial commissariat. This same day, Professor Fabrizio Carletti (Centro Studi Missione Emmaus) gave a presentation to the gremiales regarding how the Province might initiate a pastoral process of discernment in order to create a vision for this age. 

On Thursday, the chapter was joined for the day by other members of the Carmelite Family who represented the nuns, Third Order, affiliated congregations, youth committees and other lay groups working within the area of the Italian Province. There was a strong desire that the communion of the Carmelite Family would be reinforced so that we could journey together in co-responsibility.

On Friday, the gremiales elected the new government for the next three years. They also worked to write a letter to the Carmelite Family outlining the joy of their week together.

The following members were elected to leadership at the meeting:

Prior Provincial | Prior Provincial | Priore Provinciale
Gian Domenico Meloni, O. Carm.

Vice Prior Provincial | Vice Prior Provincial | Vice Priore Provinciale
Giuseppe Midili, O. Carm.

1st Councilor | 1er Consejero | 1^o Consigliere
Giampiero Molinari, O. Carm.

2nd Councilor | 2do Consejero | 2^o Consigliere
Henry Venecia Cerro, O. Carm.

3rd Councilor | 3er Consejero | 3^o Consigliere
Nicola Sozzi, O. Carm.

4th Councilor | 4to Consejero | 4^o Consigliere
Francesco Sciarelli, O. Carm.

pdf Here is the Final Message of the Provincial Chapter of the Italian Province (236 KB)