Displaying items by tag: Elections

General Commissariat of Portugal Holds Elective Chapter in Fatima, Portugal

The triennial chapter of the General Commissariat of Portugal as held April 21-23, 2026 in Hotel Casa São Nuno in Fatima. The theme of the chapter – echoing the theme of the General Chapter in 2025 – was: “You Must Do Some Work” (Rule 20). Our Contemplative Fraternity Discerns Its Mission in Portugal. Before the chapter, the preparatory commission did a lot of work synthesizing the reflections of the friars and the communities, as well as putting together the various proposals for the chapter to consider.

The afternoon before the chapter began, the gremiales were led in a reflection guided by the Reverend Father José Antunes, missionary of the Divine Word, under the theme, “International Religious Communities.”

In opening the Chapter, Desiderio García Martínez, O. Carm., the prior general, encouraged the friars to rediscover the beauty of the Carmelite charism especially with regard to our interior life. On the second day of the Chapter, the Prior General gave a presentation building further on the theme of spiritual renewal.

During the Chapter of the General Commissariat of Portugal were elected:

Commissary General | Comisario general | Commissario generale
Altamiro Tenório da Paz, O. Carm.

1st Councilor | 1er Consejero | 1^o Consigliere
Agostinho Marques de Castro, O. Carm.

2nd Councilor | 2do Consejero | 2^o Consigliere
Fernando Manuel Afonso Araújo O. Carm

3rd Councilor | 3er Consejero | 3^o Consigliere
João Manuel Oliveira da Costa, O. Carm.

4th Councilor | 4to Consejero | 4^o Consigliere
Pedro José Martins Monteiro, O. Carm.

Elective Chapter Held in Carmelite Monastery of the Incarnation in Granada, Spain 

At noon on April 15, 2026, the Carmelite Monastery of the Incarnation in Granada (Spain) held its triennial elective chapter. After celebrating the Eucharist and singing a hymn to the Holy Spirit, the nuns began the elective chapter with the election of the prioress.

The monastery is part of the “Mater et Decor Carmeli” Federation and is located in the Diocese of Granada. Originally an ascetery (asceterium), in 1508 it became an enclosed monastery of the Order through the efforts of Mary Anne of St. Sebastian, a nun of the city of Ecija. The Venerable Joan Ursula of St. Joseph lived at Incarnation in Granada.

The nuns elected to leadership roles are:

Prioress | Priora | Priora:
Sor Ma. Lourdes Santos, O. Carm.

1st Councilor | 1ª Consejera | 1ª Consigliera:
Sor Ma. Dolores Montes, O. Carm.

2nd Councilor | 2ª Consejera | 2ª Consigliera:
Sor Ma. Jeanette Monica Santos, O. Carm.

Treasurer | Ecónoma | Economa:
Sor Ma. Dolores Montes, O. Carm.

Formator | Formadora | Formatrice:
Sor Mary Jeanette Monica Santos, O. Carm.

Sacristan | Sacristana | Sacrestana:
Sor Gretchen Marie Cabalquinto, O. Carm.

Catalonian Province of Most Holy Redeemer Holds Elective Chapter in Olot, Spain

The Catalonian Province held its 2026 Provincial Chapter in the Carmelite house in Olot. The Chapter took place March 24-26, 2026. 

The Prior General, Desiderio García Martínez, O. Carm., presided over the opening Eucharist. Later on, in his address to the Chapter, the Prior General reminded the participants that Father Bartolomé Xiberta, O. Carm., (a famous theologian and member of the Catalonia Province who died in 1967) used to say, “I cannot understand how anyone could serve Jesus and Mary without joy.” The prior general asked God, through the intercession of Father Xiberta, to continue strengthening the Carmelite vocation of the members of the Province.

Monsignor Jordi Font, a diocesan priest and rector of the seminary who holds doctorates in theology and in liturgy, then gave the chapter participants a very profound reflection on the Prophet Elijah.

As normal, various reports were presented during the chapter including the report of the outgoing Prior Provincial (Javier Domingo Garmón Calvo, O. Carm.), the report of the Delegate of Venezuela (Frederick Kenny Castro Salazar, O. Carm.) and the reports of the priors of the three communities Olot (Jordi M^a Gil O. Carm.), Barcelona (Raúl Masana, O. Carm.) and Terrassa (Manuel Bonilla, O. Carm.). Further reports were also presented regarding the Nuns of the Province, financial aspects and formation.

Good discussion was held around various proposals which looked to discerning the future of the province, formation, and regarding the various ministries of the province. Significant time was spent on reflecting on Carmel in Venezuela.

Some of the oldest foundations in the Order were part of mid-13th century Catalonia: Perpignan (1265) and Narbonne (from 1321). In 1336 the vicariate of Perpignan was erected, which three years later was called “Perpignan and Majorica”; in 1342 it was erected into a province named Majorica and from 1354 was called the province of Catalonia.

In 1835, all the convents of the province of Catalonia were suppressed by the civil authorities. 

Towards the end of the 19th century, with the efforts of the brothers of Majorica (1875), the work of restoration began, culminating in the restoration of the “Province of Spain” (1889); this was divided in 1906 into the Baetic and Aragon-Valencian provinces. From this, in 1932, houses were detached to establish the General Commissariate of Catalonia, which, in 1950, was again raised to the status of a province. Before the restoration of the province, beginning in 1894, the brothers worked on the restoration of the provinces of Rio de Janeiro, Bahia, and Pernambuco, and later also Poland; they carried out missionary work in Puerto Rico and have been active in Venezuela since 1922. Beginning in 1933, it had provincial commissariats in Brazil (Minas Gerais) and Venezuela.

The 2023 Status Ordinis reflects that the province has 27 members living in six houses. The titular of the province is the Most Holy Redeemer.

The following members were elected to lead the province for the next triennium:

Prior Provincial | Prior Provincial | Priore Provinciale
Luis José Maza Subero, O. Carm.

1st Councilor | 1er Consejero | 1^o Consigliere
Frederick Kenny Castro Salazar, O. Carm.

2nd Councilor | 2do Consejero | 2^o Consigliere
Nicolás Ubaldo Carrizalez Castillo, O. Carm.

3rd Councilor | 3er Consejero | 3^o Consigliere
José López Villalba, O. Carm.

4th Councilor | 4to Consejero | 4^o Consigliere
Joan Güell i Casademont, O. Carm.

Elective Chapter Held in Carmelite Monastery "San Miguel" in Huesca, Spain 

On the morning of March 17, 2026, the Carmelite monastery of San Miguel in Huesca, Spain held its triennial elective chapter. The nuns prayed for a renewed leadership and spiritual life through the conversion of their hearts to the love of God. After celebrating the votive Mass of the Holy Spirit, the nuns began the elective chapter with the election of the prioress.

The monastery was founded by the Carmelite Peter Sobrino in the year 1622. The monastery of the Assumption of Our Lady into Heaven, in the same city of Huesca, was founded from San Miguel in 1656.

The monastery is part of the "Mater Unitatis" Federation and is located in the Diocese of Huesca.

The nuns elected to leadership are:

Prioress | Priora | Priora:
Sor Ma. Gloria de Dios Caballero, O. Carm.

1st Councilor | 1ª Consejera | 1ª Consigliera:
Sor Ma. Blanca de la Eucaristía Barril, O. Carm.

2nd Councilor | 2ª Consejera | 2ª Consigliera:
Sor Ma. Pilar Borau, O. Carm.

Treasurer | Ecónoma | Economa:
Sor Ma. Blanca de la Eucaristía Barril, O. Carm.

Formator | Formadora | Formatrice:
Sor Ma. Gloria de Dios Caballero, O. Carm.

Sacristan | Sacristana | Sacrestana:
Sor Ma. Pilar Borau, O. Carm.

Elective Chapter Held in Carmelite Monastery "San Giuseppe" in Fisciano (SA)

The Carmelite Monastery of San Giuseppe in Fisciano, Italy celebrated its elective chapter on February 23, 2026.

The foundation of the monastery was prepared by the Venerable Seraphina of Divine Providence but was brought to fruition in 1691 by Sr. Archangela Fortune (d. 1734). St. Alphonsus de Liguori (d. 1787)  visited the nuns at the monastery frequently.

In addition to the activities typical of cloistered life, they also do small jobs to finance themselves (party favors, sweets, wreaths, handicrafts), welcome groups for retreats, and provide discernment for young people.

The monastery is a member of the Federation of St. Mary Magdelene de' Pazzi and is in the Salerno-Campagna-Acerno diocese.

Those elected to leadership are:

Prioress | Priora | Priora:
Sr Maria Regina dell' Eucarestia, O. Carm.

1st Councilor | 1ª Consejera | 1ª Consigliera:
Sr Maria Carmela di San Gerardo, O. Carm.

2nd Councilor | 2ª Consejera | 2ª Consigliera:
Sr Maria Giuseppina di Gesù Misericordioso, O. Carm.

Treasurer | Ecónoma | Economa:
Sr Maria Arcangela di Gesù, O. Carm.

Formator | Formadora | Formatrice:
Sr Maria Arcangela di Gesù, O. Carm.

Sacristan | Sacristana | Sacrestana:
Sr Maria Giuseppina di Gesù Misericordioso, O. Carm.

Elective Chapter Held in Carmelite Monastery in Córdoba, Spain

The Carmelite Monastery of the Sacred Heart of Jesus and of St. Titus Brandsma celebrated its elective chapter on February 17, 2026.

This monastery, canonically established on July 3, 1987, was designated for the initial and ongoing formation of the nuns of the Federation “Mother and Flower of Carmel.” The community, however, is composed primarily of members appointed by the Council of the Federation.

Those elected to leadership are:

Prioress | Priora | Priora:
Sor Reinhild Maschke, O. Carm.

1st Councilor | 1ª Consejera | 1ª Consigliera:
Sor María Dolores Domínguez Pérez, O. Carm.

2nd Councilor | 2ª Consejera | 2ª Consigliera:
Sor María Belén Garrido Garrido, O. Carm.

Treasurer | Ecónoma | Economa:
Sor María Belén Garrido Garrido, O. Carm.

Formator | Formadora | Formatrice:
Sor María Dolores Domínguez Pérez, O. Carm.

Sacristan | Sacristana | Sacrestana:
Sor Anastasia Katungwa Makau, O. Carm.

2026 Triennial Chapter of the Carmelite Province of Pernambuco Held in January

From January 19- 23, in the city of Camocim de São Félix/PE, Brazil, the Provincial Chapter of the Carmelite Province of Pernambuco took place, with the theme: Restored in hope, let us be one! For you are all one in Christ Jesus. (Gal 3: 28).

With the presence of the Prior General, Friar Desiderio Garcia Martinez, and the Councilor for the Americas, Friar Rolf Nepomuk Willemsen, in a prayerful and fraternal atmosphere, the journey of the 2023-2025 triennium was evaluated, and the 2026-2028 triennium was planned. Also present were the bishops: Dom Frei Paulo Cardoso, O. Carm., Dom Antônio Fernando Muniz, O. Carm., and Dom Frei Francisco de Sales de Alencar Batista, O. Carm.

On Wednesday, the 21st, the new provincial government was elected. Friar José Roberval Mendes Pereira was reelected as Provincial, and the Council was formed with the following friars: Friar Luiz Nunes Pereira, O. Carm. (First Councilor); Friar Rogério Severino de Lima, O. Carm. (Second Councilor); Friar José Adriano Gomes da Silva, O. Carm. (Third Councilor); and Friar Robson José da Silva, O. Carm. (Fourth Councilor).

On Friday, the 23rd, the Chapter ended with a Eucharistic celebration attended by representatives of the Carmelite family.

The Carmelite community of Janua Coeli Monastery in Cerreto di Sorano (GR), Italy, celebrated its Elective Chapter on January 17, 2026.

The monastery was established on May 19, 1992, by nuns from the Carpineto Romano community.  Its canonical erection was on September 8, 2000. It is part of the Federation of Santa Maria Magdalena de' Pazzi. More can be learned about the monastery by visiting its website: www.monasterocarmelitane.it

The results of the elective chapter were as follows:

Prioress | Priora | Priora:  
Sr Miriam del Dio Vivente, O. Carm.

1st Councilor  | 1ª Consejera | 1ª Consigliera:
Sr M. Daniela del Buon Pastore, O. Carm.

2nd Councilor | 2ª Consejera  | 2ª Consigliera: 
Sr M. Benedetta di Gesù, O. Carm.

3rd Councilor | 3ª Consejera  | 3ª Consigliera:
Sr M. Irene della Trinità, O. Carm.

4th Councilor | 4ª Consejera  | 4ª Consigliera:
Sr M. Giuseppina dell'Immacolata, O. Carm.

Formator | Formadora  | Formatrice:
Sr M. Daniela del Buon Pastore, O. Carm.

Treasurer | Ecónoma  | Economa: 
Sr M. Benedetta di Gesù, O. Carm.

Sacristan| Sacristana | Sacrestana: 
Sr M. Alessandra del Cuore di Gesù, O. Carm.

New Leadership Elected at the 3rd Chapter of the Commissariat in Vietnam

The Commissariat of St. Joseph of the Province of St. Elias in North America announced the election of its new leadership during the 3rd Commissariat Chapter. The meeting was held at the Vinh Phuc Retreat House in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, from November 24–28, 2025. 

The Commissariat of St. Joseph was officially established during the Chapter of the Province of St. Elias in 2019. Today, it is home to 60 members across Vietnam and comprises six communities actively serving in three dioceses as well as in the United States.

Its website is https://dongcatminh.org.

The following members were elected to leadership:

Commissary Provincial | Comisario Provincial | Commissario Provinciale
Joseph Diep Dinh, O. Carm.
1st Councilor | 1er Consejero | 1^o Consigliere
Joseph Tri Phan, O. Carm.
2nd Councilor | 2^o Consejero | 2^o Consigliere
Paul Therese Hung Tran, O. Carm.

Carmelite Monastery of the St. Thérèse of Lisieux in Allentown, USA Celebrates Elective Chapter

The Carmelite nuns of the monastery of St. Thérèse of Lisieux in Allentown, Pennsylvania (USA) held their triennial chapter on September 25, 2025.

The monastery of St. Thérèse in Allentown was the first monastery of the Order established in the United States of America. In 1931 the prior general at the time, Elias Magennis, sent two sisters, Rev. Mother Therese of Jesus and Sr. Clement Mary of the Guardian Angel, from the monastery of Santa Croce di Lucca in Naples to establish a monastery in the Archdiocese of Philadelphia dedicated to St. Thérèse of the Child Jesus.

A number of candidates presented themselves and before long the community numbered eleven. Four additional nuns from Naples were sent to help out for two years. This monastery flourished and was able to found new monasteries in Hudson (Wisconsin) and Wahpeton (North Dakota) as well as two other monasteries that have closed.

The monastery's website is www.carmelite-nuns.com

Those elected to leadership are:

Prioress | Priora | Priora:
Mother M. Veronica Korb

1st Councilor | 1ª Consejera | 1ª Consigliera:
Sister M. Grace Erl

2nd Councilor | 2ª Consejera | 2ª Consigliera:
Sister M. Michael Nerlonger

Treasurer | Ecónoma | Economa
Sister M. Elijah Guingon

Formator | Formadora | Formatrice
Sister M. Michael Nerlinger

Sacristan | Sacristana | Sacrestana:
Sister M. Elijah Guingon