Displaying items by tag: Elections

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.

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.