During the Provincial Chapter of the Province of Pernambuco held on 13-17 January 2014 were elected:

• Prior Provincial:  Fr. Altamiro Ternorio da Paz, O.Carm.
• First Councilor:   Fr. Luiz Nunes Pereira, O.Carm.
• Second Councilor: Fr. Alberto Bezerra da Costa, O.Carm.
• Third Councilor:  Fr. Aloísio Saturnino da Silva Primo, O.Carm.
• Fourth Councilor:  Fr. José Cláudio de Alencar Batista, O.Carm.

On account of the celebration of the 400 years since the death of Fray Jerónimo Gracián (Valladolid, 1545 – Brussels, 1614), the General Councils of the Carmelites and the Discalced Carmelites have put together a programme of commemorative events. On the 20th of September, a solemn celebration of the Eucharist will be held in Brussels, to be led by the General Superior of the Discalced Carmelites, Fr. Saverio Cannistrà, O.C.D. On the 12th and 13th of November, a congress will take place in Madrid, on the biography and spiritual profile of Fr. Gracián. On Friday, the 14th of November, also in Madrid, a solemn celebration of the Eucharist will be held, led by the Prior General, Fr. Fernando Millán Romeral, O.Carm. This celebration will mark the closure of the centenary.

At the same time, the two Generals are writing a joint letter, to be addressed to the Carmelite Family, to commemorate this important figure in the history of Carmel. More information about all these events will be given in later bulletins.