The business portion of the General Chapter finished on Wednesday, September 24. The members were given a free day on Thursday, September 25. But the Chapter will officially conclude on Friday, September 26, with a closing Mass at the Cathedral of Our Lady of Mount Carmel in the Diocese of Malang. The Chapter Acts will be signed at that time as well.

As announced previously, the Closing Mass will be live streamed beginning at 4:30PM (GMT 7+) by the Indonesian Communications Office. In order to watch, go to https://www.youtube.com/live/hyoJCFPeaZI?si=D0aDgd8Ppup_55UH

Oss, Netherlands Dedicated Monument to Long Time Resident St. Titus Brandsma

The city of Oss is closely linked to the figure of Tito Brandsma. He lived there after his return from Rome in 1909 until 1923, when he moved to Nijmegen to teach at the newly established Catholic University Nijmegen (now Radbound University).

It was in Oss that he edited the local newspaper (De Stad Oss) for several years, founded a school, and worked generously in the pastoral field. He has sometimes been called “de Friese Brabander” (“the Frisian from Brabant”), [Oss being located in the province of North Brabant] and was named an honorary citizen in a solemn ceremony at the Oss Town Hall in November 2015.

A few days ago, a new and unusual monument dedicated to Titus Brandsma was unveiled in Oss. It consists of three pairs of glasses placed in the center of the “Titus Brandsmaplein.” Each pair represents a different aspect of the Carmelites life: educator, journalist, and Carmelite.

The artists' idea (in addition to paying tribute to the multifaceted Carmelite) is to “look at the city through the lenses of Fr. Tito.”

Fortunes Reversed
(Luke 16:19-31)

The story Jesus tells in the Gospel is about a rich man, his five brothers and a poor man, and how their fortunes get reversed.
The rich man does nothing particularly evil. He lives like a rich man, dresses like a rich man and dines like a rich man. But he does not see the poor man sitting at his door. He does not even notice him.
The story is told against the background belief that riches were a sign of God’s blessing. By the time of Jesus, the teaching of the prophets that blessing brings responsibility seems to have been forgotten.
So the story asks the hearers: will they follow the example of the rich man or heed Jesus’ teaching (and that of the prophets) about the care of the needy and prove themselves true children of Abraham and take their place at the eternal banquet?
Injustice and greed breed violence and often result in the exploitation of the poor. As Pope Paul VI once said, “If you want peace, work for justice”.
We are not called to hoard God’s blessings, but to be distributors of them so that all have a fair share of this world’s goods and can live with dignity and respect.

• pdf Celebrating At Home - 26th Sunday in Ordinary Time [PDF](2.92 MB)
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• pdf Celebrando em família - XXVI Domingo do Tempo Comum(330 KB)

Sunday Celebration with Carmelite Family for the General Chapter

On the afternoon of September 21, the members of the General Chapter were bused to St. Albert’s High School in Malang to celebrated Sunday Eucharist with representatives of the various branches of the Carmelite Family in Indonesia. 

The members of the General Chapter were welcomed by the Indonesian Carmelites in a colorful, traditional welcoming ceremony. The video of parts of this welcome can be seen at: https://youtu.be/cODUx5HiNas

The Mass was televised by the Indonesian Media Office. It can be viewed online at: https://www.youtube.com/live/nZn7fvRHhCk?si=1GCUXyaldp82wjnR Mass begins shortly after 36:00 on the video.

The Eucharist was followed by a multi-course banquet of local dishes accompanied by song, dance, and short theatrical productions telling the 100 year history of the Carmelites in Indonesia.

Chapter work began again on Monday, September 22 with Mass, followed by sharing sessions with members from different branches of the Carmelite Family in the Chapter Hall. Later in the morning, the Chapter was addressed via livestream from Rome by Fr. Miguel Márquez Calle, the superior general of the Discalced Carmelites.

The General Chapter officially closes on Friday, September 26, with a Mass of the Holy Spirit celebrated at the Cathedral of the Diocese of Malang, Our Lady of Mount Carmel. During the closing Mass, the Acts of the General Chapter will be signed. The Mass will be live streamed at 4:30 (GMT 7+) by the Indonesian Communications Office. Go to https://www.youtube.com/live/hyoJCFPeaZI?si=D0aDgd8Ppup_55UH in order to participate.

From the General Chapter | September 9-26, 2025
Elections for General Councilors for Africa, America, Asia/Australia/Oceania and Europe Held at General Chapter  

Following the elections of the prior general and the vice prior general, procurator general, and general bursar on Friday, the General Chapter turned its attention to the election of the General Councilors who work in the four geographical areas of the Order.

The day began with Morning Prayer and Mass. The members of the Chapter then assembled in the Chapter Aula.

The elections were as follows: 

General Councilor for Africa:

Born in Koudougou, Burkina Faso, Eric Chrisostome N'Do entered Carmel in Bobo Dioulasso. On 16 July 2008, he made his simple profession and on July 4, 2011. After his ordination, he was assigned to the Postulancy House in Ouagadougou. In September 2013, he was sent to the community in Madrid to undertake a specialized studies in philosophy with the topic of Humanism and Transcendence at the Pontifical University of Comillas.

After completing a thesis on Edith Stein in June 2017, he returned to the community in Ouagadougou, where he is teaching philosophy at the Catholic University of Saint Thomas Aquinas and at the Private Institute of Philosophy, where Carmelite postulants attend classes.

General Councilor for the Americas:

Rolf Nepomuk (Nepi) Willemsen, O. Carm., originally from Germany, is a member of the Province of the Most Pure Heart of Mary (PCM) and serves as First Counselor of the Province.

He is also prior and Director of Formation at Whitefriars Hall in Washington, D.C. Nepi has professional experience in social work, community organizing, and international health. Within the Order, he previously taught theology for six years and now oversees the Carmelitana Collection, promoting research on Carmelite spirituality. His ministry focuses on formation, theological education, and vocational accompaniment.

General Councilor for Asia, Australia, and Oceania:

Robert Thomas Puthussery was born in Kerala, India. He had his schooling in his home town Mookkannoor in Kerala. After his philosophy and theology studies he was ordained a priest in 1994.

He did a Bachelor’s degree (B.A. 1990-93) and a Master of Arts (M.A. 1994-96) in English Literature and taught as an Assistant professor (1996-97) at Christ College Bangalore, India. From 1997-2000 he served as prior and rector for the Carmelite minor seminary at Carmel Nivas, Kothamangalam. From 2000-2002 he did a Masters Degree in Applied Theology at the University of Middlesex, London. Thereafter he served as Chaplain to the immigrant Syro-Malabar Catholic communities in London, Liverpool, and Manchester, United Kingdom. From 2006-2007 he served as the student director of the British Province of the Carmelites. While serving as the sub-prior of the international Carmelite community at East Finchley, London he completed his doctorate (PhD 2006-2010) at the University of Liverpool in pastoral psychology.

After his return from the United Kingdom in 2011, he served as prior and spiritual director of the Carmelite major seminary at Carmeljyoti Study house while lecturing at Christ University (2011-2014) Bangalore, as an Assistant Professor in the Department of Language and Media Studies and the School of Law. 

General Councilor for Europe:

Richard was born in Dublin and was educated by the Carmelites in Terenure College. Following his philosophical and theological studies at the Milltown Institute, he was ordained a priest in 1996. He was a member of the Terenure College Carmelite Community for over twenty years holding a variety of roles: subject teacher of accounting and religious education, school chaplain, rugby coach, and school principal. During those years, in University College Dublin, Fr. Richard also completed his Bachelor of Commerce degree (BComm) and his Doctoral Studies (PhD) on the distinctiveness of Catholic education.

In 2015, he was elected prior provincial of the Irish Province and was re-elected provincial in 2018. In Ireland, Richard was appointed as the chairperson of the Catholic Schools Partnership which provided a national service of support for Catholic schooling in Ireland. In his spare time in Dublin, he was a rugby referee and refereed school and adult matches all over his home province of Leinster.

At the General Chapter in 2019, he was elected General Councilor of Europe to serve for a six year term 2019-2025. His areas of responsibility are the Commission for Liturgy and Prayer and the International Communications Commission.

From the General Chapter | September 9-26, 2025

Prior General, Vice Prior General, Procurator General, and General Bursar Elected by General Chapter

Following the day of retreat and reflection by Bishop Henricus Pidyardo, the members of the Chapter spent some time reflecting on the possible candidates for the Order’s government. This morning, following Morning Prayer and Eucharist, the members of the Grneral Chapter assembled in the Chapter Hall to begin the voting process. 

The 2025 General Chapter has elected four members of the Order's central government on Day 1 of the elections. The positions filled were prior general, vice prior general, procurator general, and general bursar.

Prior General:

As announced earlier, Desiderio García Martínez of the Arago, Castellae et Valentiae Province was elected Prior General for the next sexennium.

Fr. Desiderio holds a Bachelor's Degree in Ecclesiastical Studies (1989-1994), a Bachelor's Degree in Biblical Theology (1994-96), and a Bachelor's Degree in Hebrew Philology (1996-2000). He has served as prior provincial of the Province of ACV (2017-2023), Novice Master (1997-2009, 2011-2017), Formation Counselor (2002-2017), and Counsellor for Religious Life (2023-25) and parish priest (2009-11, 2023-25).

Vice Prior General:

Later in the morning Rm. Franciscus Xavarius Hariawan Adji, the current prior provincial of Indonesia, was selected to serve as Vice Prior General. Fr. Hariawan holds a Bachelor degree in English Linguistics (1992), a Bachelor in Industrial Management (1993), a Bachelor in Christian Philosophy and Theology (2006), a Masters degree in Biostatistics (2000), a Masters degree in Christian Philosophy and Theology (2009), and a doctorate in Inter-religious studies (2017).

He is a lecturer at the Airlangga University Surabaya (1992 - present) and director of Studies at Access English Centre Surabaya (1993-2000). He served as Provincial Secretary (2009-2012), Head of Indonesian Carmelite NGO (2010 - present), Asian Representative of the Carmelite NGO (2006 - 2024), Member of the General Commission of JPIC: 2013 - 2025, Vice Prior Provincial of the Indonesia Province (2015-2018 and 2018–2022), and as Prior Provincial of the  Indonesian Province (2023-present).

Procurator General:

Fr. Michael Farrugia was postulated for the position of Procurator General which he has held for 12 years (2 terms).      

Michael did studies in Sacred Theology at the Pontifical Gregorian University, in Rome.  In 1986, he was ordained to priesthood by Saint Pope John Paul II.  Fr. Michael continued his studies in Canon Law at the Pontifical Lateran University where he earned his doctorate.

In the Province, Fr. Michael served as Provincial Bursar, Provincial Councillor, Prior, Parish Priest and member of the formation team. In the year 2009 he was elected Prior Provincial and re-elected in 2012. He was president of the Italy-Malta Region.

In the Archdiocese of Malta, Fr. Michael was Defender of the Bond and Justice Promoter in the Ecclesiastical Tribunal and Judge of the Regional Tribunal of Second Instance. In 2006, he was elected member of the Presbyterial Council and was member on various diocesan commissions.  He was councillor and President of the Conference of Religious Major Superiors.

Bursar General:

Christian was born in Würzburg (Bavaria), Germany. He entered the Carmelite Order in 1981, following his studies at the school of the Carmelite Theresianum in Bamberg. He completed his studies in Philosophy and Theology in Bamberg and Rome. After he was ordained a priest in 1988, Christian worked in a parish as vice parish priest. He was master of novices from 1992 to 1997 and for the next three years from 1997 to 2000 master of the students. Before his first election as prior provincial of the German Province in 2000 (to 2007) he was prior of the community of Bamberg and provincial counsellor. From 1994 to 2007 he was member of the International Commission for Formation of the Order.

At the General Chapter 2007 Fr. Christian was elected Vice Prior General of the Order to serve for six year term 2007-2013 and at the General Chapter 2013 he was re-elected to serve for the second term 2013-2019. Then at the General Chapter in 2019, he was elected Bursar General of the Order to serve for six year term 2019-2025.

The General Chapter has elected Desiderio García Martínez as Prior General for the next six years. Congratulations to Fr. Desiderio!

More information on the other elections for members of the Council will follow when all the elections have been completed.

Chapter Members Receive and Discuss Input on the Chapter Theme

The Chapter changed its direction from over the last several days of receiving reports. On Tuesday, members began looking at the implications of the theme for the General Chapter and Order. The first of the two inputs was given by Sr. Pat Murray, IBVM. Entitled “Today’s Social and Ecclesial Context” the presentation was followed by synodal style sharing in the small groups following the lunch break. On Wednesday, Carmelite Bishop Wilmar Santin spoke on Carmelite Missions “Ad gentes.” His presentation was followed by a reflection and discussion in language groups. On Thursday, September 18, Bishop Henricus Pidyarto Gunawan, O. Carm., bishop of Malang where the Chapter is taking place, joined the Carmelites for Mass and then gave the Chapter retreat and led the discernment for leadership.

Summaries of the presentations are below, followed by brief biographies of the presenters.

Today’s Social and Ecclesial Context
Sr Pat Murray, IBVM

Sister began her presentation by noting that the theme for the Chapter is challenging both communally and personally: You must have some sort of work to do? Our Contemplative Fraternity Discerns its Mission. In fact, she would repeat “You must have some work to do” at various times throughout the talk.

She observed that life has become increasingly polarized, and it is often hard to find the middle ground. We hear the cries of children separated from their parents along borders or the voices of migrants calling from boats left adrift at sea for days. It is a season of darkness. The winter of despair is in the eyes of the hungry, the homeless, the naked, and the thirsty.

She offered three images to spark the imagination of her listeners as they reflect on their mission today.

1) Leave the Safe House—Go forth to encounter people. “Leave your nests” as Pope Francis said. “Step out from the confines of your respective Institutes and work together at the local and global levels.”

2) Engage in Web-watching and Web-weaving—Sister quoted the Mennonite theologian and peace activist John Paul Lederach. He uses the term “moral imagination” to describe something “which calls people beyond things that are immediately apparent and visible.” For Lederach, moral imagination is “the capacity to give birth to something new” to refuse “to be bound by what the existing views of perceived reality suggest” but to seek to uncover possibilities not yet dreamed of.

3) Widen the Tent of Your Heart— The quote from the prophet Isaiah “to enlarge the place of your tent, stretch your tent curtains wide, do not hold back; lengthen your cords, strengthen your stakes” is a wonderful image for religious life today because it speaks of both flexibility and rootedness, unbounded hospitality and secure identity.

Bishop Santin’s first presentation was a review of the history of Carmelite missions around the world, pointing out that from the origin of the Order until the 16th century there was no missionary spirit. All pastoral and evangelizing work was carried out in Western and Eastern Europe. When the so-called New World opened up to Europeans, the Carmelites were not interested, although they did make a few failed attempts.

He presented the history of the Carmelites in Brazil and especially in the Amazon. He pointed out that one of the hallmarks of the Carmelite’ catechesis was their Marian devotion. They seemed have been patient and treated the indigenous people relatively well. Quoting Arthur Reis “The Carmelites thus achieved more results than the military expeditions, marked in blood and negatives in the civilization of the savages.” The Carmelites set up the first school in Amazonia for the indigenous children to be educated. The Carmelite “held music and singling classes, taking advantage of the catechumens’ abilities and inclinations for the arts.” Almost a third of the villages had Our Lady as their patron saint. Among the patron saints of the villages, half are Carmelite saints with an apparent preference for the Prophet Elijah. Martyrdom was a part of life for the Carmelites however, with several being killed by the natives.

Criticisms are leveled at the Carmelite missionary efforts in Brazil. Some are of an economic nature and some of a political nature. The question is asked: what made these men leave the comfort of the cities and [their religious houses] to immerse themselves in the Amazon jungles?

He then reviewed the various provinces of the Order and their contribution to establish new missions around the world.

Bishop Santin’s second presentation reviewed Church teaching on evangelization beginning with Pope Paul VI’s Evangelii nuntiandi and Perfectae caritatis of the Second Vatican Council. The 1965 decree on the missionary activity of the Church, Ad gentes, the Medellin Statement (1968), and that of Puebla (1979) were reviewed with the points that speak about religious and their responsibility for the effectiveness of the Church’s mission being highlighted. Religious are called to be prophetic witnessed in the midst of God’s people.

He then moved to review what the Order’s Constitutions have to say about the Carmelite mission, especially numbers 94-97. They call for us to share in the mission of Jesus and that ministry is an integral part of the charism. The mission ad gentes—the task of announcing the Gospel in places where it is not known—is one of the fundamental activities of the Church. He pointed out the missionary work requires a specific spirituality and a process of inculturation.

The General Chapter has engaged in thoughtful discussion about the current state of the Order and the future Order we envision, one that is responsive to the needs of both the Church and the world. While doing that discernment, the Chapter members will consider who are the suitable candidates to lead the Order in the future, individuals who can effectively implement the decision made by the General Chapter. These are the two areas he addressed. In this first part, Bishop Henricus offered some ideas related to the theme of the Chapter and the summary of discussions on the Instumentum laboris.

The documents make it clear that the Carmelite charism, as a gift from God for the Church and the world, is a reoccurring theme. The letter of convocation underlines the close connection between charism and our apostolic works. As the Constitutions say “Our ministry as Carmelites is, therefore, an integral part of our charism.”

The Magisterium repeatedly teaches that religious life is an extraordinary gift to the Church and the world. Religious men and women become a precious gift to the Church and the world, not only because of their spiritual union with Jesus Christ in the evangelical counsels but due to their embodiment of a specific charism that the Holy Spirit has bestowed upon their respective religious institution.

History shows that most religious orders were born to respond to real needs of the times. Many orders came about as a reaction to specific situations in the Church and society. A charism that is not in line with the needs of the times is less attractive to people. Therefore, our apostolic works must both preserve our charism and to see what the needs of the Church and society are.

The bishop stressed that we must work contemplatively, fraternally, and prophetically in the midst of the people. He then went on to outline what each type of work would involve. He then entered into a presentation on discerning our apostolic work for the future. He encouraged us to maintain works that are in line with the Order’s charism but also to encourage scholarship in Mariology and the Bible. He offered a table indicating that in both the XIV and XV centuries at Paris and Oxford, the Carmelites led in providing commentators on the Scriptures.

Bishop Henricus started by reminding us that we believe that through this General Chapter the Holy Spirit will choose some of our brothers to leadership roles in the Order. He then outlined two working definitions of religious leadership: the capacity and will to rally people to a common purpose, and the character which inspires confidence and, secondly, a person with a God-given capacity and with God-given responsibility who is influencing a specific group of God’s people toward God’s purpose for the group.

Christian leadership uniquely blends natural and spiritual leadership, combining human talent with the work of God’s grace. He then went through examples in the Scriptures of God’s “calling” leaders forth—specifically Moses, Jesus, and Paul and the need they each had for self-preparation.

Religious leaders should have a clear vision with a common goal. The ultimate goal for all religious leadership is to lead God’s people to their God and to achieve the purpose God has set for them. Using the example of Jesus, Bishop Henricus stressed that a religious leader must clearly know the shared vision but also be able to convince their followers of its importance. Only those who truly see their shared vision and believe it to be a worthy value will persevere.

A religious leader must also nurture their followers. Citing several authorities on leadership, he concluded that leadership is no longer seen solely as an effort to move subordinates to pursue a common goal or make subordinated carry out orders. A religious leader prioritizes the humanity of their subordinates.

Leadership is about influencing others. So, they need authority. Highlighting the ten leadership models that St. Paul described were used according to the situation and the spiritual maturity of the congregation. If a leader is called by God to represent God, then he must depend on God who sends him. We see this is Moses, Elijah, Queen Esther, Judith John the Baptist, Jeus and the apostles as well as many others. Their strength lies in their prayfulness.

The remainder of the time was spent on Nehemiah as a model leader—as the biblical story contains many of the qualities of a religious leader. Nehemiah faced enemies (repeatedly) but he relied on God’s power and not his own strength. A good leader doesn’t rush but studies the situation. Another of Nehemiah’s leadership skills was involving many groups, including families. He did not listen to those mocking him but stayed on task. As a leader, one must endure criticism, obstacles, and enemies. True leaders are resilient.

Bishop Henricus concluded expressing the hope that his reflection on biblical leadership might contribute to the reflection of the members of the Chapter in their election of the government of the Order for the next six years.

Bishop Wilmar Santin, O. Carm., is the bishop of Itaituba, Brazil, appointed in December 2010 and installed in April 2011. He is a native of Paranavaí and a member of the German Province of the Order. He served six years as General Councilor of the Order for Latin America and Commissary Provincial of Paranavaí from 1990 to 1995. From 2005 until 2008 he was prior of Centro Internazionale S. Alberto (CISA) in Rome.

Bishop Henricus Pidyarto Gunawan, O. Carm., is a member of the Indonesian Province, having been born in Malang. He is of Chinese Indonesian descent. His brother Antonius, also a Carmelite priest, died in 2015. He studied Scripture at the Pontifical Biblical Institute in Rome and received his doctorate from the Pontifical University of St. Thomas Aquinas, both in Rome. He continues to teach Scripture at the Philosophical and Theological Institute of ‘Widya Sasana’. He was nominated bishop of Malang by Pope Francis in June 2016.

PROFESSIO TEMPORANEA
15-08-25  Jhon Horas Gregorius Rumapea  (Indo) Malang, Indonesia
15-08-25  Rustam Hary Sihotang  (Indo) Malang, Indonesia
15-08-25  Agustinus Herjuno Handhika Pradinta  (Indo) Malang, Indonesia
30-08-25  Renaud de San Tito Brandsma Ouedraogo (Baet-BF) Jerez de la Frontera,
               España
31-08-25  Jesús Manuel Rodríguez Utrera (CAT) Barcelona, España 
31-08-25  Alex Martín Capote Torres (CAT) Barcelona, España

PROFESSIO SOLEMNIS
15-08-25  Krisna Ricardo Sianturi  (Indo) Malang, Indonesia 
15-08-25  Rori Prima Dani  (Indo) Malang, Indonesia
15-08-25  Norbertus Gerry Kurniawan  (Indo) Malang, Indonesi 

ORDINATIO SACERDOTALIS
22-08-25  João Paulo Prata Seixas (Pern) Lagarto, Brasil
23-08-25  Roberto Reyes (PCM) Washington, DC, USA

Letter of Condolences and Support Sent to Santa Marinella Sisters from General Chapter

Four sisters from the Congregation of Carmelite Missionary Sisters of St. Thérèse of the Child Jesus (Congregazione Suore Carmelitane Missionarie di S. Teresa del Bambino Gesù) and their driver were tragically killed in an automobile accident in Tanzania. A fifth sister remains in very serious condition in the hospital.

More details have become available. The sisters were on their way to the airport for a flight to Dar es Salaam. They had participated in the perpetual profession of three sisters on Saturday and visited the local bishop on Sunday morning. The accident occured around 11PM in Mwanza, Tanzania.

The deceased are Sr. Lilian Gladson Kapongo, general superior of the Congregation; Sr. Maria Nerina De Simone, a general councilor and the general secretary; Sr. Damaris Matheka, provincial councilor for the Province of East Africa; Sr. Stellamaris Muthini; and their driver, Mr. Boniphace Msonola. Sr. Paulina Crisante Mipata is in hospital and is in serious condition.

We remember the sisters, their families, their co-workers and the Sisters of the Congregation in prayer during this time.

pdf Read the letter of the General Chapter to the Congregation(358 KB)