Displaying items by tag: Carmelite Nuns

The XVth Ceneral Chapter of the Carmelite Sisters for the Aged and Infirm Elects Leadership

The Congregation of the Carmelite Sisters for the Aged and Infirm held their 15th General Chapter in Germantown, New York. 

On September 14, 2026, Mother Mary Rose Heery, O. Carm., was elected as the Prioress General of the Congregation. On the following day, the Chapter elected the members of the General Council. They are Sister Theresa Marie Pfeffer, O. Carm. - 1st Councilor/Vicar General; Sister M. Peter Lillian Angeline DiMaria, O. Carm. - 2nd Councilor; Sister Patricia Margaret Rawdon, O. Carm. - 3rd Councilor; Sister M. Anthony de Lourdes Veilleux, O. Carm. - 4th Councilor; Sister M. Richard Carmel Brusca, O. Carm. - Secretary General; and Sister M. Veronica Robert Bien, O. Carm. - Treasurer General.

Sr. M. Richard Carmel Brusca is from Brooklyn, New York, and was re-elected to the office of Secretary General, which she has held since 2002. Sr. Patricia Margaret Rawdon is from Brooklyn, New York, and was elected to the office of Councilor General. She has been serving as Vice President and Chief Mission Director of the Carmelite System, and Director of Mission Integration at Carmel Richmond Healthcare and Rehabilitation Center on Staten Island.
Sr. M. Peter Lillian Angeline DiMaria is from Enfield, Connecticut. She was elected to the office of Councilor General in 2020 and was re-elected to a second term of six years. Sr. Theresa Marie Pfeffer is from Altoona, Pennsylvania. She has been serving on the General Council since 2023 and was elected to the Office of 1st Councilor and Vicar General. Sr. M. Anthony de Lourdes Veilleux is from Manchester, New Hampshire. She was elected to the office of Councilor General. She had been serving as the Prioress and Director of Mission Integration at St. Patrick’s Residence in Naperville, Illinois. Sr. M. Veronica Robert Bien is from Cincinnati, Ohio. She was re-elected to the office of Treasurer General, which she has held since 1996.

Mother Mary Rose Heery is from Queens, New York. She was elected to the Office of Prioress General of the Congregation in 2020, and was re-elected to a second term of six years.

The Carmelite Sisters for the Aged and Infirm are a religious congregation of Pontifical Rite. They were founded by Mother Mary Angeline Teresa McCrory (1894-1984) on September 3, 1929, with the approval and encouragement of Cardinal Patrick Hayes, archbishop of New York. Elias Magennis, the prior general of the Carmelites, granted affiliation with the Order on August 24, 1931. The congregation's specific mission is to attend to the needs of the elderly and to care for the sick, in the spirit fo the Carmelite tradition. They serve in various locations in the United States and have one home in Dublin, Ireland.

The website of the congregation is: https://www.carmelitesisters.com/

Elective Chapter Held in Carmelite Monastery of Monte Carmelo in Vetralla, Italy

The Carmelite monastery of Monte Carmelo in Vetralla, Italy, held its Chapter of Elections on September 9, 2026.

The monastery was founded in 1669 by Carmelite nuns commonly referred to as the "Barberine." The Venerable Maria Minima Aloisia of Jesus the Nazarene (d. 1831) lived there. After the buildings were completely destroyed during the Second World War, a new monastery was established in the suburbs of the town of Vetralla. In 2021, following the suppression of the San Giovanni La Punta monastery, three nuns from that community joined the Carmel in Vetralla.

From that monastery, nuns set out to found the Carmelite monastery in San Giovanni La Punta in 1960. The body of Cardinal Domenico Tardini was buried in the church of the monastery. It was through his generosity that the purchase of the new house was possible following the war. On July 30, 1962, Pope John XXIII visited the monastery and prayed at the tomb of the cardinal.

In the original monastery, St. Paul of the Cross, founder of the Congregation of the Passion of Christ (Passionists), conducted spiritual exercises and meditations and provided spiritual guidance to the nuns. The grills behind which he spoke are still preserved in the cloister parlors of the new monastery.

The monastery is a member of the St. Mary Magdalene de' Pazzi Federation of Carmelite monasteries. The website of the monastery is: www.carmelitanevetralla.it

The nuns elected to leadership roles are:

Prioress | Priora | Priora:
Sr M Rosalia di Gesù Risorto, O. Carm.

1st Councilor | 1ª Consejera | 1ª Consigliera:
Sr Marianna di Cristo Re, O. Carm.

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

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

Sacristan | Sacristana | Sacrestana:
Sr Marianna di Cristo Re, O. Carm.

The XXIst Ordinary General Chapter of the las Hermanas Carmelitas del Sagrado Corazón de Jesús was held in Málaga

The 21st Ordinary General Chapter of the Hermanas Carmelitas del Sagrado Corazón de Jesús began on August 2 and concluded on August 22, 2026. 

The Chapter took place at their Motherhouse / Madre Asunción School in El Limonar (Málaga) under the theme of the Chapter Year: Anchored in the Heart of Jesus Christ, Forgers of Hope. 

During these three weeks, representatives from communities in various countries evaluated the progress of the Congregation and discerning the organizational steps for the coming years.

The Chapter Assembly elected the Superior General and her Council, who will guide the life and mission of the Congregation over the next four years.

The General Council is composed as follows:

Sr. Ma Teresa Delgado Aguado
Superior General

Sr. Lus Marina Materano Perozo
Vicar General

Sr. Lucía María Frois Colaco
Delegate Councilor for the Africa Zone

Sr. Mercedes Espinal de Jesús
Delegate Councilor for the Caribbean Zone

Sr. María José Medina Alguacil
Delegate Councilor for the Iberian Zone

Sr. Ma Dolores Calvo López
General Treasurer

Elective Chapter Held in Carmelite Monastery of Carmel of Mary, Star of the Sea in Tanay, Philippines

Carmel of Mary, Star of the Sea, of the Diocese of Antipolo, Rizal, Philippines, held its 9th Canonical Election of the Prioress on February 19, 2026. Following the celebration of the Votive Mass of the Holy Spirit, the election was presided over by the Most Rev. Ruperto C. Santos, D.D., the bishop of Antipolo.

The elections of the other officials followed on February 24, 2026.

The community will celebrate the Silver Anniversary of its foundation in 2001 on November 11 this year. The Silver Anniversary of the dedication of its chapel will be celebrated on December 15, 2027. As the first and only foundation of teh Stella Maris Federation of the Carmelite Nuns in the Philippines, the monastery is the fruit of the union of the member monasteries.

The nuns elected to leadership roles are:

Prioress | Priora | Priora:
Sr Maria Esperanza of the Immaculate Heart of Mary Ceclio, O. Carm.

1st Councilor | 1ª Consejera | 1ª Consigliera:
Sr Maria Wilma of Jesus Crucified Galang, O. Carm.

2nd Councilor | 2ª Consejera | 2ª Consigliera:
Sr Maryver of the Cross Mabanta, O. Carm.

3rd Councilor | 3ª Consejera | 3ª Consigliera:
Sr Maria Alma Jesusa of the Divine Mercy Santos, O. Carm.

4th Councilor | 4ª Consejera | 4ª Consigliera:
Sr Maria Rebecca of the Sacred Heart of Jesus Valdez, O. Carm.

Treasurer | Ecónoma | Economa:
Sr Mary Grace of the Crucified and Risen Jesus Bruno, O. Carm.

Formator | Formadora | Formatrice:
Sr Maria Rebecca of the Sacred Heart of Jesus Valdez, O. Carm.

Sacristan | Sacristana | Sacrestana:
Sr Mary Therese Katherine of Jesus Balane, 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.

General Chapter of the Carmelite Missionary Sisters of St. Thérèse of the Child Jesus (SCMTBG) Held in March

The Carmelite Missionary Sisters of St. Thérèse of the Child Jesus met in Chapter at their motherhouse in Santa Marinella, a short distance from Rome along the Mediterranean Sea. Elections for the superior general took place on March 14. The General Council was elected the following day.  

On March 10, the General Council of the Order travelled to Santa Marinella to spend time with the Chapter members. Desiderio Garcia Martinez spoke on the tragic loss of the sisters in Tanzania in September, including the head of the Institute and that tragic moments, in light of the Gospel and our Carmelite charism can be a time where hope quietly takes root and grows. The General Councilors took part in a later discussion with the sisters on the questions of leadership, charism, and life in the Carmelite Family. A meal together followed evening prayer in the chapel.

The Institute was founded on July 3, 1925, in the city of Santa Marinella (Rome, Italy) by Blessed Maria Crocifissa Curcio. The Carmelite Father Lawrence van den Eerenbeemt (1866-1977), was a close collaborator of Mother Crocifissa.

On July 16, 1925, the Institute was incorporated into the Carmelite Order by the prior general, Elias Magennis. Today, the Institute seeks to live a missionary spirit; for this reason, it carries out its work in mission lands, especially with young people, families, and women. The sisters are active in Italy, Malta, Romania, Canada, Brazil, the Philippine Islands, and Tanzania.

The website of the Institute is: www.madrecrocifissa.org

The General Chapter elected the sisters who will form the general government of the Institute during the next six-year period. They are:

General Prioress | Priora General | Priora generale:
Sr. M. Ivana Calvo

1st Councilor | 1ª Consejera | 1ª Consigliera:
Vicar General | Vicario General | Vicario Generale:
Sr. M. José de Oliveira

2nd Councilor | 2ª Consejera | 2ª Consigliera:
Sr. M. Flora Francis Mashughuli

3rd Councilor | 3ª Consejera | 3ª Consigliera:
Sr. M. Corazon Lao

4th Councilor | 4ª Consejera | 4ª Consigliera:
Sr. M. Grazia D'Angelo

Skilled Nursing Facility of the Carmelite Sisters for the Aged and Infirm in Colombus, Ohio (USA), Receives National “Best Long-Term Care” Award

Mother Angeline McCrory Manor, operated by the Carmelite Sisters for the Aged and Infirm in Columbus, Ohio, received national recognition, receiving “best long-term care” facility in the annual Best Nursing Homes list published by U.S. News & World Report. The award categorized McCrory Manor as “high-performing,” the highest possible rating, for staffing and health outcomes, and above average in the “process” category. The list has been published annually since 2009 and is recognized nationally as a leading authority concerning health care information.

It is based on a rigorous analysis of data published by the Centers for Medicare & Medical Services, a branch of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. The online magazine analyzed 14,750 facilities in all 50 states on 17 quality measures related to staffing, patient outcomes and patient safety, with the goal of helping families identify options that best meet their needs.

Each category has specific criteria. “Staffing” covers the amount of nurse staffing per resident daily. “Health outcomes” involve patients’ ability to self-care, hospitalizations, emergency room visits and signs of depression. The “process” category is related to health inspections and the prescribing of antipsychotic drugs.

In an interview, Sister Ann Elizabeth Brown, O. Carm., said, “This ranking is quite an honor and came as a total surprise!” Sister is in her 12th year as the chief executive officer of the Manor and the adjacent Villas of St. Thérèse. “I know the ratings are based on strict methodology and arrived at with great care and are nationally known, so it’s impressive to know our work here is held in such high regard,” she said.

The Manor has 84 units for people who need 24-hour assistance and medical supervision for all aspects of their lives and 42 units used in short-term rehabilitation for those recovering from heart attacks, hip or knee replacements and other major procedures. It offers three daily meals, daily Mass and other religious activities, exercise classes, visits by speakers and school groups, and social activities including bingo, cards, crafts and movies.

“The compassionate care provided to the residents at Mother Angeline McCroy Manor is outstanding,” said Father Michael Lumpe, former chaplain at the facility. “The sisters and the entire staff provide an incredible level of care to Mother Angeline residents. Every day is award-winning from what I have experienced.”

Fr. Lumpe continued, “The care at Mother Angeline goes beyond just providing medications and skilled nursing support to the residents. There is a lot of one-on-one care, handholding with the residents, conversing with them, letting them know that they are truly cared for and that their life, and their residing at Mother Angeline matters.”

McCrory Manor’s public space is designed in “streetscape” style to encourage people to gather. It includes a living room, library, café, gift shop, beauty and barber shop, clinics and the Buckeye Lounge, decorated with Ohio State memorabilia and with a big-screen television. The lounge serves as a gathering place for residents to watch football games or other events.

There are currently four Carmelite sisters who are part of the Manor’s staff of 137 full-time and about 85 part-time employees. There are also three members of the Sisters of Our Lady of Kilimanjaro, on staff. That congregation is based in Tanzania and ministering in the Diocese of Columbus since 2020.

The Carmelite Sisters of the Aged and Infirm were founded in 1929 by Mother Mary Angeline Teresa McCrory in the Archdiocese of New York. The institute’s mission is to care for the needs of elderly people and to care for the sick, in the spirit of the Carmelite tradition. The institute has facilities in the United States and Ireland. It was aggregated to the Order on August 24, 1931, by Elias Magennis, the prior general. The Sisters of been ministering in the Diocese of Columbus since 1947.

The institutes’ website is carmelitesisters.com.

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 "St. Joseph" in Palangkaraya, Indonesia

The Carmelite Monastery of St. Joseph in Palangkaraya, Indonesia, celebrated its elective chapter on March 12, 2026. During the Chapter only the prioress and two councilors were elected.

The monastery was founded by five nuns from the Carmelite monastery in Batu (Jawa-Timur) on July 16, 1993. It is part of the Diocese of Palangkaraya which itself was established in April 1993.

The nuns elected to leadership are:

Prioress | Priora | Priora:
Sr M. Bernadetta Nurhadiyati, O. Carm.

1st Councilor | 1ª Consejera | 1ª Consigliera:
Sr M. Joseph Tinawati, O. Carm.

2nd Councilor | 2ª Consejera | 2ª Consigliera:
Sr M. Xaveria Mulyanti Sri Mahanani, O. Carm.

Skyrocketing Increase in Catholics at Mass Brings Troubles for the Carmelites Making Hosts in Kenya

According to Aid to the Church in Need (ACN), an international Catholic charity since 1947, the number of people returning to Church in Kenya is skyrocketing, while the equipment used by the Carmelite nuns for baking Eucharistic wafers has broken down.

The 26 Carmelite Sisters, who live in the Monastery of Our Lady of Mount Carmel in the Machakos Diocese, support themselves through their work. While their principal vocation is prayer, the nuns bake unleavened communion wafers and create liturgical items, including vestments, for the local Church. The Machakos Carmelite monastery, the first in Kenya, was established by Sisters from Utrera, Spain, in 1999. There are now three Carmelite monasteries in the country.

The prioress of the monastery, Sr. Mary Thérèse Ndinda, believes the increase in participation is due to covid. “The experience of the pandemic has led many people to come back to Church.”

The wafer-baking equipment at the monastery is quite old and frequently breaks down. So the work has become especially difficult. Sr. Mary Thérèse said the nuns, who come from many countries including Spain, Burkina Faso, Cameroon and Tanzania, could not afford new equipment, since their earnings barely cover their own very modest needs.

Kenya has a population of more than 55,300,000 which is 82.5 percent Christian, according to CAN’s 2025 Religious Freedom in the World report.