Opening of the Mass beginning the year long celebration of the 8th Centenary of the Carmelite Rule. Far left: Very Reverend Fernando Millán Romeral (of the Betica Province in Spain) newly elected Prior General, Far right: Father Christian Körner (of the Upper German Province) newly elected Vice Prior General.

Once every six years representatives of the Order of Carmelites of the Ancient Observance (O.Carm.) gather together for their General Chapter. This time, 110 Carmelites (82 voting delegates, 16 non-voting “guests”— Carmelites representing the countries in which the Order has new foundations— and other Carmelites serving as translators, liturgy coordinators, and music ministers) came together for three weeks in Sassone, Italy (a town just 20 minutes southeast of Rome by train) for fraternity, prayer, elections, legislative deliberations and a celebration of the foundation of the Order.

The first week of the meeting was primarily devoted to reflecting on the Chapter theme: “In obsequio Jesu Christi”—a praying and prophetic community in a changing world. One of the first days was set aside as a retreat day led by Father Eugene Kaboré, O.Carm. (from Bukina Faso in Africa). Then on each of the following three days a friend of the Carmelites (Professor Romeo Ciminello, Father Timothy Radcliff, OP, and Professor Donna Orsuto) gave a presentation which provided direction for the reflections and conversations of the Chapter members as they explored what is needed from their Carmelite community in the world today.

Members of the various branches of the Carmelite Family prepare gathered together in the church of Santa Maria in Transpontina (on the road leading into Saint Peter’s Square) for a Mass celebrating the opening a year long celebration of the 8th Centenary of the Carmelite Rule. First row: Michael Kissane (Provincial of the Saint Elias Province in the US); Dariusz Borek (Provincial of the Polish Province), David Simpson (Commissary Provincial of the Midwest Commissariat of the Province of the Most Pure Heart of Mary in the US).

The focus of the Chapter shifted from visioning to practical realities with the start of the second week. The main task of this week was to elect the General Council (the leadership team of the Order). Through a process governed by the Constitutions of the Order, the delegates discussed, nominated and voted for candidates to serve the Order in one of eight different offices for the next six years. By Friday afternoon, a new Council had been elected: Prior General: Very Reverend Fernando Millán Romeral from Spain; Vice Prior General: Father Christian Körner from Germany; Procurator General: Father Josef Janˇcáˇr from the Czech Republic; Bursar General (treasurer): Father Kevin Alban from England; General Councilor for Europe: Father John Keating from Ireland; Councilor for the Americas: Father Raul Maraví from Peru (a member of the PCM Province); Councilor for Africa: Father Desiré Unen Alimange from the Democratic Republic of the Congo; and Councilor for Asia- Australia-Oceania: Albertus Herwanta from Indonesia.

Following the elections, the work of the Chapter was set aside as members of the extended Carmelite Family (cloistered nuns, active sisters, members of affiliated institutes, hermits and laity) joined the Chapter friars. They had been invited to come and participate in the official opening of a year long celebration of the Eighth Centenary of the Carmelite Rule. The days together were filled with prepared presentations, formal and informal conversations, spontaneous entertainment (sharing music and dance representative of the various cultures), and a Eucharistic celebration at the Church of Santa Maria in Transpontina (a Carmelite church on the road leading into Saint Peter’s Square). At this Mass, all gave thanks to God for the gift of Carmel and its spirituality in the Church and in the world over the last 800 years.

After attending the General Audience of the Pope on Wednesday morning (during which the newly elected Prior General was personally introduced to the Holy Father), the friars bid farewell to the Carmelite Family guests and returned to the work of the Chapter. Various legislative proposals were presented, discussed and voted upon in the final days. On Saturday, having completed all the planned work, the Chapter was brought to a close with a final Eucharist and the signing of the Chapter Acts. The Chapter members then began the journey to their homes on the continents of Europe, Africa, North America, South America, Australia and Asia; some to continue on in the ministries they had left for this period of time, and some to begin a transition as they take leave of their home and the people they were serving so as to return to Rome to serve the Carmelites throughout the world.

Members of the larger Carmelite Family in attendance at the General Chapter’s celebration of the 8th Centenary of the Rule. Back row: Sister Mary Grace Erl (cloistered Carmel, San Angelo, TX), Sister Anne Miller (Corpus Christi Carmelites of Trinidad and Tobago), Sister Jane Remson (Carmelite sisters in Louisiana), Mr. Carlos Castagñola (Third Order Carmelite, Lima, Peru); Ms. Rose Mary Lancellotti (Third Order Carmelite, Middletown, NY), Ms. Patricia Mancini (Third Order Carmelite, Greenville, SC), Father Fabian Rosetti (Carmelite hermits of San Angelo, TX) Front row: Sister Blaise (Carmelite sisters in Louisiana), Sister Grace Lucia Rocha (cloistered Carmel, Hudson, WI), Mother Suzanne Sapa (Carmelite Sisters of the Aged and Infirm, Germantown, NY)
	Members of the PCM Province in attendance at the General Chapter: Back row: Father William Harry, O.Carm., Father John Welch, O.Carm., Father Jim Boyce, O.Carm., Father Carl Markelz, O.Carm., Father José Luís Torres, O.Carm., and Father John Malley, O.Carm. Front row: Father Ron Oakham, O.Carm., Father Dave Simpson, O.Carm., Father Raul Maraví, O.Carm., Father Jim Geaney, O.Carm., and Father Al Koppes, O.Carm.