Carmelites re-elect Prior General

The Carmelites have re-elected their Prior General, at the General Chapter of the order, which is being held at the Istituto Madonna del Carmine, outside Rome, from 4 - 21 September. Scottish born Fr. Joseph Chalmers, O.Carm. was re-elected for a second term of six years as Prior General of the Order. Before joining the order in 1975, Fr. Joseph qualified in law at Glasgow University and worked in the Lord Advocate's Office in Edinburgh. Fr. Joseph has served in the past as Provincial of the British Province of Carmelites, and as Prior of Aylesford Priory in Kent. He has specialised in retreat ministry and spiritual direction. He is well known as an exponent of Centering Prayer and co-authored with Elizabeth Smith the book A Deeper Love: An Introduction to Centering Prayer. Fr Joseph is also a keen Celtic supporter and follows his team avidly, even from Rome. Last Wednesday, 12 September, there was a special audience for members of the Carmelite Family with Pope John Paul II, to mark the 750th anniversary of the traditional date for the giving of the Carmelite Scapular.