Carmelite Institute - Who We Are

Carmelites are a Roman Catholic family of clergy, religious, and laity with an 800-year-old tradition of prayer and prophetic activity at the service of the church and world. The Carmelite Institute, founded in 1993 with the support of the general administrations of the Carmelite and Discalced Carmelite orders, is a collaborative effort of the whole Carmelite family in the United States and Canada. Its mission is to promote the following of Jesus Christ through studies in the Carmelite tradition and by making that tradition available to our Carmelite brothers and sisters as well as all those interested in the study and practice of deeper spirituality.

The Carmelite Institute is owned and operated by the five Carmelite provincials of North America, who constitute the "Founders Group" responsible for determining the basic structure and mission of the Institute. They serve as ex officio members of the Board of Directors, which oversees the Institute’s development and activities, and which also includes representatives of the lay and secular Carmelites, the Carmelite sisters, and the North American associations of Discalced Carmelite nuns.

The Board of Directors in turn appoints key officers of the Executive Committee, including the President, Executive Director, Treasurer, and Secretary; three additional at-large members are elected at an annual assembly for two-year terms. The Executive Committee is responsible for planning and implementing those activities which will carry out the mission and goals of the Institute. In particular, the Executive Director maintains the Institute’s office and oversees its day-to-day operations. The President plans and coordinates the ongoing development of the Institute, and represents it to the Board of Directors and the public.

Beyond its officers, the Carmelite Institute has no official membership as such. Rather, it invites the collaboration of all those interested in promoting its goals. The Institute hosts an annual assembly of representatives of the Carmelite family and participants in its projects. Those wishing to attend in order to work more closely with the Institute are encouraged to contact the President or Executive Director explaining their interest and proposed contribution.
The Carmelite Institute depends mainly on donations from members of the Carmelite family as well as from other groups and individuals interested in promoting Carmelite spirituality. The Institute sends out an annual appeal for financial assistance, but welcomes donations at any time. The Institute is a tax-exempt organization and gifts are tax-deductible.

Board of Directors:

Gerald Werner, O.C.D., Provincial, California Province
John Welch, O. Carm., Provincial, Most Pure Heart of Mary Province
Gregory Ross, O.C.D., Provincial, Oklahoma Province
Michael Kissane, O. Carm., Provincial, St. Elias Province
Phillip Thomas, O.C.D., Provincial, Washington Province
Leopold Glueckert, O.Carm., President, Carmelite Institute
Mary Edith Rodríguez-Harrington, O.C.D.S., Executive Director, Carmelite Institute
Maria Valla, O.C.D., Nuns: Mary Queen of Carmel Association
Sr. Bernadette Therese Reilly, O.Carm., Active Carmelite Congregations
Mary Margaret Yascolt, O.C.D., Contemplative Nuns: Carmelite Communities Associated
Mary Lou Cereghino, O.C.D.S., Secular Carmelites Representative
Thomas Stubblefield, T.O.Carm., Lay Carmelites Representative
Sr. Peter Lillian Di Maria, O.Carm., Member-at-Large

Executive Committee:

President, Leopold Glueckert, O.Carm.
Executive Director, Mary E. Rodríguez-Harrington, O.C.D.S.
Secretary, Michael Wastag, O.Carm.
Timothy Ennis, O.Carm., Member at Large Representative
Sr. Peter Lillian Di Maria, O.Carm., Member at Large Representative
Suzanne Treis, O.C.D.S., Member at Large Representative

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Carmelite Institute
1600 Webster Street, N.E.,
Washington, D.C. (USA) 20017-3145
Voice: (202) 635-3534 § Fax: (202) 635-3538