MISSION
Mission Statement
The Carmelites of the Province of the Most Pure Heart of Mary, in allegiance to Jesus Christ, live in a prophetic and contemplative stance of prayer, common life, and service. Inspired by Elijah and Mary and informed by the Carmelite Rule, we give witness to an eight-hundred-year-old tradition of spiritual transformation in the United States, Canada, Peru, Mexico, and El Salvador, and Honduras.
FRIARS of PCM
This photo was taken during the 2023 Provincial Chapter in Darien, IL
OUR LEADERSHIP TEAM
Carl J Markelz, O.Carm.
Prior Provincial
A native of Joliet, Illinois, and a graduate of Joliet Catholic (Carmelite) High School, Father Carl entered the Carmelites and professed first vows in 1985. He has served in our high schools in Encino, California, and Chicago, Illinois. He was then elected Prior Provincial until the 2013 General Chapter, where he was elected General Bursar of the Order. He returned to the province in 2017, serving as Vice-Provincial until 2020, when he was elected Prior Provincial. He currently serves in that position today.
Samuel Citero, O.Carm.
Vice Prior Provincial
Fr. Sam was born in Passaic, New Jersey. He professed his first vows in 1979 and ordained in 1984. He is currently in his 13 th year as pastor of St. Therese Parish in Cresskill, NJ. Previously he served the province as a teacher at Joliet Catholic High School and Director of Vocations. He was also a campus minister at De Paul University in Chicago and Southern Illinois University in Carbondale, IL. He previously served on the provincial council from 2011 until 2017.
Jorge Monterroso Mérida, O.Carm.
1st Councilor
Born in Guatemala City, Guatemala, Father Jorge professed first vows in 2011 and solemn vows in 2016. Since his ordination in 2019, he has served primarily in Carmelite parishes in Tucson and Phoenix, AZ. Father Jorge enjoys a good read, especially while having a cup of coffee. His favorite Carmelite quote comes from Saint Thérèse of Lisieux, when she explains that prayer “is a surge of the heart; it is a simple look turned toward heaven, it is a cry of recognition and of love, embracing both trial and joy.”
Fr. Mike Joyce, O.Carm.
2nd Councilor
Born in Blue Island, Illinois, Fr. Mike is a graduate of Mount Carmel (Carmelite) High School located in Chicago’s South Side. He professed his first vows in 2016 and was ordained in 2022. Presently, he serves as the Director of Vocations for the U.S. and Canada, and has as served in our parish and high school ministries.
Raúl Maravi Cabrera, O.Carm.
3rd Councilor
Edgar Lucio Lezama Aparicio, O.Carm.
4th Councilor
REGIONAL VOCATIONS TEAMS
Fr. Mike Joyce, O.Carm.
Director of Vocations:
United States/Canada
mjoyce@carmelites.net
Fr. Henrry Cienfuegos, O.Carm.
Director of Vocations:
Mexicó, El Salvador, Honduras
hcienfuegos@carmelites.net
Fr. Roberto Mejia, O.Carm.
Vocations Promoter:
Mexicó
rmejia@carmelites.net
Fr. Evir Zambrano, O.Carm.
Director of Vocations:
Perú
ezambrano@carmelites.net