Carmelite Prior Provincial visits local community

Brother Robert Chiulli O Carm, Prior Provincial of the Carmelite Friars, Province of St Elias, New York, paid a courtesy call to Archbishop Charles Jason Gordon on Wednesday, January 21. The meeting was part of Br Robert’s fraternal three-day visit to his Carmelite brothers in Trinidad.

Br Robert visited from New York and was accompanied to Trinidad by Fr Michael Kissane O Carm, Provincial Councillor, who has visited and ministered in Trinidad before.

Br Robert created history in June 2025 by being the first-ever Religious brother, who is not an ordained priest, to be elected as a Prior Provincial in the 800+ year history of the Carmelite Order.

Br Robert was accompanied to the meeting with the Archbishop by Fr Mikhail Woodruffe O Carm, Prior of the local Carmelite Friars community. The Carmelite Friars have ministered in Trinidad for over 25 years, and now minister in: founding and leading the Mental Health Initiative (MHI) and Elijah’s Bread (charitable NGO). Their work also includes: UWI campus ministry, leading retreats, music ministry, conducting therapy, pastoral counselling and spiritual direction. They teach at the Seminary and are parish priests of Holy Cross, Santa Cruz; Our Lady of Fatima, Curepe; and St Michael’s, Maracas Valley, St Joseph.

Carmelites are contemplatives in action, following the examples of Mary and Elijah, in allegiance to Jesus Christ.

—Fr Mikhail Woodruffe O Carm