On 1 October, the feast of St Thérèse of the Child Jesus, with the consent of his Council, the Prior General, Desiderio García Martínez, issued the decree of canonical establishment of the Congolese Province, placing it under the patronage of Blessed Isidore Bakanja. This is the first Province on the African continent and will come into effect on 15 October, the feast of St Teresa of Jesus.

In 1970, the then Roman Province decided to launch a missionary endeavour in Zaire, now the Democratic Republic of the Congo. On 6 February 1973 the first three religious—Fr Arcangelo Colandrea, Fr Ubaldo Pani, and Fr Domenico Fiore—departed to live and provide pastoral care at the parish of Jiba, in Ituri, within the Diocese of Bunia. On 10 February they were officially welcomed by the bishop, Monsignor Gabriele Ukec. The entire Roman Province rallied with great enthusiasm, accompanying the work of the three brothers with prayer and supporting them through a variety of initiatives. In the meantime, other religious joined or took over from the first group: Fr Guido Sartori, Fr Mario Serra, Fr Nazareno Mauri, Fr Teofano Scano, Fr Gianfranco Tuveri, and Fr Francesco Campagna.

When the Italian Province was established in 1991, the mission in the Congo—by then significantly developed—became the heritage and commitment of the entire Carmelite Family. At the same time, several Congolese brothers arrived in Italy to pursue specialized studies and offer their service in various communities: the “mission” thus became “missionary.”

The 12th Provincial Chapter of the Italian Province, held from 17-22 June 2024, approved the request to establish the new Province in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

On 19 March 2026, in agreement with his Council, the Provincial Prior of the Italian Province submitted to the General Council the request for the establishment of the Congolese Province, proposing Blessed Isidore Bakanja as its patron.

With the establishment of the new Province, the Prior General, with the consent of his Council, appointed:

Provincial Prior:  Jean Pierre Canisius Kasereka Kaniki, O.Carm.
First Councillor:  Georges Kabuli Ndiya, O.Carm.
Second Councillor:  Jean Marie Vianney Musongya Mahamba, O.Carm.
Third Councillor:  Lucien Kasereka Kahatane, O.Carm.
Fourth Councillor:  Innocent Djombu Dz’Djo, O.Carm.

The new Provincial Prior and his Council will remain in office until the first Provincial Chapter, which must be held within one year of the date of the Province’s establishment.

Rejoicing in this development of the Order on the African continent, the Prior General and his Council entrust the new Congolese Province to the intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary of Mount Carmel and Blessed Isidore Bakanja, so that the Carmelite charism may continue to bear fruits of holiness.

Story from CITOC @ ocarm.org

Picture caption 
The Prior General, Desiderio García Martínez, signing the decree, witnessed by General Councillor for Africa, Eric N’Do.