The First Provincial Chapter of the Eastern Indonesian Province of the Order of Carmelites  was held at Our Lady of Mount Carmel Retreat Center in Wae Lengkas, Ruteng, Flores (Indonesia) from 17-22 May 2026. The province was established on 25 March 2025, the Solemnity of the Annunciation of the Lord. At that time, the prior general and his council appointed the first prior provincial and council to hold office until this first Chapter.

The majority of the Chapter was spent on reviewing and approving the statutes. The proposals focused on community building, ministries, formation of the members, and financial stability. The prior general emphasized the need for rooting ourselves into the depth of our charism. He stressed that "the roots of the tree of the new province should go into the depths of the Carmelite core. Only then will it be able to provide welcome shade for all."

The new province has 130 solemnly professed members, 103 of which participated in the Chapter creating "a warm, fraternal, and joyful celebration."

The East Indonesian Province comprises the ecclesiastical provinces of Makassar, Ende, Kupang, and Merauke.

During the chapter Fr Telesforus Jenti was elected Prior Provincial, Fr Ferdinandus Tay Vice Provincial and Frs Yosep Arnoldus Devanto, Hendrikus Dasrimin, Aloysius Roja and Blasius Petrus Su'u were elected Provincial Councillors.

Story & photos courtesy of ocarm.org