(RVA News): Consolata Missionary Sister Simona Brambilla, the prefect of the Dicastery for Institutes of Consecrated Life and Societies of Apostolic Life and the first woman to head a major Vatican dicastery, is slated to deliver the keynote address at the second Conference of Major Superiors in the Philippines [CMSP] Convention, scheduled for September 1–5 in Zamboanga City, southern Philippines.
The convention themed, “Consecrated Persons: Prophetic Witnesses of Peace in a Wounded World,” will focus on the role of religious communities amid conflicts, social divisions and other challenges facing society.
The 61-year-old Sister Brambilla is a former nurse who became a missionary and served as superior general of the Consolata Sisters from 2011 to 2023.
She earned a doctorate in psychology from the Pontifical Gregorian University in 2008, with a dissertation examining evangelisation and inculturation in Mozambique.
Sister Brambilla was secretary of the Vatican dicastery responsible for consecrated life before Pope Francis appointed her prefect in January 2025, making her the first woman to lead a Vatican dicastery.
In February, Pope Leo XIV appointed Sister Brambilla as a member of the Dicastery for Bishops, giving her another significant role in the Roman Curia.
The CMSP, which represents leaders of Catholic religious institutes and societies of consecrated life in the Philippines, said the convention will bring together Church leaders, consecrated persons and pastoral experts to reflect on their mission and witness.
Other speakers will include Bishop Broderick Pabillo, apostolic vicar of Taytay and chairperson of the CBCP Office on Stewardship, who will lead the first conference.
Father Norman Melchor Peña of the Society of St. Paul, rector and dean of studies at St. Paul Seminary Foundation, will lead the second conference.
As we celebrate the 500 years of Christianity in the Philippines. The Chaplaincy to Filipino Migrants organises an on-line talk every Tuesday at 9.00pm. You can join us at:
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Bishop Elias Ayuban Jr. of Cubao, who previously served in the Vatican dicastery overseeing consecrated life, will lead the third conference on behalf of the CBCP Episcopal Commission on Mutual Relations.
Sister Thu Do of the Lovers of the Holy Cross will lead the fourth conference, drawing on her research at Georgetown University’s Centre for Applied Research in the Apostolate.
Bishop Dennis Villarojo of Malolos, chairperson of the CBCP Office for the Protection of Minors and Vulnerable Persons, will lead the fifth conference.
The CMSP said participants would be “blessed by the wisdom and experience” of Church leaders, consecrated persons and pastoral experts as they reflect on how religious communities can become prophetic witnesses of peace in a wounded world.
