Rome (Italy). On 24 June 2025, the Holy Father appointed Mother Chiara Cazzuola, Superior General of the Institute of the Daughters of Mary Help of Christians, member of the Dicastery for Institutes of Consecrated Life and Societies of Apostolic Life.
Mother Chiara Cazzuola is the 10th Successor of Mary Domenica Mazzarello. Born in Campiglia Marittima – Livorno (Italy) in 1955, she made her religious profession at the FMA Institute in Castelgandolfo (Rome) on 5 August 1975. Graduated in Literary Subjects, she is a Teacher for several years and, subsequently, Principal in the Secondary School of First and Second Degree. Subsequently, she is Community Animator and then Provincial Councilor. In 2001, with the unification of the three Provinces of Emilia, Liguria, and Tuscany, she is appointed Provincial Councilor for Formation and gave her contribution by favoring ways of communion, spirituality in a style of simplicity, respect for people, and depth. In 2007, she was appointed Provincial of the Emiliana-Ligure-Toscana Our Lady of the Cenacle Province (ILS), based in La Spezia. General Chapter XXII of 2008, elects her Visiting Councilor. In the six-year term of 2008-2014, she visits some Provinces of America and Europe. In 2014, Mother Yvonne Reungoat appoints her as Regulator of the XXIII General Chapter and, in the same Chapter, she is elected Vicar General. In February 2019, Mother appoints her as Regulator of the XXIV General Chapter and on 5 October 2021, she is elected Mother General in this Chapter.
Together with her, the Holy Father has appointed the Most Eminent Cardinals: Arthur Roche, Prefect of the Dicastery for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments; Cristóbal López Romero, S.D.B., Archbishop of Rabat (Morocco); Giorgio Marengo, I.M.C., Apostolic Prefect of Ulabaanatar (Mongolia); Pierbattista Pizzaballa, O.F.M., Patriarch of Latin Jerusalem (Israel); JJaime Spengler, O.F.M., Archbishop of Porto Alegre (Brazil);
the Excellencies, Bishops: Jude Thaddaeus Ruwa’ichi, O.F.M. Cap., Archbishop of Dar-es-Salaam (Tanzania); Jerzy Maculewicz, O.F.M. Conv., Apostolic Administrator of Uzbekistan; Julio César Salcedo Aquino, M.J., Bishop of Tlaxcala (Mexico); Thulani Victor Mbuyisa, C.M.M., Bishop of Kokstad (South Africa); Tesfaye Tadesse Gebresilasie, M.C.C.J., Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of Addis Ababa (Ethiopia); the Most Reverend Fathers Stanley Lubungo, Superior General of the Missionaries of Africa (White Fathers), and Miguel Márquez Calle, Preposito General of the Discalced Carmelites; Reverend Father Donato Ogliari, O.S.B., Abbot of the Monastery of St. Paul Outside the Walls in Rome (Italy); Reverend Brother Armin Altamirano Luistro, Superior General of the Brothers of the Christian Schools;
the Reverend Mothers: Françoise Petit, Superior General of the Daughters of Charity of St. Vincent De Paul; Maria Goretti Lee, Superior General of the Sisters Hospitallers of St. Paul; Idilia Maria Moreira Gonçalves Carneiro, Superior General of the Sisters Hospitallers of the Sacred Heart of Jesus; Miss Luisa Muston, General President of the Secular Missionary Institute of the Sick “Christ Hope“.
The Dicastery for the Institutes of Consecrated Life and the Societies of Apostolic Life promotes, animates, and regulates the practice of the evangelical counsels in the manner in which they are lived out in approved forms of consecrated life, as well as with regard to the life and activity of the Societies of Apostolic Life throughout the Latin Church. It is the duty of the Dicastery to approve the Institutes of Consecrated Life and the Societies of Apostolic Life, to erect them, and to grant a license for the validity of the erection by the Bishop of an Institute of Consecrated Life or Society of Apostolic Life under diocesan law. The Dicastery strives to ensure that the Institutes of Consecrated Life and the Societies of Apostolic Life progress in following Christ as proposed by the Gospel, according to the charism born from the spirit of the founder and the healthy traditions faithfully pursue their own goals and contribute effectively to the building up of the Church and her mission in the world.
In welcoming the news, Mother Chiara thanks the Holy Father; the Prefect, Sister Simona Brambilla; and the Pro-Prefetto, Card. Ángel Fernández Artime, for this appointment, “I hope to be up to the mission that the Church asks of me. I will do it with all my heart on behalf of the Institute, and I thank you for the trust received.”
Thank you, Mother Chiara, for your availability. The entire Institute rejoices with you and affectionately wishes you a good journey, assuring our prayer and commitment of fidelity to the Church and the Pope, as desired by Don Bosco, whose name day is celebrated today, and Mother Mazzarello, on the 74th anniversary of her Canonization (24 June 1951). On this 24th of the month, may Mary Help of Christians guide and accompany you with tenderness in this new mission.
Carissima Madre Chiara, mes sincères félicitations pour votre nomination au service de l’église. Nous sommes très contentes de la bonne nouvelle. Nous prions pour vous et que l’Auxiliatrice soit toujours votre compagne de route.
Merci pour votre témoignage de vie.
A Comunidade da Casa Provincial Nossa Senhora de Fátima (POR) ficou muito feliz por ter recebido esta notícia da nomeação para a o Dicastério para os Institutos de Vida Consagrada e Sociedades de Vida Apostólica. E como estava para iniciar uma hora de adoração ao SSmo Sacramento, colocou diante de Jesus este dom que nos foi oferecido pelo carissimo Papa Leão XIV. Pedimos ao Senhor as maiores bênçãos e as luzes do Espírito Santo Maria Auxiliadora está a conduzir!.. Madre Chiara caríssima, conte com a nossa unidade. Obrigada pela sua disponibilidade. Um forte abraço
Grande alegria nos chegou de Roma. A nossa querida Madre Chiara é agora membro ativo da Igreja e presença clara do amor à Igreja e ao Papa como nos deixou D. Bosco. Acompanho-a com a minha oração e oferta diária do que sou e do que faço.
Que Maria Auxiliadora e D. Bosco estejam sempre muito perto da Madre.
Thanks Mother for the availability. Congratulations.
Oramos por esta designación tan acertada del Santo Padre ,León XIV a Madre Chiara, Misión de fortaleza y Amor.
Dear Mother Chiara, thankyou for your availability to serve the Church. I promise to offer a Hail Mary for you and your mission in the Dicastery and in the animation of the entire institute. May Mary the faithful disciple accompany your journey.
la Comunità di casa C. Piaggio di Alassio
augura alla Carissima Madre un luminoso cammino e continua a ricordarla nella preghiera riconoscente per tutto quello che abbiamo ricevuto e continuiamo a riceve dal suo cuore attento di Madre. Dio la benedica
Grazie Madre Chiara per il tuo Si . Preghiamo per lei, per il Dicastero affinchè il Signore continui à chiamare sante vocazioni nella sua vigna. L’Ausiliatrice ci aiuti e sia sempre la sua guida nel cammino.
Con affetto e preghiere.
Sr Monise Rodney – Haiti
Carissima Madre Chiara, sono molto contenta di leggere questa notizia. Prego per lei e per questo nuovo servizio per il bene della Chiesa. Grazie per la sua testimonianza de gioia e donazione.
Suor Chiara, il Signore le affida la missione di essere soprattutto un SI a Lui e per il mondo della vita consacrata. Tanti auguri. Sono orgogliosa della scelta del Santo Padre.