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.
Grazie, Madre per la tua disponibilità. Ti assicuro la preghiera e quello che il Signore mi chiederà. La sua grazia non ti mancherà. La Vierge t’accompagna.
Foi uma imensa alegria receber tão agradável notícia. Que Maria Auxiliadora e D. Bosco a acompanhem sempre neste lindo trabalho de Igreja.
Muitas felicidades e a minha oração.
¡Felicidades Madre Chiara !
Gracias por su disponibilidad a este nuevo servicio. Es una alegría para nosotras.
Que el Espíritu Santo la bendiga y acompañe en esta misión.
Un abrazo fraterno. Salesianas de san Vicenç Dels Horts
Carissima Madre,
Siamo molto felice della nomina dal Vaticano per essere membro del Dicastero per gli Istituti di Vita Consacrata e le Società di Vita Apostolica. Siamo orgoliose di lei. Preghiamo per lei che la nostra Madre e Ausiliatrice sia con lei sempre nel suo cammino nella Chiesa e nell’istituto.
Auguri!
Le Suore dell’INM
Unita a tutte voi care consorelle, accolgo con gioia questa notizia. Con la cara Madre Chiara ringrazio Papa Leone per la fiducia che dimostra verso di lei che con tutto il cuore a nome dell’Istituto si impegna a svolgere tale missione nella Chiesa.
Sono contenta che sull’esempio della cara madre Yvonne testimoniera’ come consacrata la fedelta’ al servizio ecclesiale.
Congratulations, Mother Chiara! With my prayers for you as you embark this new mission!
Auguri e conta sulla nostra preghiera per il servizio alla nostra Chiesa!
Cara Madre Chiara, ci rallegriamo e preghiamo che il Signore continui ad accompagnarti con la sua saggezza e gentilezza in questa missione affidatagli dalla Chiesa. Ci siamo uniti nelle preghiere e nell’amore nel cuore di Dio. Congratulazioni madre Chiara
Grazie per la sua disponibilità e auguri, carissima madre. La sosteniamo con la nostra preghiera per la sua nuova missione. Dal Ispt.TIN
Muy Quierida Madre Chiara ,agradecemos a Dios el servicio que prestará a la Iglesia ,cuente siempre con nuestro cariño y oración
Atte S.Sara de León Linares.