Mother Chiara Cazzuola Appointed to Vatican Dicastery for Institutes of Consecrated Life

ROME, Italy, June 24, 2025: Pope Leo XIV appointed Mother Chiara Cazzuola, Superior General of the Institute of the Daughters of Mary Help of Christians, as a member of the Dicastery for Institutes of Consecrated Life and Societies of Apostolic Life on Tuesday. The appointment entrusts Mother Chiara with a new role in the Vatican body responsible for promoting and regulating religious institutes and societies of apostolic life throughout the Latin Church.

Born in Campiglia Marittima, Italy, in 1955, Mother Chiara brings with her nearly five decades of experience in religious life and education. She entered the Institute of the Daughters of Mary Help of Christians (FMA) and made her religious profession in Castelgandolfo on August 5, 1975. Over the years, she has served as a teacher, school principal, community animator, provincial councillor, and provincial superior. Her leadership trajectory within the Institute of the Daughters of Mary Help of Christians culminated in her election as Mother General on October 5, 2021, during the XXIV General Chapter of the Congregation.

In response to her appointment, Mother Chiara expressed gratitude to Pope Leo XIV, Cardinal Ángel Fernández Artime, Pro-Prefect of the Dicastery for Institutes of Consecrated Life and Societies of Apostolic Life, and Sister Simona Brambilla, Prefect of the Dicastery, stating, “I hope to be up to the mission that the Church asks of me. I will do so wholeheartedly on behalf of the Institute, and I thank you for the trust you have placed in me.”

Mother Chiara joins a distinguished group of new appointees to the Dicastery, including Cardinals Arthur Roche, Cristóbal López Romero, Giorgio Marengo, Pierbattista Pizzaballa, and Jaime Spengler. Pope Leo also appointed several bishops and superiors general from various parts of the world to the dicastery, representing the global and diverse character of consecrated life in the Church today.

The Dicastery for Institutes of Consecrated Life and Societies of Apostolic Life is tasked with overseeing the formation, governance, and apostolic mission of religious orders and communities. It evaluates and approves new institutes, supports their growth, and ensures fidelity to their founding charisms and traditions in service to the Church’s mission.

The FMA Institute welcomed the news of Mother Chiara's appointment with joy and gratitude. Her appointment coincides with the liturgical commemoration of St. John Bosco—founder of the Salesian Family and spiritual father of the FMA—whose canonisation anniversary is also marked on June 24.

Source: cgfmanet(dot)org