Our Friars

Provincial

Fr. Luis Castañeda, OCD, began his religious formation in the Discalced Carmelite Order in the US after meeting the Discalced Carmelite Nuns in New Caney, TX. Fr. Luis completed his postulancy and novitiate in the Marylake formation house in Arkansas. After making his first Vows, he began his theology studies in New Orleans and finished them in San Antonio, where he also completed his formation for the priesthood. Ordained in 2003, Fr. Luis continued his studies in religious formation. Fr. Luis has also served as vicar for the Carmelite Nuns of the Province and as Provincial from 2011-2017.

Community: Little Flower Basilica

First Councilor

Fr. Gregory Ross, OCD, made his first profession as a Discalced Carmelite Friar in 1990 and was ordained a priest in 1995. During his years with the Province of St. Thérèse, he has served as student director, associate professor of dogmatic theology at Notre Dame Seminary in New Orleans, vocation director, and provincial superior. He is currently serving in San Antonio, TX as pastor, rector, and superior at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Little Flower as well as overseeing Little Flower School.

Community: Little Flower Basilica

Second Councilor

Fr. Jorge María Cabrera de la Eucaristía, OCD, was born and raised in Puerto Rico. He entered the Discalced Carmelites in 2001 and was ordained to the priesthood in 2009. Fr. Jorge has a Master’s Degree in Divinity from Notre Dame Seminary in New Orleans, Louisiana, and a Licentiate in Spiritual Theology with concentration on Carmelite Spirituality, from CITeS (International Center for Teresian and Sanjuanist Studies) in Avila in conjunction with Comillas Pontifical University in Madrid, Spain. He is currently serving as the vocations director for the semi-province.

Community: Little Flower Basilica

Fr. John heard the call to the Discalced Carmelites in his 20s after reading the works of St. John of the Cross. He entered Marylake Monastery in 1979. Over the 8 years Fr. John studied for his ordination, he gained a degree in Philosophy and a Master of Divinity from the Oblate School of Theology in San Antonio, TX. Fr. John’s studies served him well during his assignment as Pastor and Director of Development for what was then the National Shrine of the Little Flower. Through his efforts the Shrine was elevated to the status of Minor Basilica and was placed on the National Register of Historic Places. Having spent nearly ten years at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Little Flower, he has since served various assignments throughout the Oklahoma Semi-Province of St. Thérèse.

Community: Little Flower Basilica

Fr. Stephen Sanchez, OCD, spent his early years in San Antonio. Joining the Carmelites in 1983, he earned his B.A. from St. Mary’s University and a Master of Divinity from Oblate School of Theology, followed by an intensive course in the spirituality of St. Teresa of Avila and St. John of the Cross in Avila, Spain. He was ordained as a priest at the Basilica in 1992. During his years with the Province of St. Thérèse, Fr. Stephen has served as superior of Dallas at Mt. Carmel Center, adjunct spiritual director for Holy Trinity Seminary, Provincial Vicar for the Secular Order and Provincial Superior. He is currently the Superior of Mount Carmel Center and Pastor of St. Mary of Carmel Parish.

Community: Mount Carmel Center

Fr. Jesus Sancho, OCD, was ordained in July of 1964, originally from Spain, he has served the Province for over 50 years.

Community: Little Flower Basilica

Fr. Raul Reyes, OCD, always wanted to be a priest. The Teresian sisters who taught elementary school provided him with his introduction to St. Teresa. After finding his calling with the Discalced Carmelites, he entered seminary in 1961. Fr. Raul went on to complete studies in San Antonio, TX, Washington, DC, Pittsburg, PA, and in Rome. Fr. Raul has served in many roles throughout the Province: pastor at Our Lady of Mt. Carmel & St. Thérèse Parish in Oklahoma City, pastor of the Basilica in San Antonio 1975-81, Superior of the Novitiate at Marylake in Little Rock, two terms as Provincial Superior, and more.

Community: Mount Carmel Center

Fr. Jim Curiel, OCD, a San Antonio native, grew up with the Carmelites at what is now the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Little Flower and is a graduate of Little Flower School. He was ordained in June of 1995.

Community: Mount Carmel Center

Fr. Jerome Earley, OCD, was born in 1950 in central New York. He attended Catholic grade school, high school, and college. In the mid 1980s Fr. Jerome became a Third Order Secular Discalced Carmelite, which led him to pursue a vocation as a Discalced Carmelite in the Washington Province. Fr. Jerome transferred to the Oklahoma Province and was ordained in 1995. These past years, Fr. Jerome has been involved mainly in retreat and Secular Carmelite ministries.

Community: Little Flower Basilica

Fr. Jenaro de la Cruz, OCD, was ordained in May of 1966, serving the Province for over 50 years. Fr. Jenaro is originally from Spain.

Community: Mount Carmel Center

Fr. Marion Bui, OCD, joined the Discalced Carmelites in 1985 and made his first profession to religious life in August 1986. Fr. Marion grew up in a Catholic family in central Vietnam and is a political refugee. In June 1981 he arrived in Alexandria, LA. After meeting Fr. Henry Bordeaux, who was in Louisiana on a visit to his mother, Fr. Marion spent a week in December of his senior year at the Carmelite monastery in San Antonio. He attended St. Mary’s University, graduating in 1991 with majors in philosophy and theology. He graduated from Notre Dame seminary in New Orleans and was ordained as a priest, fulfilling the dream he had since a young boy.

Community: Mount Carmel Center

Fr. Sam Anthony Morello, OCD, is originally from Houston. In 1952, two weeks after graduating from high school, he entered the novitiate at Marylake Monastery in Little Rock. He was ordained in 1962 at the Teresianum in Rome. He has taught theology at various universities and was instrumental in opening Mt. Carmel Center in Dallas in 1974 as an informal ecumenical center of Catholic spirituality. Now semi-retired, he is currently in community at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Little Flower.

Community: Little Flower Basilica

Fr. Luis Gerardo Belmonte–Luna, OCD, had a calling to the priesthood as a child. He spent six years as a catechist and Master of Ceremonies for the Carmelite fathers in his hometown before entering the Discalced Carmelite Order at 24. He began his studies in philosophy in Valencia, Spain, among the very Discalced Carmelite community which sent the delegation of friars who would found the Province. He then attended Teresianum Pontifical Theological Faculty in Rome, where he again served as Master of Ceremonies with the Carmelites. He was ordained in 2007.

Community: Little Flower Basilica

Fr. Bonaventure Sauer, OCD, entered the Discalced Carmelite Province of St. Thérèse in 1984 and was ordained in 1992. He’s held a number of responsibilities in the Province, including Provincial Delegate of the Secular Order.

Community: Mount Carmel Center

Br. Vladimir Guadalupe of Sts. Louis & Zélie, OCD was born in Oceanside, CA. Most of his family lives near Austin, TX, but he came to San Antonio for college, earning a degree in social work from Our Lady of the Lake University. It was while studying there that he first visited the Basilica and met the Friars. Br. Vladimir is currently studying theology at St. John's Seminary in Brighton, MA.

Community: Little Flower Basilica