The first woman to lead a major Vatican department will headline a gathering of Catholic religious leaders in the Philippines, where speakers will examine the Church’s role ‘in a wounded world.’
Sr. Simona Brambilla, prefect of the Dicastery for Institutes of Consecrated Life and Societies of Apostolic Life, will deliver the keynote address at the 2nd Conference of Major Superiors in the Philippines Convention in Zamboanga City on Sept. 1-5.
Brambilla, 61, was a professional nurse before joining the Consolata Missionary Sisters, which she led from 2011 to 2023.
She earned a doctorate in psychology from the Pontifical Gregorian University in 2008, focusing her dissertation on evangelization and inculturation in Mozambique.
Before becoming prefect, Brambilla served as secretary of the Vatican department overseeing consecrated life. Pope Francis appointed her prefect in January 2025, making her the first woman to lead a Vatican dicastery.
Pope Leo XIV appointed Brambilla in February 2026 as a member of the Dicastery for Bishops, further expanding her responsibilities in the Roman Curia.
The convention will focus on the theme, “Consecrated Persons: Prophetic Witnesses of Peace in a Wounded World,” examining the role of religious communities amid conflict and social divisions.
The CMSP represents leaders of Catholic religious and consecrated-life institutes and coordinates their common mission.
“We will be blessed by the wisdom and experience of Church leaders, consecrated persons, and pastoral experts,” the CMSP said in announcing the speakers.
Other speakers include Bishop Broderick Pabillo, apostolic vicar of Taytay and chairman of the CBCP Office on Stewardship, who will lead the first conference.
Fr. Norman Melchor Peña of the Society of St. Paul, rector and dean of studies at St. Paul Seminary Foundation, will lead the second conference.
Bishop Elias Ayuban Jr. of Cubao will lead the third conference on behalf of the CBCP Episcopal Commission on Mutual Relations. He previously served in the Vatican department overseeing consecrated life.
Sr. Thu Do of the Lovers of the Holy Cross will lead the fourth conference, drawing on her research at Georgetown University’s Center for Applied Research in the Apostolate.
Bishop Dennis Villarojo of Malolos, chairman of the CBCP Office for the Protection of Minors and Vulnerable Persons, will lead the fifth conference.
