On June 11, 2009, Father Mario Esposito, O.Carm. was once again elected Prior Provincial of the North American Province of St. Elias of the Order of Carmelites. Father Mario previously served as Provincial from 1994 to 2000. Since that time, he has ministered as Regional Superior and Formation Director for the Carmelite Friars in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam.

Born in Brooklyn, New York, Father Mario graduated from St. Therese of Lisieux Elementary School and Nazareth High School. He also studied at Catholic University of America earning a Bachelor of Music degree in 1973. Locally, he taught at Archbishop Carroll High School in Washington, and at St. Bernadette’s Parish in Silver Spring. He attended the Washington Theological Union finishing classes in 1976, and earning the M.Div. in May 1979. He pronounced simple vows in the Order of Carmelites on September 16, 1972 and was ordained to the priesthood on January 22, 1977.

In addition to serving the St. Elias Province as Prior Provincial and as Formation Director in Vietnam, Father Mario also served twice as Provincial Procurator, Pre-novice Director, Third Order Director and as a chaplain at Bellevue Hospital in Manhattan. He was Pastor of Saint Thomas Aquinas Church, Brooklyn, NY from 1982-1992 and Parochial Vicar at St. Paul’s in Bullville, NY 1997-1999.