More formally known as the Order of the Brothers of the Blessed Virgin Mary of Mount Carmel, the Carmelites are a Roman Catholic religious Order founded on Mount Carmel, in the Crusader States, in the 12th century. Traditionally, Saint Bertold is credited with being the Order's founder but historical records about its founding are uncertain. The spiritual focus (charism) of the Carmelite Order is contemplation. In the sense that the Carmelites understand contemplation, it encompasses prayer, community and service. The Roman Catholic Church considers the Order to be under the protection of the Blessed Virgin Mary. The First Order of the Carmelites is the friars, who are active and contemplative, the Second Order is the nuns, who are cloistered, and the Third Order are laypeople who continue to live in the world, and can be married, but participate in the charism of the Order through liturgical prayers, apostolates, and contemplative prayer. The Order grew quickly after reaching Europe, with a hundred and fifty houses in Europe by the end of the 13th century. In the late 14th and 15th centuries, the Carmelites experienced decline. As their Rule was relaxed in order to encourage others to join, some of those within the Order refused to accept the mitigation, considering it to be a loss of the Orders vision and spirit. As reforms were introduced, some friars walked away. Saint Teresa of Ávila, along with Saint John of the Cross, established the Discalced Carmelites in the 1560s. Other branches of the Carmilite Order include the Byzantine Discalced Carmelites, the Hermits of the Most Blessed Virgin Mary of Mount Carmel, Lay Carmelites, the Monks of the Most Blessed Virgin Mary of Mount Carmel, the Secular Order of Discalced Carmelites, and Episcopal Carmel of Saint Teresa, as well as two communities of Carmelite Sisters: Carmelite Sisters of the Most Sacred Heart of Los Angeles and the Carmelite Sisters for the Aged and Infirm.
Recommended Resources
British Province of Carmelites
Carmel is a worldwide Catholic religious family that first came to Britain in 1242, and currently has more than forty communities of friars, religious sisters, and lay Carmelites in England, Scotland and Wales, and an active partner in the Carmelite Institute of Britain and Ireland. An interactive map shows the location of the Carmelite communities in England, Scotland and Wales, and a calendar of events is included.
http://www.carmelite.org/
Carmelite Friars, North American Province of St. Elias
The history of the Carmelite Order in the St. Elias Province, based in Middletown, New York, is told, along with that of some of the people who were involved in the coming of the Carmelites from Ireland to New York’s East Side. Its ministries, upcoming events, and hermitage are discussed, and a number of articles, video, and photos of the Carmelites and their work are included.
http://www.carmelites.com/
Carmelite Institute of North America
Established in 1993, the Institute began with a Carmelite studies program that progressed into a graduate certificate in Carmelite studies through the Washington Theological Union with some Carmelites continuing on for an M.A. in theology. The school continues to sponsor programs and events to teach the Carmelite tradition and to carry out the Carmelite mission in North America.
https://carmeliteinstitute.net/
The Monks of the Most Blessed Virgin Mary of Mount Carmel is a monastic, cloistered Roman Catholic community founded in the Rocky Mountains of northwestern Wyoming, near Yellowstone National Park. Its history is told, and its monastic charism is described, with an overview of the community’s daily life, and vocations. Current projects are reported on, including their own coffee roasting business known as Mystic Monk Coffee.
http://www.carmelitemonks.org/
Carmelite Sisters for the Aged and Infirm
Located in Germantown, New York, the Carmelite Sisters are consecrated religious in the Catholic Church, and members of a congregation founded by Venerable Mary Angeline Teresa, dedicated to the service and care of the aged and infirm, in the tradition of the Carmelite Order. Its history, biographical information about its founder, its vocations, and its members’ life of spirituality and ministry are put forth.
http://www.carmelitesisters.com/
Carmelite Sisters of the Most Sacred Heart of Los Angeles
The way of life for the Carmelite Sisters is one of prayer and union with God, a love for Jesus in the Holy Eucharist, devotion to the Blessed Mother, fidelity to the Church, praying for priests, commitment to apostolic service, and daily prayer together. Its vocations, a calendar of events, and a biography of its founder, Mother Maria Luisa Josefa of the Most Blessed Sacrament, are put forth.
https://carmelitesistersocd.com/
Discalced Carmelite Friars of the California-Arizona Province
Carmelites trace their roots and name to Mount Carmel in the Holy Land, as it was there, in the 13th century, that a band of men gathered together to live a simple life of prayer and witness to the Good News of Jesus Christ. In 16th century Spain, Saint Teresa of Avila renewed the Carmelite Order. With Saint John of the Cross, she strengthened and renewed the Order, and her spiritual descendants are known as the Discalced (reformed) Carmelites.
http://discalcedcarmelitefriars.com/
Discalced Carmelites of the Australia-Oceania Region
Also known as the Barefoot Carmelites, the Discalced Carmelites are a Catholic mendicant Order established in 1593 in response to reforms brought about by Saint Teresa of Ávila and Saint John of the Cross. Its history and a profile of the community today is put forth, including its work in Australia from 1885 to today, the life of spirituality and prayer lived by its members, mission, and membership information.
http://www.carmelite.com/
The Carmelite Sisters arrived in the United States as refugees in 1927, escaping persecution in Mexico, establishing the Carmelite Sisters of the Most Sacred Heart of Los Angeles. Their Lean Into the Wind CD is the product of their mission to promote a deeper spiritual life, and proceeds will benefit their various programs and ministries. Songs from the CD may be sampled online, as well as purchased. Photos and video are also available.
http://leanintothewind.com/
Marycrest Manor is a skilled nursing facility sponsored by the Carmelite Sisters of the Most Sacred Heart of Los Angeles, offering skilled nursing and rehabilitative care for elders in a religious and family atmosphere. Its history is outlined, and an overview of the Carmelite Sisters is put forth, along with its admissions process, services, therapies, and campus life. Volunteer opportunities are included.
https://marycrestculvercity.com/
The history and biblical roots of the Catholic religious Order are presented, with a profile of the community, its charism, ministries, and an overview of some of the people who are, or have been, involved in the Carmilite ministries, an introduction to the Order’s prayer life and teachings. Carmelite life, and a description of its habit, are put forth, and the application and formation process for becoming a Carmelite are included.
http://www.carmelites.net/
Order of Carmelites, Province of the Most Pure Heart of Mary
Carmel is a contemplative Roman Catholic Order whose members live together in groups or communities so that they can support one another in their efforts to live up to what God wants for them, sharing prayer times, meals, concerns, and work. Legally incorporated as Society of Mount Carmel, the Order of Carmelites, communities within the Province are shown on a map, a history of the Province is given, and a member directory is included.
http://www.carmelnet.org/
Order of Carmelites: Order of the Brothers of the Most Blessed Virgin Mary of Mount Carmel
The official web site of the Carmelite Order features a history and profile of the Order, with information about its signs and symbols, its charism, and news of the Order. The General Curia, Carmelite Family, and prominent Carmelites are highlighted, along with a directory of Carmelite retreat centers, libraries, institutes, schools, and homes, as well as Carmelite bishops, friars, cloistered nuns, sisters and institutions.
http://ocarm.org/en/
Ordo Fratrum Beatae Virginis Mariae De Monte Carmelo
The Order of the Brothers of the Most Blessed Virgin Mary of Mount Carmel is highlighted, in English, Spanish and Italian, including Carmelite history and spirituality, a chronology of the Carmelite Order, the Carmelite family, biographies of prominent Carmelites, and general commissions. Prayer requests may be made through the site, and access to various documents is provided.
http://ocarm.org/
Operated by the Carmelite Sisters of the Most Sacred Heart of Los Angeles, the facility includes two adjacent campuses, and groups with multiple workshops can use both campuses simultaneously. They are the main campus, where weekend and overnight retreats are hosted, as well as days and evenings of recollection, and the Saint Joseph campus across the street, where daytime and early evening retreats and workshops are hosted.
https://sacredheartretreathouse.com/
Sponsored by the Carmelite Sisters of the Most Sacred Heart of Los Angeles, the assisted living and skilled nursing service facility is situated on twelve acres in Los Angeles. Several photographs of the campus and grounds are put forth, and a tour may be scheduled through the site. Other resources include a downloadable application, directions and contacts, as well as admissions policies and policy data.
https://www.santa-teresita.org/
Secular Order of Discalced Carmelites
Officially, Ordo Carmelitarum Discalceatorum Saecularis, the Secular Order of Discalced Carmelites of the Blessed Virgin Mary of Mount Carmel and of the Holy Mother Saint Teresa of Jesus is a religious association of the Roman Catholic Church. Made up of lay persons and secular clergy, the Secular Carmelites are a part of the Discalced Carmelite Order, sharing a charism with the friars and nuns. An outline of its formation, daily life, prayers and novenas, and a calendar of events are posted.
http://www.secularcarmelite.com/
