The Carmelites are a religious Order of Roman Catholic Priests and Brothers, who follow an 800 year-old tradition of spirituality. Their official title is, “The Brothers of the Blessed Virgin Mary of Mount Carmel.”

Following the Old Testament prophet Elijah, they seek to live in God’s presence and call people to a deeper faith in God’s faithful presence and the establishment of the justice of God’s reign.

Following Mary, the Mother of God, they seek to be open and open others to God’s saving and freeing presence in all the people and experiences of their lives, and echo her “yes” to the movement of God’s Spirit.

Carmelites follow Jesus Christ by living the evangelical vows of Poverty, Chastity and Obedience. They work in 26 nations and are especially expanding in third world countries among the poor and underdeveloped. From college campuses to military chapels, and from high school teaching to psychotherapy, Carmelite friars live out our commitment in a wide variety of services. They are AIDS ministers, college teachers, communications professionals, counselors, foreign missionaries, hospital chaplains, peace and justice coordinators, police and firefighter chaplains, prison ministers, retreat directors and spiritual directors. They minister with those who have much and those who have almost nothing. Like Elijah, they continue to ask others to make a choice — for God, life, growth, and wholeness — until the reign of God is established.

All Carmelites in ministry seek to announce God’s presence within the human experience and denounce whatever injustice limits God’s presence among His children.


Carmelite Resources

Other Carmelite Ministries of the Society’s Province

Protecting God’s Children

Carmelite Province of the Most Pure Heart of Mary

This is the home page of the Society’s religious leaders. Here you can learn about these men who serve the Catholic Church as Priests and Brothers in the United States, Canada, Mexico and Peru.

Carmelite Vocation Office

This is the location to learn about the Carmelite commitment to Prayer, Community and Ministry. Here you will find out the requirements for becoming a Carmelite Priest or Brother.

Carmel High School

Learn more about this Mundelein, Illinois high school which has been designated “A U.S. Blue Ribbon School” by the Secretary of the U.S. Department of Education and “A National Exemplary School” by the U.S. Department of Education.

The Carmelite Rule

Here you will find the foundation upon which all Carmelite communities were established, The Rule of Life. The Rule was given to the Carmelites by Albert, Patriarch of Jerusalem in 1204, and mitigated by Pope Innocent IV in 1247.

Lay Carmelites

This is the place to learn more about what it means to be a Lay Carmelite. At this web site you can make purchases from “The Scapular Shop”, keep up-to-date on Lay Carmelite news, and learn about The Call to Carmel.

 


The Carmelites in Canada

Mount Carmel Spiritual Centre

Overlooking the world famous Niagara Falls, this Ontario facility provides Retreats, Workshops and opportunities for adult Religious Education. The Centre includes four Chapels, a religious gift shop, and overnight accommodations on twelve acres of beautiful grounds, within easy walking distance of the Falls.


Carmelite News

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