Carmelite Order

The Carmelite Order has no founder as such. However the origins of the Carmelite Order can be traced back to Prophet Elijah and his disciples. During the late 12th century and the beginning of the 13rd century, under the title of “Saint Mary of Mount Carmel”, the Order of Carmelites had its formal beginning. Thus the Discalced Carmelites are a religious Order whose heritage reaches back to a community of hermits living on Mount Carmel in Palestine during that time.

Some hermits from Europe and others, possibly former crusaders, settled on the slopes of Mount Carmel near the Spring of Elijah. After their military service was complete, these crusaders decided to remain in the Holy Land, pledging “allegiance to Jesus Christ”.

This group of hermits formed the first Carmelites, who were officially known as the Brothers of the Blessed Virgin Mary of Mount Carmel. They lived a life of solitude on the mountain of Carmel like our spiritual father St. Elijah.

In 1247 the Pope Innocent IV granted to the Carmelite Order the privilege to be one of Catholic mendicant Orders. Today the Carmelites are one of the four great mendicant Orders (those Orders whose corporate as well as personal poverty made it necessary for them to beg for alms). In fact there are two Orders of the Carmelites -- "The Carmelites", also known as of the "Ancient Observance" or "Calced", and "The Discalced (shoeless) Carmelites" or "Teresians".

The Carmelite Order is one of the five ancient Religious Orders in the Catholic Church, and first one to be dedicated to Mary. Today the Carmelites are a religious Order of Roman Catholic priests, brothers, nuns, and laity serving the Church. We follow an 800-year-old tradition of spirituality.