Home

Carmelite

The Carmelite order, officially the Order of the Brothers of the Blessed Virgin Mary of Mount Carmel (O.Carm.), refers to a Catholic mendicant religious tradition and its members, as well as the broader Carmelite family. The Carmelites trace their origins to small communities of hermits who settled on Mount Carmel in the Crusader States during the 12th century. They organized under a rule and received papal approval in the early 13th century, forming a religious institute within the Catholic Church.

Historically, two main branches developed: the Ancient Observance (OCarm) and the Discalced Carmelite Order (OCD). The

Carmelite spirituality centers on contemplative prayer and inner recollection, with a strong Marian devotion to Our

Today, Carmelites operate monasteries, convents, educational and missionary works, and engage in parish and social service

Discalced
Carmelites
emerged
in
the
16th
century
from
a
reform
movement
led
by
St.
Teresa
of
Ávila
and
St.
John
of
the
Cross
to
renew
contemplative
life,
adopting
a
stricter
observance
and
the
name
Discalced
(barefoot).
The
two
branches
share
a
common
Carmelite
heritage
and
spirituality
but
differ
in
practices,
governance,
and
liturgical
details.
Lady
of
Mount
Carmel.
The
order
is
associated
with
the
Brown
Scapular
and
a
traditional
habit,
though
customs
vary
by
branch
and
region.
The
Carmelite
tradition
has
produced
noted
mystics
and
scholars,
including
St.
Teresa
of
Ávila,
St.
John
of
the
Cross,
St.
Thérèse
of
Lisieux,
and
Edith
Stein.
activities
worldwide.
The
order
includes
friars,
nuns,
and
lay
members
of
the
Carmelite
Third
Order,
all
sharing
a
common
heritage
of
prayer,
study,
and
service.