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| Order of Carmelites | |
|---|---|
| Name | Order of Carmelites |
| Native name | Ordo Fratrum Beatissimae Mariae Virginis de Monte Carmelo |
| Founder | Tradition links to Elijah; later form by Berthold of Calabria and Brocard |
| Founded date | 12th century (hermit community on Mount Carmel) |
| Founded place | Mount Carmel, Kingdom of Jerusalem |
| Type | Religious order |
| Headquarters | Rome |
| Membership | Catholic religious institute |
| Leader title | Prior General |
Order of Carmelites is a Roman Catholic mendicant and contemplative religious institute tracing origins to the hermitical community on Mount Carmel in the 12th century. The community developed under figures associated with Elijah traditions and evolved through contacts with the Crusades, papal interventions by Pope Honorius III and reforms influenced by Saint Teresa of Ávila and Saint John of the Cross. Carmelites combine contemplative prayer, communal life, and apostolic ministries across dioceses, monastic houses and educational institutions linked to Vatican structures.
The origins on Mount Carmel involved hermits influenced by the prophet Elijah and later formalization during the era of the Kingdom of Jerusalem and the Crusades. Early patrons include Berthold of Calabria and Brocard; papal approbation came from Pope Honorius III and later constitutions were shaped under Pope Eugene IV and Pope Martin V. The order faced reform movements such as the establishment of the Carmelite Reform and the Discalced branch initiated by Saint Teresa of Ávila and Saint John of the Cross during the Counter-Reformation. Conflicts and reconciliations involved figures like Pope Pius V and debates at Council of Trent. Expansion occurred into Europe, Asia, Africa, and the Americas, with foundations in cities like Paris, Rome, Lisbon, Seville, Antwerp, Vienna, Kraków, Prague, Dublin, London, Lviv, Milan, Naples, Bologna, Florence, Barcelona, Cordoba, Toledo, Budapest, Zagreb, Belgrade, Istanbul, Beirut, Damascus, Jerusalem, Cairo, Alexandria, Addis Ababa, Lagos, Johannesburg, Mexico City, Lima, Bogotá, Buenos Aires, Santiago, Chile, São Paulo, Havana, Manila, Tokyo, Beijing, Seoul, Shanghai, Hong Kong, Singapore, Melbourne, Sydney, Toronto, Montreal, Chicago, New York City, Boston, Philadelphia, Washington, D.C..
The order is governed by a Prior General elected at a General Chapter convened according to constitutions approved by Holy See authorities such as the Congregation for Institutes of Consecrated Life and Societies of Apostolic Life. Provincial structures include provincials overseeing provinces or delegations within national episcopal conferences like the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops or the Catholic Bishops' Conference of England and Wales. Houses affiliate with universities and seminaries such as Gregorian University, University of Santo Tomas, Pontifical University of Saint Thomas Aquinas, Catholic University of America, Loyola University Chicago, Notre Dame University and collaborate with religious orders including the Jesuits, Dominicans, Franciscans, Benedictines, Augustinians and Salesians. Discipline and formation draw upon canonical norms in the Code of Canon Law and synodal guidance from councils like the Second Vatican Council.
Carmelite spirituality centers on contemplative prayer inspired by the prophet Elijah and devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary, especially under the title Our Lady of Mount Carmel. Mystical theology was developed by mystics such as Saint John of the Cross, Saint Teresa of Ávila, Saint Thérèse of Lisieux, Saint Edith Stein (Teresa Benedicta of the Cross), Saints Cyril and Methodius are regional patrons though not Carmelites, and later writers like Fr. John of St. Samson and Blessed Titus Brandsma contributed to prayer literature. The charism emphasizes interior recollection, the practice of contemplative silence, lectio divina influenced by Saint Benedict’s tradition, and sacramental devotion including the Rosary and the Brown Scapular linked to Simon Stock. Carmelite theology intersects with scholastic and mystical traditions represented by writers found in academic circles at University of Paris, University of Salamanca, University of Salamanca, University of Coimbra and Oxford University.
Members live in communities adhering to vows of poverty, chastity and obedience under constitutions approved by the Holy See. Habit distinctions exist between branches: the Ancient Observance habit traditionally included a brown scapular associated with Our Lady of Mount Carmel and the Discalced branch often adopted a simplified brown habit reflecting reforms by Saint Teresa of Ávila and Saint John of the Cross. Formation stages include postulancy, novitiate and temporary to solemn profession guided by manuals and texts used in seminaries such as Pontifical Lateran University and formation programs authorized by diocesan bishops and provincial chapters.
Prominent Carmelites and affiliated saints include Saint Teresa of Ávila, Saint John of the Cross, Saint Thérèse of Lisieux, Saint Simon Stock, Blessed Titus Brandsma, Saint Edith Stein, Saint Joseph of Cupertino, Blessed Angelus of Jerusalem, Blessed John Soreth, Blessed Elizabeth of the Trinity, Blessed Elizabeth of the Trinity appears twice in hagiography, Blessed Francisco Palau, Blessed María Pilar Izquierdo, Blessed María de Jesús Buen Pastor, and contemplative writers like Fr. John of the Cross (listed among doctors alongside St. Thomas Aquinas). Scholars and patrons have included cardinals and bishops who were Carmelites serving in dioceses such as Madrid', Seville', Lisbon', Warsaw', Kraków', Buenos Aires', Rome', Avila', Toledo'.
Carmelites engage in contemplative prayer, retreat ministry, parish work, education and spiritual direction across institutions like retreat centers, monasteries and universities. Apostolates include running schools, pastoral care in hospitals and prisons, publishing houses, liturgical music programs influenced by traditions in Gregorian chant and charitable initiatives coordinated with organizations like Caritas Internationalis and local diocesan charities. They partner with ecumenical bodies such as the World Council of Churches and participate in interreligious dialogue involving representatives from Orthodox Church, Anglican Communion, Jewish community leaders and leaders from Islamic contexts in regions where they serve.
The order is organized into provinces, vicariates and delegations across continents with notable provinces in Spain, Portugal, Italy, France, Poland, Ireland, United Kingdom, United States, Canada, Mexico, Brazil, Argentina, Chile, Peru, Colombia, Philippines, India, Australia, New Zealand, Japan, South Korea, China, Lebanon, Israel, Syria, Egypt, South Africa, Nigeria, Kenya, Uganda, Ethiopia and others. Provincial chapters liaison with national episcopal conferences and the Holy See; international gatherings attract delegates from monasteries in Rome, Avila, Ávila Cathedral, Lisbon Cathedral, Seville Cathedral, St. Peter's Basilica, Notre-Dame de Paris, Sagrada Família, Santo Domingo, San Francisco de Asís sites and major university chapels.
Category:Catholic religious orders