Catechism Corner | To Know the Carmelite Order

Carmelites are devoted to Mary, seeking the Face of God, through prayer, fraternity, and ministry.

Carmelite Charism

The Carmelites' official name in the Church is the Brothers of the Most Blessed Virgin Mary of Mount Carmel. It is a long name, and the only Order in the Church named after a historically significant mountain range, Mount Carmel. The brothers who were living on Mount Carmel knew that it was known to be the land that Elijah proclaimed the one true God. The God who brought them out of the desert and gave them a home.

As a religious order in the Catholic Church, the Carmelite friars follow Christ and look to live out a life of allegiance to God by offering God a pure heart and a stout conscience. Jesus, the son of God, is our Lord and example of how to live in this world with our fellow brothers and sisters. It is Jesus we owe our allegiance, and Elijah and Mary that provide us wonderful examples of people who heard the voice of God and responded generously. The official words that describe the relationship we have with Elijah and Mary can be found in the Carmelite Constitutions of 1995.

A Call to Prayer

A vocation to Carmel also includes the call to prayer and contemplation, to seek Christ in solitude, and to discover him in each brother and sister, in each event of one's daily life. Like the prophet Elijah, the Carmelite strives to live each moment in the presence of the living God. Like the Blessed Virgin Mary, the Carmelite aims always to keep God's word, pondering it in his heart. Like St. Teresa of Jesus, he sees prayer as "an intimate sharing between friends," as "taking time frequently to be alone with Him who we know loves us."When God gives the gift of a vocation, this gift comes with a mission. The mission of the Discalced Carmelite friar has several aspects.

The first responsibility of the Carmelite is to give witness to God who is experienced in the silence and solitude of prayer. As St. Teresa of Jesus states: This is the reason for prayer…. the birth always of good works, good works. St. Teresa also urges Carmelites to teach by works rather than by words.

Could You, Too, Find a Home in Carmel?

Christians believe that God calls all people to a life of holiness, that is, a life in relationship with God and with others. This 'vocation' or calling can take different forms. Some are called to religious life and possibly also the priesthood. Others are called to marriage or some other form of commitment. Others still are called to the single life. Some people are called by God to join religious families, such as the Carmelite Family, as either religious (friars, nuns, sisters, hermits) or as lay people.

To learn more about vocations to Lay Carmel please visit https://www.ocarm.org/en/ or https://carmelite.org/laycarmel. For other vocations, including nuns and sisters, please visit https://www.carmelitefriars.org or https://carmelnet.org/

Fr. Antonius David Tristianto, O.Carm.