We are the Order of Discalced Carmelites, a religious family wholly belonging to
Mary. From its origins, the history of this Order has been deeply intertwined with
its relationship with Mary. So much so that, in medieval times, the Carmelites
referred to the Virgin Mary as the foundress of the Order. This religious family
has its roots on Mount Carmel, in the Holy Land. There, the first Carmelites,
inspired by a Rule, lived in small hermitages built around an oratory dedicated
to the Lady of the Place. Later, due to various circumstances, they left the Holy
Land and migrated to Europe. This shift marked a new chapter in the history of
the Order, which faced threats of extinction from both external and internal
factors. The Carmelites saw the survival of the Order as a particular favor from
their Lady, and the scapular as a sign of their loving covenant with her.
Over time, this family grew with the inclusion of Sisters and Secular members.
St. Teresa of Jesus, in the 16th century, moved by the Holy Spirit, gave new
impetus to Carmel, together with St. John of the Cross. Thus the Discalced
Carmelites were born, with their own identity, but with the same deep love for
the Virgin Mary, joined to a devotion to St. Joseph, her spouse. Throughout the
centuries, this Marian spirit has been passed on from generation to generation
in the Discalced Carmel, emerging with particular freshness in figures such as
Blessed Francisco Palau, St. Thérèse of the Child Jesus, St. Elizabeth of the
Trinity, Venerable Marcelo of the Virgin of Carmel, St. Edith Stein, Blessed
Eugene of the Child Jesus, and Venerable Sister Lúcia of Jesus and of the
Immaculate Heart.
To help carry on this Marian tradition, the General Government of our Order has
entrusted to the International Marian Center (CIM), Domus Carmeli, in Fatima,
with the management of this blog about Mary and Carmel. This blog seeks to
gather and promote all publications and other initiatives, past and present, on
the Virgin Mary and Carmel, so that all who love and wish to imitate the Virgin
Mary, through Carmelite tradition and spirituality, may do so with continuity and
greater intensity.
This blog is supported by a network of volunteers, Seculars, Sisters, and Friars,
from around the world. To ensure its international character, its content will be
presented in five languages: Spanish, French, English, Italian, and Portuguese,
with more to be added in the future.
In addition to this blog, the CIM will promote other activities aimed at enriching
the Marian spirituality of the entire Order and its mission among its members:
Sisters, Friars, Seculars, and all Christians who are close to this religious family.
You can learn more about these initiatives at www.domuscarmeli.net