MISSION
Mission Statement
The Carmelites of the Province of the Most Pure Heart of Mary, in allegiance to Jesus Christ, live in a prophetic and contemplative stance of prayer, common life, and service. Inspired by Elijah and Mary and informed by the Carmelite Rule, we give witness to an eight-hundred-year-old tradition of spiritual transformation in the United States, Canada, Peru, Mexico, and El Salvador.
The first sentence of the Carmelite Rule (oldest existing fragment)
The Carmelite Province of the Most Pure Heart of Mary currently numbers:
- 118 men in the United States,
- 7 men in Canada,
- 20 men in Peru,
- 5 men in Mexico,
- 15 men in El Salvador.
This photo was taken during the 2017 Provincial Chapter in Niagara Falls, Ontario.
OUR LEADERSHIP TEAM
Carl J Markelz, O.Carm.
Prior Provincial
A native of Joliet, Illinois, and a graduate of Joliet Catholic (Carmelite) High School, Father Carl entered the Carmelites and professed first vows in 1985. He has served in our high schools in Encino, California, and Chicago, Illinois, and as General Bursar of the Carmelite Order in Rome.
Luis Jesús Paz Acosta, O.Carm.
Third Councilor
The youngest member (born in 1982) of the Provincial Council, Father Chuy is from the Carmelite Parish of the Transfiguration in Torreón, Coah., Mexico. He professed first vows in 2014. He has degrees from the Universidad Centroamericana (San Salvadorr), University of Commillas (Madrid), Universidad Intercontinental (Mexico City). Currently he serves as the pre-novice director for the Province in El Salvador.
David D McEvoy, O.Carm.
Vice Prior Provincial
Born in Leavenworth, Kansas, Father David has been a lifelong member of the Carmelite parish of Saint Joseph including twenty years as pastor. He professed first vows in 1983 and was ordained in 1988. He has served as the Province’s novice director and is currently the Carmelite vocation director.
Nepomuk Willemsen, O.Carm.
Fourth Councilor
Father Nepi started in the German Province of Carmelites (born 1977 in Stadtlohn) professing for vows in 2012, moving to the U.S., he professed final vows in 2012 in this Province, and was ordained in 2017. He is beginning a new ministry as Director of Formation and Prior of Whitefriars Hall (Carmelite House of Studies) in Washington DC.
Daryl Moresco, O.Carm.
First Councilor
Born in Melbourne, Australia, Brother Daryl professed first vows in 1973 and final vows in 1980 in the Australian Province of Carmelites, where he served in Carmelite high school ministry. Coming to the U.S. to study Carmelite spirituality in 2001, Daryl never left, eventually transferring to this Province and becoming a U.S. citizen. Here he has served in high school ministry, as prenovice director and as novice director.
Gregory Houck, O.Carm.
Second Councilor
Raised in Indiana, Father Greg first met the Carmelites after college, in New Jersey. He entered formation in 1985, and professed first vows in 1987. He has served in high school ministry, parish ministry, and was a formator in the order for fourteen years. He is finishing a master’s degree in spirituality and beginning vocation work in the Province.
MINISTRIES
The Carmelite friars of the Most Pure Heart of Mary Province serve in twenty parishes, eight high schools, and three retreat houses in four countries of the Americas – the United States, Canada, Perú, Mexicó, El Salvador and Honduras.
Illinois | Wash. DC | Arizona | California | Florida | Kansas | New Jersey | Texas | Canada | El Salvador | Honduras | Mexicó | Perú
National Shrine & Museum of St. Therese
Darien, Illinois
saint-therese.org
Carmelite Spiritual Center
Darien, Illinois
carmelitespiritualcenter.org
Our Lady of Mount Carmel Catholic Church
Darien, Illinois
ourladyofmtcarmel.org
Society of the Little Flower
Darien, Illinois
littleflower.org
Provincial Offices
Darien, Illinois
carmelites.net
Mount Carmel High School
Chicago, Illinois
mchs.org
Joliet Catholic Academy
Joliet, Illinois
jca-online.org
Our Lady of Mount Carmel Catholic Church
Joliet, Illinois
ourladymtcarmel.net
Carmel Catholic High School
Mundelein, Illinois
carmelhs.org
Whitefriars Hall (House of Studies)
Washington, DC
facebook.com/whitefriarshalldc
Saint Agnes Catholic Church and School
Phoenix, Arizona
stagnesphx.org
Saint Cyril of Alexandria Catholic Church
Tucson, Arizona
stcyrilchurch-tucson.org
Salpointe Catholic High School
Tucson, Arizona
salpointe.org
Crespi Carmelite High School
Encino, California
crespi.org
Our Lady of Mount Carmel Catholic Church
Fairfield, California
olmcfairfield.org
Saint Teresa of Avila Catholic Church
San Francisco, California
stteresasf.org
Carmel at Mission Valley
Retirement Home
Nokomis, Florida
Our Lady of Mount Carmel Catholic Church
Osprey, Florida
olmc-osprey.org
Saint Joseph’s Catholic Church
Leavenworth, Kansas
www.icsj.org
Immaculate Conception Catholic Church
Leavenworth, Kansas
www.icsj.org
Saint Therese Catholic Church
Richmond, Kansas
stbonifacesttherese.com
Saint Boniface Catholic Church
Scipio (Garnett), Kansas
stbonifacesttherese.com
Elijah’s Rest Retreat Ministry
Scipio (Garnett), Kansas
stbonifacesttherese.com/elijahs-rest-priory
Saint Therese Catholic Church
Cresskill, New Jersey
sttheresecresskill.org
Saint Cecilia’s Catholic Church
Englewood, New Jersey
stceciliachurch.com
Our Lady of Mount Carmel Catholic Church
Tenafly, New Jersey
olmc.us
DesertCarmel.org
Mount Carmel Spiritual Centre
Niagara Falls, Ontario
carmelniagara.com
Our Lady of Peace Catholic Church and Shrine
Niagara Falls, Ontario
carmelnet.org/olp/olp.htm
Saint Patrick’s Catholic Church
Niagara Falls, Ontario
stpatricknf.ca
Casa San Alberto de Jerusalén
Huizúcar, El Salvador
Facebook Page
Xiberta Center (pre-noviciado formación)
San Salvador, El Salvador
facebook.com/frailescarmelitasoficial
Parroquia Nuestra Señora de Lourdes
San Salvador, El Salvador
Parroquia de la Transfiguración del Señor
Torreón, Coah., Mexico
diocesisdetorreon.org/tag/parroquia-transfiguracion-del-senor
Casa del Carmen (pre-noviciado formación)
Mexico City, Mexico
Parroquia Nuestra Señora del Carmen
Cuidad José Galvez, Peru
carmelitasperu.org/parroquias-carmelitas
Colegio Nuestro Salvador (Carmelitas)
Cuidad José Galvez, Peru
carmelitasperu.org/colegios-carmelitas
Parroquia Nuestra Señora del Carmen
Miraflores, Lima, Peru
carmelitasperu.org/parroquias-carmelitas
Colegio Nuestra Señora del Carmen (Carmelitas)
Miraflores, Lima, Peru
carmelitasperu.org/colegios-carmelitas
Colegio Nuestra Señora del Carmen (Carmelitas)
Barranco, Lima, Peru
carmelitasperu.org/colegios-carmelitas
Casa de San Eliás (pre-noviciado formación)
Miraflores, Lima, Peru
facebook.com/casasaneliasp
Villa Carmelitas (Casa de Retiro)
Lurín, Peru
carmelitasperu.org/centros-carmelitas
Parroquia La Inmaculada Concepción
Pucusana, Peru
carmelitasperu.org/parroquias-carmelitas
English 
Español