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, El Salvador, and Honduras.
The first sentence of the Carmelite Rule (oldest existing fragment)
This photo was taken during the 2023 Provincial Chapter in Darien, IL
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.
David D McEvoy, O.Carm.
Vice Prior Provincial
Born in Leavenworth, Kansas, Father David grew up in St. Joseph Carmelite Parish there. He professed first vows in 1983 and was ordained a priest in 1988.
Fr. David has served in parish ministry in California (1983-85), New Jersey (1988-1990), and Kansas (2000-2020), in vocation ministry (1990-1994; 2020-2023) and as the Province’s novice director (1995-2000). He has served as the Province’s Vice Prior Provincial since 2020.
Nepomuk Willemsen, O.Carm.
First 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 Director of Formation and Prior of Whitefriars Hall (Carmelite House of Studies) in Washington DC.
Luis Jesús Paz Acosta, O.Carm.
Second 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 Salvador), University of Commillas (Madrid), Universidad Intercontinental (Mexico City). Currently he serves as the pre-novice director for the Province in El Salvador.
Jorge Monterroso Mérida
3rd Councilor
Born in Guatemala City, Guatemala, Father Jorge professed first vows in 2011 and solemn vows in 2016. Since his ordination in 2019, he has served primarily in Carmelite parishes in Tucson and Phoenix, AZ. Father Jorge enjoys a good read, especially while having a cup of coffee. His favorite Carmelite quote comes from Saint Thérèse of Lisieux, when she explains that prayer “is a surge of the heart; it is a simple look turned toward heaven, it is a cry of recognition and of love, embracing both trial and joy.”
Samuel Citero
4th Councilor
Fr. Sam was born in Passaic, New Jersey. He professed his first vows in 1979 and ordained in 1984. He is currently in his 13 th year as pastor of St. Therese Parish in Cresskill, NJ. Previously he served the province as a teacher at Joliet Catholic High School and Director of Vocations. He was also a campus minister at De Paul University in Chicago and Southern Illinois University in Carbondale, IL. He previously served on the provincial council from 2011 until 2017.
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.
School of Theology & Religious Studies
trs.catholic.edu
Camelite Media
publications.carmelitemedia.org
Carmelite Institute of North America
carmeliteinstitute.net
Carmelite Missions
carmelitemissions.org
Carmelite NGO
carmelitengo.org
Lay Carmelite Office
laycarmelitespcm.org
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., Mexicó
diocesisdetorreon.org/tag/parroquia-transfiguracion-del-senor
Casa del Carmen (pre-noviciado formación)
Mexico City, Mexicó
Parroquia Nuestra Señora del Carmen
Cuidad José Galvez, Perú
carmelitasperu.org/parroquias-carmelitas
Colegio Nuestro Salvador (Carmelitas)
Cuidad José Galvez, Perú
carmelitasperu.org/colegios-carmelitas
Parroquia Nuestra Señora del Carmen
Miraflores, Lima, Perú
carmelitasperu.org/parroquias-carmelitas
Colegio Nuestra Señora del Carmen (Carmelitas)
Miraflores, Lima, Perú
carmelitasperu.org/colegios-carmelitas
Colegio Nuestra Señora del Carmen (Carmelitas)
Barranco, Lima, Perú
carmelitasperu.org/colegios-carmelitas
Casa de San Eliás (pre-noviciado formación)
Miraflores, Lima, Perú
facebook.com/casasaneliasp
Villa Carmelitas (Casa de Retiro)
Lurín, Perú
carmelitasperu.org/centros-carmelitas
Parroquia La Inmaculada Concepción
Pucusana, Perú
carmelitasperu.org/parroquias-carmelitas
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