The Carmelite Order has an 800-year legacy in the Catholic Church, with roots in the Holy Land. The name “Carmelites” comes not from a person, but from Mount Carmel, where a group of hermits gathered around the year 1200. Inspired by the prophetic zeal of Elijah and the contemplative heart of the Blessed Virgin Mary, they began a tradition of listening for God’s voice in silence and prayer. This rich spiritual heritage continues to guide the Carmelites of the Most Pure Heart of Mary Province today.

The Carmelite vocation begins with a simple call: to be fully present to God. In stillness and silence, we cultivate a deep, loving friendship with God that transforms us from the inside out.

This profound relationship becomes the source of our prophetic witness. We are called to share the truth of God’s love with the world, not just through our words, but through our very lives.

Rooted in prayer, our apostolic ministry is an active expression of God’s loving presence, bringing the grace of our contemplation to others through education, parish work, and retreats in the United States, Canada, Peru, Mexico, El Salvador and Honduras.