The Carmelites are a Roman Catholic religious order of priests and brothers rooted in an 800-year tradition of spirituality.

Inspired by the Old Testament prophet Elijah, Carmelites seek to live in the presence of God and invite others into a deeper awareness of God’s faithful and active presence, working toward the realization of justice in God’s reign.

Following the example of Mary, the Mother of God, they strive to remain open to God’s saving and liberating presence, to help others recognize that same presence in the people and experiences of their lives. Like Mary, they echo a wholehearted “yes” to the movement of God’s Spirit.

Carmelites follow Jesus Christ by professing the evangelical vows of poverty, chastity, and obedience. Serving in more than 50 countries, their ministry continues to grow, especially among the poor and in developing regions. Their work spans a wide range of settings, from college campuses to military chapels, from classrooms to counseling offices.

Carmelite friars serve as educators, chaplains, missionaries, counselors, and advocates for peace and justice. They minister to people across all walks of life, those with abundance and those with very little. Like Elijah, they challenge others to choose life, growth, and wholeness in God, as they strive toward the fulfillment of God’s reign.

In all their ministries, Carmelites seek to proclaim God’s presence within human experience and to stand against whatever diminishes that presence among God’s people.