Our History
“The Discalced Nuns of the Blessed Virgin Mary of Mount Carmel belong to a religious family, endowed with its own proper charism for the purpose of fulfilling a special mission in the Mystical Body of Christ.
The beginnings of the Order, its title of the ‘Blessed Virgin Mary of Mount Carmel’, and its oldest spiritual traditions show clearly the Marian and biblical character of the Carmelite vocation.
By choosing the Blessed Virgin Mary as mother and patroness, the Order places itself under her protection; and it takes the mystery of her life and of her union with Christ as its ideal model of consecration.”
Constitutions #1-2
“The beginning of the Teresian family within Carmel, and the meaning of its vocation in the Church, are bound up closely with the development of the spiritual life of Saint Teresa and with her charism, in particular, it grew out of the mystical graces which compelled her to renew Carmel.
Her intent was that it should be entirely directed toward prayer and contemplation of the things of God and that all would observe the evangelical counsels, as set forth in the “primitive” Rule, in a small sisterly community that would be founded on solitude, prayer and strict poverty.”
Constitutions #4
“Divine Providence gave St. Teresa St. John of the Cross as an associate and led him to share in her spirit. He, in turn, acknowledged Saint Teresa the mother of the renewed Carmel and ascribed to her the charism God grants to Founders. Both laid, as it were the foundations of this Order.
They recorded their doctrine and experience and shared them through their writings which speak especially about deepest communion with God and the ways that lead there. Over and above being personal gifts given our saints, their experiences are graces granted to the Order and form part of the charism which every Discalced Carmelite nun ought to live.” Constitutions #9
“I took for my advocate and lord the glorious Saint Joseph and commended myself earnestly to him. I do not remember even now that I have ever asked anything of him which he has failed to grant.
To other saints the Lord seems to have given grace to succor us in some of our necessities but of this glorious saint my experience is that he succors us in them all and that the Lord wishes to teach us that as He was Himself subject to him on earth (for, being His guardian and being called His father, he could command Him) just so in heaven He still does all that he asks.
Those who practice prayer should have a special affection for him always.”
Saint Teresa of Avila
“In looking to the venerable fathers of old, especially to the Prophet Elijah, whom it regards as its inspiration, the Order becomes more fully aware of its contemplative vocation which makes it intent on hearing God’s word, and on searching in great solitude and in total detachment from the world for the supreme treasure, the precious pearl of his kingdom.”
Constitutions #1,2,9