The History of the Carmelite Order 

The Carmelite order takes its name from Mt. Carmel in the Holy Land. The order  traces its spiritual roots back to the prophet Elijah, who embodies the Carmelite  ideal. As early as the 12th Century there were a number of hermits, mostly  former crusaders and pilgrims, calling themselves the Brothers of the Blessed  Virgin Mary, who were striving to live in the spirit of the prophet Elijah, a life of  solitude and prayer. Elijah’s cry of triumph serves as the motto for Carmelites:

“I have burned with zeal for the Lord God of hosts”. 

From its very beginning the Order of Carmel always had a special love and  veneration for Mary, the Mother of Jesus. She is the Mother and Patroness of all  Carmelites, and the scapular which is worn by Carmelites is a sign of this  devotion and reliance on Mary’s protection. Mary exemplifies one who, in her simplicity, was totally open and receptive to God’s action and is considered a role  model in the Carmelite search for union with God. 

The First Carmelites 

This group of hermits living on Mount Carmel was given a Rule of Life by Saint  Albert of Jerusalem between 1206 and 1214. The Rule of Saint Albert is perhaps  the least known of the existing monastic Rules. It is a Rule noted for its  shortness, simplicity and biblical foundation. Albert’s Rule sketches out a way of  life based on the Gospel of Jesus Christ, stressing continual prayer, in silence  and solitude, self-giving and life in community. 

After the Saracen conquest of the Holy Land the Order moved westward to  Europe, reaching Britain as early as 1242. Certain modifications were introduced  to adapt the Rule to the changed conditions in which the Carmelites found  themselves. For the most part they ceased to live as hermits and became friars,  giving themselves to preaching, pastoral work and prayer. 

Until the 15th century the Order consisted only of friars, priests and lay brothers,  although there were several groups of pious women living according to the  Carmelite spirit. The friars, priests, and lay brothers are understood as the First  Order. The Second Order was founded in 1452 by Blessed John Soreth, Prior  General of the Order, and it consists of nuns. He also founded the Secular Order  of Carmel for lay people, which was originally referred to as the Third Order.  Today, it is simply known as the Secular Order of Carmel.  

Carmelite Seculars, together with the friars and nuns, are sons and daughters of  the Order of Our Lady of Mount Carmel and St. Teresa of Jesus. As a result,  Seculars share the same charism with the religious, each according to their  particular state of life. Secular members contribute to the Order the benefits  proper to their secular state of life (married or single).