Discover Carmel

The Discalced Carmelites, known officially as the Order of the Discalced Carmelites of the Blessed Virgin Mary of Mount Carmel (Latin: Ordo Fratrum Carmelitarum Discalceatorum Beatae Mariae Virginis de Monte Carmelo) or the Order of Discalced Carmelites (Latin: Ordo Carmelitarum Discalceatorum; abbrev.: O.C.D.), is a Catholic mendicant order with roots in the eremitic tradition of the Desert Fathers and Mothers. The order was established in the 16th century, pursuant to the reform of the Carmelite Order by two Spanish saints, Saint Teresa of Ávila (foundress) and Saint John of the Cross (co-founder). Discalced is derived from Latin, meaning "without shoes".

The Carmelite Order, from which the Discalced Carmelites branched off, is also referred to as the Carmelites of the Ancient Observance to distinguish them from their discalced offshoot. The third order affiliated to the Discalced Carmelites is the Secular Order of Discalced Carmelites.

We could say that the seculars live the spirit of Carmel in the heart of the world and enrich the religious life of Carmel by their secular state.

To learn more, visit the OCDS Washington Province or The General Curia of the Teresian Carmel

Meet the Patron Saints of Our Tradition

Prayer for the Carmelite Way of Life

Composed in 2007 to celebrate the 8th centenary of the Carmelite Rule of St. Albert

Tender-hearted God,

through Saint Albert of Jerusalem

you assembled the holy hermits of Mount Carmel

as a family of pilgrim people,

seeking to live in allegiance to Jesus Christ.

Like them, inspire us to imitate the first Christians of Jerusalem,

that we may build your kingdom, the heavenly Jerusalem.

Like them, turn our hearts from conflict with others

to the spiritual fight against all that distracts us from you.

Like them, help us to draw water from the spring of Elijah,

and to live deeply our baptismal calling.

With Mary, we commit to standing alongside those who are suffering.

Help us to find you alone in the cell of our hearts,

and lead us through solitude into community.

Let our prayer inspire our service of others,

and our service show us our need for prayer.

May our silent contemplation bear fruit,

and proclaim that God lives in whose presence we stand.

Use our poverty, chastity, and obedience to be Good News for others.

We thank you for our diversity, united by a common vision.

We thank you for sustaining, reforming and transforming us over centuries,

for the benefit of the Church and the World.

We thank you for the saints, those living and those gone before, who have shown us an ancient path to the Mountain that is Christ.

May all we do be done in your Word.

This we ask, in Jesus’ name. Amen.