The Carmelite Order has its origins on Mount Carmel in Israel. Today the Order is found on all five continents and its apostolate is as diverse as that of the Church itself. An outstanding characteristic of the Order down through the centuries has been its readiness to accommodate itself to the needs of the People of God.

Glancing at a map of the world one finds the Order engaged in preaching the Good News in several European countries, in Zimbabwe and Zaire in Africa, in North America and Canada, in Columbia, Peru, Chile and Brazil in South America, as well as in the Philippines, Indonesia and Australia.

An Order of Contemplative Friars who live together as Brothers in the midst of the people serving them at the level of their deepest needs. Mary and Elijah are our models in our following in the footsteps of Jesus Christ.

Today the Order numbers two and a half thousand (this does not include enclosed sisters and members of the extended Carmelite family) and many of them are found in the frontline of the Church’s work both in Ireland and in other parts of the world.

You can meet an Irish Carmelite giving a retreat or conference; he may be teaching in a school or university or seminary; some are engaged in general pastoral work, involved with young and old people; others are caring for the sick and needy in Dublin’s hospitals. In recent years due to the creation of new parishes the Order has taken over parish work in the city and in the country. Wherever you find him, he is being given every chance to use whatever talents God has given him in the service of others.