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History

Americas

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Fr. Raúl Maraví, O.Carm.

The presence of Carmelite friars can be found in thirteen distinct countries in a very large territory that extends from Canada in the north to Argentina in the south where we have approximately 530 Carmelites.  
The American continent is divided into two regions:

Carmelites in Vietnam

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Fr. Mario Esposito, O.Carm.

Among the newer foundations of the Carmelite Order to blossom since the General Chapter of 1995, is the presence of the Carmelite friars in Southeast Asia in the country of Vietnam. Although existing and struggling within a Communist reality, the Vietnamese Church is a vital reality, rich in vocations and many forms of ecclesial life. The greatest number of Vietnamese people remain ancestor worshippers, followed in number by the Buddhists and then the Catholics, who represent about 8% of the population of about 82,000,000 people.

Origin

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Origin
The Order of Carmelites has its origins on Mount Carmel, in Palestine, where, as we read in the II Book of Kings, the great prophet Elijah defended the true faith in the God of Israel, when he won the challenge against the priests of Baal. It was also on Mount Carmel that the same prophet, praying in solitude, saw the small cloud which brought life-giving rain after the long drought. From time immemorial, this mountain has been considered the lush garden of Palestine and symbol of fertility and beauty. Indeed, "Karmel" means "garden".
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