The future hasn't been revealed to me, yet Jesus has pulled back the curtain and I have glimpsed the beautiful shores of Carmel.

St. Teresa of Jesus of the Andes

One cannot desire freedom from the Cross when one is especially chosen for the Cross.

Edith Stein

God desires the smallest degree of purity of conscience in you more than all the works you can perform.

St  John of the Cross

To be taken with love for a soul, God does not look on its greatness, but the greatness of its humility.

St  John of the Cross

We, Carmelites, have always thought of Mary as the Patron of the Order,  its Mother and Splendour; she is constantly before our eyes and in our hearts as “the Virgin Most Pure.” Looking to her, and living in spiritual intimacy with her, we learn to stand before God, and with one another, as the Lord’s brothers.

(Carmelite Constitutions)

Carmelites see in the Virgin Mary, Mother of God and archetype of the Church, the perfect image of all that they want and hope to be. 

(Carmelite Constitutions)

From Elijah, Carmelites learn to be people of the desert, with heart undivided, standing before God and entirely dedicated to his service, uncompromising in the choice to serve God’s cause, aflame with a passionate love for God.

(Carmelite Constitutions)

The Carmelites see in Elijah a solitary prophet who nurtured his thirst for the one and only God, and lived in his presence. He is the contemplative, burning with passionate love for the Absolute who is God.

(Carmelite Constitutions)

Carmelites will show solidarity and will be eager to collaborate with all who suffer, who hope, and who commit themselves to the search for the Kingdom of God. 

(Carmelite Constitutions)

As a contemplative brotherhood, we seek the face of God also in the heart of the world. We believe that God has established his dwelling place among his people...

(Carmelite Constitutions)