Born in Glasgow, Scotland, on April 5, 1952, and a graduate in law, Fr. Joseph Chalmers entered the Carmelite Order in 1975. He completed his philosophical and theological studies at the Pontifical Gregorian University (Rome) with a license in spirituality which won the Papal Gold Medal.

In 1981, a year before finishing his studies, Fr. Joseph was ordained priest in Glasgow by the Cardinal, Archbishop Thomas Winning.

From 1995 to 2007, Fr. Joseph was a Prior General of the whole Carmelite. after two terms as Prior General he retured to his own province and served as Novice Director for the past four years at Aylesford Priory in Kent. Fr. Chalmers recently joined Saint Luke Institute as Director of Formation.

As Prior General of the Carmelite Order between 1995 and 2007, Father Joseph is very well known across the international Carmelite Family and beyond. Since returning to ministry in his native province of Britain, he has published a number of best-selling books, including The Sound of Silence: Listening to the Word of God with Elijah the Prophet, and Let It Be: Praying the Scriptures in company with Mary, the Mother of Jesus.