Our Charism - Our Lady Queen of Martyrs Carmel

What Is a Charism?

The word charism comes from the Greek charis — grace, gift. It is the particular way in which a religious community lives the Gospel, inspired by the Holy Spirit and shaped by its founders and tradition. The Carmelite charism is a unique gift given to the Church through the Order of Our Lady of Mount Carmel.

For the Discalced Carmelite Nuns, the core of our charism is contemplative prayer lived in solitude and silence, in fraternal community, and in total consecration to God through the evangelical counsels. It is a life wholly oriented toward union with God in love, for the sake of the Church and the salvation of souls.

Elements of the Charism

Elijah, Mary, and the Teresian Reform

The Prophetic Spirit of Elijah

The prophet Elijah is the spiritual father of Carmel. His life of solitude on Mount Carmel, his passionate zeal for the living God, and his intimate communion with the Lord are a model for every Carmelite. He teaches us to stand in the presence of God, to listen, and to witness fearlessly.

Our Lady of Mount Carmel

Mary is the patroness and mother of the Order. She perfectly lived the contemplative life — pondering all things in her heart. We wear the Brown Scapular as a sign of her protection and our consecration, placing ourselves under her maternal guidance.

The Teresian Reform

St. Teresa of Ávila, with St. John of the Cross, restored the primitive observance and contemplative spirit of Carmel in the 16th century. Our life follows the Teresian Constitutions, emphasizing mental prayer, poverty, enclosure, and fraternal charity.

The Four Pillars of Carmel

A life shaped by grace

✝

Prayer

The heart of our life — two hours of silent mental prayer daily, the Divine Office, and the Rosary

♥

Community

Living together in charity, sharing everything in common as a family united in Christ

❦

Service

Hidden apostolate through prayer, work, and sacrifice for the Church and all souls

✦

Silence

Creating space for God through interior and exterior silence, the soil of contemplation

“Let us remember that we have only one soul,
that we have only one short life, that there is only one eternity,
and that we must live and die in the love of God.”

— St. Teresa of Avila

Our Mission in the Church

Like St. Thérèse of Lisieux, we believe that “love alone” gives worth to all things. Our mission is to be a heart in the heart of the Church, sustaining the Church’s apostolic work through our hidden life of prayer and sacrifice. We pray especially for priests, for vocations, and for the salvation of souls. The charism is also expressed through hospitality — welcoming guests who come to the monastery seeking prayer, guidance, or simply a quiet place to rest in the Lord.

Key Carmelite Saints

Witnesses to the charism through the ages

St. Teresa of Avila

Doctor of the Church, Foundress of the Reform

A 16th-century Spanish mystic and Doctor of the Church, renowned for her profound teachings on prayer and the spiritual life. A Carmelite reformer who faced immense physical suffering and opposition, she viewed prayer not as an abstract exercise but as a deeply personal relationship. For her, the core of the spiritual journey was cultivating virtues like humility and detachment, which she famously described in works like The Interior Castle and The Way of Perfection. Her approach to prayer is grounded in the humanity of Christ, encouraging souls to look upon Him present within them. She taught that spiritual progress required both resolute effort and reliance on God’s grace, emphasizing that true contemplation leads to greater virtue and action in the world.

St. John of the Cross

Doctor of the Church, Mystical Doctor

“

In the twilight of life, God will not judge us on our earthly possessions and human successes, but on how well we have loved.

A 16th-century Spanish mystic and Carmelite friar, renowned for his profound writings on the soul's spiritual journey. His quotes explore themes of silent love, detachment, and finding the light of God through darkness, serving as timeless wisdom for spiritual growth. — St John of the Cross OCD

St. Thérèse of Lisieux

Doctor of the Church, The Little Flower

“

Miss no single opportunity of making some small sacrifice, here by a smiling look, there by a kindly word; always doing the smallest right and doing it all for love.

Known as the “Little Flower,” she developed a simple yet profound spirituality called the “Little Way.” She believed that holiness was not achieved through grand deeds but by doing small, ordinary acts with great love and trust in God. Central to her teaching is the idea that everyone has a unique place in God’s plan; just as a field needs both roses and daisies, the “world of souls” is enriched by every person’s unique contribution.

St. Edith Stein

Martyr, Co-Patroness of Europe

“

Edith Stein (also known as St. Teresa Benedicta of the Cross) was a renowned philosopher, Carmelite nun, and martyr. Her famous quotes span topics from spiritual surrender and the search for truth to the dignity of women.

Blessed Elisabeth of the Trinity

Discalced Carmelite Mystic

“

May my life be a continual prayer, a long act of Love.

A French Discalced Carmelite mystic whose writings focus heavily on the indwelling of the Holy Trinity in the soul and becoming a “praise of glory” (laudem gloriae).

Brother Lawrence of the Resurrection

Discalced Carmelite Lay Brother

“

The Practice of the Presence of God emphasizes maintaining a constant, loving conversation with God throughout daily life, rather than relying on complex spiritual exercises.

Brother Lawrence of the Resurrection (1614–1691) was a French Carmelite lay brother famously known for his spiritual classic, The Practice of the Presence of God. Because he spent his life living simply and performing manual tasks like cooking in a Paris monastery, there is no single famous historical portrait painted during his lifetime.

Our Lady Queen of Martyrs

A Gift of the Spirit