We Carmelites, trace our roots and our name to the coastal mountain range in northern Israel overlooking the Mediterranean Sea known as Mount Carmel. There, in the 13th century, a band of pilgrims gathered together to live a simple life of prayer. Their first chapel was dedicated to the Blessed Virgin Mary. They called themselves the Brothers of the Blessed Virgin Mary of Mount Carmel.
A number of Maltese religious have been instrumental in keeping the presence of Carmel alive on this promontory.
The Sisters started in Carmel hundred and twenty five years ago. The gestation was long but today the community is composed of 18 sisters, from 11 different nationalities (one is Maltese!); each of whom brings to the community a «symphony» with her accent, tone, hue and color.
The anniversary of this event was celebrated with solemnity. Pope Francis sent his special blessing.
Earlier in the year, His Eminence Cardinal Leonardo Sandri, Prefect of the Congregation for Oriental Churches, paid a cordial recent visit to our Stella Maris monastery and our Carmelite nuns in Haifa. The Stella Maris community recited the Salve Regina with the Cardinal at the statue of our Blessed Lady of Mount Carmel, entrusting to her maternal care the Church in the Middle East and the work of the Carmelite Fathers serving in the Holy Land.
