About the Order of Carmelites:
The Order of the Brothers of Our Lady of Mount Carmel or Carmelites (sometimes simply Carmel by synecdoche; Latin: Ordo Fratrum Beatissimæ Virginis Mariæ de Monte Carmelo) is a Catholic religious order perhaps founded in the 12th century on Mount Carmel, hence its name. However, historical records about its origin remain uncertain. Saint Bertold has traditionally been associated with the founding of the order, but few clear records of early Carmelite history have survived and this is likely to be a later extrapolation by hagiographers.
Carmelites in the Philippines
History:
In 1957, the Dutch Prior Provincial, Fr. Brocardus Meyer together with Fr. Richard Vissers journeyed to the Philippines looking for possibilities to start the Order here and to assist the Church in the Philippines. Moreover, there are also indications that the Order had planned a possible support center in the Pacific Region in the event the Dutch Carmelites were forced to leave Indonesia.A number of invitations were received from the dioceses of Sorsogon, Cebu, Tuguegarao and Dumaguete. The Order accepted the invitation from Bishop EpifanioSurban of Dumaguete to take the most northern part of the Diocese of Dumaguete in Negros Island.
The 2nd general commissariat chapter and the grand celebration of the golden jubilee of Carmel Philippines were celebrated in February 2008 in Agusandel Sur, Mindanao. On October 15, 2008, the first three (3) Filipino Carmelites– Perfecto Adeva, ReynoldCaigoy and Edwin Magbago left for the Diocese of Bereina, Papua New Guinea (PNG) to start O.Carm. presence in the Oceania continent with the support of the General Curia. During the World Mission Sunday, on October 19, 2008, O.Carm.friars were welcomed and installed in Kubona, Diocese of Bereina, in Papua New Guinea by Bishop Rochus J. Tatamai, MSC of Bereina, with the clergy and the parishioners of Kubona mission territories. Hence, the Philippine Carmel General Commissariat of Blessed Titus Brandsma gave realization to O.Carm. Papua New Guinea.
Mission:
+ To live : prophetic and contemplative brotherhood and sisterhood, challenged by the
lives of Elijah and Mary: unmasking idols, denouncing injustices, promoting life, and serving the people.
+ To offer : services basically to the poor and marginalized in fellowship with all the partners in our parish apostolate, schools, media, BCC and sectoral programs (cf. VMS 1991)
+ To create : venues to make our Carmel Tradition and charism a source of life within the Filipino struggle (cf. VMS 1991).
http://www.ocarm.ph/?page_id=33
