Happy International Women’s Day!

We give thanks for all women who have nurtured and nourished the world in so many different ways across the centuries. We pray for all those who experience discrimination, fear and violence. Inspired by the example of Carmelite women may we work for justice, peace, healing and equality for the women of the world.

On 14 June Brs Frangelino Ximenes, Julião Dos Santos, David Soares, Estevão De Deus Gomes and Francisco Xavier Martins will make their profession of Solemn Vows (life-long commitment) in the Carmelites. The Profession Mass will be held in our community at Hera with Fr Bruce Clark (Prior Provincial) presiding.

"The beauty of today's feast is that we celebrate someone who can teach us to wonder, to reflect, to learn from experience and to stop and ponder in our hearts all that happens to us," said Fr Hugh Brown during mass celebrating the Feast of Our Lady of Mt Carmel yesterday.

Carmelites, Lay Carmelites, parishioners, friends and supporters gathered at the National Shrine of Our Lady of Mt Carmel yesterday to celebrate her feast. Fr Paul Cahill (Prior Provincial) was the presider and Fr Hugh Brown gave the homily. During the mass Emily and Michael Rudov made their First Profession as Lay Carmelites and Michele Coughlan made her Final Profession.

The Carmelites warmly invite you to celebrate the Solemnity of Our Lady of Mount Carmel with Mass at 10.30am on Sunday 17 July at the National Shrine of Our Lady of Mount Carmel, 210 Richardson Street (cnr Wright St), Middle Park.

You can send the names of any mothers, living or deceased, you would like remembered in the Mass to: The Carmelites, 75 Wright Street, Middle Park, Vic 3206 or phone (03) 9690 8822 or by email to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Today we celebrate the Solemnity of Our Lady of Mount Carmel. From the earliest days of the Order's beginnings, Mary has held a special place in the lives of Carmelites. Mary embodies everything that we hope for - to enter into an intimate relationship with Christ, being totally open to God's will and having our lives transformed by the Word of God. Like Mary, we too want to listen so deeply to the Word of God that he becomes flesh in us. pdf Read the letter of the Prior General for the Feast.  Watch the video.

Happy feast day to all members of our Carmelite Family!

A large crowd gathered at the National Shrine of Our Lady of Mount Carmel, Middle Park (VIC) for our annual Mothers’ Mass on 14 July. The Mass, in honour of Our Lady of Mount Carmel, is celebrated for all mothers, living and deceased.

Carmelite Friars, Nuns, Lay Carmelites, parishioners, friends and supporters gathered for the Mass celebrated by Fr Paul Cahill (Prior Provincial). The names of nearly 4,000 mothers were included in the Mass.

More photos | Video

Today we celebrate the Solemnity of Our lady of Mount Carmel. From the earliest days of the Order's beginnings, Mary has held a special place in the lives of Carmelites.

Mary embodies everything that we hope for - to enter into an intimate relationship with Christ, being totally open to God's will and having our lives transformed by the Word of God. Like Mary, we too want to listen so deeply to the Word of God that he becomes flesh in us.

Happy feast day to all members of our Carmelite Family!

Today is the Solemnity of Our Lady of Mt Carmel, the Carmelites' principal feast day.

The first hermits on Mount Carmel built a church in the middle of their cells which was the centre of their lives where they gathered each day to pray and celebrate Mass together.

They named their church in honour of Our Lady, taking her as their patroness, promising her their faithful service and expecting her protection and favour.

That's why Carmelite friars are officially known as the "Brothers of the Blessed Virgin Mary of Mount Carmel".

“Carmelites see in Mary the perfect image of all that we want and hope to be as the brothers and sisters of her Son.” (Carmelite Constitutions)

Read the Prior General's letter for the feast day here.