The Order of Carmelites originated in 13th century Palestine, on Mount Carmel, where the Order of the Brothers of the Blessed Virgin Mary was established. The order received the name Carmelites after their place of origin. The Carmelites arrived in Europe in 1238. The first monasteries outside of the Holy Land were built in Sicily, England and Southern France. The 16th century is the time of restoration and reform for the Order of Carmelites. The main goal of the reform was to return to their source - lives led by the hermits on the slopes of Mount Carmel. The first Discalded Carmelite monastery was founded by the Carmelite nun Teresa, now known as Teresa of Ávila. During a relatively short period Teresa of Ávila founded 17 monasteries in Spain. The Carmelite monastery reform took place not just in Spain but also Italy, France, and Belgium. Currently the Order of Discalced Carmelites is present in 81 countries, including Latvia.
The Discalded Carmelite sisters live in closure, asceticism and poverty, praying especially for the nation among which they live. They earn their livelihood working by hand, as well as baking Hostia. The sisters live day and night praying for the Church and the world. According to the Carmelite regulations, a community can have no more than 21 nuns, since every community lives as a family.
The main mission of the Discalded Carmelites is prayer. The sisters live isolated from the world. They spend 7 hours a day in prayer, work and use their lives to show the love of Christ and his coming. Sisters pray for all of Church, but especially for priests and servants of God.
Their whole day is arranged for prayer, uniting the soul to God and being in His presence. That is why the sisters spend their days and nights in silence, except for an hour after lunch and dinner, that is dedicated to everyday recreation, which is the time when the sisters get together to freely talk while making handicrafts.
The agenda dictates that 5:00-22:00 is time for prayers and work. Every sister has to work for the community.
The aspiring Discalded Carmelites have to be people of prayer that pursue love and distance from the world. They have to have a good sense of responsibility and be able to live in the close isolated nun community. One can join from age 18, but it's encouraged to have completed standard education and acquired a profession. A sister who has joined a community rarely ever leaves for another.
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