Main Stream: Carmelites

The charism of the Carmelites centers on seeking the loving presence of God through prayer, contemplation, and community life, inspired especially by the prophetic witness of Elijah and the example of Mary, Mother of the Lord. Carmelites strive to grow in union with God and to reflect his presence around them, living simply and deeply rooted in prayer while accompanying others in their spiritual journeys. Their life expresses a balance of contemplation and apostolic service, with a strong emphasis on interior union with Christ within a community of brothers.

The Carmelite Order was founded on Mount Carmel in Israel (Palestine). Alberto Avogadro, Patriarch of Jerusalem between 1206 and 1214, gave the Latin monks living on Mount Carmel a rule of life. This rule was approved by Pope Honorius III on January 30, 1226, and later confirmed by other Popes. In Tanzania, the Carmelite Order (O. Carm) was officially established in 2009 following efforts that began in 1988, when a group of young people from Tanzania went to Italy for monastic formation and studies in philosophy and theology.

Order of Carmelites – Tanzania (O.Carm.) Email: carmelitestz@gmail.com Address: P.O. Box 14328, Bunju “A”, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania Cell: +255 763 941 733 General Curia of the Order of Carmelites (Rome) — for broader queries and connections to regional vocation directors Email: seggen@ocarm.org Address: Via Giovanni Lanza, 138, 00184 Rome, Italy General Councillor for Africa: mhepoconrad@gmail.com