About us

The Discalced Carmelite Friars

The Discalced Carmelites find their origin in the 16th century reform of St Teresa of Jesus while the heritage of Carmel dates back to a much earlier time. Today, the Discalced Carmelites are located throughout the world, living a life of allegiance to Jesus Christ and answring the call to contemplation. The friars in particular, are also called to carry out the works of the active apostolate.

Our presence in the region began in the 80s and today, finds itself flourishing in Singapore, Thailand, and Malaysia. True to its charism, the friars live a life of prayer while balancing the pastoral needs of souls entrusted to their care. As such, the friars are involved in managing parishes, providing spiritual direction and spiritual conferences, giving retreats, as well as promoting the spirituality of Carmel.

Our Saints

The Discalced Carmelite Order has a rich tradition of saints who have lived out the spirituality and charism of the order with great fervor and dedication. These saints, both men and women, have left a lasting impact on the Church and on the world through their lives of prayer, contemplation, and service. Some of the most famous Discalced Carmelite saints include St. Teresa of Avila, St. John of the Cross, St. Thérèse of Lisieux, and St. Elizabeth of the Trinity. These saints have left a powerful legacy of spiritual wisdom and guidance that continues to inspire and challenge people of all backgrounds and walks of life to deepen their relationship with God and strive for greater holiness. Their lives and writings are a testament to the beauty and richness of the Discalced Carmelite tradition.

St Teresa of Ávila

St. Teresa of Avila is one of the most prominent figures in the history of the Catholic Church and the Discalced Carmelite Order. Born in Avila, Spain, in 1515, she was a mystic, writer, and reformer who left a lasting legacy of spiritual wisdom and insight. At the age of 20, she entered the Carmelite convent of the Incarnation, where she began to experience profound spiritual visions and experiences. In the following years, she founded several monasteries of Discalced Carmelite nuns and wrote extensively about her spiritual journey, including her masterpiece, "The Interior Castle." St. Teresa's writings and teachings have had a profound impact on the Church and on countless individuals seeking a deeper relationship with God.

St John of the Cross

St. John of the Cross was a Spanish mystic, poet, and Carmelite friar who lived in the 16th century. He is considered one of the most important figures of the Counter-Reformation and a significant contributor to Spanish literature. His spiritual writings, including "The Dark Night of the Soul" and "The Ascent of Mount Carmel," offer profound insights into the nature of God and the soul's journey towards union with Him. St. John of the Cross was a key figure in the reform of the Carmelite Order, along with St. Teresa of Avila, and he played a major role in establishing the Discalced Carmelites. Despite facing great opposition and persecution during his life, St. John of the Cross remained steadfast in his commitment to his faith and left a lasting legacy of spiritual depth and insight that continues to inspire and challenge believers today.

St Thérèse of Lisieux

St. Thérèse of Lisieux, also known as "The Little Flower," was a French Carmelite nun who lived in the late 19th century. She is widely recognized as one of the most beloved saints in the history of the Church and is known for her "Little Way," a spirituality of simplicity and childlike trust in God. Despite living a short life, she left a lasting impact through her writings, including her autobiography, "Story of a Soul," which has been translated into numerous languages. St. Thérèse's devotion to God and her willingness to offer even the smallest actions in love inspired many to embrace a deeper spiritual life. She was declared a Doctor of the Church in 1997, making her the youngest person and the third woman to receive this honor.

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St Elizabeth of the Trinity

St. Elizabeth of the Trinity was a French Discalced Carmelite nun who lived in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. She is known for her profound spirituality and writings on the indwelling of the Holy Trinity in the soul. She entered the Carmelite convent of Dijon at the age of 21 and spent the remainder of her short life in prayer, contemplation, and service to her sisters in the convent. St. Elizabeth's spiritual writings, including her "Prayer to the Trinity," continue to inspire and guide individuals seeking a deeper relationship with God. She was canonized by Pope Francis in 2016 and is celebrated for her deep union and devotion to the Holy Trinity.

St Teresa Benedicta of the Cross

St. Edith Stein, also known as St. Teresa Benedicta of the Cross, was a German Jewish philosopher and Carmelite nun who lived in the 20th century. She was born into a Jewish family but later converted to Catholicism after encountering the works of St. Teresa of Avila. She entered the Carmelite convent of Cologne in 1933 and spent the remainder of her life in prayer and contemplation. St. Edith Stein was a prolific writer and philosopher, and her works on phenomenology and theology continue to be studied and admired. She was arrested by the Nazis in 1942 and died in Auschwitz-Birkenau later that year, offering her life in union with Christ for the salvation of her people. She was canonized by Pope John Paul II in 1998 and is celebrated for her deep faith, her intellectual contributions, and her witness to the power of love and sacrifice in the face of evil.

Martyrs of Compiènge

The Martyrs of Compiègne were a group of sixteen Carmelite nuns who were executed during the French Revolution in 1794 for refusing to renounce their religious vows. They belonged to the Carmel of Compiègne, a monastery in northern France that had been seized by the government as part of its campaign to suppress the Catholic Church. The nuns refused to comply with the government's demands that they abandon their religious life and take an oath of loyalty to the French Revolution. Despite facing imprisonment, torture, and ultimately death by the guillotine, the sisters remained steadfast in their commitment to their faith and to their community. Their witness to Christ's love and their courage in the face of persecution continue to inspire believers around the world. In 1906, they were beatified by Pope St. Pius X, and in 1954, they were canonized by Pope Pius XII.