OUR CHARISM


We are contemplative handmaids who constantly strive to live a life of allegiance to Jesus Christ and to serve him in humility and faithfulness with a pure heart and a clear conscience. In the spirit of Mary’s openness to the word and her whole hearted response to God, we seek to become bearers of Christ in today’s world through Prayer, Fraternity and Service in humility amidst the people. As contemplatives in action our way of life   is expressed both in its structures and basic values as reflected in the Carmelite Rule of life.

 

SPIRITUALITY

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Our Carmelite Spirituality is centered on the word of God, Eucharist, Prayer and Liturgy. We seek to experience the presence of God in the spirit of Mary and Elijah. We are strengthened in our daily life by self-surrender to God’s will imitating Mary’s response “I’m the handmaid of the Lord let it be done to me according to your word” (Lk 1:38). As Handmaids we find deeper expression in meditating and pondering the word of God, celebrating the Eucharist, praying together and fully participating in the liturgy imitating the Carmelite Saints especially St Therese of the Child Jesus our Patron Saint.This form of life, expressed in the Rule of St Albert, prescribes a life of allegiance to Christ whom we serve with unwavering loyalty with a pure heart and an uptight conscience. In humble obedience we express this way of life today, by being another HAND OF MARY serving the Lord in our communities, in the Church and society in the practice of our diverse apostolates. Our Charism and spirituality encourages us to grow in holiness through silence and solitude following the example of the humble and praying Christ, as we dedicate and commit ourselves to the demands and needs of the church and the suffering today.


COMMUNITY

As Handmaids we follow the gospel way of life in community, and publicly vow to God to follow Christ in a life of Concentrated Chastity, Poverty and Obedience. In this way we surrender ourselves heart and soul to God whom we love above all else and are totally dedicated to his service.

MISSION & PURPOSE

Our mission and purpose is to live a contemplative way of life fully participating in the proclamation and spreading of the message of salvation through the witness of our lives. We live an apostolic life that is imbued with the contemplative spirit inherited from Our Lady of Mt Carmel and the Prophet Elijah. In humble service we work in God’s vineyard waiting and watching for the Lord, teaching, instructing, promoting health and wholeness, furthering community development and pastoral care in accordance with the Carmelite Rule. We strive to give ourselves generously and courageously as women religious whose freedom has been strengthened by obedience in the service of Christ.


Promoting Health and Wholeness

       

Pastoral Care

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Bringing the face of Christ to little ones

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Furthering Community Development

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Education

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FOOTNOTES

Constitutions 1959

Founder’s Letter

 

Handmaids of Our Lady of Mt Carmel (HLMC)
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