This Religious Congregation was founded in Kerala, on 13th February 1866, under the name of Third Order of Carmelites Discalced (TOCD) in the Kerala Church, by Saint Kuriakose Elias Chavara, the then Vicar General of the Syrian Church of Kerala. Rev. Fr. Leopold Beccaro OCD, an Italian Carmelite missionary serving as the Provincial Delegate in Kerala at the time, is revered as the co-founder. The first members were Elishwa Vakayil (Blessed Mother Elishwa), Anna Vakayil, Thresia Vyppissery and Elishwa Puthenangady (Clara).
A significant moment in the congregation’s history occurred with the issuance of Pope Leo XIII’s decree Quod iam pridem on 20 May 1887, which separated the Syrian Church from Latin jurisdiction. The decree that established the vicariates for the Syrians marked a significant turning point in the Congregation’s history. On 18 April 1890, the Holy See transferred the Koonammavu Convent to the Vicariate of Thrissur. As a result, seven Latin-rite sisters from Koonammavu moved to Varappuzha on 17 September 1890, forming an independent community under Latin jurisdiction. Their successors are known today as the Congregation of Teresian Carmelites (CTC).
The congregations belonging to the Syrian Rite grew steadily under four Mother Generals across the dioceses of Thrissur, Ernakulam, Changanacherry, Pala, Kothamangalam, and Thalassery. On 16 November 1963, this congregation was united under one Mother General, and the diocesan units were reorganized as provinces. Later, on 2 March 1967, the congregation was elevated to pontifical status under the name “Congregation of the Mother of Carmel (CMC)”. The charism of the congregation is personal sanctity and the redemptive uplift of the people of God, especially women and children, through a harmonious integration of contemplation and action. Its essence is: “To become holy and to lead others to holiness.”
Founded in Kerala to promote the spiritual, material, and vocational uplift of ordinary people, particularly women and children who were denied education in those times, the congregation now enters its 160th year of God’s grace. Today, 6000 sisters, organized into 25 provinces and 4 regions, serve across Asia, Africa, Europe, North America, South America, and Oceania, continuing to respond faithfully to Christ’s command: “Go into the whole world and preach the Gospel to all creation.” With courageous dedication, they shine as bearers of the Gospel’s light, meeting every challenge with resilience, while 343 new members, inspired by the congregation’s enduring spiritual vitality, are presently undergoing formation for devoted service.
November 23, 2014, remains a day engraved in golden letters in the history of the CMC, marking the momentous canonization of Saint Kuriakose Elias Chavara, the congregation’s founder and Saint Euphrasia, its cherished member, both raised to the honors of sainthood for their exemplary lives of holiness. The life example of Mother Elishwa who was elevated to the rank of blessed and the servant of God Mother Mary Celine, ones as a realization of the desire of Saint Kuriakose Elias Chavara that the Kerala Church be enriched with saints, is worthy of imitation.
The principal apostolates include Christian Formation, Education, Healing Ministry, Social Uplift and Media Apostolate. Rooted in the ancient cultural heritage of India, inheriting the St. Thomas Christian tradition and flourishing as a Carmelite religious family, the CMC continues to glorify God through its life of service anchored in God’s providence, faithfully preserving its original spirit and remaining true to its identity and mission.
