Preamble

Vatican Council II called the Church to new life in service of the Kingdom of God in our modern world. All of the baptized, centered in Christ and strengthened by God's word and sacrament, form one community of faith, hope and love. To all who would lead and serve within the Church, there is a challenge to witness to the holiness of God's gracious and loving presence amongst us.

Within this ecclesial setting, the Carmelite community offers a specified response, a spirituality if you will, to help God's people meet the demand for a holy way of life in the midst of an ambivalent and pluralistic world. The Carmelite tradition has served the Church and the world with charisms centered on prayer, community and service. Its prophetic and Marian heritage has enkindled new life in every age.

These Statutes are offered as a synopsis of that tradition and as a fundamental direction in our time for all called to Carmel.