The Carmelite Fathers of Immaculate Mary were founded 1855 in the Vicariate of Verapoly. The congregation was started as an inspiration of three Syro-Malabar rite priests.
Today the congregation has more than 3,000 members active in pastoral service, education and charitable works. About half of them work abroad.
The Carmelite Fathers of Immaculate Mary lead a life of intense prayer giving priority to priestly spirituality. They give retreats and formation courses for clergy all over the southern state of Kerala.
Congratulating the congregation, the papal nuncio to India, Archbishop Pedro López Quintana, described the Carmelites of Immaculate Mary as «a reflection of the Church in India.»
«Your social service has been part of the life of the Church in Kerala, particularly in the fields of education, formation for the clergy and works of apostolate,» he said, encouraging them to «continue to serve the Church in an inimitable manner.»
