"In the heart of suffering, we find the gentle whisper of God’s presence." As Carmelites, we are called to a life of prayer, contemplation, and compassion, walking alongside those who suffer, as Mary, Our Lady of Mount Carmel, did at the foot of the Cross.

Join Us in the Year of Jubilee 2025!

The Carmelites of Australia and Timor-Leste are excited to embrace the call of Pope Francis as we celebrate the Year of Jubilee 2025, a time for renewal, hope, and unity in faith. This extraordinary year, guided by the theme “Pilgrims of Hope”, reminds us of the enduring power of Christ's love in a world yearning for peace.

“Hope and Act with Creation” is the theme of the World Day of Prayer for the Care of Creation, to be held on 1 September 2024. The theme is drawn from Saint Paul’s Letter to the Romans (8:19-25), where the Apostle explains what it means for us to live according to the Spirit and focuses on the sure hope of salvation that is born of faith, namely, newness of life in Christ. 

We are honoured to be participating at this year’s Ignite Conference being held in Brisbane, Australia. We join over 1500 delegates gathered in faith! Representing the Carmelite family, Fr. Matthew Tonini OCarm, alongside Fr. Adalbert Imperial OCD, have set up a special Carmelite space. This is a sacred opportunity for us to share our Carmelite charism—rooted in contemplation, prayer, community, and service.

Dear Children!

Your first World Day, which will be held in Rome on 25-26 May this year, is fast approaching. That is why I thought of sending you a Message. I am happy that you will be able to read it and I thank all those responsible for passing it on to you.

I want to speak to each of you, dear children, because, as the Bible teaches us, and as Jesus showed so often, “you are precious” in God’s eyes (Is 43:4).

Happy International Women’s Day!

We give thanks for all women who have nurtured and nourished the world in so many different ways across the centuries. We pray for all those who experience discrimination, fear and violence. Inspired by the example of Carmelite women may we work for justice, peace, healing and equality for the women of the world.

Another attempt to trap Jesus is contained in the Gospel this Sunday. Opinions and arguments about which was the greatest commandment were common among the Pharisees and questions about it were frequently asked of rabbis. Clearly, those who asked this question of Jesus were trying to disconcert or ‘wrong foot’ Jesus in an attempt to discredit him with his reply.

Pope Francis has called Friday 27 October a day of fasting, prayer and penance.

"Dear brothers and sisters, our thoughts turn to Palestine and Israel. The number of victims is rising and the situation in Gaza is desperate.

What is on display in this story from Matthew’s Gospel is not Jesus’ clever reply, but the image of God he presents.

Pope Francis has published an Apostolic Exhortation building on his 2015 encyclical. We’re not reacting enough, he says, we’re close to breaking point. He criticises climate change deniers, saying that the human origin of global warming is now beyond doubt. And he describes how care for our common home flows from the Christian faith.

“’Praise God’ is the title of this letter. For when human beings claim to take God’s place, they become their own worst enemies.”