With their whole hearts, our Carmelite students dedicate themselves to serve you, your loved ones and community. Be part of their journey, support our future spiritual leaders.
Finding hope, changing lives: Anacleto’s story
One of our Carmelite students, Anacleto Guterres da Costa, has recently been ordained as a Deacon. His journey began in heartbreak, with the loss of his family and his early years spent in an orphanage. Yet, through resilience and faith, Anacleto has defied the odds and is now well on his way to becoming a Carmelite priest.
Reflecting on his experience, Anacleto shares:
“As I grew up, I learned to accept the reality of what happened to me, and step by step, I became aware that God has never abandoned me. In the orphanage, the Carmelite sisters loved me as if I were their son. They provided everything I needed throughout my childhood and guided me to become a good man. The Carmelites nurtured me, not just spiritually, but by their constant presence."
Thanks to the generosity of donors like you, young Timorese people like Anacleto have been given hope and a pathway to change their lives and serve their communities. Your support enables us to train the next generation of Carmelite priests, who will go on to serve in Timor-Leste, Australia, and around the world.
“My dream is to be a priest, also to be a Carmelite Priest. This is my dream. Since I was in the orphanage, although I was still young, I remember I said, 'One day I will be the Pope and my brother will be a bishop!"
Br Anacleto Guterres da Costa, O.Carm
The Carmelites - Australia and East Timor
We support people from all walks of life who have suffered both emotional and physical loss. We empower them to embrace a fulfilling life for themselves, their neighbours and their communities.
In Australia we offer programs and services which help people facing social, economic and life challenges. Through places of reflection such as the Carmelite Library, Carmelite Centre and Sancta Sophia Retreat Centre we offer people pastoral care helping to restore their faith.
In East Timor we work alongside people both in spiritual and practical ways to help overcome past hurt, restore dignity and bring them out of poverty. Through friendships formed we empower the Timorese people to rebuild their communities.
To make a donation please contact:
Fundraising Development
The Carmelites Australia & Timor-Leste
75 Wright Street, Middle Park VIC 3206
Phone:+61 3 9690 8822
E-mail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Read our Privacy Statement here
Carmelite Formation Fund
Our East Timorese and Australian students are at various stages of their Carmelite education. Each student has made a deep and personal commitment to study to become a Carmelite priest or brother. With your help these Carmelite formation students will make a valuable difference to their communities and to the people of East Timor and Australia. It costs $50,000 a year to feed, clothe, house and educate a young Carmelite student in Australia.
Become an East Timor Mission Partner
You can become an East Timor Mission Partner bringing hope and freedom to the people of East Timor.
You can help transform the lives of people like Gloria, Lucinda and Sabino by providing health care, food, clothing, books and an education.
Sabino
Sabino, 20, is in Year 12 at high school in Zumalai. He lives in the Carmelite boarding house – here he has a place to live and study, food to eat, school books and uniform. Sabino wants to study English and computer skills when he finishes high school.
"The Carmelites teach us to pay attention to our studies and show us we need to be grateful for this experience by praying to God and sharing in daily prayer with the Carmelites' he says. He doesn't want to fail.
Sabino is very aware that as the oldest male in his family (his father died in 2009) he must study hard so he can get a good job to look after his mother, 10 brothers and sisters.
Then there's Gloria, who showed courage and initiative in asking The Carmelites for help.
Lucinda is too ill to look after Louis, her 18 month old son. She has asked the Carmelites to find a family who will care for him. She hopes her son never experiences poverty. In order to grow up well, Louis will need lots of love, nutritious food, safe drinking water, vaccines to help build up his immune system and an education so he can eventually find work. For the next 18 years Louis will depend on caring people like you to help him grow up and break free from poverty.To make a donation please contact:
Fundraising Development
The Carmelites Australia & Timor-Leste
75 Wright Street, Middle Park VIC 3206
Phone:+61 3 9690 8822
E-mail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Read our Privacy Statement here
Remember The Carmelites in your Will
Leaving a Gift in your Will is a personal choice of great importance. It’s a generous gesture that will reflect your faith, beliefs and values well into the future.
By leaving a gift to The Carmelites in your Will, your legacy can create a future of possibilities. Whether it is training young men to become priests, and equipping them to become leaders of their communities, or providing young Timorese people with hope for a better future through education, your gift will sustain our work and transform lives.
To find out more about leaving a gift in your Will to The Carmelites pdf download our Gifts in Wills booklet.
You can also contact us on 03 9690 8822 or at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
Carmelite Prayer Cards
A selection of prayer cards for different occasions is now available.
These cards not only convey your care and concern for those in need. They also let you include those you love in the masses and prayers of the Carmelites.
Cards are available for:
- sympathy for those who have lost a loved one
- healing & peace for those who are ill
- spiritual support for those in physical or emotional stress
- special occasions such as birthdays and anniversaries
- prayerful wishes for any occasion
Together we can engage lives, restore people’s faith
and transform communities.
Help us bring HOPE to the lives of people who need it the most both in Australia and East Timor. Together we can engage lives, restore people’s faith and transform communities.
Help children get the best start in life.
Give HOPE to the Children of East Timor.
Together we have the opportunity to make a difference to young East Timorese children and empower them with something most of us take for granted … an EDUCATION and a chance to finally break the cycle of poverty.
With over 8,400 young people under the age of 17. In Zumalai our education programs will help stop children falling through the cracks. Your gift will give HOPE and FREEDOM to the Children of Zumalai, East Timor through these projects:
- Building three new classrooms at a village primary school to cater for increased demand.
- Erecting a new boarding house to accommodate 15-20 children from outlying villages so they can attend school.
- Providing 10 Tertiary Scholarships so young adults can attend technical college or university in Dili and Indonesia.
We need to raise $130,000 to funds these projects. Help children achieve their dreams and change the course of their lives by equipping them with a sound foundation.
To make a donation please contact:
Fundraising Development
The Carmelites Australia & Timor-Leste
75 Wright Street, Middle Park VIC 3206
Phone:+61 3 9690 8822
E-mail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Read our Privacy Statement here
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