Carmelites of Mary Immaculate

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Carmelites of Mary Immaculate
Congregatio Fratrum Carmelitarum Beatae Virginis Mariae Immaculatae
AbbreviationCMI
Formation11 May 1831
(193 years ago) (1831-05-11)
Founders
  • Thomas Palackal, CMI
  • Kuriakose Elias Chavara, CMI
  • Thomas Porukara, CMI
TypeClerical religious congregation of pontifical right for men
HeadquartersSt. Joseph's, Monastery Road, Kochi, Kerala, India[1]
Membership
2,692 members (includes 2,007 priests) as of 2020[2]
Prior General
Fr. Thomas Chathamparampil, C.M.I.
Parent organization
Syro-Malabar Catholic Church.
Websitecmi.org.in
Formerly called
Servants of Mary Immaculate
(Malayalam: അമലോത്ഭവ ദാസ സംഘം)
[3]

The Carmelites of Mary Immaculate (Latin: Congregatio Fratrum Carmelitarum Beatae Virginis Mariae Immaculatae) abbreviated CMI, formerly also known as the Servants of Mary Immaculate (Malayalam: അമലോത്ഭവ ദാസ സംഘം), is a Catholic clerical religious congregation of pontifical right for men of the Syro-Malabar Catholic Church,[4] and is the largest such congregation in the Syro-Malabar Church.

It was founded on 11 May 1831, by Indian priests Thomas Palackal, Thomas Porukara, and Kuriakose Elias Chavara who were priests of the Apostolic Church of Saint Thomas Christians in India.[5] Brother Jacob Kanianthara was inspired by the vision of the founding fathers and served them in the foundation of the congregation.[6] The core charism of congregation is contemplata et aliis tradere (to share with others the fruits of contemplation).[7] The Identity and heritage of the Congregation is reflected in its triple roots of spirituality namely Indian, Eastern and Carmelite. The Congregation is involved in pastoral works consisting of teaching at all levels, taking care of aged and sick, apostolate of press, running several mission dioceses both in India and abroad.[8]

The original vision of the founders was to begin a House of Vision (ദർശന വീട്) for priests rooted in Christian and Indian spirituality by combining contemplation and service, especially spiritual guidance with sannyasic elements.[9] It was based on their understanding that "a lot of good had not been done due to the absence of a House of Contemplation (തപസ് ഭവനം ) and a House of Vision (ദർശന വീട്)."[10] The influence of the Vicar Apostolic of Verapoly, who was a Carmelite resulted in the orientation towards Carmelite order and spirituality. The Congregation was affiliated to the Carmelite Order as a Religious Congregation of the Oriental Rite and assumed the name Third Order of Carmelites Discalced in 1860. Pontifical status was granted in 1885. The Congregation changed its name to Carmelites of Mary Immaculate in 1958. The Congregation was given Pontifical Exemption in 1967.[citation needed]

As of 2020, the Congregation has 2,692 members with 1 Archbishop, 7 Bishops, 2007 priests. Associates of CMI (ACMI) support the missionary activities of the congregation in different ways.[11]

  1. ^ http://www.gcatholic.org/orders/042. htm
  2. ^ http://www.gcatholic.org/orders/042. htm
  3. ^ http://www.gcatholic.org/order/042.htm [dead link]
  4. ^ htm "Carmelites of Mary Immaculate (C.M.I.)". GCatholic. Retrieved 22 November 2021. {{cite web}}: Check |url= value (help)
  5. ^ "CMI at a Glance".
  6. ^ cmicarmel.org/History.aspx "CMI History". {{cite web}}: Check |url= value (help)
  7. ^ "CMI". Kerala Conference of Major Superiors (KCMS). 2 May 2011. Retrieved 14 February 2019.
  8. ^ speeches/1974/documents/hf_p-vi_spe_19740320_carmelitani-india.html "To Carmelites of Mary Immaculate, 20 March 1974 | Paul VI". w2.vatican.va. Retrieved 10 October 2018. {{cite web}}: Check |url= value (help)
  9. ^ Schaeffer, Mary M. "India: Christian" in Encyclopedia of Monasticism edited by William M. Johnston, Pg. 640. Routledge Publishing, 2000.
  10. ^ [http:// cmibijnor.org/?page_id=149 "CMI History"]. Retrieved 15 October 2018. {{cite web}}: Check |url= value (help)
  11. ^ http://www.gcatholic.org/orders/042. htm