Carmelite Sisters of the Divine Heart of Jesus

Mission

We are an international Contemplative/Active Congregation of pontifical rite aggregated to the first Order of Discalced Carmelites. As contemplatives we dedicate ourselves to prayer of reparation to the heart of Jesus and intercession for the needs of the world.

Through our apostolic endeavours we bring God’s love to others through our care for children, the elderly, and the poor and needy.

Charism

Animated by the spirit of Carmel and a burning love for the Sacred heart of Jesus, the Venerable Mother Maria Teresa of Saint Joseph founded the Carmel of the Divine Heart of Jesus in 1891. Born in Sandow (now Poland) she was the eldest child of a Lutheran Minister. At thirty three years of age she entered the Catholic Church and was subsequently faced with family rejection, loss of employment and extreme poverty. lnteriorly guided by God and spurred by compassion she opened her first “Home for the Homeless for poor children in Berlin in 1891.

This humble initiative has blossomed into a world wide network of Carmel DCJ Communities. The Sisters minister in homes for needy children, Day Care Centres, Homes for the Elderly, in Parishes (catechetical teaching), in Retreat Centres, and Mission Centres.

In Canada: At the invitation of Archbishop Neil McNeil, Mother Maria Teresa came to ‘Toronto to work among the immigrants.’

The Sisters established themselves in St. Francis parish in “little Italy” and also opened a residence (1913 -1964) for children in need of care. A Day Care was added in 1920 and continues to serve the needs in the community.

The Carmclitc Sisters DCJ are currently operating three Homes for the Elderly – Mississauga. St.Catharines and Medicine Hat, Alberta as well as supplying personnel and aid to missions in Nigeria and the Cameroon.