ARCHIVES OF THE ORDER
The principal archives of the Carmelite Order are located in Rome at St Albert’s International Centre (CISA). This preserves the documentation of the General Curia and is open to scholars of local and international religious history and promotes various research activities and events.
It was established in 1593 by the Prior General Giovanni Stefano Chizzola. Before that date, Priors General normally resided in the Province from which they came and the archive moved around without a permanent home. Of the material prior to 1593, there are parchments dating from the 12th century, as well as a small group of documents ascribable to the 13th. However, a large part of the material resulting from the activity of the Prior General and his Council before 1593 has been lost.
For the documents before 1935 please contact the archivist of the historical section of the General Archive, Father Mario Alfarano, OCarm (This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.). The archivist of the General Curia is Father Alexander Vella OCarm.
Archivum Generale Ordinis Carmelitarum (Rome)
via Sforza Pallavicini 10, Roma
CARMELITE RESEARCH LIBRARIES
While each Carmelite house has its own library, there are several major research libraries with Carmelite material throughout the Order. Some of these have online catalogues.
The principal library of the Carmelite Order is located in Rome. It is situated at in St Albert’s International Centre (CISA) and contains over 22,000 titles and over 400 periodical titles from both the Ancient Observance and the Teresian (Discalced) branches of Carmelites. A research library of Carmelite printed material dating from the late 15th century to the present. There is also a selection of microfilms and microfiches. The library is available for scholars of the Carmelite history and spirituality. Access is by previous appointment with the librarian.
Rome (Italy)
Carmelite Library
Centro Internazionale Sant’ Alberto (CISA), Via Sforza Pallavicini, 10
Details of these the other major research libraries in the Carmelite Order can be found below.
Melbourne (Australia)
214 Richardson Street, Middle Park, Victoria.
- https://www.carmelitelibrary.org/
(Online catalogue available)
Aylesford (Britain)
The Friars, Maidstone, Aylesford, Kent.
Nantes (France)
Notre Dame de Lumières, Allèe Titus Brandsma, Nantes.
Mainz (Germany)
Bibliothek, Karmeliterstraße 7, Mainz.
- https://karmeliten.de/angebote/bibliothek_und_archiv/index.html
(Online catalogue available)
Malang (Indonesia)
Indonesian Carmelite Library, Jl. Talang 3, Malang 65112
- http://www.perpustakaankarmelindo.org/index.php?p=libinfo
(Online catalogue available)
Dublin (Ireland)
Gort Muire Centre, Ballinteer, Dublin 16.
- http://www.carmelites.ie/carmelitelibrary.html
(Online catalogue available)
Boxmeer (Netherlands)
Karmel, Steenstraat 39, Boxmeer
- http://www.carmeliteinstitute.nl/
(Online catalogue available)
Quezon City (Philippines)
Institute of Spirituality in Asia, 28 Acacia St., New Manila, 1112 Quezon City.
Krakow (Poland)
Klasztor OO. Karmelitów, ul. Karmelicka, 19, 31-131 Kraków.
Washington, District of Columbia (USA)
Whitefriars Hall, 1600 Webster Street, N.E., Washington, D.C. 20017
MUSEUMS
Carmelites have several museums around the Order in which objects of artistic and cultural significance for Carmel are displayed for public viewing. These help visitors to grow in an understanding of our Carmelite heritage and tradition in order to encourage reflection and personal growth. They assist in keeping our Carmelite cultural and spiritual traditions alive and nourished.
Information on some of the major Carmelite museums around the Order can be found below.
Krakow (Poland)
Klasztor OO. Karmelitów, ul. Karmelicka, 19, 31-131 Kraków.
Darien, Illinois (USA)
National Shrine & Museum of St. Therese
8501 Bailey Road, Darien, IL 60561
