The order of Carmel was born between the end of the 12th and the beginning of the 13th century. Coming from Europe to conquer the Holy Places, these men – pilgrims and crusaders – ended up abandoning “the glory of this world” to settle, at the school of Elijah and in his spiritual dependence, on Mount Carmel , precisely near the source of Elie.

After a time of informal common life, they asked, between 1206 and 1214, from Saint Albert, then Patriarch of Jerusalem, a “formula of life” which would confirm through the voice of the Church what they were already living under the motion of the Holy Spirit; this “formula of life” will soon be recognized by the Church as the Rule of Carmel. By building a small church dedicated to the Mother of God, they therefore chose her as their Lady and Patroness, loving to call themselves