The Teresian Charism consists foremost in the striving for union with God through a way of life in which prayer - foremost contemplative prayer and apostolic service in the church blends in harmonious accord.

Prayer and work shall constitute a harmonious whole; we take God into our every day's activity and we refer everything to Him.  In Carmel, contemplation interior prayers is of great importance.

"A Carmelite Sister, D.C.J. must be a religious after the Heart of God, namely a real Bride of the Crucified Savior."  (Mother Foundress)


We are Carmelite Sisters of the Divine Heart of Jesus.  A papal Congregation affiliated with the First Order of Carmel.  As women religious we are resolved to serve God, the Church, and our neighbor by means of the Apostolate of Prayer and Atonement, and of active Charity.  Since its very origin, our Congregation has been formed by the Spirit of Carmel, of St. Teresa of Avila and of our Foundress.  The Charism of Carmel consists foremost in the Marian Character of all those who profess allegiance to Carmel.  Carmel is Mary's Order and we venerate her as our Mother and Queen.
Our Lady of Mount Carmel
From the very beginning, the Congregation of the Carmelite Sisters of the Divine Heart of Jesus was inspired by the Rule and Spirit of the Carmel of St. Teresa of Jesus and of its own Foundress, Blessed Maria Teresa of St. Joseph.  As a Carmelite we Venerate Mary as our Queen and Mother. For us she is the prototype of faith and the ideal of the most intimate union with Christ. Our Teresian charisma consist of a way of life in which prayer and apostolic service in the Church blend harmoniously. Following the example of Saint Teresa of Jesus, Saint Therese of the Child of Jesus, and Our Dear Mother Maria Teresa of Saint Joseph, we regard prayer, particularly for priest as a sacred duty required by our special mission among the people of God. In the spirit of our Mother Foundress, we strive by means of adoration before the Blessed Sacrament to reparation to the loving Heart of Jesus for unbelief, especially for man's denial of His Divinity.
"DAY AND NIGHT YOU SHALL MEDITATE UPON
THE LAW OF THE LORD AND WATCH IN PRAYER"
  Carmelite Sisters
  of the
              Divine Heart of Jesus                  
  Southwest Province