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     Welcome to the Carmel of Eldridge Iowa, a Catholic Women's Religious Contemplative Community living in the tradition of the Carmelite Order.

      The Order of Carmel was founded in the 13th century by a group of praying hermits on Mt. Carmel in Palestine. This religious movement has given birth to such outstanding people as Teresa of Jesus (Avila), John of the Cross, Therese of Lisieux, Titus Brandsma and Edith Stein.

      Residing now in Eldridge Iowa, in the Heartland of America, we are a group of 10 women, whose chief ministry is that of a life of prayer.

      Living in close community and guided by a constantly renewed global vision, we offer the world an alternative vision and a way of life which calls for much personal transformation.

      In a style which is contemporary, we consider it our task to heal the split between deeply human values and a culture which often does not give a home to these values.