In harmony with the broader community, and with a special affinity for the underprivileged, the Carmelite Sisters engage in various endeavors to sustain themselves. Their craftsmanship ranges from producing altar breads for Mass to sewing, card-making, and other artisanal activities. Their daily routine mirrors that of Mary in Nazareth, encompassing household tasks like cooking, housekeeping, and laundry. Amidst an ambiance of serenity and solitude, they execute their duties with dedication, always placing their faith in the divine Providence.
Tracing back to around 1209, the Carmelite lineage began with hermits congregating on Mount Carmel's slopes in the Holy Land. Drawing inspiration from the prophet Elijah, they were christened the Brothers of 'St. Mary of Mount Carmel'. St. Albert, the Patriarch of Jerusalem, bestowed upon them a 'Rule of life', encapsulating the essence of prayer, solitude, work, and communal living, which continues to inspire the Carmelite ethos. St. Teresa, reverting to Carmel's origins, envisioned a parallel lifestyle for her nuns, tailored to the Spanish milieu of her era. Instead of secluded hermitages, each nun has a monastic cell, a personal sanctuary. Barring communal activities like prayer, meals, or monastery tasks, a Carmelite finds solace in her cell, akin to a rejuvenating spring.