Our community is named after Edith Stein who was  a Jewish convert to the faith and entered the Carmelite religious family as Teresa Benedicta of the Cross.  She was martyred in the concentration camp known as Auschwitz during World War 2.  Our Third Order Community has been actively praying for the beatification and her canonization since it was formed in 1979.  We thank God for prayers answered!  She was canonized Saint by Pope John Paul II on October 11, 1998. 

Carmelite Tradition encourages us to offer to those on their spiritual journey a place where they will find people of God offering hospitality to those searching for a place where God can be found.  We come together in community to celebrate Jesus in the Eucharist, the place where God is found.  We invite our guests to be richly fed in Carmelite spirituality through the teachings given within  the community meetings and special Days of Reflection.

The Blessed Virgin Mary and the Prophet Elijah inspire us in our journey spiritually as we try to practice the presence of God in our lives and reach out in Christ's love to our neighbor.  Mary is the model of perfect discipleship always leading us to her Son.  We learn how to praise the Lord and rejoice in God our Savior through Mary's example.  Elijah's desert experience gives witness to total reliance upon God in a world of denial of God.  Truly he is a prophet for today's world to show us how to live our faith in the confidence of God.

 Welcome to St. Edith Stein Third Order Carmelite Community which belongs to the Carmelite Province of St. Elias and is established in sunny Boca Raton, Florida. U.S.A.     

This Third Order Carmelite Community at present has 26 active members of which 23 are Professed, 3 are in Phase Two Formation and   2 Aspirants are in Phase One Formation.   Our community shares it's charism with many guests and visitors by invitation.

St. Teresa Benedicta of the Cross

 by Sister Marie Celeste OCD Carmel of Reno

ST. EDITH STEIN COMMUNITY

LAY CARMELITES

ABOUT US!