CMI CONGREGATION

CMI Congregation

The Carmelites of Mary Immaculate (CMI) is the first indigenous religious congregation of the Catholic Church in India, founded in 1831 at Mannanam, Kerala, by Saint Kuriakose Elias Chavara and his companions. Deeply rooted in the spiritual traditions of Carmel, the congregation has grown over the years into a dynamic force of renewal in the Church and society. The CMIs are engaged in a wide range of apostolates, including pastoral care, social upliftment, missionary activities, and cultural promotion. Guided by the vision of its founder, St. Kuriakose Elias Chavara, the congregation has consistently emphasized the importance of education as a means of personal transformation and social development, thereby playing a vital role in shaping generations of responsible citizens.