Friars

The word “Friar” means brother. It derives from the French “frère” which comes from the Latin frater meaning “brother”. In the Catholic Church, a Friar is a member of one of the Mendicant Orders. Those of us called to this way of life live in communities as brothers as a way of fruitfully living out our baptismal vows. Communities of Friars are comprised of both priests and lay brothers living together to witness to the gospel and for fraternal support. Friars are supported by donations or other charitable support from the people.

Though, the Discalced Carmelite way of life began in 1562 through the instrumentality of St. Teresa of Jesus in Avila, Spain, it was in 1568 that St John of the Cross and Anthony of Jesus began the first house of the Discalced Carmelite Friars at Duruelo in Spain.

However, it was not until 1988 that the first Discalced Carmelite Friars came into Nigeria and established the first community of Carmelite Friars in Enugu, eastern part of Nigeria.

Since September 2008, the Discalced Carmelite friars in Nigeria are organised into a Regional Vicariate. This means that we enjoy a certain level of administrative independence but do have a juridical affiliation to our Province, the Anglo-Irish Province.

The leadership team for the Vicariate is made up of the Regional Vicar and four councilors. The Vicariate is constituted presently as follows: