Hermits living in the caves of Mt Carmel were driven from Palestine in 1291. Spreading throughout the world over the following centuries, establishing monasteries in which to continue living their tradition of contemplative prayer, they are known as Carmelites.

The Spanish poet and mystic, St John of the Cross, a Discalced Carmelite friar of the 16th century, offers some beautiful poetry and particularly lucid exposition of the stream of spirituality flowing from Mount Carmel.