In July 1935 the Carmelite friars published the first edition of their monthly magazine Il-Karmelu. In the first publication, the publishers wrote “One of the best means for improved progress and education to take place is through the press. On one occasion the Cardinal Gusmini said: Many are the things that one should take care of, as the country’s progress depends on them; but we can say that one of the most important, which applies to everyone is the press.”        

This magazine known at the time as the ”Periodical” was intended as a means to teach the Carmelite Tertiaries and devotees of Our Lady of Mount Carmel about spirituality and the Carmelite Order. If you were to take a look at the first publications of this magazine, you would notice that the painting of the crowned, Our Lady of Mount Carmel which is venerated in the Carmelite Basilica Sanctuary in Valletta always featured on the front cover. This is because originally the magazine was intended as propaganda for this Sanctuary. However this changed in due course.

In the second edition which was released in August 1935, a letter written by the Prior General Fr. Hilary M. Doswald was published, where he congratulated the Maltese Carmelites and told them “As we were in Malta for the Provincial Chapter, we read the first edition of this Periodical which we enjoyed very much. It is a Periodical whose scope is to spread devotion towards Our Lady, and shows the greatness of our Order: I think therefore, that it will be of great benefit for the devotees of the Virgin Mary especially the Tertiaries.”  

As time went by, the magazine became more widespread around Malta and Gozo. There were many who enrolled in the magazine as they found it very educative. The magazine had many editors many of whom were friars as well as lay people, who worked endlessly to make the magazine more and more attractive. For this we give them thanks and praise, and if they have departed we ask God to bless their souls.

There was a period when the magazine passed through a difficult time but with God’s help and that of Mother Mary, it overcame the obstacles. After a while the magazine got to be published every two month’s instead of monthly. After 1990, the magazine started to be printed in full colour.

Nowadays it is published every three months and it’s content is slightly different than it used to be. Now it contains articles on various subjects that appeal to the Catholic way of life such as: The Bible, Lectio Divina, Carmelite spirituality, art, models of Sanctity and so on.  

I’d like to take this opportunity to encourage all those devoted towards Our Lady of Mount Carmel in Malta and Gozo, to subscribe to this magazine from which their spirituality will definitely benefit. Whoever so wishes can subscribe by writing to:

Direction and Administration

The Editor “Il-Karmelu”,

Kunvent tal-Karmnu,

Misraħ Santa Venera,

Santa Venera SVR1681

 (+356) 2754 2106

e:[email protected]