History
I. Inspirational Foundation
In September 1976 a Carmelite priest, Fr. Yohanes Indrakusuma O.Carm, together with another Carmelite priest, started a form of life which emphasized the contemplative aspect of the Carmelite vocation. They live in a small and remote village near Batu, Malang, in the province of East Java, Indonesia. After one year, his companion left and Fr. Yohanes continued this way of life by himself until 1979. In December 1979 he moved to a more suitable place in Ngadireso, Tumpang, also near the region of Malang. There, he built a small hermitage and lived alone in solitude and also he was still involved in teaching at the Major Seminary in Malang. Very soon more people started coming to his place, to make a retreat, to get some spiritual advice and direction or to ask for his prayers.
II. The Birth of Daughters of Carmel
DOC nuns with Fr. Yohanes Indrakusuma, O.Carm
In 1982, two religious sisters, with the permission of their superiors of their congregations, and three young ladies, inspired by the way of life of Fr. Yohanes. Together they formed a new community and took the name of Putri Karmel, meaning Daughters of Carmel (DOC). They settled themselves and began to lead the same contemplative lifestyle and spirituality under the guidance and direction of Fr. Yohanes.
In 1984 Fr. Yohanes asked Sister Josepha, a Franciscan sister of St. George Martyr, to help him to form the community. Sister Josepha stayed for two years as the head of the newly founded community. After that, the nuns of Daughters of Carmel continued on their own, always under the guidance and direction of Fr. Yohanes.
They opted for an open contemplative life, that is, a life imbued with the spirit and practice of prayer, but also open to a certain form of apostolate, especially in guiding retreats and giving spiritual direction. Although there were some drop outs, the community grew steadily. Fr. Yohanes ensured that the nuns received solid formation and several of them are sent to further studies, some abroad, to countries like Rome, USA, and India, while others are preparing their theological studies at the local universities. After only 8 years, they were independent and were able to support themselves, although still under the overall direction of Fr. Yohanes as their founder.
Daughters of Carmel, founded in 1982, was recognized as a Private Association in 1992, then as a Public Association and in 2002 was elevated to the status of a Religious Congregation of Diocesan Right by the local bishop. Currently there are 132 nuns who are assigned to the houses in Indonesia, Malaysia, Rome and USA.
In 1984 Fr. Yohanes asked Sister Josepha, a Franciscan sister of St. George Martyr, to help him to form the community. Sister Josepha stayed for two years as the head of the newly founded community. After that, the nuns of Daughters of Carmel continued on their own, always under the guidance and direction of Fr. Yohanes.
They opted for an open contemplative life, that is, a life imbued with the spirit and practice of prayer, but also open to a certain form of apostolate, especially in guiding retreats and giving spiritual direction. Although there were some drop outs, the community grew steadily. Fr. Yohanes ensured that the nuns received solid formation and several of them are sent to further studies, some abroad, to countries like Rome, USA, and India, while others are preparing their theological studies at the local universities. After only 8 years, they were independent and were able to support themselves, although still under the overall direction of Fr. Yohanes as their founder.
Daughters of Carmel, founded in 1982, was recognized as a Private Association in 1992, then as a Public Association and in 2002 was elevated to the status of a Religious Congregation of Diocesan Right by the local bishop. Currently there are 132 nuns who are assigned to the houses in Indonesia, Malaysia, Rome and USA.
