When I meet with families considering our College for their son’s education, I always begin by explaining what it means to be Carmelite. I often start by recounting the story of the first Carmelites— a group of men who chose to live as hermits in the tradition of Elijah on Mount Carmel, in the deserts of Israel. I then highlight the unique journey that led the Carmelites, an order not originally focused on education, to establish a Catholic boys’ school here in Donvale in 1961. Historically, the Carmelites were known more for their contemplative, monastic life than their involvement in education. However, my recent travels to Ireland and the UK, following in the footsteps of the Carmelites, revealed a richer and more expansive narrative.