The Carmelites of Mary Immaculate () abbreviated CMI, formerly also known as the Servants of Mary Immaculate (), is a Catholic clerical religious congregation of pontifical right for men of the Syro-Malabar Catholic Church, and is the largest such congregation in the Syro-Malabar Church. It was founded on 8 December 1855, by Indian priests Thomas Palackal, Thomas Porukara, and Kuriakose Elias Chavara, of Christ University who were priests of the Apostolic Church of Saint Thomas Christians in India. Brother Jacob Kanianthara was inspired by the vision of the founding fathers and served them in the foundation of the congregation. The core charism of congregation is contemplata et aliis tradere (to share with others the fruits of contemplation). The Identity and heritage of the Congregation is reflected in its triple roots of spirituality namely Indian, [http:// dukhrana.in/characteristics-of-oriental-theology/ Eastern] and Carmelite. The Congregation is involved in pastoral works consisting of teaching at all levels, taking care of aged and sick, apostolate of press, running several mission dioceses both in India and abroad. The original vision of the founders was to begin a House of Vision (ദർശന വീട്) for priests rooted in Christian and Indian spirituality by combining contemplation and service, especially spiritual guidance with sannyasic elements. It was based on their understanding that "a lot of good had not been done due to the absence of a House of Contemplation (തപസ് ഭവനം ) and a House of Vision (ദർശന വീട്)." The influence of the Vicar Apostolic of Verapoly, who was a Carmelite resulted in the orientation towards Carmelite order and spirituality. The Congregation was affiliated to the Carmelite Order as a Religious Congregation of the Oriental Rite and assumed the name Third Order of Carmelites Discalced in 1860. Pontifical status was granted in 1885. The Congregation changed its name to Carmelites of Mary Immaculate in 1958. The Congregation was given Pontifical Exemption in 1967. As of 2020, the Congregation has 2,692 members with 1 Archbishop, 7 Bishops, 2007 priests. Associates of CMI (ACMI) support the missionary activities of the congregation in different ways. History Foundation The initial idea of leading a hermetic life came up in the minds of Malpan Thomas Porukara and Malpan Thomas Palackal. They approached the then Vicar Apostolic Bishop Mourelius Stabilini for permission to establish a religious congregation. Permission was not grant them by the Bishop, who cited three reasons namely the difficulty to begin a congregation, difficulty