The Order of the Brothers of Our Lady of Mount Carmel or Carmelites ( sometimes simply Carmel ; ) is a Roman Catholic religious order . It was founded in the 12th century on Mount Carmel , from which the order receives its name . The Order of the Brothers of Our Lady of Mount Carmel or Carmelites ( sometimes simply Carmel by synecdoche ; ) is a Catholic religious order perhaps founded in the 12th century on Mount Carmel , hence its name .