The Order of Carmen was created in the XII cent. on Mount Carmel, in Palestine.
The hermits, called Carmelites, built a chapel in honor of the Virgin Maria of Mount Carmel who appeared on July 16th, 1257 to Saint Simon Stock.

It is not known when and why Spanish sailors, fishermen and navigators began to feel a special devotion to Virgin Maria of Mount Carmel of Palestine, but this tradition became official from the Royal Order of April 19th, 1901 when the Queen of Spain, Maria Cristina of Hapsburg, named her the Virgin of Carmen patron of the Merchant marine. In 1938 she was also named patron saint of the military Navy.

Maximum card Virgen del Carmen (J.M. Laynez)