Before the Pope can proclaim a person a Doctor they have to be a saint. It is a rare honor.

Usually, it happens to a person who shows eminent (sound) holiness and a type of spirituality that is exceptional. The Pope proclaims such a person because of overwhelming support by the entire Church.

This saintly person has a powerful message, example and contribution that will benefit the Church members. For that reason the Holy Father wants the whole Church to know about this "extra-ordinary" and extraordinary person and proclaims the individual "Doctor" of the Church. The last proclaimed Doctor was St. Therese (of Lisiuexe) of the child Jesus , Doctor of confidence and missionaries.

The Discalced Carmelite Order is privileged in its charism to have produced three such saints whos teachings and example have contributed to our understanding of God and the Church to such a degree as to number them among this distinguished group.