The Carmelite nun's
apostolate is purely contemplative, excluding all
forms of active ministry.
Echoing the words of St
Thérèse of the Child Jesus, that "I will be love at
the heart of the Church", she makes her pilgrim way
in silence and self-sacrifice to her heavenly
homeland . Love is the keynote which explains the
hidden cloistered life of prayer, self-denial and
zeal for souls wherein she embraces the Crucified
Christ, and with Him, the entire world. In the
poor, the destitute, the suffering, the Carmelite
nun finds the face of Christ as she offers for them,
in silent oblation, her daily life of vowed
chastity, obedience and poverty; working with her
hands to help support her community, and joyfully
sharing the life of the poor. She cooperates with
Christ, her Divine Bridegroom, in His Redemptive
work of salvation and of bringing
peace to our troubled world. Like little brown roots
in the ground, the hidden prayers and sacrifices of
Carmelite Nuns are used by God to bring forth
strength and fortitude to those engaged in Apostolic
labor. Each day, her life of loving union with Our
Lord finds its highest expression in the Holy
Sacrifice of the Mass. United to the self-oblation
of the Lamb of God, she offers herself and all
creation to the glory of the Father and begs His
mercy for all mankind.
Her self-denial consists in conversion of heart
along with external acts of
mortification
carried out with gentleness, kindness and
joyousness of heart. It is a means of growing in
the love of Christ and of sharing in His mission
of salvation.
By the solemn vows of
poverty, chastity and obedience, she commits
herself to a "life of allegiance to Jesus
Christ". They are her unconditional response to
God's love for her and His call to her.
The formation period
consists in three main stages: postulancy from
six months to one year, novitiate from one year
to two years, and temporary profession for three
years. The length of these stages varies
somewhat from monastery to monastery.
ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS:
1- The presence of a
Carmelite vocation and call to a life of prayer
2- A joyous spirit of
generosity and love that leads a person to the total
gift of self
3- Good moral, physical and
psychological health
4- Some college study or
sufficient work experience for the sake of greater
maturity
5- Interest and ability to
grow within the context of an enclosed life
6- Age limit is variable in
each community
7- Freedom from obligations
to others (debts, dependents, etc...)
Should you feel called
to a Carmelite vocation, please
contact us by
writing.
