A vocation to Carmel is a gift from God.  A young woman who enters Carmel goes through a stage of initial formation which lasts for six years.  This time of discernment for both the young woman and the community will help them to see if the young person can live within a cloistered, contemplative Order.   Formation, however, does not end with Solemn Profession, it is a life long process. Our life is a daily saying 'yes' to God and our prayer time makes us sensitive to the voice of God within us.  

 

Postulancy: The candidate gets both practical experience of and instruction in the religious life and moves gradually from the life of the world to that of the noitiate. This period usually lasts for one year. 

 

Novitiate: Membership in the Order begins with the novitiate. Its chief purpose is to enable the the novice to have first hand knowledge and personal experience of the essential requirements of the following of Christ in the way of life proper to our Carmelite and Teresian calling. She is also given instruction in theology and the Bible. This period lasts for two years.

 

First Profession: By her public profession the novice pledges to live according to the vows of Poverty, Chastity and Obedience and is consecrated to God through the ministry of the Church. The black veil is given as the sign of her final commitment.The next three years the newly professed will continue her instruction in Teresian spirituality and live it on a practical level.

 

Solemn Profession: The religious pronounces her vows forever and becomes a permanent member and voting member of her community and the Carmelite Order. Throughout her life she will continue to keep her eyes fixed on Christ by means of ongoing formation which will help her deepen her knowledge of God and the Church.

 

 

 

"All my longing was and still is that since He has so many enemies and so few friends that these few friends be good ones. As a result, I resolved to do the little that was in my power; that is, to follow the evangelical counsels as perfectly as I could and strive that these few persons who live here do the same.  "Since we would all be occupied in prayer for those who are the defenders of the Church and for preachers and for learned men who protect her from attack, we could help as much as possible this Lord of mine ... "

--St. Teresa of Jesus