The Lay Carmelites

For Further Information Women and men guided by Our Lady and nourished in If you now feel that you would like more information you may call: Carmelite spirituality on the journey toward our Savior, Jesus Christ. Carol Crock 726-0383

Howard Crock 726-0383

Kay Murray 641-4661

O most beautiful flower of

Mount Carmel, Holy and

Immaculate one who brought forth the Son of

God be to us a mother and lead us to your Divine Keep Mary in Mind Our Lady of Son, Jesus Christ. And Jesus Will Grow in Your Heart Mount Carmel Amen. Pray for Us What Is The Lay Carmelite Order? Her contemplative spirit is a source of What Are The Requirements inspiration for Carmelites, teaching them to be The Lay Carmelite Order of the And Meaning of Profession? sensitive to hearing God’s word. Through Blessed Virgin Mary of Mount Carmel Mary, Carmelites learn a new way of living for After Reception, the new member (historically known as the Third Order) is an God and of loving others after the example of undergoes a two-year period of Formation, association of mainly lay persons, who live Jesus her Son. Phase II, in cooperation with the Formation “in the following of Jesus Christ” according Director. This formation period gives the to the traditions and spirit of the Carmelite member the opportunity to live the life of a Lay Order. As the Lay Carmelite Rule states, Carmelite while receiving instruction in the members are “children of the one family What Is The Lay Carmelite Community? spirit of Carmel. One’s prayer life may deepen and sharers in the same call to holiness and Even though some individuals live in an during this period and a greater sense of the in the same mission” of the Carmelite area where no Lay Carmelite community meets, value of community and ministry should be Order. developed. At the completion of this period of the Rule stresses the formation of community. This is developed by regular meetings, study Formation, one is eligible with the approval of concerning the needs of the individuals and the the Community Council to make temporary How Is This Meaningful Church, as well as a more dynamic witness to promises to live one’s life as a Lay Carmelite. In The Church Today? Jesus Christ through personal prayer and After profession, the Carmelite continues on-going formation, Phase III, where The Lay Carmelite is called to the ministry. Through community, prayer and ministry the members grow in love of Christ he/she is immersed in the wealth of spiritual family of Carmel to be deeply involved in riches of the Carmelite Order, which nourishes the mission of the Church, making his or her and become more sensitive to the needs of the Church in all its members. one for personal union with Christ and a life a prayer listening to the Word, and readiness to serve others. finding in Mary and the prophet Elijah the models for a Christian witness in the world. The Statutes of Carmel state “The What Are The Requirements call to Carmel, a call to seek God’s will in What Are Some Of The Advantages? For Admission? the ordinary circumstances of everyday life, The Lay Carmelite becomes a member First of all, a desire to give one’s life roots Lay Carmelites in a love of those with of the Carmelite family and shares in the work, fully to God according to one’s state in life. In whom they live and work, in the search for prayer and benefits of the Order of Carmel. this the potential member is desirous of God’s face, and in solidarity with God’s This life offers one a great opportunity to grow formation in Christian living and wants to be people everywhere.” in the contemplative spirit, the imitation of open to life and work more fully in the person Christ and the emptying of self so that God can seeking God. be our all. The joint effort to form community The potential member is asked to with others of like values is a blessing. How Are The Carmelites regularly attend community meetings and to Dedicated To Mary? receive at least nine months of instruction and

Mary is invoked by Carmelites as orientation. If he or she then wishes to enter Mother, Patroness and Sister. She is the Carmel, a Ceremony of Reception takes place model for Carmelites for she was obedient usually at a Mass at a time determined by the to the Father’s will and to the promptings of community. Reception is the official entry of the Holy Spirit. Mary is the first and perfect the person in the Lay Carmelite Order. disciple of Jesus.