How do I become a Carmelite?
Responding to God's call

Becoming a Carmelite, in response to God's call, is through a gradual process of prayerful discernment that takes a number of years and is made up of a few specific steps and stages.

For Friars and Nuns:

  • Contact a Vocations Director, or any member of the Order. Come and visit us.
  • Continue a process of discerning what God wants you to do.
  • Apply to join. If we also discern that this is what God wants, you are invited to join.
  • Once you join, there are a number of years in which you learn more about the Carmelites and the way of life, and together we discern whether or not this should be for the rest of your life.
  • Life Commitment.

For Seculars:

  • Contact the President of the community near you, and come along to a community event.
  • Continue a process of discerning what God wants you to do.
  • After a minimum of six months, if the community also discerns that this is what God wants, you are invited to join.
  • After the “Rite of Admission" there are a number of years of formation in which you learn more about the Carmelites, about living the Carmelite charism in a secular setting and about being a member of a community. During this time, together we discern whether or not this way of life is for you.
  • This gradual process continues from the Temporary Promise which is made for three years to the Definitive Promise – a Life Commitment.

What should I do?
Continue to pray. Contact us, and come and see!!

“The whole formation process is carried out in a friendly, respectful and non-judgmental way, allowing candidates to respond in their own time as we share with love the riches of our vocation."

(Statute 19b – Secular Order)