Who are the Third Order

Lay Carmelites?
For more information, call:
Many people are not familiar with the Lay Carmelite Community #578
Carmelite's Third Order. The call to Carmel is a Angelica Carson, Regional Coordinator
vocation, from friars and monks, religious sisters 530-672-8595
and cloistered nuns, to lay people who want to
follow the path of Carmel. Third Order Lay Desi Byerley, Regional Formation Coordinator
Carmelites are neither a prayer nor a social 707-426-0314
group. It is a vocation. It is a call to learn and live
a way of life that is dedicated to prayer, Teresa Smith, Community Director
community and ministry. All Carmelites seek to 707-421-1491
live in allegiance to Jesus Christ.
Melody McCloskey, Formation Director
Lay Carmelites are men and women who have 415-377-1139
heard and answered the call of God to live more
deeply their Baptismal promises. Carmel's or
spirituality is but one path to God. Our path is not
for everyone. But for those who are called to this Visit the Lay Carmelite website at:
way of life, it becomes a comfort, guide and http://www.laycarmelitespcm.org
beautiful source of spiritual strength.

To become a Lay Carmelite, one must be:

* A practicing Catholic in good standing,

Carmel's Call is a call to seek the face of God in
registered with a parish;
prayer, to find Christ in Community, and service
* If recently confirmed, a practicing Catholic for
in ministry to brothers and sisters in need.
one year, in good standing and registered with
a parish;
* Between 18 and 69 years, and in good
health;
Our Lady of Mount Carmel
* One who is searching for a deeper spiritual Catholic Church
guidance in Christian living; and Rev: 1/17/15
* One who has a special devotion to the Blessed Fairfield, CA 94533
Mother, Our Lady of Mount Carmel.

What is Carmel?
The Carmelites of the Ancient Observance, also
known as the O. Carms., is a religious order of
the Catholic Church that is now more than 800
years old.
During and following the Crusades in the early
11th and 12th centuries, monks and pilgrims,
tired of war, gathered on Mount Carmel to live a
life of prayer in communion with God. They
took up the life of hermits and chose Elijah as
their Spiritual Founder. Mary became their
patroness, mother, sister and model in
obedience. They formed a loosely knit
community as they lived in their solitary cells,
but gathered for prayer and support in their
quest for a closer relationship with God.
Sometime between 1206 and 1214, Albert of
Jerusalem responded to their request for a way
of life, Curriculum Vitae, which now is known as
The Rule of St. Albert.
Gradually, and because of continuing wars and
strife, the hermits started migration from Mount
Carmel to European cities around 1238 where
they became mendicant friars. The Order was
finally recognized as a Religious Rule in 1247 by
Pope Innocent IV.
It is from these beginnings that the Carmelite
Order has grown. The history of this order is a
stirring story of humankind's quest for Divine
Intimacy with God.
What are the Practices of a
Third Order Lay Carmelite?
Lay Carmelites wear the Brown Scapular of Our
Lady of Mount Carmel as a witness of the
commitment made in Carmel.
† As much as possible, attend daily Mass and
Eucharist
† Daily Prayer, including Morning and Evening
Prayer from the Liturgy of the Hours (which is
the official prayer of the Church), mental prayer
and praying the rosary.
† Frequent reading of Sacred Scripture for
a deeper knowledge of God and a greater
understanding of Carmelite charism.
† Participation in the Day of Recollection, our
annual weekend retreat, and the Community’s
July novena is strongly encouraged.
† Regular attendance at monthly meetings and
on-going formation classes, with studies
focused on the history of Carmel, its spirituality
and lives of its Carmelite saints.
Formation and Profession
Formation is divided into three specific periods:
Phase I ~ preparation for Reception
Phase II ~ preparation for Temporary Profession
On-going ~ preparation for Final Profession.
Phase I & II Formation meetings are two hours in
duration, usually held on the 3rd Saturday of every
month.
Phase I candidates prepare for reception. This initial
phase lasts 12 months, but may be extended to 24
months if necessary. When the candidate has
completed all lessons and homework, a period of
discernment follows. Through discernment, both
candidate and Council will determine if the candidate
is ready to be received. If all is in order, the
candidate makes their Reception.
Phase II members receive a course of instruction that
deepens their prayer life, their sense of community
and their call to ministry. There are 24 lessons in
Phase II, lasting a minimum of 2 years.
At the end of 2 years, with approval of Council, the
member may make their Temporary Profession to
observe the Carmelite Way of Life as a Lay Carmelite
for a discernment period of 3 years.
Temporary members participate in on-going formation
with the whole community. With Council's approval,
(after the above 3 years) Final Profession is made
promising to God, and to the Blessed Virgin Mary of
Mount Carmel, and to the Most Reverend Prior
General of the Order of the Brothers and Sisters of the
same Blessed Virgin Mary of Mount Carmel, and to his
successors, to observe the Carmelite Way of Life as a
Lay Carmelite until death.
Rev: 1/17/15