The Stages of Formation

“For centuries, Carmel has formed saints.
The very living out of our vocation forms us as we cooperate with God’s grace.
Imbued with a deep spirit of faith, we allow God,
through this Carmelite way of life, to sanctify us.”

Constitutions

The Stages of Formation

Each stage of initial formation prepares and builds for the following stage. The goal of all the stages is discernment. We want to belong totally to Christ, desiring to faithfully live our vocation as Carmelites in service of His Church. This lifelong transformation in Christ begins with one’s interior commitment and is carried out through the successive stages of formation.

Candidacy (1-2 years)

The young woman asks to become a full-time participant in initial discernment of a genuine call from the Lord. Candidacy is a time of serious discernment with our community. The young woman will live with other candidates, are introduced to our unique Carmelite charism, have classes and instruction given by our sisters, as well as have individual conferences with her candidacy directress. Candidates serve in some capacity in one of our apostolates with our sisters and join the community in prayer.

Postulancy (6-12 months)

The postulant enters into our Carmelite way of life through prayer, doctrinal study and communal living while deeply probing the mystery of her divine call.

Novitiate (2 years)

The novitiate introduces the essential elements of consecrated religious life, especially in living the evangelical counsels of chastity, poverty and obedience. Novices prepare to unite their prayer life with loving service of the Church.

First Profession & Temporary Vows
(6 years)

At the end of the Novitiate, the sister makes her first profession of vows of Chastity, Poverty and Obedience, which are renewed yearly. By her profession, the sister is totally consecrated to God. She will actively work in our apostolates, fulfilling our mission of making known the love of the Sacred Heart to all those she serves. This stage of formation continues for six years. The sister continues her initial formation in preparation to make her perpetual profession.

Perpetual Profession of Vows

Perpetual or final profession constitutes commitment for life. The sister gives herself totally to God forever in a life of deep, intimate union with Him through prayer and in the service of others. The foundation laid during initial formation is built upon throughout the entire life of the Carmelite Sister, as she seeks to grow in the perfection of love, until the end of life’s journey.

Have you heard the Call?

A vocation to the consecrated life is a specific call from God to a specific person. It is real. It is compelling. It is an invitation. The same invitation given to the apostles – “Come, follow Me.”

Answer the Call

Each stage of initial formation prepares and builds for the following stage. The goal of all the stages is discernment. We want to belong totally to Christ, desiring to faithfully live our vocation as Carmelites in service of His Church. This lifelong transformation in Christ begins with one’s interior commitment and is carried out through the successive stages of formation.

Candidacy (1-2 years)

The young woman asks to become a full-time participant in initial discernment of a genuine call from the Lord. Candidacy is a time of serious discernment with our community. The young woman will live with other candidates, are introduced to our unique Carmelite charism, have classes and instruction given by our sisters, as well as have individual conferences with her candidacy directress. Candidates serve in some capacity in one of our apostolates with our sisters and join the community in prayer.

Postulancy (6-12 months)

The postulant enters into our Carmelite way of life through prayer, doctrinal study and communal living while deeply probing the mystery of her divine call.

Novitiate (2 years)

The novitiate introduces the essential elements of consecrated religious life, especially in living the evangelical counsels of chastity, poverty and obedience. Novices prepare to unite their prayer life with loving service of the Church.

First Profession & Temporary Vows (6 years)

At the end of the Novitiate, the sister makes her first profession of vows of Chastity, Poverty and Obedience, which are renewed yearly. By her profession, the sister is totally consecrated to God. She will actively work in our apostolates, fulfilling our mission of making known the love of the Sacred Heart to all those she serves. This stage of formation continues for six years. The sister continues her initial formation in preparation to make her perpetual profession.

Perpetual Profession of Vows

Perpetual or final profession constitutes commitment for life. The sister gives herself totally to God forever in a life of deep, intimate union with Him through prayer and in the service of others. The foundation laid during initial formation is built upon throughout the entire life of the Carmelite Sister, as she seeks to grow in the perfection of love, until the end of life’s journey.

Have you heard the Call?

A vocation to the consecrated life is a specific call from God to a specific person. It is real. It is compelling. It is an invitation. The same invitation given to the apostles – “Come, follow Me.”

Answer the Call

The Stages of Formation

“For centuries, Carmel has formed saints.The very living out of our vocation forms us as we cooperate with God’s grace.Imbued with a deep spirit of faith, we allow God, through this Carmelite way of life, to sanctify us.”

Constitutions