Community Profile

Discalced Carmelite Nuns, Monastery of the Holy Cross Rev. Mother Maria of Jesus, O.C.D. Prioress P.O. Box 397 Iron Mountain, MI 49801-0397 906-774-0561

Community Information

No. in community (professed members) 19 Year founded 1951 Generalate/ motherhouse Autonomous Province/federation Autonomous Represented in US (Arch)dioceses Marquette, MI

About Us

Mission statement/description The Carmelite is one who has heard in the silence of her heart the unique and precious invitation of Jesus Christ to become wholly consecrated to Him in a "Covenant of Spousal love." In union with Mary, she desires to live this consecration totally and faithfully through the hidden but effective apostolate of love, prayer and sacrifice for the needs of the entire Church, but in a special way for priests. This community knows and lives that simple, joyous, family spirit which Saint Teresa wanted to be a distinctive characteristic of her Carmels. Faithful to the Magisterium and to the beautiful traditions of Carmel, they cherish the solitude and silence of their enclosure and consider it a privilege to wear the Habit of Our Lady. Daily life in the Monastery reflects Saint Teresa's wish to preserve the eremitical spirit of the early hermits on Mount Carmel within the loving and supportive setting of community life. Their schedule includes the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass, two hours of quiet prayer before the Blessed Sacrament, the entire Divine Office in choir, spiritual reading, the Rosary and Litany of the Blessed Virgin Mary, manual work, and joy-filled recreations together. Qualifications for entry Basic requirements include a sense of being called to our cloistered life or prayer, a high school education, sound mental and physical health as well as good judgment and common sense. Formation program In the basic formation program, the candidate is gradually integrated into the Carmelite life by a study of religious life, Sacred Scripture, prayer, the vows, the documents of the Magisterium, and especially Carmelite spirituality with its history, charism, saints and sound traditions, keeping in mind, too, the essential formative value of simple daily life in community. This initial formation takes place over a period of six years: one year postulancy, two years novitiate, three years temporary vows, followed by the final commitment of solemn vows. Ongoing formation throughout one's whole religious life through personal prayer, spiritual reading, study, and spiritual direction continues and brings a deeper interiorization to the initial formation received. Age range/limit 18-35 Consider belated vocations? No Belated/late vocations explanation Exceptions are considered for individuals when there is good reason.