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| Community Profile |
| Carmelite Nuns of the Ancient Observance, Carmel of Mary |
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| Community Information |
No. in community (professed members) | 10 |
Year founded | 1954 |
Generalate/ motherhouse | Autonomous |
Province/federation | Autonomous |
Represented in US (Arch)dioceses | Fargo, ND |
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| About Us |
Mission statement/description
The Order of Carmel dates to its spiritual founder, the prophet Elijah on Mount Carmel, 900 years before Christ. They are cloistered Carmelite nuns, following strict papal enclosure. The essence of the Carmelite contemplative life is: living in the presence of God, in imitation of their most pure Mother Mary and the prophet Elijah. Their apostolate is the apostolate of prayer, which embraces the most difficult missions and needs in the Church and includes in a special way prayer for priests. A very important part of their life of prayer is chanting the Divine Office in Gregorian chant. |
Qualifications for entry
Good mental and physical health; a well-balanced personality with a cheerful disposition, which enables one to get along well with others, together with a serious side capable of pondering, appreciating, and responding to God's immense love for her; sufficient maturity to embark upon the needed change of heart and manner of life - this maturity is aided by a year or two of college or some work experience.
Above all, a love for prayer, for Our Lord in the Blessed Sacrament and for Our Lady; a strong desire to give all, to love and be loved by Our Lord, and to want this for others, too. |
Formation program
Formation is carried out in the monastery. A candidate is a postulant for 6 - 12 months, and wears a blue veil. During this initial period, the postulant learns the basics of her new way of life, through instructions, study, and experience. After the postulancy, the candidate becomes a novice. She receives the habit and her religious name, and is given a copy of the Holy Rule of Carmel and the Constitutions. During this year of intense preparation for vows, the novice enters more deeply into Carmel's life of prayer, studies and the vows. Following the novitiate, which lasts from 12 - 18 months, she makes her profession of simple vows for three years. During this time she remains in the novitiate and continues her studies and formation. If the junior professed sister is then ready, she makes the solemn vows, under perpetual enclosure, until death. (She can renew her simple vows annually for three more years before making solemn vows.) |
Age range/limit
20-32 |
Consider belated vocations?
No |
Belated/late vocations explanation
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Institute on Religious Life, P.O. Box 7500, Libertyville, IL 60048-7500
Tel: (847) 573-8975 - Fax: (847) 573-8960 |
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