Formation of a Hermit of Mercy of Our Lady of Mount Carmel
Formation is a life long process. There is no resting place where all becomes easy and non challenging. That place is in heaven, where we all hope to be someday. The Road of Carmel is a means of getting to heaven. It is NOT the end of the journey in itself. Heaven is our destination. The climb or ascent of "Mt. Carmel" is a challenging and sometimes difficult road up the mountain, it is not easy dealing with obstacles that come up in everyday life, but with the grace of God, and the support of our brothers and sisters in prayer, the journey is not impossible. Look at the shining examples of Carmelites already ahead of us in God's loving embrace! We have friends in heaven, the saints, who are supporting our efforts to bring Jesus to those in need or those who do not know Him.

There are different methods of being a member of this Observance. One may choose to live a vowed life, or a life of an Oblate (see Oblate page). Oblates do not take vows but make an oblation to the community and it's protecting Bishop to live the spirit of this Observance in a way that is appropriate for men and women living in the world.

Those who aspire to live the vowed life do so in stages of formation.

Postulancy:
Once accepted into the Postulancy- which lasts six months to one year in duration, they will begin studying the saints especially Teresa of Jesus and her method of mental prayer. Readings relating to community life are also discussed. We start the practice of meditative prayer as well as praying the Liturgy of the Hours.

The postulant as well as all members of the community will be required to seek spiritual direction on a monthly basis, with a Christian spiritual director of their choice,  as they progress in their discernment process. They will also begin as part of our corporate prayer, praying the Chaplet of Mercy as well as the Rosary (5 decades) daily.  

We advise those who are accepted into the community to begin to save for the cost of their profession habit. Each religious is responsible to cover the cost of their habit. They would pay the tailor directly when their habit is made.  At final profession, a profession cross and the Mercy shield (which is sewn on the scapular) represents full membership in the Observance,  is presented to the monk or nun to wear.  The profession cross is worn under the scapular. 

A postulant must formally request (in writing) to enter the novitiate, prior to entering.

A postulant is free to leave the community at any time if they choose to do so.

Novitiate:
Begins at our Jurisdictional gathering, where the novice is clothed with the habit, and received by the Bishop of the Jurisdiction. The novitiate period lasts for 1 year and a day. During the novitiate period, the Rule of St Albert and the Statutes of the Order as well as the vows are studied. We also study the writings of St Teresa of Jesus during this period. The novice is expected to do the full 2 periods of mental prayer daily as well as praying the Liturgy of the Hours and the our Corporate prayers of the Chaplet of Mercy and the Rosary on a daily basis. There is a weekly telephone conversation with the Formation Director.  The novice is evaluated on their progression every 4 months with the last evaluation being a deliberate approval or not, of progressing to Profession.

A novice must formally petition (in writing) to profess vows prior to the final novitiate evaluation. Upon meeting the requirements, the novice's request  is discussed with the Bishop and a decision is made to admit to profession or not.

A novice is free to leave the Observance at any time if they choose to do so.

Profession of Vows:
Occurs at the Jurisdictional retreat on the second day, where the novice professes vows of Obedience to the Rule and Constitution of the Order and to the community, Poverty- living a simplistic life in the spirit of poverty, responsible uses of finances and preferential treatment of the poor, and Chastity (according to their state in life).

These vows are renewed yearly for 3 years, then if the monk or nun decides to make them for life, they must formally petition the Bishop for approval.  They could also choose to continue making yearly profession. If one chooses to leave the community they may do so by informing the order and not renewing their vows at the end of the professed year.

* ALL members have had a Psychological screening and a criminal background check - especially regarding Child abuse, done at their own expense, as part of their application process. These results are a permanent part of their file and is kept STRICTLY confidential.