Welcome

 

Thank you for your interest in the Iowa City area Our Lady of Mount Carmel Lay Community.  

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What is the Lay Carmelite Order?

The Lay Carmelite Order of the Blessed Virgin Mary (historically known as the Third Order) is a community of mainly laypersons that are responding to a special call from God to freely and deliberately commit themselves to live by following Jesus Christ.  They do this according to the charism, traditions, and spirit of Carmel.

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The Family of Carmel is deeply involved in the mission of the Church, to contribute to the

sanctification or transformation of the secular world.

The charism of the Carmel tradition is prayer, community, and service.

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What are the requirements to become a Lay Carmelite?

Interested candidates must be a Catholic in good standing who feel called to live more deeply their baptismal vocation through a deeper formation of Christian values according to the charism of the Carmelite Order.

A candidate must be 18 years of age upon entry of formation.

A person is admitted to formation through an existing Lay Carmelite Community.

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The formation process is divided into 4 specific periods: 1) Preparation for Reception (9 months - 2 years) Instructions about Carmel and its charism   2) Reception (2 -3 years) A candidate is received and prepares for temporary profession by deepening one's prayer life, community, and call to ministry  3)Temporary Profession (2 - 3 years) Instruction for Final Profession  4) Final or Perpetual Profession (Lifelong).

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Where does the Iowa City Community meet?

Members must meet in person as a community on the First Saturday of each month.

We meet at St. Patrick's Church in Iowa City.

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