Carmelite Tertiaries (Third Order)
A life in Carmel, lived in the world.
“The Third Secular Order of the Blessed Virgin of Mount Carmel and of the Holy Mother Saint Teresa of Jesus is an association of persons who, though living in the world, desire to aim at Christian perfection in the way most suitable to their state of life.
“Carmel’s Call is a call to prayer. For nine centuries before the coming of Christ, holy men lived on Mount Carmel and gave themselves to the work of prayer and contemplation.”
— Taken from the Manual
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The Carmelite family extends beyond the walls of the monastery. Through the Third Order, lay men and women are invited to share in the spiritual riches, prayer, and spirt of Carmel while remaining faithful to the duties and vocation of their own state in life. Here you will find resources for those who are discerning a call to Carmel, as well as guidance and encouragement for those already walking the Carmelite way.
“What is the spirit of the Order of Our Lady of Mount Carmel? It is contemplation. The Order originated in mountains, in deserts, in solitude. From its earliest traditions it receives the inclination and even the obligation to foster a life wholly interior, retired and hidden.
Since St. Elias, the Patriarch of Carmel, lived always in God’s presence, and had for motto those beautiful words: ‘The Lord liveth, before whose face I stand’ (III Kings); since, according to the opinion of several doctors, he saw the divine essence on earth, as the blessed see it in heaven, he has inspired his religious with the spirit of contemplation, and though, by the authority of the Church, they be occupied in assisting their neighbor, he does not fail to preserve contemplation as the principal and essential aim of their Order. . . . drawing us to God, leading us to God, uniting us to God.”
— Fr. Stephen of St Francis Xavier, OCD
What Is A Carmelite Tertiary?
A Carmelite Tertiary is a lay person who has been called to live the spirituality of Carmel in the midst of ordinary life.
While the Carmelite religious live their vocation within the monastery or religious community, the Tertiary remains in the world—within the home, family, parish, workplace, and community—while seeking God through the particular spirit and tradition of Carmel.
This vocation is not simply an interest in Carmelite spirituality or devotion to Carmelite saints. It is a vocation to be prayerfully discerned, formed, and lived within the Carmelite family.
A Carmelite Tertiary’s life is rooted in…
PRAYER & SACRIFICE
The Tertiary fosters a deep and growing friendship with God through mental prayer, the liturgy, Scripture, and the mortified life.
The contemplative life
The CarmeliteTertiary learns to seek God in silence, recollection, and the ordinary circumstances of daily life.
DEVOTION TO OUR LADY OF MOUNT CARMEL
Living under the maternal protection and example of Our Lady. Devotion to Our Lady of Mount Carmel indicates a strong call to the interior life, which, in a very special way, is Mary’s life.
Faithfulness to one’s state in life
Living the spirit of Carmel in the ordinary places of life, where family, work, service, suffering, and even the smallest hidden duties become occasions to love and seek God.
“A Carmelite’s day is a communing with God, from morning till night, and from night until morning.”
Sister Elizabeth Of The Trinity, OCD
FAQs
Ready to Begin the Ascent of Mount Carmel?
If you feel drawn to the Carmelite way of life, we invite you to begin simply: pray, learn, get spiritual direction, and entrust the journey to God.
Read Conditions Necessary for Admission to the Third Order
Learn More About Becoming an Aspirant in the third order
Read a Summary of the Carmelite Tertiary Duties
Read the manual of Carmelite tertiaries
read the vade-mecum for Carmelite tertiaries
read the way of perfection for the laity
contact us
Have questions or are interested in becoming a Tertiary?
Please note: This email account is monitored by a Carmelite Tertiary. For your privacy, please refrain from including personal or sensitive information in your correspondence.
Recommended Books for Tertiaries
for aspirants + Postulants
Book list coming soon…
general Tertiary books
Book list coming soon…
for novices + professed
Book list coming soon…