Order of Carmel
Lay Carmelite Communities
of Colorado
Is God Calling You?
Welcome
Welcome and thank you for visiting our joint website for the Ancient Observance Lay Carmelite communities of Colorado. We have communities located in Denver, Colorado Springs, and Longmont.
This website provides an introduction to the process of discerning whether you are called to a lay vocation within the family of Carmel as well as contact information for each of the communities.
Called to God's Service
Vatican II called the Church to new life in service of the Kingdom of God in our modern world. All of the baptized, centered in Christ and strengthened by God's word and sacrament, form one community of faith, hope and love. To all who would lead and serve within the Church, there is a challenge to witness to the holiness of God's gracious and loving presence among us.
Within this ecclesial setting, the Carmelite Order has always offered a spirituality to help God's people meet the demand for a holy way of life in the midst of an ambivalent and pluralistic world. The Carmelite tradition has served the Church and the world with a tradition centered on prayer, community, and service. Its prophetic and Marian heritage has enkindled new life in every age.
Carmel's Call pg. 61
Discernment
The Lay Carmelite Order of the Blessed Virgin Mary of Mount Carmel (aka Third Order) is an association of mainly lay persons. Its members, responding to a special call of God, freely and deliberately commit themselves to live in the following of Jesus Christ according to the traditions and spirit of Carmel under the authority of the Prior General of the Carmelite Order. The members choose to live out their baptismal commitment according to the spirit of the Carmelite Order which stresses purity of heart and the emptying of self (vacare Deo) so that God can be our all.
The call to Carmel is a call to seek God's will in the ordinary circumstances of everyday life. The formation journey is a time to discern our life regarding a call to living the Carmelite Spirituality of community, prayer, and service.
Carmel's Call pg. 62
LATEST NEWS
... Becoming a Lay Carmelite
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If you wish to learn more about becoming a Lay Carmelite, please see our FORMATION page. Each community launches its own Formation I class when there is a sufficient number of new inquirers who are ready to begin Formation I together. This may be the right time for you.
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... Guests Welcome
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Our Lay Carmelite communities welcome guests at the monthly meeting. This is a great opportunity to visit and get an idea of the meeting format and atmosphere. Each community accepts new aspirants regularly. You can find meeting times and locations for each community on the LAY CARMELITES IN COLORADO page, or if you would like someone to contact you, please visit the CONTACT page.
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UPCOMING EVENTS
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26-28 July 2024: Retreat
- Hosted by Morning Star LCC
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27-29 June 2025: Convocation
- "The Carmelite Family: A Timeless Tapestry"
- Catholic University of America, Washington, DC
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Last updated 12/3/2023
We continue our journey of growing closer to God in our prayer life. Those in formation are in discernment as to whether there is a calling from God to Carmelite spirituality as a lifelong vocation.
