Deepen Your Spiritual Life With The Lay Carmelite Order

Are you a Catholic seeking a more profound spiritual journey? The Lay Carmelite Order offers a path to enrich your faith through the charism, traditions, and spirit of Carmel. Discover how you can embrace a deeper commitment to Christ within a loving community.

A Call to Commitment

The Lay Carmelite Order of the Blessed Virgin Mary (historically known as the Third Order of Carmel) is an association mainly of 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 charism, traditions, and spirit of Carmel in union with the Prior General of the Carmelite Order.

Brothers and Sisters in Carmel

The members, though not in Religious Life, choose to live out their baptismal commitment according to the spirit of the Carmelite Order. Members are brothers and sisters of the Carmelite Family and share in the same call to holiness and in the same mission of the Carmelite Order.

Influencing the Carmelite Family

The Carmelite Order is enriched by the faithful who, inspired by the Holy Spirit, order their lives according to the Gospel and in the Carmelite spirit. The Third Order and the other forms of Carmelite laity influence the spirit and the structure of the entire Carmelite family (Const. 2019 n. 114)

"Joining the Lay Carmelites has deepened my faith and given me a wonderful community of support."

A Lay Carmelite Member

Ready to Take the Next Step?

Contact the Ark of the Covenant Community to learn more and attend a meeting. Experience the love and community of the Lay Carmelites firsthand.