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God’s desire is first. God always takes the initiative. God in Jesus is always coming towards us, calling us to Himself. But how to recognize His desire, to hear His voice? Perhaps a starting place is to ask what is my deepest desire: Holiness? Wholeness? Love?
A vocation to Carmel may emerge over time. Or it may be a ‘something’, a niggle, that has been there like a still small voice at the back of the mind for a long time, or again, it may be a sudden insight.
“I call you by your name, you are Mine.”
~ Isaiah 43:1
The heart of Carmel is Jesus. The vocation is a life of prayer, a life of love in the heart of the Church, for the world. It is a life of simplicity, of solitude and community, learning to walk in the presence of the living God (cf 1 Kings 18:24). We take Mary, our Blessed Lord’s Mother as our model and guide. The daily rhythm of liturgy, prayer, work, recreation, with their joys and challenges, are the means through which we become instruments of love in His hands, ceaselessly interceding for the Church and the life of the world.
However the call is heard, the very openness to listening, to deciding to explore that call, is a powerful Christian witness of wanting to know God’s will for one’s life and put it before all else. Carmel may attract many, yet the life of an enclosed contemplative nun is a particular vocation, asking for a ‘yes’ to remain hidden in Christ, offering God our complete surrender.
“Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.”
~ Psalm 118(119): 105
Discernment advice
- Prayer and going to Mass - daily Mass, if possible – are essential in the discernment process.
- Receiving guidance from a spiritual director or joining a discernment group can prove very helpful in discerning where God may be calling you to.
- If you feel that you may be called to Carmel, another helpful step is to get in touch with one. An initial point of contact can allow for a more focused discernment process of whether Carmel is the place God is calling you. It is a chance for both sides to get to know each other better and for you to discover the realities of our life and our charism within the Church.
