A Live in Experience -|- Frequently Asked Questions -|- Heartlines

Do I have a vocation ?

Yes, you do! But what is your “vocation”? It is the way God is calling you to live your life!

God has a plan for everyone. Your vocation as a Christian  - follower of Christ who believes  in love, hope and forgiveness – came to you at Baptism. Within this you will find another important ‘vocation’ and to find this you must stay close to Christ and ask the Holy Spirit to guide you. There are many ways of responding to this call. These ‘vocations’ are all gifts of God to the Church! "

Because this is the Carmelite web site we ask you to consider the Carmelite Vocation. Is God calling you to the Carmelite life as renewed by St Teresa of Avila and after the example of Mary, Mother of Jesus. We call Mary – Mother of Carmel. Mary was always there for Jesus – we in our life, as Mary’s children, also want to be there for Jesus – and this living “close to Jesus” is the contemplative life! That might be a very big word to understand, but it is actually very simple … if we follow “the way”.

“Following the way”, that’s what the early Christians did! But St Therese, in her day, talked about “the little way”. She did everything through love for Jesus, even picking up a pin, so that Jesus could direct the graces won by this simple little act to someone who needed them. There are many who follow this way in Carmel and in the lay life! It takes very courageous people to follow this way of sacrifice!

I hear you ask, “but could I follow the way?”

Are you a practising Catholic?

How would you feel about living in community? Would you like to try it?

Do you have normal good health – mental and physical?

Are you free to follow this life (unmarried and no dependants)?

Are you willing to learn? Will you be able to live a vowed life?

If you can be positive with your answers and have a longing that needs to be fulfilled then you could think about it – and more important – pray for guidance.

In the Carmelite Life as well as the Scriptures we have the Rule which tell us how to live. We have our community sisters to support us. It is a life of real prayer and if you are called to this life you will experience great fulfilment and joy.

As Carmelites in the various monasteries in Ireland there may be little differences but basically we are very much the same. Yet, we, in our experiences, feel that there is a particular Carmel (Monastery) for each sister. You will only find this out through prayer but it is amazing how the Lord will “take you by the hand” to the Carmel where He wants you to “bloom and grow”.

If you feel you are called to this way of life – pray for direction and if you still have that desire or urge then contact one of the monasteries on the Contact page. You will then be put in touch with a friendly sister who will be glad to help you.

Live-in experience

You may wish Live-in experience ... a time to experience life with the community without any commitments. For more information on a 'live-in experience' >>> see here.

For general information on Vocations in Ireland see ... Vocations Ireland