Contact
Speak with the Mother Prioress (Superior), ask questions and learn more about life in Carmel.
VOCATION
Come and See Programme
A peaceful opportunity to experience the Carmelite way of life and discern God’s call with prayerful guidance.
Begin a conversation ↓COME AND SEE
Come and See Programme
Those who feel that they are called by God to live a life of prayer, silence, and solitude may find Carmel to be an ideal place to discern and live out their vocation.
But how can one know whether she has a vocation to Carmel?
DISCERNMENT
Beginning the Discernment
One of the first signs of a Carmelite vocation is an aptitude and desire for prayer, silence, solitude, and a life of community. Next is to contact the Mother Prioress (Superior), either personally, by phone, or by email. The candidate is free to ask questions and learn more about the life in Carmel. Under the guidance of the Superior, she can begin to discern whether God may be calling her to this way of life.
A TIME TO EXPERIENCE CARMEL
Come and Stay
Once the initial discernment is completed, the candidate may come and stay within the Carmelite enclosure to experience the life of prayer and silence for herself. She may come for weekends, a few days, or even a month. This period of coming and experiencing the life may continue for up to six months.
Come & Stay
Come for weekends, a few days, or even a month, with the period continuing for up to six months.
Experience
Experience prayer, silence, solitude, work and community life within the Carmelite enclosure.
Discern
Return home prayerfully and discern, with the support of the Community, whether Carmel is your call.
LIFE WITHIN THE ENCLOSURE
Experiencing Carmelite Life
During this time, she can experience the rhythm of Carmelite life—prayer, silence, solitude, work, and community life—and discern whether she feels called to this way of life. This period also helps both the candidate and the Community to discern her vocation more clearly.
A PRAYERFUL DECISION
After the Period of Discernment
After this period of experience and discernment, she may return home and prayerfully make her final decision. If she feels that the Carmelite way of life is truly suited to her and that God is calling her to Carmel, she may then apply for admission to the monastery.
WHY COME AND SEE?
The Purpose of the “Come and See” Programme
The purpose of the “Come and See” Programme is to provide a peaceful and prayerful opportunity for a candidate to experience the Carmelite way of life and, with the guidance of the Superior and the prayerful support of the Community, to discern God’s call more clearly.
BEGIN A CONVERSATION
Begin a Conversation
If you feel that you may be called to Carmel, you are welcome to contact the Mother Prioress (Superior) personally, by phone, or by email. Your enquiry will be received respectfully and treated with discretion.
Vocation enquiriescarmelmangalore@gmail.com
You do not need to have all the answers before writing. Begin simply, with what is in your heart.
YOUR ENQUIRY