Marlon Mateo, Theology Student at Whitefriars Hall Hasely King, Theology Student at Whitefriars Hall Br. Tony Mazurkiewicz, Theology Student at Whitefriars Hall If you feel drawn to climb Mount Carmel with us in the footsteps of Jesus and influenced by Elijah and Mary, get in touch with the Carmelite contact for your region of the country. We welcome your interest in this profound and exciting spiritual journey of contemplation and service in community. Once you get to know us better, you may be invited to apply for admission to the Order. Understandably, the application process is rigorous. We need to discern whether men are spiritually, physically, and psychologically healthy for the spiritual ascent of Mount Carmel. We want to make sure men have the potential to be formed into good Carmelites, active in prayer, community life, and service. In short, we want to make sure that we can offer the Church and the world good priests and brothers. We do walk applicants through the process step by step in order to make sure that the experience is as enjoyable as possible. If you go through the process, we hope that you come to a greater understanding of yourself and God's work in your life. Like courting, we try to get to know you and you us to make sure that your call in life and the Carmelite vocation is a good match. The preliminary period, the application process and even the formation process prior to final vows is a period when we get to know each other better. Applicants need to: Be at least 18 years of age Be a high school graduate Be able to undertake the obligations of vowed life: poverty, chastity, and obedience Be able to express their emotions and be capable of interdependence Have a healthy self-image Have some level of personal integration and consistency with their professed Christian ideals Be tolerant and patient and able to deal with loneliness Have a basic understanding of authority and its value in community life Be able to take part in community Have sufficient background and intelligence to do advanced studies in philosophy and theology Have the ability to be creative, responsible and independent in thought Have a strong relationship with God Be a practicing Catholic in good standing for at least two years Value prayer and the Sacraments Be open to spiritual growth and direction Have some knowledge of Catholic teaching Be attracted to the Carmelite way of life Have some understanding of the spirit and works of the Order Be aware of the Order as community Be willing to work Desire to devote their lives to God's work in the Church Have the capacity to share in the ordinary work of the Province Possess an attitude of outreach and service to others Be free of outstanding debts and obligations except student loans