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What qualifications are required?

On the natural level: good mental health, reasonably good physical health, good references, intelligence, a sense of humour, COMMON SENSE.      On the spiritual level: generous good will, teachability, a determination to persevere even when things get difficult.

Is it possible to stay inside the enclosure for a little while to see what community life is really like?

Yes. In order to assist in the task of discerning a vocation and to help those who show true signs of having a vocation to the contemplative life to come to a better understanding of our way of life, the Prioress, if she sees fit, with the consent of the Chapter, may allow them to live inside the monastery for a period of time not exceeding three months. However, it must be said that the only true way of knowing what life in Carmel is like is to take the plunge, join the community and to start actually living the life.

What is involved in initial formation and how long does it take?

The purpose of formation is to bring candidates, who are docile to the action of the Holy Spirit and who respond with love to the gratuitous and loving call of the Lord, gradually to know and live the Discalced Carmelite Nuns' vocation. In order that the candidates may be prepared to consecrate their lives, they will undergo a long period of formation and trial. Its purpose is to enable them to have practical experience of our life and to interiorise its spirit while also giving the community a chance to evaluate their vocation, their attitudes and intentions.

This process of formation includes the postulancy period (varying from six months to a year and a half), the novitiate proper (lasting one to two years) and the time in temporary vows (at least three years and even up to six years). Thus, in total, the usual time for intial formation is about five years but it will, of course, depend on the individual candidate and the community involved. When the postulant becomes a novice she is given the habit of the Order and a white veil. She then begins to live the full Carmelite life, coming to know its demands and experiencing them, and interiorising our spirit.

However, the candidate only becomes a full member of the Order when she makes her religious profession. She then pledges herself by public vow to live according to the three evangelical counsels and is consecrated to God through the ministry of the Church. She may make a single profession for the entire period of temporary vows or make it for a year with successive renewals. If all goes well, after three years (or maybe a bit more) the religious will be admitted to solemn profession and will make vows committing herself to live according to the Rule and Constitutions of the Discalced Carmelite Nuns for the rest of her life, now receiving a black veil.