The Secular Order of Discalced Carmelites "welcomes those of the faithful who, by special vocation, undertake to live, in the world, an evangelical life of fraternal communion imbued with the spirit of contemplative prayer and apostolic zeal according to the example and teaching of the Carmelite saints."  Secular Carmelites come from all walks of life. They are business owners, public servants, clerical staff, professionals, homemakers, retirees, students, men and women, young and old, married and single--each one trying to respond to God's call to "meditate on the Lord's law, day and night" while working, raising families, etc.

Secular Carmelites usually belong to a local community. Where such communities exist they gather once a month for fellowship, prayer, and the study of Carmelite spirituality.

Those interested in becoming a Secular Carmelite first undergo a period as an Aspirant. An Aspirant will meet regularly with a Secular Carmelite community for a period of at least six months. During this time, the Aspirant will receive a broad introduction to the Order and its spirituality. At the end of six months, an Aspirant may request to enter into the five-year period of spiritual formation.
 

The initial formation period begins when an individual is clothed with the Brown Scapular of the order and given a copy of the Gospels and of the Rule. This period of formation (sometimes also called novitiate) normally lasts a total of five years and may be extended a year under certain circumstances. During formation a member will study more fully the Rule of Life, Carmelite saints, Carmelite writings, the Liturgy of the Hours, and contemplative prayer. Gradually, the person in initial formation will integrate the Carmelite charism into their daily life as he or she develops the habit of prayer.
 

After the period of initial formation, the individual may then request permission to make a public Temporary Promise. The Promise is a commitment "to tend towards evangelical perfection in the spirit of the evangelical counsels of chastity, poverty, obedience and of the Beatitudes, according to the Rule of the Secular Order of Discalced Carmelites, for three years." After three years, an individual may request permission to make Final Promises (substituting "for all my life" in place of "for three years").
 

One year after making the Final Promises, a Secular Carmelite may be permitted to make vows of chastity and obedience. The vow of chastity does not affect the rights and duties of married people, nor does it prevent a single person from entering into marriage. The vow does not add any obligation which is not already binding under God's law. The vow of obedience binds the Secular Carmelite only within the limits of the Rule. The vows "constitute a more complete oblation of self to God, and add the merit of the virtue of religion to the observance of chastity and obedience."