MORRISTOWN Discalced Carmelite Sister Carmen Michel has made her final vows at the Monastery of the Blessed Virgin Mary of Mount Carmel here June 24 before Bishop Serratelli, her family, supporters and fellow Carmelites.
The Bishop presided at the Mass at which Sister Carmen made her final vows. The 28-year-old Carmelite nun entered when she was 19 while still a college student.
“St. Therese the Little Flower’s ‘The Story of a Soul’ was an original inspiration to become a cloistered religious sister,” said Sister Carmen. “During my long formation process, I’ve received incredible blessings and introduced to so many different parts of our life so I may be prepared and fully be ready to serve God.”
The oldest of 10 children, with six of her siblings being adopted, Sister Carmen and her family have always been active in the Church. She grew up in Long Island and her family worships at St. Bridget Parish in Westbury, L.I. They have also been involved with the work of the Franciscan Friars of the Renewal. Sister Carmen’s father served for many years as a highly decorated police officer for the New York Police Department.
“Like many families, we have experienced difficult points in our life, which became a moment when faith was so important,” said Sister Carmen, “Through praying the rosary with my family and praying together at home, my vocation to be a religious sister started to grow.”
An excellent student, she entered college when she was only 15. She majored in engineering and later theology at Christendom College in Virginia, traveled to Israel on pilgrimage, participated on a mission trip to Spain and studied for a semester in Rome all before turning 19. Her moment of grace to change majors from engineering to theology happened when she went out for a run, an activity she enjoyed doing. While seeing the scenery that surrounded her, she started to think about the culture of today’s world so steeped in materialism. So she joined a vocations group and visited the Morristown Carmel with seven girls during her third year in college. Her life changed when she decided to return for a visit again on her own to make her final decision about becoming a cloistered Carmelite nun.
“I saw how happy the sisters were and I wanted to live in that same joy,” said Sister Carmen.
Currently there are 18 sisters living at the monastery in Morristown, putting it at full capacity. Because of the continuous growth, the order is currently looking for a second monastery to house sisters and welcome more women to join them.
While some may be surprised to hear about the increase in vocations to cloistered orders, Sister Carmen believes “it is the authentic life to serve God in quiet prayer and true happiness” that appeals to so many women in religious life.
“I encourage young people not to be afraid of what God will ask of them,” Sister Carmen said. “God knows us more than we know ourselves, so I encourage them to look for what God wants them to do. He knows us the best and about what is in our hearts.”