All of Carmelite spirituality is rooted in the human heart's deepest desire for intimate union with God. This union with God is through love – the Carmelite Rule places the final stage of discipleship through a way of following Jesus Christ.
The attaining of Union with God is primarily God's work, yet the soul can correspond with a joyful detachment from everything that is not God.
No other saint has explained the path to Union with God better than St. Teresa of Jesus, Carmelite Doctor of the Church on prayer.
From Christ, the Carmelite, henceforth, is not to look away; in dependence on Him the Carmelite intends to live. Carmel is all about searching for God and union with God.
The truth about Jesus which Carmelites are called to live out is Christ's prayerful union with His Father while in the midst of the world.
The friars seek to live a life of faithful prayer, seeking union with God through a "life of allegiance to Jesus Christ."
The Essence of the Carmelite Charism is Prayer and Contemplation leading to union with God.
“Carmelite spirituality enables God-seekers to discover new heights and depths of union with God,” says Father Michael Berry, O.C.D., a Discalced Carmelite.
Carmel is a journey that brings us to greater union with God, souls and Holy Mother Church! St. Teresa of Jesus called this journey "the royal road to Heaven”.
St Elizabeth of the Trinity once said describing our Carmelite life, “The life of a Carmelite is a life of communion with God from morning until night”.
Thus the goal of the Carmelite life is union with God.
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