A community of Secular Order Carmelites has been meeting regularly at Cleveland Carmel since 1939. In the past, since there are no Carmelite friars in Ohio, various religious order and diocesan priests assisted our Secular Order in many ways. In recent years, one of our Sisters has met regularly with the group, and Carmelite friars from out of town have come for Days of Recollection and celebrations of profession. Presently the community has twenty-two active members and meets at the monastery on the first Sunday morning of each month. Members are in all stages of formation, from initial inquiry to preparation for final vows. Membership in the Secular Order is open to all practicing Catholic laypersons with a desire to live the Carmelite way of life within their present vocation and life commitments. Secular Carmelites commit themselves to a half-hour of mental prayer each day, to the praying of Morning and Evening Praise from the Divine Office, to daily Mass when possible, and to praying the rosary or some other devotion to Our Lady each day.