Spirituality

At Mount Carmel Academy, faith is at the heart of everything we do. Rooted in the Carmelite tradition, students are encouraged to deepen their relationship with God through daily prayer, Mass, class retreats, student-led faith activities, and service. Together, these experiences prepare students to lead lives of faith, compassion, and service.

Mount Carmel Academy is a Newman Guide Recommended School, recognized for its commitment to Catholic identity and faith formation.

Prayer & Sacraments

  • Daily community prayer
  • Daily school-wide Rosary
  • Weekly Mass celebrated in the Chapel 
  • of the Blessed Virgin Mary
  • Monthly school-wide Masses and 
  • Liturgical Services
  • Regular Sacrament of Reconciliation
  • Regular Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament
  • Daily access to campus chapels
  • School and grade-level liturgies for students and parents
  • Catholic School Week Mass
  • Stations of the Cross led by students

Faith Formation

  • Religion classes
  • Eighth grade, freshman, and sophomore 
  • one-day retreats
  • Junior and senior overnight retreats
  • March for Life, Washington, D.C.
  • NOLACatholic Youth Conference
  • National Catholic Youth Conference
  • Teens Encounter Christ (TEC) Retreat participants
  • Archdiocesan Teen CROSS delegates
  • CCRNO Youth Program Retreat participants
  • Sudden Impact Program
  • CYO and CYO Peer Ministry members

Campus Ministry & Leadership

  • Campus chaplains
  • Two campus ministers
  • Campus Ministry Organization
  • Student retreat teams
  • Student-planned prayer services
  • Student Extraordinary Ministers of 
  • Holy Communion
  • Student altar servers
  • Bi-monthly “Come, Lord Jesus” prayer groups led by parents, alumnae, teachers, and seniors
  • Monthly Rosary at the Grotto

Service

  • Cubs in Action Service Learning Program
  • Class Community Service Days
  • Summer Service Learning Camp
  • Carmel Service Experience

Tradition of Carmel

The tradition of Carmel is one of the oldest spiritual traditions in the Catholic Church, with roots reaching back to the Book of Kings in the Old Testament and the prophet Elijah. The Carmelites as we know them today began as hermits living on the slopes of Mount Carmel in the Holy Land.

Carmelites look to the Blessed Virgin Mary and the prophet Elijah as models of faith. Mary is their patroness and spiritual mother, an example of humility, trust, and devotion to God’s will. Elijah reminds Carmelites to listen for God’s presence, even in the “tiny whispering sound” described in 1 Kings 19:9-13.

Prayer is at the heart of Carmelite spirituality. It is a way of growing in friendship with God, experiencing his love, reflecting on the mystery and wonder of life, and seeking meaning in everyday experiences.

For generations, the Sisters of Our Lady of Mount Carmel have carried that spirit into their ministry and their response to the needs of the times. At Mount Carmel Academy, that tradition continues to shape the spiritual life of the school and the young women entrusted to its care.