On Saturday, August 15, 2020, the Solemnity of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Emily Hayes entered our Carmelite Community. It was a joyous occasion to receive yet another young member, as we have been praying fervently to “the Lord of the harvest”!  After completing her year of Aspirancy, Emily now begins her postulancy–the beginning of her initial formation to becoming a Carmelite nun.

Emily is the daughter of Jason and Elizabeth Hayes of Huntsville, AL.  After high school graduation in 2016, she pursued a career in ballet, dancing as an apprentice for Alabama Ballet.  This lasted only a few months, since an injury to her foot ended her dreams of dancing professionally.  Divine Providence was intervening in her life.  Emily then redirected her focus to attending the University of Alabama beginning in 2017, majoring in English.  Since she enjoyed traveling, Emily thought of possibly teaching English in foreign countries.  In her third year of college, God again intervened in a special way.  Emily realized that the Lord was calling her to choose Him above all things and dedicate her life as a religious.  Gradually, the Lord led her to understand that her vocation was to the contemplative life of a Carmelite Nun.  After graduating from college in the fall of 2019, Emily’s heart has been set on following Jesus’ call to Carmel.   The powerful prayer of the Rosary and her desire to become a mother of souls has been the guiding lights along her way.

In Carmel, Emily now joins her younger sister, Madeline Hayes, in the common pursuit of their personal vocations.  Like the Martin sisters of St. Therese, they have now become sisters in the Spirit!  May God bless their parents and family in their generosity and support of their vocations!