The Lay Carmelite Order of The Blessed Virgin (historically known as the "Third Order") is an association mainly of laypersons.  Its members, responding to a special call of God, freely and deliberately commit themselves "to live in the following of Jesus Christ," according to the charism, traditions and the spirit of Camel under the authority of the Prior General of the Carmelite order.  Its members, though not in religious life, choose to live out their baptismal commitment according to the spirit of the Carmelite order.