 With the purpose of avoiding confusion of said vows, the Carmelitas developed a system of signs and signals to allow effective communication.For example, they would make the sign of the cross with an open hand in order to ask the priest for something or pretend to beat eggs in order to request their presence in the kitchen.The Carmelitas had few cows to supply the little milk they drank every few days as a way to accomplish their vows of poverty and austerity.