Secular Order of Discalced Carmelites

Formation

Image

Visitor

A person discerning a vocation to Carmel should attend a minimum of 3 meetings prior to application for the Aspirancy. This allows the individual to become familiar with the community and the OCDS lifestyle, while also providing the community opportunity for discernment of an individual's possible vocation.

Aspirancy

The Aspirancy lasts a full year (12 sessions) and includes a basic introduction to the Discalced Carmelite Order: its history, charism and OCDS legislation. Upon completion and discernment on the part of both the candidate and the community's Council, a candidate may be admitted into the Formation Program via a Clothing ceremony, during which the candidate receives the habit of the OCDS: the ceremonial Brown Scapular. This large Scapular is worn only at community meetings and other designated occasions.

First Promise

Preparation to make the First Promise entails 24 sessions, with the objective of deepening the life of prayer and knowledge of the Teresian Carmel. The candidate now embarks on a study of the authorative structure essential to our way of life as well as the apostolate and introduction to the writings of St. Teresa. Upon completion of the 2-year program, a candidate may apply to make the First Promise, making one a full member of the OCDS for 3 years.

Final Promise

The Secular Carmelite now embarks on a 3-year study of our Carmelite Doctors of the Church: St. Teresa of Jesus, St. John of the Cross and St. Therese of Lisieux, preparing for a lifetime commitment to Carmel and a promise to live the evangelical counsels and spirit of the Beatitudes for life. At the end of 36 sessions, the candidate may apply to make the Final Promise.

Ongoing Formation

Ongoing Formation is a lifelong program with the goal of continuing and deepening the Carmelite vocation through communal study at the monthly meetings. The Fully Professed are free to tap the riches of Carmelite spirituality through the writings of our saints and other spiritual authors as well as Church documents and contemporary books of interest.