WhatsExpected

What is Expected of Me as a Lay Carmelite

The Lay Carmelite is expected to spend about one-half hour daily in reflective prayer. This may take various forms:

     Meditation on the Scriptures.

     Praying the Liturgy of the Hours.

     Reading spiritual classics, especially those of the Carmelite Tradition.

     Studying the writings of Vatican II and the present day encyclicals by our           Holy Father.

When a postulant has completed Phase 1 and the Council has determined that they are ready to continue, they will be received into the Order and become a Lay Carmelite. Normally all candidates for reception will be received into the order during July of each year.

Under the guidance of the Formation Director, the new novices will begin a course of instruction to deepen their prayer life, their sense of community and thier call to ministry. This period of formation between reception and temporary promises shall last a minimum of two years. After completion of the Phase II manual and the two years of living our way of life, the novice is eligible with the approval of the Council to make a free and eliberate choice to proffess Temporary Promises as a Lay Carmelite.

The Lay Carmelite is expected to:

     Attend Daily Mass

     Pray the Liturgy of Hours (At least Morning & Evening Prayer)

     Meditation on the Scriptures.

     Wear the Brown Scapular of Our lady of Mount Carmel as a sign
       of our consecration to her.

     Attend the Lay Carmelite Community Meetings and Formation

     Participate in the Community Apostlate

Formation

After a visitor/aspirant has visited with the community for a period of 4 months to one year, they may apply and request to become a candidate for reception into the Order. At a monthly meeting, the aspirant will be accepted by the community as a postulant. Each postulant will receive a cross as an outward sign of this commitment. The postulant will begin their studies for receiption using the Phase I manual and begin or continue thier work in the communities active ministry. This period will last from 9 months to two years.

The following is the general formation information for the Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary. We do adhere to the Carmelite Statutes approved in April 2002 and explain our community's process.

The Postulant

Reception

Profession

After Temporary profession, you begin Phase III - Ongoing formation. A Profession of Final Promises may be made after a minimum of three years fro the time one professes Temporary Profession.

After the end of some years after Final Profession, not less than three, professed members may decide under the advice of thier Spiritual Director to renew their Profession making the vows of obedience and chastity according to their state in life.