OCDS Provincial Statutes for the Oklahoma Province

 

 

PREFACE

 

The Constitutions of the Secular Order of Discalced Carmelites are the fundamental, general laws for its members.  Provincial Statutes are to complete and adapt these general laws where and as permitted in the Constitutions [Constitutions, Preface].

 

The present statutes are the general law for Carmelite Seculars of the Oklahoma Province.  They are also binding upon those Carmelite Seculars residing in the United States under the jurisdiction of the Cracow Province until such time as the Cracow Province assumes responsibility for the Seculars within their United States province.

 

*All references to the Provincial Council are referring to the OCDS Provincial Council and not the Provincial Council of the Friars.

 

Section I : Formation

 

1)      There are three periods of Formation.

 

a)      A twelve month aspirancy [Art. 36a]

 

b)      Formation for First Promise, which lasts two years [Art. 36b] 

 

c)      And Formation for Definitive Promise, which lasts three years [Art. 36d]

 

2)      The formal aspirancy period mentioned in Article 36a shall be twelve months.^[1]  The period of aspirancy formally starts when the Local Council invites an individual to begin the introductory study of the Carmelite Secular charism in preparation for acceptance into the community.

 

3)      When an aspirant is clothed in the large brown scapular, the more serious period of formation mentioned in Article 36b begins. 

 

4)      The candidate normally retains his or her baptismal name.  A title of devotion may be added to one’s baptismal name, if desired, when the candidate makes the First Promise. 

 

5)      Either of the two periods of Formation after clothing may be extended if it is determined (normally by the Local Council) to be in the best interest of the candidate. 

 

a)      The first period of Formation (before the First Promise) may be extended for one more year. 

 

b)      The second period of Formation (before the Definitive Promise) may be extended up to one and a half more years. 

 

6)      When the Spiritual Assistant is unable to preside, no special delegation is needed for the Local Council to ask another priest or deacon to clothe candidates and receive Promises and vows [Ritual 13, 31, 51, 67].

 

Section II: Isolates

 

Community is an integral part of the Carmelite Secular vocation [cf. Art. 9d, 26, 36, 40].

 

1)      The Provincial Council shall assign isolates to a community.  The President of the local community shall initiate contact with the isolate [Art. 56].  Ongoing contact may be delegated by the President to one or more members of the community. 

 

2)      There shall be monthly contact between the isolate and the community member.  This contact may be via phone, letter, or e-mail, or in person. 

 

3)      In most cases, isolates in need of formation will be assigned to a Canonical Community, and the Director of Formation shall oversee initial formation of isolates.  Upon making the Definitive Promise, an isolate then may be transferred to a Study Group which may be geographically closer to the isolate.

 

4)      During initial formation leading up to Definitive Promises, the isolate is required to meet with the community at least once a year.  All isolates are strongly encouraged to continue visits to the community at least once a year. 

 

 

Section III: Community Elections

 

1)      Community elections shall be held every three years in the spring prior to the Provincial elections of the Friars.  The newly elected Local Council shall assume their duties at the end of the meeting in which they are elected.  To preserve freedom of the newly elected Local Council, all other offices (Secretary, Treasurer, Formation Director, etc.) shall be vacated at the end of the same meeting.

 

2)      Elections of the Community President and three Councilors shall be conducted in accordance with recognized parliamentary procedures^[2] with the following particular provisions:

 

a)      A nominating committee of at least three professed members[3] may be appointed by the Local Council and the names of the committee members shall be announced to the members at a meeting approximately one month in advance of the meeting when the election is to take place. 

 

b)      The nominating committee shall select qualified nominees for each office who have consented to serve if elected.  For the office of President there should be two or three nominees who have made their Definitive Promise [Art. 51].  For office of the three Councilors there should be an adequate number of nominees.^[4] 

 

c)      Only professed members may serve as members of the Local Council.

 

d)      In order that leadership qualities be developed in our communities, all council members (President, councilors and Director of Formation) shall serve no more than two consecutive terms. To be elected to a third consecutive term requires a postulation from the Provincial Council.[5]

 

e)      The report of the nominating committee (list of nominees) shall be presented to the members at the meeting at which the election shall take place.  Nominees for President may also be nominated for the Councilor ballot if not elected as President.

 

f)        Only professed members are eligible to vote. 

 

g)      Nominations may be made from the floor, and write-in votes shall be valid. 

 

h)      Voting is to be by secret ballot.  A quorum^[6] of eligible voting members being present, a majority^[7] shall be required for election. 

 

i)        Voting by letter or proxy shall be invalid. 

 

3)      Election of the President

 

a)      The Spiritual Assistant shall invoke the guidance of the Holy Spirit.  In the absence of the Assistant, this shall be the duty of the incumbent President. 

 

b)      Election of the President shall be on a separate ballot from Councilors and shall precede election of the Councilors. 

 

c)      If a majority is not reached by any nominee on the first ballot, the names of the two nominees receiving the highest number of votes shall be placed on the second ballot.  If there is a tie on the second ballot, there shall be a third and final ballot.  In the event of a tie on the third ballot, seniority of profession shall be the determining factor of the election.  If there is a tie on the profession date, then seniority by age shall determine the election. 

 

4)      Election of the Local Council

 

a)      The outgoing President shall preside at the election and conduct it in accordance with Sec. III.2 above. 

 

b)      The three incumbent Councilors shall count and verify the votes, and the Secretary shall record them. 

 

c)      The three Councilors shall be elected on a single ballot.  Each voter shall enter on the ballot their first, second, and third choice for Councilor.  First choice candidates shall receive three points in the tabulation of the ballots.  Second choice two points, and third choice one point.^[8]  The candidates with the three highest points shall be elected Councilors.  The candidate with the fourth highest points shall be elected Councilor only if the Director of Formation is elected by the Local Council from one of its newly elected members. 

 

d)      In case of ties, the same rules outlined in Sec. III.3d above apply.

 

5)      The procedure for appointing the Secretary and Treasurer should be left to the discretion of the newly elected Local Council. [cf. Arts. 54-55] 

 

 

Section IV: Remembrances of the Dead

 

1)      At the time of death of a community member:

a)      The President or a designated member of the community shall inform the members of the community of the member's death as soon as possible and provide information regarding the funeral.

b)      The President or a designated member shall contact the family of the deceased to determine how the community may be of service and participate in the funeral service.  The desires of the family regarding funeral arrangements must always be honored.

c)      Those unable to attend the funeral shall participate in a Mass and receive Holy Communion for the deceased, or remember the deceased in prayer, preferably the Office for Dead.

d)      The community of the deceased shall prepare a short notice of death to send to the Central Office for publication in the Provincial newsletter.

2)      At the first meeting following news of the death of a member of the province (including friars and nuns), the community shall pray for the deceased member.

3)      Deceased members of the entire Order should be remembered in daily prayers, especially on the Feast of All Souls of the Carmelite Order.

4)      Members are to be encouraged to inform their families regarding

a)      participation by their brothers and sisters in Carmel in the funeral services

b)      burial in their habit as a Carmelite Secular, namely the large brown scapular

c)      having the initials "OCDS" included on their headstone

5)      Each community shall maintain a necrology of the deceased members of that community. 

 

Section V: Vows

 

1)      Since the vows constitute a strictly personal and more complete offering of oneself, and therefore entail a greater moral responsibility [cf. RL, Art. 15], Carmelite Seculars desiring to take vows of obedience and chastity should go through a serious discernment process.  This discernment process should include discussions with their personal spiritual director/confessor, if available,  the Spiritual Assistant of the local community, and the Local Council, and requires the permission of the Provincial or his delegate [cf. Art. 40].

 

2)      Carmelite Seculars may be permitted to take vows of obedience and chastity no sooner than five years after making the Definitive Promise.

 

3)      A Carmelite Secular who has made vows and wishes to leave the order and/or be dispensed from those vows must request dispensation via the Provincial Delegate [CCL 1196].

 

 

Section VI: Age Requirements

 

            A candidate for admission to formation in the Secular Order must be at least eighteen years of age.

 

 

Section VII: Community Size

 

1)      Communities are encouraged to limit their size in order to maintain a strong sense of intimacy within the community.  The more the members know one another and share with one another, the greater the opportunity to love one another.

 

2)      It is left to the discretion of each community as to the maximum number of members it should have.  As the size of the community approaches that number, discussions should start regarding the process of forming a second community.   Formation of the second community shall follow the same process as outlined in the statutes relating to the establishment of a new community (Sec. XV).

 

3)      The Local Council of the community shall contact the Provincial Council advising it that the community is approaching or has reached its maximum size and may need to form a second community.  The Provincial Council shall provide policy on the factors to be taken into account when deciding how to split a community.

 

 

Section VIII: Apostolate

 

1)      Apostolate is a duty and requirement of each baptized and confirmed person [AA 1.3; CCL 225.1].  Even the most interior soul must respond to the demands of charity in some form or fashion, and thus all Carmelite Seculars are called to have an apostolate [Art. 27].  Through their apostolic endeavors, Carmelite Seculars demonstrate how it is possible to seek intimate union with God even in the midst of worldly duties and concerns, in addition to responding to the Gospel's call to serve one another.  In this way, they share in the prophetic mission of Christ to which they are called in baptism and put into practice the prophetic dimension of the Carmelite charism.

 

2)      While priority is given to those places where the apostolic commitment is individual (the family, one's profession or work), each OCDS canonical community should have an apostolic commitment as well[9].  A report of the community's apostolic endeavors shall be included as part of the triennial community report turned in prior to the Plenary Council [Sec. XIX.3].

 

3)      The Carmelite community apostolate is to share Carmelite spirituality.

 

4)      In considering an apostolate, the community needs to be sensitive to the feelings, interests, abilities and talents, and physical and financial capabilities of the members of the community working together as a whole. 

 

5)      Formation in the apostolate shall be part of every formation program so that each Carmelite Secular may contribute to the community apostolate once they have been professed.

 

6)      Since the local bishop is to foster various forms of organized apostolate in his diocese [CCL 394],  the community may need to consult with the local diocesan office relative to the possible need for the Bishop's approval.  The Spiritual Assistant or a local pastor may be consulted first if there is any question about the need for approval.

 

 

Section IX: External Signs of Membership

 

1)      The large ceremonial brown scapular shall be given as the habit of the Secular Order at the time of admission to formation.

 

2)      A smaller brown scapular or scapular medal is worn for everyday use.

 

3)      The ceremonial scapular may be worn at community meetings as well as at ceremonial and/or liturgical events of the Carmelite Order.  It may also be worn at events at which the Carmelite Order wishes to be recognized (e.g. wakes and funerals of our members).  Any Local Councilor may determine which events fall into this latter category.

 

 

Section X: Marian Devotions

 

1)      Discalced Carmelite Seculars honor Mary daily.  We recognize her as Mother, sister and model pray-er, disciple and one in service to God and the Church [Arts.  4, 29, 30 & 31].  Carmelite Seculars wear the brown scapular of Our Lady of Mount Carmel, or the scapular medal, as our habit.

 

2)      Carmelite Seculars recognize and value the diversity of expressions of devotion to Mary. Carmelite Seculars especially pay attention to the Christocentric aspect of those Marian devotions which should always lead us into even closer relationship to Our Lord. As guidelines for fostering proper Marian devotion, Carmelite Seculars shall look to the Church teachings on Mary found in Lumen Gentium, Mariatus Cultus, and Redemptoris Mater.[10]

 

3)      Carmelite Seculars are encouraged to remember the Marian character traditionally attached to the months of May and October and shall be especially mindful of Marian devotions during those months.

 

 

Section XI: Feast Days and Fasting

 

1)      In addition to the days of fasting and of abstinence proper to the Church in the United States and in response to the encouragement of our bishops "to prepare for each Church festival by a day of particular self-denial, penitential prayer and fasting" [cf.  National Conference of Catholic Bishops, Pastoral Statement, "Penitent-Discipline in the United States", Washington, DC, 1966] and to our Carmelite traditions, our members, unless excused by reason of illness,  shall fast on the vigils of the following feast days:

Our Blessed Lady of Mount Carmel                              [Jul 16]

The Prophet Elijah                                                         [Jul 20]

St Therese of the Child Jesus                                         [Oct 1]

Our Holy Mother, Teresa of Jesus                               [Oct 15]

All Saints of the Order                                                [Nov 14]

Our Holy Father John of the Cross                              [Dec 14]

Feast day of the patron of the local community                         

 

2)      For sufficient reason, the above fast days may be anticipated.  Anticipation should never involve fasting on Sundays and Holy Days [cf. CCL 1249-1253].

3)      It is recommended that each community consider the option of celebrating the feast by some form of communal celebration or recreation (i.e., attending Mass together, meeting for a meal).

 

 

Section XII: Transfers Within the Province

 

1)      When a member of the Oklahoma Province moves within the province and is near another community, that person shall contact that community and begin attending its meetings.  After at least six meetings, the member may apply for official transfer to the community.[11] 

 

2)      A member who is transferring to a new community prior to Definitive Promise shall meet with the Formation Director, who shall evaluate the formation received to that point.  The Formation Director shall also contact the previous Formation Director to obtain further information and details of the formation received.  The member shall complete formation with the new community.  This may mean some repetition of material covered in the previous community's program and/or guided study of material already covered by the new community in its program. After the transfer candidate is evaluated by the Formation Director, the final decision about formation status and readiness is made by the Local Council of the new community.

 

3)      If for whatever reason the Local Council of the new community does not accept a
transferring member, the member shall petition the Provincial Council for transfer to isolate status.

 

4)      Members who move within the province and are no longer near a community shall apply to the Provincial Council for transfer to isolate status [Sec. II].

 

5)      The member shall either transfer to a new community or seek isolate status no more than a year after moving to a new location. 

 

 

Section XIII: Transfers Between Provinces

 

1)      Carmelite Seculars fall under the juridical authority of the province in which they reside.   When someone from another province moves into the Oklahoma Province, the same transfer procedures as in Sec. XII shall apply.

 

2)      When a member of the Oklahoma Province moves into another province, that member shall contact the Provincial Office of the new province for information and procedures for transferring into that province. The transferring member can obtain contact information for the U.S. Provinces from the Central Office of the Oklahoma Province.

 

 

Section XIV: Transfers of TOCs to OCDS

 

Third Order members of the Ancient Observance of Carmel (hereafter TOC) who desire to become Discalced Carmelite Seculars shall follow the same procedures as Sec. XIII with the following differences:

 

1)      Once the Formation Director has obtained information from the former community and met with the candidate, he/she shall consult the Provincial Council for guidance on the level of formation the candidate should enter.  It is assumed that at least some formation regarding the differences in charism shall be needed, and additional formation in other areas may be required.  

 

2)      Even if the candidate has been definitively promised in the TOC, a period of First Promise in Secular Carmel shall be observed before the candidate is admitted to Definitive Promise.  Permission of the Provincial Council may be obtained to shorten the period in First Promise for the TOC being admitted to OCDS.

 

3)      A TOC who was in initial formation prior to seeking this change may be admitted to OCDS formation using the Rite for Admission to Formation.  If the candidate has already been clothed in the brown scapular, then that part of the ritual should be passed over.  Admission to First Promise would be made using the Rite for Promise without change.

 

 

Section XV: Canonical Establishment of a Community

 

1)      Individuals interested in the possibility of establishing an OCDS community may, with the consent of the Provincial Council and under its supervision, form a group focused on what it means to be Carmelite Secular in terms of its personal and communal responsibilities.  This shall be the first stage in the process of becoming an established OCDS community, during which there is a discernment regarding the determination, cohesiveness, and compatibility as a group to continue on together toward this goal.  At this stage the group shall be known as a Group in Discernment.

 

2)      Once the Provincial Delegate  appoints a Spiritual Assistant and Director of Formation, this Group in Discernment assumes the status of a recognized Study Group, under the supervision of the Provincial Delegate and the Provincial Council. 

 

a)      After the Study Group has existed for a period of time, it may petition the Provincial Council for election of a provisional Local Council.  The length of service and size of this provisional council may vary depending on how long the group has been in existence and the approval of the Provincial Council. 

 

b)      The Local Council of a Study Group is authorized only to admit candidates to formation (i.e. to clothe them in the large scapular and process them through the two year initial formation program). It then evaluates the candidate’s suitability to make his/her first promise and submits that evaluation to the Provincial Council, which reserves the right to admit the person to the promises and vows.

 

c)      The Provincial Delegate reserves the right to appoint and replace all Councilors of Study Groups. The rest of Article 47 of the Constitutions applies equally to canonical Communities and Study Groups alike.

 

d)      The Provincial Council shall designate a canonical community in the province to serve as a sister community to new Study Groups.  The canonical community shall act as a resource to the group.  The canonical community may assist the Group by inviting its members to join community retreats, offering presentations on specific topics, sharing formation materials, etc.  In some cases, the Provincial Delegate may assign a member of the canonical community to serve as Director of Formation for the Study Group.

 

 

Section XVI: Community Life

 

“Concern for the needs and good of others in the community is a principle of our Rule that guides our Carmelite life.” [Art. 6e]   “A fundamental element of our vocation is to infuse prayer and life with apostolic zeal in a climate of human and Christian community.” [Art. 9d] 

 

1)      The OCDS Community is a local manifestation of the Carmelite family. 

 

2)      In order to foster a climate of human and Christian community [Art. 9d], the local community shall meet at least once a month.  These meetings shall provide for the ongoing formation of all members by a spiritual conference, for the group to transact business of the order, to pray together, and to further fraternal charity [cf. RL 19]. 

 

3)      Where possible, communities are encouraged to share resources with other local communities, such as Days of Recollection, special programs, or celebrations related to the Carmelite charism. 

 

4)      Communities are encouraged to have an annual retreat.  This may also serve as an opportunity to foster relations between communities by gathering together for a regional retreat. 

 

5)      Community life is central to the Carmelite charism.  Therefore, attendance at meetings is expected.  Attendance is so important that the Local Council shall make a policy regarding attendance.  Lack of regular attendance, for reasons other than age or infirmity, may be cause for dismissal. 

 

6)      The community shall take responsibility for keeping aged and infirm members involved in communal life by maintaining regular contact. 

 

7)      The Local Council may approve a one-year leave of absence for those in Definitive Promise^[12] for a serious reason.  The leave of absence may be renewed by the Local Council for up to two more years.  Further extensions may be applied for through the Provincial Council. 

 

8)      The Local Council is the immediate, competent authority of the local community within the limits of the Constitutions of the Secular Order of Discalced Carmelites [Art. 47].  In exercising its responsibilities, the Local Council has the authority  to develop  the appropriate methods and means necessary to facilitate the physical and spiritual growth and well-being of the community.  It is charged with the responsibility of seeing that the members are nurtured spiritually into an understanding of the Promise which makes them members of the Order according to their state in life.  Consequently, the Local Council should assess the community situation and determine what is needed to build and sustain a community and nurture its members.  As needed, the Local Council shall appoint members to serve the community in various responsibilities not already outlined in the Constitutions or Statutes [cf. Art. VII, 52-55], such as facilitators of formation groups, infirmarian, newsletter editor, or retreat coordinator.

 

9)      A member may, for a sufficient reason, ask to leave the Order, in which case the Local Council should consent and release the member from the Promise (dismissal from vows is governed by Sec. V.3 above).  The Local Council should not dismiss anyone without providing an explanation to that person, nor should any member leave the Order without providing an explanation to the Local Council [cf. RL, Art. 16].

 

 

Section XVII: Prayer Life

 

            The members of our province shall practice mental prayer for at least one half hour each day in an atmosphere of interior silence and solitude. [cf. RL, Art. 4] 

 

 

Section XVIII: Finances

 

1)      The local community shall determine the amount of dues to be assessed each member.   The amount shall be dependent on the size of the community and its fiscal responsibilities and needs.  A member's inability to pay dues, temporarily or indefinitely, is a matter to be handled by the Local Council with discretion and sensitivity. If necessary, more affluent members are encouraged to contribute more to make up any loss of income.  Members start paying dues once they have been clothed.  Aspirants are welcome to voluntarily pay dues prior to clothing.  Dues may be collected monthly, quarterly, or annually. 

 

2)      Dues collected should include monies to be distributed to help the poor [Art.55].  Communities may make additional contributions to other worthy causes.

 

3)      The Province shall collect annual dues to help cover expenses of the Central Office, Provincial Delegate, and Provincial Council.  A portion of these dues shall also be forwarded by the Central Office to the General Secretariat of the Secular Discalced Carmelite Order and to the Carmelite Institute to support their functioning.  The Central Office will send out a notice of dues in January of each year.  Dues should be paid by March 31.  The Central Office shall publish a provincial financial report in the spring issue of the OCDS provincial newsletter.

 

4)      The Treasurer of each community shall submit a financial report to the Province (via the Central Office) and the Local Council when provincial dues are submitted.  A standard report shall itemize the income and outflow of funds so that the Province and the Local Council shall have an idea if the community is living in accord with the spirit of the Constitutions.  The Treasurer shall also submit a financial report to the Local Council in September [Art. 55].

 

 

Section XIX: Plenary Council

 

1)      There shall be a Plenary Council held at each OCDS Congress of the Oklahoma Province.  Each Community shall send two members (President and an elected representative) to that council.  Each Study Group shall have one representative.

 

2)      The Plenary Council shall serve as a consultative body to the Provincial Council and Provincial Delegate.  The Plenary Council shall be a means to encourage relationship and communication among the Provincial Council, the Provincial Delegate and the Communities and Study Groups, as well as among the Communities and Study Groups themselves.  Representatives to the Plenary Council may bring important issues of the Province to the attention of the provincial leaders at the time of the Plenary Council.

 

3)      Each Community and Study Group shall submit a written report prior to the Plenary Council meeting.  The Central Office shall provide the format of the report to each Community and Study Group.  The President of the Provincial Council shall give a "State of the Province Report" based on the triennial reports of the Communities and Study Groups at the Plenary Council.

 

 

Section XX: OCDS Provincial Council

 

“Where there is an organized circumscription of the friars of the Order, the Secular Order is to form a Provincial Council to assist one another better in formation and the apostolate…” [Art. 57] 

 

1)      The OCDS Provincial Council shall consist of five Definitively Promised members of our province, with the right to vote on matters pertaining to our life.  Each shall serve a six-year term.  The terms shall be staggered so that two or three members are elected every three years.  Councilors may not serve two consecutive terms. 

 

2)      Elections for Provincial Council positions shall be held every three years, after Local Community elections.  Canonical Communities may each nominate one candidate for the Provincial Council.  The Central Office shall send nomination forms to the Communities.

 

3)      The Provincial Council and the Provincial Delegate shall choose a total of five candidates from these nominees for open Provincial Council positions and confirm their willingness to serve.   Voting forms will then be mailed to each Canonical Community and Study Group.  Canonical Communities will vote for two candidates while Study Groups will vote for one candidate.  The voting forms shall returned to the Central Office by the deadline given.    The voting forms shall be signed by the President of the community or the Formation Director of Study Groups without a President.  At least one other Council member (or Study Group member) shall sign the voting form.  Depending on the number of Provincial Councilors being elected, the 2 or 3 receiving the highest number of votes will be elected to office.  The Provincial Delegate will contact the nominees to inform them of the results of the election.  Results of the Provincial Council election will be announced in the next provincial newsletter.

 

4)      The Provincial Council has the authority to replace, for a serious reason, a member of the Provincial Council itself [cf. Art. 47d].

 

5)      The Provincial Council shall elect a president every three years after new members are elected. 

 

6)      The President shall coordinate the work of the Provincial Council and preside at its meetings.  The President shall also preside at meetings of the Plenary Council.

 

7)      Members of the Provincial Council shall make visitations.  A Councilor, while making visitation, comes as a representative of the Provincial with the rights and privileges of that office.  The visitator respects the autonomy of the Local Council’s authority.^[13]

 

8)      The Provincial Council shall appoint representatives to the National Council.   The President of the Provincial Council shall always serve as one of the National Council representatives.

 

9)      The Provincial Council shall appoint a liaison to the Spanish-speaking members of our province.  If this liaison needs to be selected from outside the Provincial Council itself, the liaison shall be allowed to participate in all deliberations of the council. 

 

10)  The Provincial Council may also appoint a secretary who is not a Councilor.

 

11)  The Provincial, the Provincial Delegate, and Local Councils may call upon the Provincial Council for assistance in resolving any difficulties that might arise within the province in relation to our Secular members.

 

12)  The Provincial Council shall assist the Provincial Delegate in guiding the formation of  a community from its inception through its discernment period, Study Group status, and eventual request for canonical recognition.  It shall also assist the Provincial Delegate in determining when a canonical community is no longer able to function and needs to have its status reduced. 

 

13)  The Provincial Council may be contacted through the Central Office.^[14] 

 

14)  The Provincial Council shall meet in person^[15] once a year and more often if necessary.

 

15)  A representative of the Provincial Council shall attend meetings of the order as stipulated in Article 38 of the OCDS Constitutions. 

 

 

Section XXI: Formation Guidelines

 

The Secular Order of Discalced Carmelites welcomes those of the faithful who, by special vocation, undertake to live in the world an evangelical life of fraternal communion (community) imbued with the spirit of contemplative prayer in imitation of the Virgin Mary (prayer), and animated with apostolic zeal (apostolate) according to the example and teaching of Carmelite saints (study). (c.f. RL, Preface)

 

1)      Each stage of formation includes goals in the areas of

 

a.       Prayer

b.      Community

c.       Apostolate

d.      Study

e.       the Promise (for the stages leading to First and Definitive Profession)

 

2)      The goals outlined are considered the minimum requirements for each stage of formation and shall be used as part of the discernment process at the end of each formation period.

 

3)      These guidelines include a list of primary sources to be used during each formation period.[16]  While the primary sources provide an expectation of what should be read during each formation period, adjustments to meet the needs and abilities of individual persons are allowed.  Formation Directors may supplement these sources with secondary materials.  All secondary materials should be evaluated in light of their agreement with the Constitutions and current understanding of the Carmelite Secular vocation.

 

4)      From the period of initial formation onwards, it should be emphasized that formation is an ongoing, lifetime process in the life of the Carmelite Secular and an ongoing communal and individual responsibility (Art.33-35).  The Local Council shall make provision for an ongoing formation program for members who are Definitively Professed.  On-going formation shall continue the growth of the individual Carmelite Secular in the areas of prayer, community, apostolate, study, and living the Promise.  It shall include the study of the texts of the Carmelites saints (Art. 34-35), documents of the Church and of the Order (Art. 33, 35-36), occasional review of the OCDS legislative texts, and other materials that support the Carmelite Secular vocation (Art 35-36) as determined by the Local Council.

 

5)      Goals during Aspirancy (one year) shall be

 

a.       Prayer

                                             i.            Learn to pray Morning and Evening Prayer of the Liturgy of the Hours

                                           ii.            Begin to work at least 15 minutes of mental prayer into daily schedule

                                          iii.            Attend daily Mass as far as possible

                                         iv.            Learn to examine conscience (the examen)

                                           v.            Understand the teachings of the Church and the Discalced Carmelite Order regarding the Scapular

 

Primary Sources:

General Instruction on the Liturgy of the Hours

Lectio Divina by Fr. Sam Anthony Morello

Catechesis and Ritual for the Scapular of Our Lady of Mt Carmel

 

b.      Community

                                                   i.      Attend Meetings

                                                 ii.      Be compatible with the other members

                                                iii.      Understand the communal dimension of the call[17]

 

Primary Sources:

*The New OCDS Legislation and the Vocation to Carmel by Fr. Aloysius Deeney

 

c.       Apostolate

                                                   i.      Become aware of the mission of the laity in the Church

                                                 ii.      Understand the compatibility of duties of state of life with Carmelite way of life

                                                iii.      Develop a basic understanding of the OCDS vocation and our call to holiness

 

Primary Sources:

Constitutions of the Secular Order of Discalced Carmelites

OCDS Provincial Statutes for the Oklahoma Province

Cathechism of the Catholic Church - # 738-780

Lumen Gentium - Chapter 5

 

 

 

d.      Study

                                                   i.      Receive an introduction to the history of the Discalced Carmelite Order and its saints

                                                 ii.      Receive an introduction to the Discalced Carmelite charism

                                                iii.      Receive an introduction to the OCDS legislation

 

Primary Sources:

Rule of St Albert

Constitutions of the Secular Order of Discalced Carmelites

OCDS Provincial Statutes for the Oklahoma Province

OCDS Ritual

*Profile of an OCDS by Fr. Aloysius Deeney

Carmelite Spirituality in the Teresian Carmel by Paul Marie of the Cross

*A Touch of OCDS History by Elizabeth M. Korves

 

 

6)      Goals during the formation period leading to First Promise (two years) shall be

 

a.       Prayer

                                                   i.      Learn how to be a cantor for Morning and Evening Prayer

                                                 ii.      Understand the basic stages of prayer

                                                iii.      Practice daily mental prayer for at least a half hour

                                               iv.      Express authentic devotion to Mary

 

Primary Sources:

Cathechism of the Catholic Church - Part 4: Prayer

The Way of Perfection by St. Teresa of Avila

Lumen Gentium - Chapter 8

 

b.      Community

                                                   i.      Take an active role in community by participating in discussions and community activities

                                                 ii.      Show growth in communal virtues of humility, charity and detachment

                                                iii.      Demonstrate ability to work with others

 

Primary Sources:

The Way of Perfection by St. Teresa of Avila

Community and Growth by Jean Vanier, Chapters 1, 3

 

 

c.       Apostolate

                                                   i.      Develop an awareness of the mission of Carmel within the Church

                                                 ii.      Develop an awareness of the apostolate of the laity

                                                iii.      Support Carmelite religious with prayer

 

Primary Sources:

Constitutions of the Secular Order of Discalced Carmelites

OCDS Provincial Statutes for the Oklahoma Province

Lumen Gentium - Chapter 4

Apostolicam Actuositatem

 

d.      Study

                                                   i.      Receive an introduction to the texts of Carmelite saints

                                                 ii.      Learn the history of Carmel from 13^th Century to the 16^th Century Reform

 

Primary Sources:

Story of a Soul by St Therese of Liseaux

Way of Perfection by St Teresa of Avila

Contemporary Challenge of St John of the Cross: His Life and His Teachings by Leonard Doohan

*Historical Notes on the Carmelite Order by Gabriel Barry - Chapters 2, 3, 9, 10

 

e.       Promise

                                                   i.      Make an in-depth Study of the Constitutions and Statutes

                                                 ii.      Understand the evangelical counsels

                                                iii.      Understand the beatitudes

                                               iv.      Understand how OCDS fit into the larger Order

 

Primary Sources:

Constitutions of the Secular Order of Discalced Carmelites

OCDS Provincial Statutes for the Oklahoma Province

OCDS Ritual

book on beatitudes to be chosen at the Formation Director's discretion

*Chastity: This Only One Kind of Love by Gerald Alford

*Promise to be Poor by Gerald Alford

*Existential Obedience by Gerald Alford

 

 

7)      Goals during the formation period leading to the Definitive Promise (three years) shall be

 

a.       Prayer

                                                   i.      Learn how to lead Morning and Evening Prayer

                                                 ii.      Demonstrate a perseverance in mental prayer

                                                iii.      Demonstrate a perseverance in examen

                                               iv.      Adopt Mary as model of contemplative prayer

 

Primary Sources:

Interior Castle by St. Teresa of Avila

The Spiritual Canticle by St. John of the Cross

The Ascent of Mt. Carmel by St. John of the Cross

Redemptoris Mater

 

b.      Community

                                                   i.      Assume a communal sense of responsibility (i.e. willing to assume an office of service within the community)

                                                 ii.      Demonstrate a willingness to submit to the communal good

                                                iii.      Cultivate fraternal relations with other members of the Order

 

Primary Sources:

Community and Growth by Jean Vanier, Chapters 4, 6, 7

 

c.       Apostolate

                                                   i.      Demonstrate a commitment to the call of love

                                                 ii.      Begin to assist in the community apostolate

 

Primary Sources:

Lumen Gentium

Gaudium et Spes

Christifideles Laici

 

d.      Study

                                                   i.      Continue the study of the texts of Carmelite saints

                                                 ii.      Learn the history of Carmel from the Reform to Present

 

Primary Sources:

Journey to Carith: Sources and Stories of the Discalced Carmelites by Peter Thomas Rohrbach

see also listing under Prayer for this period of formation

 

 

 

e.       Promise

                                                   i.      Continue an in-depth Study of the Constitutions and Statutes

                                                 ii.      Develop a deeper understanding of the evangelical counsels

                                                iii.      Develop a deeper understanding of the beatitudes

                                               iv.      Develop a deeper understanding of how OCDS fit into the larger Order

                                                 v.      Understand the seriousness of the life-long commitment

 

Primary Sources:

Constitutions of the Secular Order of Discalced Carmelites

OCDS Provincial Statutes for the Oklahoma Province

OCDS Ritual

book on beatitudes to be chosen at the Formation Director's discretion

*Beatitudes by Fr. Aloysius Deeney

 

 

Bibliographic Information:

 

Apostolicam Actuositatem, Vatican II, Pauline Books and Media, also available as part of the Documents of Vatican II from various publishers and available online.

 

Ascent of Mt Carmel, St John of the Cross, Collected Works, ICS Publications, Washington DC.

 

Beatitudes, Fr. Aloysius Deeney, available online and from Central Office.

 

Carmelite Spirituality in the Teresian Carmel, by Fr. Paul Marie of the Cross, ICS Publications, Washington DC.

 

Catechism of the Catholic Church, multiple publishers and also available online.

 

Catechesis and Ritual for the Scapular of Our Lady of Mt Carmel, ICS Publications, Washington DC.

 

Chastity: This Only One Kind of Love, Gerald Alford, available online and from Central Office.

 

Christifideles Laici, Pauline Books and Media and available online.

 

Community and Growth, Jean Vanier, Paulist Press, Mahwah, NJ, 1989.

 

Constitutions of the Secular Order of Discalced Carmelites, available online and in legislation book available through the Central Office.

 

Contemporary Challenge of St John of the Cross: His Life and His Teachings, Leonard Doohan, ICS Publications, Washington DC.

 

Existential Obedience, Gerald Alford, available online and from Central Office.

 

Gaudium et Spes, Vatican II, Pauline Books and Media, also available as part of the Documents of Vatican II from various publishers and available online.

 

General Instruction on the Liturgy of the Hours, Congregation for Divine Worship, 1971. Printed in full in the 4 volume Liturgy of the Hours.  Text also available online.

 

Historical Notes on the Carmelite Order, Gabriel Barry, available online and from Central Office.

 

Interior Castle, St Teresa of Avila, Collected Works, Vol. 2, ICS Publications, Washington DC.

 

Journey to Carith: Sources and Stories of the Discalced Carmelites, Ptere Thomas Rohrbach, ICS Publications, Washington DC.

 

Lectio Divina, Fr. Sam Anthony Morello, ICS Publications, Washington DC.

 

Lumen Gentium, Vatican II, Pauline Books and Media, also available as part of the Documents of Vatican II from various publishers and available online.

 

New OCDS Legislation and the Vocation to Carmel, Fr. Aloysius Deeney, available online and from Central Office

 

Profile of an OCDS, Fr Aloysius Deeney, available online and from Central Office.

 

Promise to be Poor, Gerald Alford, available online and from Central Office.

 

OCDS Provincial Statutes for the Oklahoma Province, available online and in legislation book available through the Central Office.

 

Redemptoris Mater, Pope John Paul II, Hunter Publishing, 1987 and online.

 

Ritual of the Secular Order of Discalced Carmelites, available online and in legislation book available through the Central Office.

 

Rule of St Albert, available online and in legislation book available through the Central Office.

 

Spiritual Canticle, St John of the Cross, Collected Works, ICS Publications, Washington DC.

 

Story of a Soul, St Therese of Liseaux, ICS Publications, Washington DC.

 

Touch of OCDS History, Elizabeth M Korves OCDS, available online and from Central Office.

 

Way of Perfection, St Teresa of Avila, Collected Works, Vol. 2, ICS Publications, Washington DC.

 

 

Abbreviations:

 

AA = Apostolicam Actuositatem

Art. = OCDS Constitutions

CCL = Code of Canon Law

Ritual = Ritual of the Secular Order of Discalced Carmelites

RL = 1979 OCDS Rule of Life

Rule = Rule of St Albert

Sec. = OCDS Provincial Statutes for the Oklahoma Province

 

Roman Protocol

The above text was approved by the Discalced Carmelite General Council convened in Rome in its 61st session on 21^st of December 2004, Protocol number 272/2004 DF.