What is the Carmelite guidance and leadership of the What is required of Discalced Secular Order? order. Carmelite Seculars?

Discalced Seculars are What is the foundation of The Secular’s obligations can be members of the Carmelite family of Carmelite life? summarized by the “6 Ms”: the 16th-century reform of St. Teresa of Jesus. Discalced means The following principles of the Rule 1. Meditation. A suggestion is 30 shoeless. St. Teresa’s followers of Albert, written for the minutes each day. wore sandals rather than shoes, a on in the 2. Morning Prayer, Evening Prayer practice which distinguished them 13th century, guide Carmelite life and, if possible, Night Prayer from from Carmelites of the Ancient today: the . Observance. These followers are 3. Mass. Daily, if possible. present in the modern world as * Living in allegiance to Jesus 4. Mary. Every day, Seculars , enclosed and Seculars. Christ express devotion to Mary. Their * Being diligent in meditating on primary devotion is to imitate Mary Who are we? the law of the Lord in “reflecting on [all these things] in * Giving time to spiritual reading her heart” (Luke 2:19). Discalced Carmelite Seculars come * Participating in the liturgy of the 5. Meetings. Seculars are called to from all walks of life, from every church, both the Eucharist communities whose members have level of education and from every and the Liturgy of the Hours made a commitment to one another. type of work. They are * Arming themselves with the Meetings consist of formation, laypersons over the age of 18 practice of the virtues information and fellowship. (married or unmarried) or ordained * Seeking interior silence and 6. Mission. Seculars share in the diocesan priests or . solitude Carmelite mission of knowing God * Using prudent discretion in all so God can be known. There are more than 45,000 that they do. Discalced Carmelite Seculars (from “Constitutions of the Secular worldwide and more than 6,000 in Order of the Teresian Carmel,” the United States. They gather in 2003) canonically erected communities or recognized study groups under the

What is the timetable for formation agree that doing so is in becoming a Discalced Carmelite the best interest of the candidate.

Secular?

The entire period of formation commonly requires about six years.

Aspirancy The Secular Order of Discalced Attendance at 12 monthly meetings Carmelites of the community is required, so the Aspirant may be supported by its members as he or she learns more about Secular life and discerns whether he or she has a vocation to Discalced Carmelite Seculars are practicing members of the the order. For more information, contact: who, under the protection of First period of formation A minimum of two years is required and inspired by for study and growth in prayer, the St. Teresa of Jesus and apostolate and community life. At St. , make the commitment to the Discalced Carmelite the end of this time, the council of Order to seek the face of God for the sake the community may invite the of the church and the world. candidate to make a Temporary Promise of poverty, chastity and obedience to the order.

Second period of formation At least three years precedes the Definitive Promise. Either period of formation may be extended if the council and the individual in