FORMATION STEPS
The period of introduction to the life of the Secular Carmelite is a process of at least six years duration.
At each step of formation, the local council, by a majority vote, will discern if the candidate has a vocation to Carmel and invite him or her to receive the Scapular or make Temporary or Definitive Promise. An interview with the Council of the community and a letter of intent is required at each stage of Formation.
I. Visitor
A person exploring a vocation in Carmel should attend a minimum of 3 meetings prior to being considered for entrance into Aspirancy. This allows the applicant to become more familiar with the community, the style of life and service to the Church proper to the Secular Order of Teresian Carmel. It also provides the community opportunity for discernment.
II. Aspirancy
The introductory Aspirancy period normally lasts one full year (12 sessions) after which a candidate may be admitted into the Community's Formation Program during an official Clothing Ceremony.
III. Clothing
At the beginning of the period of formation, a large, ceremonial Brown Scapular will be given to the candidate, an outward symbol of affiliation with the Order and a sign that the Blessed Virgin Mary is both Mother & Model of Carmel. A smaller brown wool scapular or scapular medal is worn for everyday use.
IV. First Promise
After receiving the Scapular, preparation to make the First (Temporary Promise) is 24 sessions over a 2+ year period, deepening the life of prayer. When making the Temporary Promise, the candidate's baptismal name is retained to which the candidate may add an approved devotional name.
V. Final Promise
Preparation for the Final/Definitive Promise is 36 sessions over a 3+ year period, preparing the candidate for a lifetime commitment to Carmel and a promise to live the evangelical counsels and the spirit of the Beatitudes for life.
VI. Life Formation
Ongoing Formation is the responsibility of each Definitively Promised member; and should be pursued in accordance with the Formation Outline of the Province. This is a lifelong program with the goal of continuing and deepening the Carmelite vocation.
The purpose of formation is to prepare individuals inspired by the Holy Spirit to live a spiritual life according to the charism and principles of Discalced Carmelite spirituality. Intimately united with the action of the Holy Spirit is that of the Virgin Mary.
Mother of Christ and our Mother, she is involved in the spiritual life of everyone, especially in one called to life in Carmel. Under her protection, expressed in Carmel by the scapular, all those in formation in the Order are spiritually protected and formed.
Mary, the Mother of believers, is for us a model of committed and prophetic contemplation. She welcomed the Good News with enlightened discernment and promptly undertook its demands. She treasured the Word, pondering on it prayerfully in her heart, and proclaimed it freely and courageously in the Magnificat. This contemplative-apostolic example of hers is stressed in formation to help us understand and practice what it really means to follow Christ. Mary is the perfect model of a disciple of the Lord.
The Discalced Carmel, after the example of its Founders, has its own formation program and style, based on Discalced Carmelite saints and authorities for the whole Church - the Doctors: Teresa of Jesus, John of the Cross and Therese of Lisieux.