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Oklahoma Province
Secular Order of Discalced Carmelites
This website is
intended to be a source of information for the Secular members of
the Order of Discalced Carmelites in the Oklahoma Province. The
Oklahoma Province has jurisdiction over OCDS members living in the
states of Alabama, Arkansas, Georgia,
Iowa, Kansas,
Louisiana, Mississippi,
Missouri, Nebraska,
North Dakota, Oklahoma,
South Dakota, Tennessee, and Texas. We fall
under the juridical authority of the OCD Friars of the Oklahoma
Province of St. Therese.
OCDS Legislation
Constitutions (also available in
Word and
PDF)
Reference Companion to the
Constitutions (available in
Word and
PDF)
Provincial Statutes for the Oklahoma Province (also available in
Word and
PDF) (statutes include the provincial
formation guidelines)
OCDS Ritual (available in
Word and
PDF)
Oklahoma Province OCDS Brochure and
Forms
Aspirant Application (available in
Word and
PDF)
First Promise (available in
Word and
PDF)
Definitive Promise (available in
Word and
PDF)
Vows (available in
Word and
PDF)
Transfer (available in
Word and
PDF)
Release from Promise/Vows
(available in
Word and
PDF)
OCDS Provincial
Statutes for the Oklahoma Province
Printable PDF version
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][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][2]
with the following particular provisions:
a)
A nominating committee of at least three professed members[3][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][4]
c)
Only professed members may serve as members of the Local Council.
d)
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.
e)
Only professed members are eligible to vote.
f)
Nominations may be made from the floor, and write-in votes
shall be valid.
g)
Voting is to be by secret ballot. A quorum[5][5]
of eligible voting members being present, a majority[6][6]
shall be required for election.
h)
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)
In order that leadership qualities be developed in our Communities,
the President’s stay in office should be limited to two consecutive
terms, after which postulation[7][7]
shall be required from the Provincial Council.
c)
Election of the President shall be on a separate ballot from
Councilors and shall precede election of the Councilors.
d)
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)
In order that leadership qualities be developed in our Communities,
Councilors should ideally not serve more than two consecutive
terms. Smaller communities may extend the Councilors' stay in
office beyond the ideal.
c)
The three incumbent Councilors shall count and verify the votes, and
the Secretary shall record them.
d)
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][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.
e)
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][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
look to the Church teachings on Mary found in Lumen Gentium,
Mariatus Cultus, and Redemptoris Mater.[10][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][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][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][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]
14)
The Provincial Council shall meet in person[15][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][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][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.
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 13th
Century to the 16th 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 21st
of December 2004, Protocol number 272/2004 DF.
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