How to become a Secular Carmelite

Is God calling you?

Lay practicing Catholics or diocesan clergy may join the Secular Carmelites, according to the Statutes.*

Are these some things you might like?

• Have a deeper spiritual life

• Practice contemplative prayer

• Participate in community life

• Accept tasks within the community, to the degree possible

• Benefit from community prayers for all eternity

• Have a deep feeling of peace

Persons admitted to the Secular Order should not "belong to an association in which promises, vows or other permanent commitments are undertaken or to any group whose activity and purposes are in contradiction with the teaching of the Catholic Church, or if his or her family duties and other commitments collide with the obligations of a Secular Carmelite"*

*Statutes of the Kraków Province of the Secular Order of Discalced Carmelites (2017), #11, p. 4.

Exterior Requirements of the Rule

• Attend daily Mass, to the degree possible

• Mental, not rote, prayer for half an hour daily

• Attend all community meetings

• Wear the scapular

• Do spiritual reading

• Remembrance in prayer of all deceased Carmelites

• Divine Office: Morning and Evening prayer

• Daily examination of conscience

• Frequent reception of the Sacrament of Reconciliation

• Daily devotion to Our Lady, usually the Rosary

• To the degree possible, abstinence from meat on solemnities of five feast days,* [Fridays], Wednesdays, and Saturdays, together with the whole Order, along with reduction of bodily nourishment in support of the needy**.

• Pay annual dues of $30.00. Checks addressed to SECULAR ORDER OF DISCALCED CARMELITES.

• Also, see http://www.helpfellowship.org/secular_carmelite_info.htm for further information

*Feasts of  Teresian Carmel: Solemnity of St. Joseph, i.e., March 18; Solemnity of Our Lady of Mt. Carmel, i.e., July 15; Solemnity of St. Teresa of Jesus, i.e., October 14; Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception of the BVM, i.e., December 7; and the Solemnity of St. John of the Cross, i.e., December 13. Statutes (2017), #59, p. 13.

**Statutes (2017), #59, p. 13.

Note: These acts are positive and do not carry pain of sin.

Steps toward Definitive Promises

• As "aspirant," individual becomes interested in the Secular Order; aspirant must be between ages 18 and 55* years.

• Interview with Director of Formation and Council

• As "postulant," individual attends 12 meetings (12 months)

• Initial Formation: 12 months (official Formation continues until Definitive Promises) (1-2-3)

• As "novice," with Council's approval, Investiture by priest with Solemn Scapular, then two years of formation

• First Promises (with Council's approval) then three years of Formation

• Definitive Promises with Council's approval (continual formation lasts for member's entire life)

• Members also have the option of making vows three years after Definitive Promises.

  **Age 60 with special dispensation

**Statutes of the Kraków Province of the Secular Order of Discalced Carmelites (2017), #36-47, pp. 9-10; Constitutions of the Secular Order of the Teresian Carmel (2013), pp. 7-8.