Vocation Discernment- Overview

It is important to remember that Secular Carmel is a vocation- a call from God to a particular way of life. If you think God might be calling you to discern a vocation as an OCDS, please take a look below at the objective requirements (from the Provincial Statutes) and the more subjective list of characteristics that should be present to some degree in those with a vocation to Secular Carmel. Several resources are included on the right side of the page for people with questions about the Catholic Church. And please do not hesitate to Contact Us if you believe that God might be calling you to Carmel. It is important to read and understand the material pertaining to discernment, qualities, and expectations of the person entering into this process. For further and deeper discernment go to Do I have a vocation as a Secular Carmelite? You might then go to How well am I responding to my Carmelite vocation? . Furthermore, use some of our Carmelite Vocation Discernment Tools to aid in your discernment process.

From the Provincial Statutes:

The first questions related to discernment are important and rather objective:

1. Am I a practicing Roman Catholic*, in full communion** with the Church?

- Am I able to participate fully in the Eucharist with a clear conscience:
  - Not conscious of unconfessed grave sin
  - Able to truthfully say regarding all Church teaching on Faith and Morals: "I believe and profess all that the holy Catholic Church believes, teaches, and proclaims to be revealed by God." [for example, the teachings in the Catechism of the Catholic Church]

2. Am I at least 18 years of age?,

3. Am I able to provide a current official Church copy of their Baptismal Certificate?,

4. Am I able to provide some documentation showing proof of a valid marriage in the Catholic Church, where applicable?,

5. Am I not already members of any other group that requires promises or vows?,

6. Have I been living the Catholic faith for a minimum of 18 months after Baptism (before being eligible to enter Aspirancy)?

Six Characteristics:

Fr. Aloysius Deeney, OCD identifies six characteristics that must be present, to some degree, in someone who feels called to the Secular Order:

1) “A practicing member of the Church” ~ at least 18 yrs. of age, in good standing and in a valid marriage~you cannot be a member of another group that requires promises or vows

2) “Under the patronage of Our Lady of Mt. Carmel” ~ this person will have a special devotion to Mary marked by a desire to imitate her “meditation in her heart”

3) “Inspired by St. Teresa of Jesus and St. John of the Cross” ~ there will be an attraction to Carmelite spirituality and the writings of the Carmelite Saints

4) “Moved to commit themselves to the Order and to the Church” ~ when the candidate makes the promises of chastity and obedience, these promises are made to the Church, the Order, and the Community to which they belong…there is a commitment to a community and to give support as well as receive it

5) “To seek the face of God” ~ the secular is drawn to contemplation and to an intimate conversation with God in prayer…this requires discipline and the secular realizes they are forever students, learning continually through prayer and study

6) “For the sake of the Church and the World” ~ our mission is to know God so that we can share Him with others…we are to sacrifice to bring the witness of Carmel to the world

The candidate is not afraid to make whatever sacrifices are necessary to bring the distinctive witness of Carmel to the world.

Further reading ~ Welcome to the Secular Order of Discalced Carmelites by Father Aloysius Deeney, OCD

Resources for New or Returning Catholics

*A Practicing Member of the Catholic Church

"By this I mean Roman Catholic, not in reference to the Latin rite but in reference to the unity under the leadership of the Bishop of Rome, the Pope... The word practicing specifies something about the person who can be a member of the Secular Order. As a basic litmus test of practicing the Catholic faith I suggest the capacity to participate fully in the Eucharist with a clear conscience. The Eucharist is the summit of Catholic life and identity. It is the meeting point of heaven and earth. So, if one is free to participate in the summit, then the lesser points of participation are certainly permitted.

...

"I give an example. A woman approaches a community of the Secular Order. The woman is known by some of the Council. They know that this is her second marriage. They also know that she regularly goes to Mass and participates in the sacraments. The Council would like clarity before admitting this person to formation.

"There are a few possibilities with this case. The Church annulled the first marriage. Or, by arrangement with her confessor, she and her husband are living in such a way as to participate in the sacraments of the Church. An interview with the Spiritual Assistant would clarify the answers. Without necessity of too much explanation to respect the right to privacy and a good name that every member of the Church enjoys, he could give the word to the Council that would allow this person to enter the Secular Order."

(Fr. Aloysius Deeney, OCD)

General Delegate to the Discalced Carmelite Secular Order

**In full Communion

From the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults:

Profession of faith (491) The text for the latter is often a memorized response by the candidate, no leeway on wording is given in the rite:

I believe and profess all that the holy Catholic Church believes, teaches, and proclaims to be revealed by God.