3. For a broader, deeper, and better understanding, along with expectations of the Secular Carmelite life, study the "RATIO" below.

From the "RATIO INSTITUTIONIS OF THE SECULAR ORDER"

II. Discernment of the Vocation to the Secular Order

59. To discern is to ascertain God’s will for the person, “it is to be led by God.” In this search the following principles act as guidelines:

• God does not hide from us, but rather reveals Himself to us;

• He respects the gift of free will that has been given to us;

• human living implies responsibility, that is, freedom to respond.

60. There are three active parties in this discernment God, the candidate, and those responsible for formation.

61. The Council also has a role in this formation process. Consequently, the responsibility for discernment belongs as much to the candidate as to the Director of Formation or the Council of the community. Discernment is not limited to one particular moment, and does not happen all at once. Special moments are those of transition from one stage of formation to the next.

62. For discernment to be valid it is important that those involved in the process of formation know the candidate. When the Lord calls people, we are confident that He will give them sufficient ability to respond to the living of that call.

63. A divine call is always a mysterious grace that cannot be reduced to a list of qualities. But there are certain qualities that indicate that a person is essentially suited to the vocation of a Secular Carmelite. Among these are:

64. At the human level:

• a stable personality

• common sense

• emotional maturity

• ability to trust and be open

• readiness to cooperate

• realism, tolerance and flexibility

• a certain self knowledge

• fidelity to principles;

65. At the level of Christian life:

• a willingness to cooperate with God, in a spirit of faith

• dedication to prayer

• love of the Scriptures

• commitment to the Church and involvement in the local parish community

• a compassionate and active love;

66. At the level of the Teresian charism:

• a taste for prayer and

• a desire to establish a personal and friendly relationship with God

• a contemplative and active spirit

• a love for the Church

• a desire to familiarise oneself with Carmelite spirituality.

67. Some counter indications are:

• symptoms of a lack of psychological equilibrium;

• the presence of family situations which make the living of the Constitutions

• impossible;

• an incapacity for personal integration into the life of the community;

• overwhelming emotions of anger, anxiety, fear, depression or guilt;

• preconceived ideas of Carmel which impede learning and personal growth;

• fundamentalist or apocalyptic notions of the Church;

• membership of organisations with a distinct spiritual path;

• membership in groups based on private revelations.

68. It would be unrealistic to expect any candidate to possess all these qualities before they enter the Secular Order, or indeed at any of the stages of their formation. Nevertheless, there should be a predisposition for these qualities and a gradual maturation in them. This maturation in living the Teresian charism is the most genuine sign of a vocation

69. A Secular Carmelite is:

• a practising member of the Catholic Church who,

• under the protection of Our Lady of Mount Carmel,

• and inspired by Saint Teresa of Jesus and Saint John of the Cross,

• makes a commitment to the Order to seek the face of God in prayer and service

• for the good of the Church and the needs of the world.