Those members of the Church who are called by the Lord, are free from impediments, and conscientiously accept this special vocation and the Rule of Life offered by the Secular Order, can apply to be admitted to a Community, and accepted by the competent authority.
After sufficient contact with the Community, the candidate is admitted for a period of formation, which normally extends for two years before the temporary Promise, and for another three years before the definitive Promise.
The statement above in paragraph one "free from impediments" is a very important point that needs to be addressed and followed up with council members and the director of formation. Communities who are lax in having candidates fill out necessary application forms and obtaining sacramental records may run into serious problems. For example, if a candidate does not share that he or she is divorced and remarried without a declaration of nullity cannot validly make promises as a secular Carmelite. This person would not be able to receive the sacraments, and would not be able to be accepted into Carmel until they are again in good standing with the Church.
The candidate must provide references, the name of his or her pastor or spiritual director, his baptismal certificate with all notations, that include confirmation, marriage, and religious profession dates.
All new candidates and yes, even professed members who have been members of a community for years must have a baptismal record in their permanent file that is kept in the local community files. All records must be kept confidential.
Sometimes, when a baptismal record is requested the record comes back with the notations on the back missing. Candidates must make sure they request a baptismal record "with all notations" that include, again,confirmation and marriage records.
As article 10 states, this call to the Secular Order of Carmel is a special call that one follows after hearing the call of Christ. This special call is not only discerned by the candidate in a time of discernment through formation, but it is also discerned by the council. The candidate must state in writing their request to be admitted to formation or their desire to make promises. This act of humility to ask for permission to make promises, reminds the candidate that it is not a "given" that one will make promises.
Interviewing candidates throughout the period of formation will help in the discernment process. Let's not forget, too, our professed members who may be struggling with their vocation. It is important for the council to speak to these members from time to time as well.
Let us pray for each other and our new candidates who sincerely want to follow this special call to Carmel.
Peace be with you!
Rosemarie, ocds
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