Formation and Membership in the  Secular Order of Discalced Carmelites, OCDS

Those members of the Church who are called by God and conscientiously accept this special vocation can be admitted to the Order. After sufficient contact with the community the candidate can be accepted for a 12 month period of aspirants' formation, before receiving the ceremonial brown scapular. This marks the beginning of a 2 year period of formation, which, if the candidate is approved, leads to the "temporary promise". In this promise the candidate commits himself  to living the life of a Secular Carmelite for three years. After these three years of further formation the candidate can then be approved to take the "definitive promise". The promise to live the gospel in the spirit of the Beatitudes according to the Constitutions of the Secular Order is made to the superiors of the Order and to the local community. Through the promise the new Carmelite becomes a member of the Order, and shares fully in the graces and the support of the Discalced Carmelite Order.

Formation Outline 

Aspirants (1 year):
   A period of initial discernment, becoming acquainted with Carmelite spirituality, the local community, the daily life of a Secular Carmelite, mental prayer, the Divine Office, the Rule and the Constitutions.


Candidates for temporary promise (2 years):


Candidates for definitive promise (3 years):

Ongoing formation;