Secular Order of Discalced Carmelites Hampton, Virginia

 Our New formation Program

The specific guidelines for OCDS formation are approved by the Order of Discalced Carmelites for use by OCDS communities in the United States.

The program consists of a formation handbook for OCDS formators and a complete six-year set of formation class modules for OCDS members in Carmelite formation.

There are three periods of initial formation:

Aspirancy - 12  sessions ( 1 year)

Formation I     (preparation for the First Promise, 2 years)

Formation II    (preparation for the Definitive Promise (3 years)

Ongoing formation 

Formation does not end with the profession of the Definitive Promise. The Promise commits to a life-long pursuit of holiness. Ongoing formation ideally goes ever deeper into the mystery of union with God, growth in virtues, and a genuine striving for holiness in imitation of Jesus Christ. 

Concerning Vow in the Secular Order

With the consent of the Council of the community and the permision of the Provincial, a member of the Secular Order may take vows of obediance and chastity in the presence of the community. Vow us strictly personal and do not create a separate category of membership. Those who make vows in the Secular Order continue to be a lay person in all juridical effects.  

Order Formation Booklets   https://www.icspublications.org

https://www.icspublications.org/collections/us-national-ocds-formation-program