OCDS Carmel of Elijah - Washington Province - Miami Dade, Fl
OCDS Carmel of Elijah
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    • Following Jesus in the Teresian Secular Carmel
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Aspirancy

Preparation for reception of the ceremonial Brown Scapular

Goal:

Getting started in formation in these 12 sessions really puts emphasis on prayer life and understanding contemplation and the Rule. Aspirancy is the time to present an overview of what it means to live out and understand the charism and spirit of Carmel as a lay person. 

This include an introduction to the Order's history and traditions, it legislation and its spirituality within the context of the Catholic Church and the local OCDS community.  Aspirancy should assist the candidate and community in the discernment of a vocation.

Duration: 

A minimum of 12 consecutive sessions in a year.

Requirements for entrance into Aspirancy:
  1. Letter of Intent (Why person feels called to Carmel)
  2. Proper OCDS form
  3. Baptismal certificate

Way of Life:
  1. Participate in monthly meetings of the community
  2. Participate in monthly aspirancy classes
  3. Begin a regular time of daily meditative prayer
  4. Begin to pray at least part of the Liturgy of the Hours
  5. Participate in daily Mass as far as possible.

Materials:
  • Liturgy of the Hours
  • Catechism of the Catholic Church (Sections on Prayer)
  • Conversations with Christ
  • Lectio Divina
  • Finding the Mystic Within
  • Articles by Aloysius Deeney, OCD and Joseph Neilson, OCD
  • The Scapular of Our Lady of Mount Carmel

The Council must decide whether to admit the candidate to the next period of formation.  If the decision is made to move forward, the Council will then invite the candidate to participate in the Rite of Admission to Formation and to receive the ceremonial Brown Scapular.

Course of Studies

Class 1 – November
  • Vocation to Carmel; review goal, duration and requirements
  • Distinction between secular and religious vocation
  • Nature of OCDS Vocation

Class 2 –December
  • General history of the Order: The Rule of St. Albert
  • Brief outline of organization of the Order/OCDS Legislation
  • Liturgy of the Hours Instruction; discuss differences between the one volume and the 4 volumes.  Discuss Liturgical Gestures (handout)

Class 3 and 4 – January/February
  • Morning Prayer
  • Concepts of prayer
  • Overview of Carmelite spirituality and charism
  • Overview of Carmelite prayer: vocal vs. mental

Class 5 and 6 – March/April
  • Morning Prayer
  • Discernment process: individual and community

Class 7 –May
  • Morning Prayer
  • Overview of the profile of an OCDS
  • Meaning and importance of the annual Retreat

Class 8 – June
  • RETREAT

Class 9 – July
  • Morning Prayer
  • Comments and discussions on the Retreat topics
  • Touch on spiritual reading/Scripture/Church Documents and Saints of the Order

Class 10 – August
  • Morning Prayer
  • Open session

Class 11 – September
  • Morning Prayer
  • Discuss preparation for mental prayer
  • What is Lectio Divina/who uses/why is it so popular among the laity

Class 12 – October
  • Morning Prayer
  • Preparation for the Scapular
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