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:
Way of Life:
Materials:
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.
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:
- Letter of Intent (Why person feels called to Carmel)
- Proper OCDS form
- Baptismal certificate
Way of Life:
- Participate in monthly meetings of the community
- Participate in monthly aspirancy classes
- Begin a regular time of daily meditative prayer
- Begin to pray at least part of the Liturgy of the Hours
- 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
Class 2 –December
Class 3 and 4 – January/February
Class 5 and 6 – March/April
Class 7 –May
Class 8 – June
Class 9 – July
Class 10 – August
Class 11 – September
Class 12 – October
- 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
