THE SECULAR
ORDER OF DISCALCED CARMELITES
PROVINCIAL STATUTES FOR THE
CALIFORNIA-ARIZONA PROVINCE OF ST. JOSEPH
Sec.
I: Our Identity, Values and Commitment
(cf. Const. #1 - #9)
1. Members of the Secular Order of Our Lady of Mount Carmel and Saint Teresa of Jesus are faithful members of the Church who are called to live “in allegiance to Jesus Christ” [cf. Const. #3]. The fundamental elements of the vocation of Teresian Secular Carmelites can be summarized as follows:
a) to live in allegiance to Jesus Christ, supported by the imitation and patronage of the most Blessed Virgin Mary, whose way of life is, for Carmel, a model of being conformed to Christ;
b) to seek “union with God” by way of contemplation and apostolic activity, indissolubly joined together, for service to the Church;
c) to give particular importance to prayer, nourished by listening to the Word of God, by the Eucharistic Liturgy and the Liturgy of the Hours, which is conducive to relating with God as a friend, not just in prayer but in daily living. Carmelite Seculars will commit themselves daily to spending at least one half hour in the practice of prayer in an atmosphere of interior silence and solitude [cf. Const. #21]. To be committed to this life of prayer demands being nourished by faith, hope and, above all, charity in order to live in the presence and the mystery of the living God;
d) to spend some time in the practice of lectio divina utilizing Scripture [cf. Const. #35].
e)
to
infuse prayer and life with apostolic zeal in a c
f) to live evangelical self-denial from an ecclesial perspective;
g) to give importance to the commitment to evangelization: in the ministry of spirituality as the particular collaboration of the Secular Order, faithful to its Teresian Carmelite identity [cf. Const. #6 & #9].
2. Secular Carmelites are called to strive to make prayer penetrate their entire existence, in order to walk in the presence of the living God [cf. 1K 17:1], through the constant exercise of faith, hope and love, in such a way that the whole of their life is a prayer, a search for union with God [cf. Const. #17].
3. The value of the sacramental and liturgical life in the Secular Order leads its members to take part in the daily celebration of the Eucharist, insofar as possible. Members pray the Liturgy of the Hours, (Morning and Evening Prayer) in union with the Church throughout the world. Normally they will also pray Night Prayer [cf. Const. #24]. Those who are unable to participate in the celebration of daily Mass are encouraged to pray and reflect on the daily Scripture readings of the Mass.
4. Secular Carmelites will endeavor daily to nourish their prayer life by the study and spiritual reading of Scripture, particularly the Gospels, and the writings of our Carmelite Saints.
5. In order to grow in their prayer life, members are encouraged to make a serious effort to participate in an annual Carmelite Retreat [cf. Const. #18 & #21].
Sec.
II: The Apostolate
(cf. Const. #25 - #28)
1. The primary apostolate of the Teresian Carmel is prayer, and it’s mission is the sharing of Teresian Carmelite spirituality. Carmelite Seculars participate in this apostolate according to their state in life [cf. Const. #28].
2. In John 21:15-19, Jesus bids Peter, …if he loves Him, …to feed His lambs and feed His sheep to the point of laying down his life for them. Because we love Christ, we must express that love outwardly in service to others, leading them to Christ. This is the basis for our apostolate.
3. The Carmelite Secular is called to live and witness the charism of the Teresian Carmel in the local Church…. For this reason, each one will have an apostolate either individually or collaborating with others in the Community [cf. Const. #27].
4. Through apostolic endeavor, resulting from their contemplative prayer, Carmelite Seculars demonstrate how it is possible to seek intimate union with God while living amidst worldly concerns and duties. For the majority, this prayer will bear fruit and will flow into their Carmelite Communities, the local Church, family, and the workplace whenever and wherever the opportunity manifests itself. Due to their life circumstances, for some Carmelite Seculars, their apostolate will simply be their prayer in service to Carmel and the Church.
5. In undertaking a Community apostolate, each OCDS Community/group needs to be sensitive to the interests, abilities, talents, as well as the physical and financial capabilities of its members working together.
6. Formation for the apostolate, a requirement of the formation program, is based upon the theology of the Church concerning the responsibility of the laity and an understanding of the role of Seculars in the apostolate of the Order [cf. Const. #35, #36d, Apostolicam actuositatem (Decree on the Apostolate of Lay People) and Christifideles laici (The Vocation and the Mission of the Lay Faithful in the Church and in the World)].
Sec.
III: Particular Acts of Devotion to the
Blessed Virgin Mary, Our Lady of Mount Carmel
(cf. Const. #4, #29, #30 & #31)
1. The Virgin Mary is present in a special way, most of all as a model of faithfulness in listening to the Lord and in service to Him and to others [cf. Const. #4]. For Secular Carmelites, Mary is a model of obedience and total commitment to God’s Kingdom. She teaches us to listen to God’s Word in Scripture and in life, and to believe in it in every circumstance in order to live its demands. All this she did, without understanding many things, guided solely by faith; pondering all in her heart (Lk 2:19, 50-51) until light dawned through contemplative prayer [cf. Const. #29]. She is Mother, Sister and Queen, who goes before us in a pilgrimage of faith and in following the Lord Jesus, keeping us company so that we may imitate her life hidden in Christ and committed to the service of others [cf. Const. #30]. The Secular Order recognizes the value of pondering and praying:
a) the Rosary;
b) the Litany of Loretto;
c) the Angelus;
d)
and
other such devotions recommended by the Church [cf. Pope Paul VI, Apostolic
Exhortation, Marialis Cultus, (For the Right Ordering and
Development of Devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary), Feb. 2, 1974].
The purpose of all our devotion to Mary is always to lead us to Christ.
2. The Secular Carmelite is committed to knowing her through the daily practice of devotion exercised through faith and love in her honor [cf. Const. #31].
3. The Secular Order strives to live the Marian spirit embodied in the latest documentation on the scapular [cf. The Scapular of Our Lady of Mount Carmel: Catechesis and Ritual prepared under the direction of the North American Provincials of the Carmelite Order, October 30, 2000].
Sec. IV: Devotion to St. Joseph
1. The same aura of silence that envelops everything about St. Joseph, [himself a lay person and model for Carmelite Seculars] also shrouds his work as a carpenter in the house of Nazareth. It is a silence that reveals in a special way the inner portrait of the man. The Gospels speak exclusively of what he “did.” Still, they allow us to discover in his “actions” — shrouded in silence as they are — an aura of deep contemplation. He was in daily contact with the mystery “hidden from ages past,” and which “dwelt” under his roof. This explains, for example, why St. Teresa of Jesus, the great reformer of the Carmelites, promoted the renewal of veneration to St. Joseph in the Western Church [cf. Pope John-Paul II, Apostolic Exhortation, Redemptoris Custos, (On the Person and Mission of Saint Joseph In the Life of Christ and of the Church), Aug. 15, 1989, #25].
2. As sons and daughters of St. Teresa, we honor St. Joseph as the patron of the Universal Church and the special patron and protector of our Order, as well as the patron of our Province. He is the model of attentive service of Christ, of Mary, and of the Church, and is also the “master of prayer” proposed to us by St. Teresa (Life, 6, 6-8).
Sec.
V: The Secular Order Habit
(cf. Const. #12, #31 & #36b)
1. The large Ceremonial Brown Scapular is given as the habit of the Secular Order at the time of admission to formation. Each Candidate is “clothed” by the Priest Celebrant assisted by the Director of Formation. The large scapular is the “signum habitus” or sign of the habit of Our Lady of Mount Carmel.
2. The large scapular shall be a maximum of 7x9 inches in size. It shall be made of brown cloth, preferably plain [cf. The Scapular of Our Lady of Mount Carmel: Catechesis and Ritual, prepared under the direction of the North American Provincials of the Carmelite Order, October 30, 2000, p. 2].
3. The large scapular may be worn internally for everyday use; otherwise a small brown scapular is worn.
4. The large scapular may be worn externally on Solemnities or Feasts of the Discalced Carmelite Order and at Carmelite meetings and events.
5. The Community Council may prescribe specific rules for the wearing of the large scapular at their meetings.
6. If a member wishes to be buried wearing the large scapular externally, prior arrangements should be made with the member’s family or closest associates [cf. Provincial Statutes, Sec. VIII, para. 6b, below].
Sec. VI: Days and Forms of Penance
1. Fast and abstinence:
a) In addition to the days of fasting and abstinence proper to the Church in the United States and in response to the encouragement of our Bishops "to prepare for each Church festival by a day of particular self-denial, penitential prayer and fasting"[1] and to our Carmelite traditions, our members, unless excused by reason of illness or age, will fast on the vigils of the following feast days:
1.
Our Blessed Lady of Mount Carmel (July 16)
2. Solemnity of St. Joseph (March 19)
3.
Our Holy Mother St. Teresa of Jesus (October 15)
4. Our Holy Father St. John of the Cross (December 14)
5. The Prophet Elijah (July 20)
6. St. Therese of the Child Jesus and the Holy Face (October 1)
7. All the Saints of the Order (November 14)
b) For sufficient reason, the above special fast days may be anticipated. Anticipation should never involve fasting on Sundays or Holy Days [cf. Canon Law 1249-1253].
2. Sacrament of Reconciliation: The Church teaches us to have a great esteem for the Sacrament of Reconciliation [cf. Const. #23 & #24].
3. Examination of Conscience:
a) The Secular Carmelite will endeavor to make a daily examination of conscience.
b) When Night Prayer (Compline) is recited, the examination of conscience is ideally made at its beginning.
Sec. VII: The Sick and Dying
Special attention should be directed toward members of the Community who become ill. The President shall inform the membership and commend the sick person(s) to their daily prayers. The President, with sensitivity and respect, will endeavor to have someone visit with a dying member. Members are encouraged to visit and communicate with those who are sick.
Sec. VIII: Prayers for Deceased Members
1. On the death of a Community/group member:
a) any member learning of the death of another shall immediately ensure that the Council, or the Group Leader, are informed of the death;
b) the Council ensures that the entire community is informed and provided with information regarding funeral arrangements.
2. The Community/group:
a) will have a Mass offered for the deceased member(s);
b) at its next meeting should also choose from the following:
1. attend Mass together;
2. pray the Liturgy of the Hours — Morning or Evening Prayer;
3. recite the Rosary or other suitable prayers.
3. Each member of the Community will if possible:
a) attend the vigil and/or funeral Mass;
b) have a Mass offered for the deceased member(s) or;
c) participate in a Mass and receive Holy Communion for the deceased;
d) and pray the Liturgy of the Hours Office for the Dead — Morning or Evening Prayer.
4. Carmelite Seculars should remember the deceased members of the entire Order in their daily prayers.
5. Each Community shall maintain a record of it’s deceased members [cf. Const. #54].
6. Members are encouraged to inform their families regarding:
a) their wish to have the Secular Carmelites notified of their death;
b) burial in their habit as a Carmelite Secular, namely the large Brown Ceremonial Scapular;
c) having the initials “OCDS” included on their headstone.
Sec.
IX: The Requirements for Admission to the Secular Order
(cf. Const. #36)
1. Those members of the Church, lay person or cleric, who are called by the Lord, are free from impediments, and conscientiously accept this special vocation and the Constitutions offered by the Secular Order, may be admitted to the Secular Order in accordance with the provisions of Constitution #36 [cf. Impediments to Joining the Secular Order by Doreen Glynn Pawski, OCDS].
2. A Candidate for admission to formation in the Secular Order must be at least eighteen years of age. Experience demonstrates there is no upper age limit to God’s call to the special vocation of being a Secular Carmelite, therefore none is prescribed so long as the potential vocation appears to be valid. God always grants, along with a vocation, the necessary means to execute it without presenting a burden to the Community.
3. Sufficient contact with a Community is understood to entail an Aspirant’s attendance at the meetings of the Community for not less than 1 full year [cf. Const. #36a]. If it is in the best interest of the Aspirant, this period may be extended for another year; but in no case longer than two years.
Sec.
X: The Period of Formation
(Cf. Const. #36)
1. At the time of admittance into Formation, a title of devotion may be added to one’s baptismal name if desired.
2. There are two periods of initial Formation. The first period is the two years before admittance to a Temporary Promise, which may be extended for one year. The extension may be granted by the Council if it is determined to be in the best interest of the Candidate.
3. The second period of initial Formation is the three years of living the Temporary Promise. A one year extension may be granted by the Council if it is determined to be in the best interest of the Candidate.
4. Ongoing Formation is the responsibility of each definitively professed member; and it should be pursued in accordance with the Formation Guidelines [cf. Const. #34].
Sec. XI: Formation Guidelines
1. Upon approval by the General Definitory, the OCDS Formation Guidelines for the California-Arizona Province of St. Joseph, will become the Formation Program for our Province.
2. All professed members shall be provided with a copy of the Formation Guidelines. At the discretion of the Community Council, the Formation Guidelines may also be distributed to Candidates preparing for the Temporary Promise.
3. The Provincial Council is authorized to revise the Formation Guidelines as deemed necessary under Constitutions #57 and #58a with the approval of the General Definitory.
Sec.
XII: Serious Reasons for Shortening Initial Formation Periods
(cf. Const. #47b and Provincial Statutes, Sec. VI)
While normally the period of initial formation is two years, there may be occasions when it becomes necessary to consider shortening this first period of initial formation. An example would be a terminally ill person desiring to make the promise. With Council approval, permission shall be sought from the Provincial Delegate.
Sec. XIII: Organization and Life
1. OCDS Communities are a local manifestation of the entire Teresian Carmelite Family.
2. The size of a Community has an impact on Community life. Communities should not become disproportionately large. Ideally, when a Community reaches 60 members, it shall begin to implement plans for a Recognized Group under the supervision of the Provincial Delegate [see section XX, paragraph 3 below]. The stability and leadership of both the Community and the Recognized Group is an important consideration. The Recognized Group shall be started with at least twelve members, at least six of whom shall have made the Definitive Promise.
3. The local Community shall meet once a month. Each Community/group will keep its own written attendance record. A monthly meeting should encapsulate the ideal daily Carmelite life: a conference by the Spiritual Assistant, quiet prayer, fraternal charity, the Liturgy of the Hours, devotion to Mary, formation, time for socializing and business as necessary. In order to accomplish this, the meeting ideally should be no less than four hours in length.
4. Because Community life is central to the Teresian Carmelite charism, attendance at the monthly meetings is required. Lack of regular attendance without excuse or notification is a negative indication of a vocation. For this reason, the Council may have to consider taking action under Constitutions #47a and #47e.
5. Members of the Secular Order who, for reasons of distance, age, or illness, cannot participate in the regular meetings of a Community, remain members of the Secular Order and, under the authority of the Provincial Delegate, are to be associated with a particular Community/group. We refer to them as Extended Members in the California-Arizona Province of St. Joseph. The Extended Members who have had to move away from their Community/group are encouraged to seek transfer to the nearest Community/group. It is the responsibility of the President of the Community to establish contact with those members and the responsibility of those members to maintain contact with the Community/group [cf. Const. #56].
6. If a member has been absent for a year with no communication, the local Council should consider sending a first letter encouraging the member to return to the regular monthly meeting. If there is no response after eight weeks, a second letter should be sent informing the member that, if there is no response within eight weeks, procedures will be initiated to dismiss him/her from the Order with release from his/her promise or vows after consulting with the Provincial Delegate [cf. Const. #47e]. After this time has elapsed, the Council will send a formal letter of dismissal.
Sec.
XIV: Registers
(cf. Const. #54 and Provincial Statutes Sec. XVIII, para. 5)
1. It is essential to keep records for various reasons, but most importantly to maintain a history of the Community and member data. A Community register is required for elections, Council meetings and visitations. At a minimum, the register must contain a membership roster, a record of elections, admissions, promises, vows, dismissals, deaths and transfers. This information must be kept as a common document that can easily be reviewed. An updated copy of the membership roster, to include contact information, names in Carmel, and the date of the most recent ceremony, shall be submitted to the Central Office annually.
2. Other records to be maintained are: minutes, treasurer reports, agendas, copies of ceremonial forms, attendance records of community meetings and formation classes, newsletters/flyers, apostolates, special events, etc.
3. The secretary of the local OCDS Council shall keep the Community register and other records at all times. He/she will make the register available at Council meetings and at the time of elections.
Sec.
XV: Vows
(cf. Const. #39, #47a, and #58f)
1. Any member who feels called by God to make vows of chastity and obedience for life may petition the Council not less than one year after the definitive promise.
2. With the consent of the Council, the member will commence a year of prayerful discernment.
3. The member must be fully informed of both the serious obligations and the rich graces associated with the vows.
4. Initial discernment and formation for this call will include the assistance of one’s own confessor or spiritual director, the Council of the Community, and the Spiritual Assistant to the Community.
5. The member will provide the Council with the name of the priest who will be directing him/her during the one year discernment.
6. The vows are strictly voluntary. The promise makes one a full member of the Order and the vows do not change that status.
7. “While the promise was made before God to the superiors and members of the Order, the vows are made directly to God, for vows are acts of religious worship. Thus, the vows add the merit of the virtue of religion to the observance of chastity and obedience. They constitute a more complete self-offering and therefore entail a greater moral responsibility. The binding force of these vows, freely made, renders more visible the bond of love and commitment that exists between Christ and His Bride the Church.” (cf. Instruction of the Superior General of the Discalced Carmelites, para. 7, cited in OCDS Formation Guidelines for the California-Arizona Province of St. Joseph, p. 25, found in Secular Order of Discalced Carmelites: Legislative Documents for the OCDS: Ritual for Promises and Vows, 10 December 1990, p. 78; see especially n. 7.)
8. After the year’s discernment, the member will send a formal letter to the Community Council requesting consent to make vows. A letter of recommendation from the directing priest should be sent directly to the Council indicating his belief that the member is ready to make vows.
9. When making its decision, the Council should consider the following criteria: the member must be faithful in living the promise; the member’s life must be suitably ordered, with any major irregularities resolved so that there is no hindrance to grace; the member must have a healthy, balanced integration of the experience of God with that of daily life and there should be evidence of greater charity, detachment and humility.
10. A guided retreat and a general confession are highly recommended.
11. The Council, together with the Spiritual Assistant, will prayerfully deliberate on the request. When it has reached a decision, the Council will inform the Provincial in writing of the request, and if the decision is in the affirmative, seek his approval. If the Council’s decision is not unanimous, it will inform the Provincial of the concerns that were raised. After the Council is informed of the Provincial’s decision, it will notify the member by letter.
Sec.
XVI: Juridical Personality
(cf. Const. #40, #41 and #48)
1. Constitution #41 makes it unmistakably clear that the OCDS is juridically dependent upon the OCD Friars. The General Superior, the Provincial Superior and the Council of the Community are the legitimate superiors of the Secular Order.
2. Juridical personality addressed in Constitution #40 is applicable only to canonically established Communities. It is not applicable to Recognized Groups who are directly supervised by the Provincial Delegate. If Recognized Groups have been granted permission by the Provincial Delegate to operate with an appointed Council, this does not constitute a grant of juridical personality. The legitimate superiors for Recognized Groups are the General Superior, the Provincial Superior and the Provincial Delegate.
Sec.
XVII: Appointment of the Spiritual Assistant
(cf. Const. #43 and #44)
1. It is the prerogative of the Provincial Superior, or his Delegate, after consultation with the local OCDS Council, to appoint a Spiritual Assistant. If the Spiritual Assistant is not a member of the Order, he must have the consent of his own Superior [cf. Provincial Statute Sec. XXI, 5d].
2. We are committed to the presence of the Spiritual Assistant at Council meetings, especially when evaluating candidates [cf. Const. #44].
3. The Spiritual Assistant is recognized as the Order’s representative and, as such, he will be consulted in the evaluation of candidates for acceptance into formation, the promises, the vows, as well as release from them if necessary.
Sec.
XVIII: The Election of the Council in Canonically Established Communities
(cf. Const. #50, #51, #52 & #53 )
1. The elections shall be held every three years in the spring prior to the Provincial election of the Friars.
2. Elections of the President and three Councillors shall be conducted in accordance with recognized parliamentary procedures (for example, Robert’s Rules of Order) with the following particular provisions:
a) two months prior to the election a nominating committee of at least three professed members, only one of whom may be a member of the Council, shall be chosen by the Council and announced to the members at a meeting one month in advance of the meeting when the election is to take place;
b) the nominating committee shall, if possible, select two or three qualified nominees for the office of President and four to six nominees for the three offices of Councillor, all of whom have consented to serve if elected. All nominees not elected remain on the slate for each consecutive election of Councillors;
c) the report of the nominating committee (list of nominees) shall be presented to the members of the Community at their next meeting when the election will take place;
d) only professed members of the Community are eligible to vote;
e) nominations may not be made from the floor and write-in votes shall not be valid;
f) only professed members of the Community may serve as members of the Council;
g) in order that leadership qualities be developed in our Communities, the President's stay in office should be limited to two consecutive terms, after which postulation shall be required, normally from the Provincial Delegate;
h) voting is to be by secret ballot. A quorum (for the purposes of an election by a Community shall be the voting members present provided notice of the election was given at the previous monthly meeting) of eligible voting members being present, a majority (a number greater than half the legal votes cast) shall be required for election;
i) voting by letter, e-mail or proxy shall be invalid.
j) and if a majority is not reached by any nominee on the first ballot, the names of the two nominees receiving the highest number of votes shall be placed on a second ballot. If there is a tie on the second ballot, there shall be a third and final ballot. In the event of a tie on the third ballot, seniority of profession shall be the determining factor for election. If there is a tie on the profession date, then seniority by age shall determine the election.
3. The Election of the Council shall proceed in the following manner:
a) the Spiritual Assistant shall invoke the guidance of the Holy Spirit. In the absence of the Spiritual Assistant, this shall be the duty of the President;
b) the President shall preside at elections and conduct them in accordance with subsection two above. The newly elected President shall preside over the remainder of the elections;
c) the three incumbent Councillors shall count and verify the votes while the Secretary records them.
4. The newly elected President and three Councillors, after consulting with the Spiritual Assistant, shall elect the Director of Formation from among those who have made the Definitive Promise.
5. The procedure for the election of the Secretary and Treasurer should be left to the discretion of the newly elected Council [cf. Const. #50].
Sec.
XIX: Guidelines for Nominating Committees
(cf. Sec. XVIII, para. 2 above)
1. Leaders should be selected for the welfare of the Community. Members of nominating committees must never influence or direct a prearranged outcome for Community elections. The nominating committee is charged with producing the best possible slate of candidates.
2. All eligible members ought to be willing to serve if called forth; however, for various reasons not all can successfully serve if called.
3. Members of the nominating committee should be in agreement in their selection of candidates.
4. The nominating committee should place before the membership a slate of recommended candidates for the office of President and Councillors.
5. Nominating committee members may be on the slate of nominees.
1. A number of people interested in becoming Secular Carmelites may come together for that purpose with the consent and supervision of the Provincial Delegate.
2. These people may be known as a Study Group with the purpose of discerning the vocation to which they may be called.
3. A Study Group may form a Recognized Group upon the appointment of a Spiritual Assistant, a Group Leader and a Director of Formation by the Provincial Delegate [cf. Const. #43 - #45 & #58b].
4. Spiritual Assistants are to be appointed in accordance with Constitutions #44 - #45. The Spiritual Assistant is usually a Friar of the Order.
5. For the Canonical Establishment of a Community, it is necessary that there be at least twelve members of whom six must have made the definitive promise [cf. Const. #49].
6. A charter for Canonical Establishment must be obtained in writing from the Father General of the Order through the Provincial or his Delegate [cf. Const. #49].
7. Consent in writing must also be obtained from the Local Ordinary (Bishop) of the diocese, unless the Community is erected in association with a foundation of our Friars [cf. Const. #49].
8. There are occasions when persons, prompted by the Holy Spirit, demonstrate a potential vocation, although they have no reasonable access for regularly participating in a Carmelite Secular Order Community or Recognized Group because they live so remotely. Such persons are encouraged to communicate with the Provincial Delegate, his Central Office Secretary or the Extended Member Secretary of the region in which they reside. They shall be associated with the nearest existing Community or Recognized Group. If associated with a Community, they may be admitted for further formation in the Community in accordance with Constitutions #47 and #58b. If associated with a Recognized Group, they may be admitted, with Provincial Delegate permission, to further formation monitored by the Extended Member Secretary for their region; but, also under the guidance of the appointed Recognized Group Director of Formation. In these cases, the Candidate must make a continuous and regular response to all queries presented to him/her by the Group’s Director of Formation, as well as pursue his/her formation under supervision of the Extended Member Secretary.
Sec.
XXI: The Provisions for Council Actions
(cf. Const. #46, #47 & #48)
1. The Council is made up of five members. The President and three Councillors are elected by the Community [cf. Const. #50]. The Director of Formation is elected by the new Council members after consulting with the Spiritual Assistant. These five members constitute the government of the Community.
2. The Council shall meet at least quarterly. To quote from the Constitutions: The primary responsibility of the Council is the formation and Christian Carmelite maturing of the members [cf. Const. #46]. The Council meets frequently and always when necessary in reference to taking care of formation programs and the growth of their own Community [cf. Const. #47]. The General Superior, the Provincial Superior and the Council of the Community are the legitimate superiors of the Secular Order [cf. Const. #48].
3. Recognized parliamentary procedure shall be observed by the Council in its actions to the extent that they comply with the following provisions:
a) a quorum for the purposes of a valid action requiring the vote of the Council shall be at least three of the five Council members;
b) a majority of voting members present shall be required to carry a motion;
c) the President shall cast an additional vote if necessary to break a tie;
d) voting by letter, e-mail or proxy shall be invalid.
4. All members of the Council, along with the Spiritual Assistant, should be able and willing to meet as often as necessary. It is especially important that the Spiritual Assistant be present for the approval of admitting candidates to formation, the promises, and the vows.
5. The President, the three Councillors and the Director of Formation shall actively work together in the following:
a) the place and general plan of the monthly meeting;
b) when aspirants will be accepted and the screening process, to include certificates of Baptism, Confirmation, Marriage and letters clearing impediments;
c) the frequency and times for ceremonies;
d) assisting in obtaining a Spiritual Assistant as needed in consultation with the Provincial Delegate;
e) receiving or denying members transferring from other Communities/groups;
f) all Councillors need to know every member of the Community, particularly aspirants and those in formation;
g) making every effort to maintain peace and fraternal charity, the Council will handle all disciplinary problems consulting with the Provincial Delegate as needed;
h) assisting the Director of Formation in determining the various levels to be taught simultaneously, and the choice of the instructors; and in other ways being aware of any special formation needs;
i) one Councillor being responsible for maintaining contact with the sick, infirm and members who have moved away;
j) if necessary, appointing an assistant Director of Formation to meet formation needs of extended members (including those who have moved away);
k) determining the areas of service needed in the Community and asking members to assist with these;
l) Councils are free to establish additional duties and responsibilities for individual Councillors as they may deem appropriate within the context of the OCDS Constitutions and these Provincial Statutes.
Sec.
XXII: Finances
(cf. Const. #55)
1. The Provincial Delegate has the help of a Central Office in carrying out his duties. This office is funded and supported by an annual contribution of the membership of the Province. The Central Office, in turn, provides a portion of its funding for the General Delegate’s office in Rome.
2. The OCDS Provincial Council will determine the amount of the annual donation from the members to the Central Office for its support. The Community will submit this annual donation during the month of February, along with the financial report required by Constitution #55.
3. Members contribute according to their means to the financial needs of the Secular Order.
4. The members of each Community/group are invited to contribute a small donation at every meeting for operational expenses. In keeping with our spirit of poverty, the Community’s Council will be sensitive to those who may need assistance participating in Carmelite events, etc.
5. All members are encouraged to plan ahead for their annual Carmelite retreat.
6. Members are encouraged to support our Order; e.g., support of our Seminarians and other young men in OCD formation, and support of our Carmelite Missions, as well as apostolic works undertaken by one’s Community/group apostolate.
7. The duties of the treasurer are specified in Constitution #55. The annual financial report to the Provincial Delegate shall be submitted not later than February.
Sec.
XXIII: Transfer of Members Within the Province
(cf. Const. #11, #12, and #56)
1. A member regularly belongs to the Community/group in which he/she makes the promise, until an official transfer is effected. A transfer is only effective when the receiving Council accepts and the original Council releases that person.
2. Even though not officially members of the Order, those admitted to a Community or Recognized Group as Clothed Candidates will need a letter and copy of their records from the Council verifying their status, level of formation, and other information useful to the receiving Community.
3. When relocated, a member should contact the nearest Community/Recognized Group and ask to attend for at least a year to allow the receiving Community and the member to decide if they wish to finalize an official transfer.
4. Individual members shall obtain the necessary transfer application form from the original Community/group or the Central Office.
5. By mutual agreement, the member and the receiving Council complete and sign the appropriate transfer form.
6. A Council determines the conditions of further initial formation required for the acceptance of a transferring applicant who has made the Temporary Promise or who is a Clothed Candidate.
7. Councils are not obligated to accept members applying for transfer.
Sec. XXIV: Transfers Between Provinces
1. Carmelite Seculars fall under the juridical authority of the Province in which they are members [cf. Const. #40]. When a member from another Province takes up permanent residence in the California-Arizona Province of St. Joseph, the same transfer procedures of Section XXIII above shall apply.
2.
When
a member of the California-Arizona Province of St. Joseph moves permanently into
another Province, he/she should contact the OCDS Provincial Office of their new
Province for information and procedures for effecting transfer into that
Province. A transferring member can obtain information for U.S. Provinces from
the Central Office in
Sec. XXV: Transfers between the TOC and OCDS
In line with the statement of the OCDS National Council of the United States of America, as approved by Fr. Aloysius Deeney, General Delegate on 27 September 2005, the transfer procedures of Lay Carmelites (TOC) to the Secular Order of Discalced Carmelites (OCDS) are:
a) a Lay Carmelite, who desires to become a Secular Carmelite, by way of exception, may transfer if he/she has already made final profession as a TOC. The receiving Community determines conditions of acceptance;
b) a letter of recommendation, from the TOC Council to the OCDS Council to which the TOC member wishes to transfer, will be required;
c) the Lay Carmelite, who desires to become a Secular Carmelite, will retain his/her profession during a discernment period of directed OCDS formation agreed upon by the receiving Council;
d) formation time frames and curriculum will be established by the Formation Director and the other members of the receiving Council;
e) upon completion of formation, and after a period of at least one year of discernment, a letter of release from the Provincial Delegate of the TOC must be obtained. A definitive promise will confer membership in the OCDS.
Sec.
XXVI: OCDS Provincial Council
(cf. Const. #57)
1. There shall be a six member Provincial Council for the Secular Carmelites. It shall be composed of five members of the OCDS California-Arizona Province of St. Joseph and the Provincial Delegate.
2. A Provincial Councillor must:
a) be definitively professed;
b) have served, or is currently serving, as a President, Councillor or Director of Formation;
c) take an active interest in the Order and in all things Carmelite.
3. The Provincial Council will be elected in accordance with the following norms:
a) Each Community or group will submit to the Provincial Council one name from the Province by June 30th. The Provincial Delegate retains the right to add nominees for consideration by the Provincial Council.
b) The term of office will be three years. An individual Councillor may be re-appointed for another three years. Appointment for a third consecutive term would require postulation.
c) In the event of a death or resignation of a Councillor, the Provincial Council will appoint a replacement to serve the remainder of that term, unless this occurs in the last year of the triennium, in which case no replacement needs to be made.
d) The Provincial Council shall appoint from within the five OCDS member Councillors a President and a Secretary who shall serve in these offices for a three year term. The meeting to appoint these officers shall be held within three months subsequent to the date of the Provincial Chapter of the Friars.
e) The President shall normally coordinate all activities and preside at the meetings of the Provincial Council. In the event of the absence of the President, the senior professed OCDS Councillor will preside.
4. In order that the membership of the Province have contact with their Provincial Councillors, the names and contact information of the Provincial Council will be regularly published in the OCDS Provincial Newsletter.
5. The Provincial Council shall meet at least twice a year.
6. The primary responsibility of the Provincial Council is to assist in formation and the apostolate [cf. Const. #57]. The Provincial Council shall also serve as an advisory body to the Provincial Superior, via the Provincial Delegate.
7. The Provincial Council shall appoint one of the three delegates to the annual National Council meeting from among its members. The Provincial Council also has the responsibility to appoint two other non-Provincial Council delegates. These delegates represent our Province at the OCDS National Council meeting.
8. A quorum for a valid vote consists of any four members present, one of whom must be the President or Provincial Delegate. Votes in absentia are not permitted.
9. The possibility of a tie vote does exist. In the case of a tie vote, the President shall cast an additional vote to break the tie.
10. A National Congress shall be held every ten years. Each jurisdiction shall normally hold a Regional Congress every three years. The Provincial Council should lend its support to the Regional Congresses.
[1] Cf. National Conference of Catholic Bishops, Pastoral Statement “Penitent-Discipline in the United States.” Washington, D.C., 1966.
