Resources
OCDS Constitutions 2014: http://www.carmelitaniscalzi.com/en/documents/ocds/rule-and-constitutions-ocds_en/
Rule of Saint Albert and the Constitutions of the Secular Order of the Teresian Carmel: http://www.ocd.pcn.net/ocds_Aen.htm
Guide to The Liturgy of the Hours: http://philipkosloski.com/a-beginners-guide-to-praying-the-liturgy-of-the-hours/
Carmelite Saints and Blesseds in the Liturgy of the Hours: http://carmelcanada.org/liturgy/office.pdf
OCDS meetings: http://www.ocds.info/A_Model_for_Secular_Order_Meetings.pdf
A Carmelite Foundation for Souls: http://thespeakroom.org/
Elijah’s Breeze: https://carmelitequotes.blog/2018/12/13/14-december-st-john-of-the-cross/
Secular Order of Discalced Carmelites - Sacramento: http://ocdssacramento.org/?cat=24
Discalced Carmelite Crest: https://www.queenofpeacemunsterocds.org/
OCD Homilies and Chants: https://www.facebook.com/thespeakroom
United States Council of Catholic Bishops: http://www.usccb.org/
Discalced Carmelite Vocations: https://ocdfriarsvocation.org/
Teresian Carmelites, Irish Province: www.ocd.ie/
Carmelite Saints Calendar: http://carmelitesnewross.com/carmelite-saints-calender/
Carmelite Saints/Blesseds Feast Days: https://thirdordercarmelite.wordpress.com/carmelite-feast-days/ and
http://www.carmelites.ie/saintsindex.html; https://ocd.ie/index.php/feastdays
Teresian Carmel Pages of History: http://www.ocd.pcn.net/histo_1.htm
Meditations from Carmel: http://www.meditationsfromcarmel.com/content/history-carmel
Library of Podcasts from Meditations from Carmel: http://www.meditationsfromcarmel.com/content/mp3-library
Discerning a Vocation to the Secular Discalced Carmelites: https://www.ctkcc.net/carmelite-corner/discerning-a-vocation-to-the-secular-discalced-carmelites/
Secular Order of Discalced Carmelites: http://www.secularcarmelite.com/
Holy Hill Discalced Secular Carmelites: https://www.holyhill.com/index.php/carmelites/secular-order-of-discalced-carmelites
Discalced Carmelites of Australia-Oceania Region: http://www.carmelite.com/seculars/default.cfm?loadref=50
Discalced Carmelite Sisters of France: https://aleteia.org/2024/03/24/love-one-another-a-brief-look-at-carmelite-nuns-in-france/
Discalced Carmelite Sisters of New Zealand: http://www.carmelites.org.nz/aboutus
Carmelite prayer: A simple method: http://olmlaycarmelites.org/resources/carmelite-prayer-simple-method
Prayers and novenas: http://www.secularcarmelite.com/prayers-and-novenas.html
Practice of mental prayer: http://floscarmelivitisflorigera.blogspot.com/2007/03/examination-of-consciense.html
OCDS Cracow: http://www.ocds.org.pl/
Contemplative Sisters of Carmel: http://www.sistersofcarmel.com/
Carmelites in the Holy Land: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TMcm_BbkJ5c#action=share
Interesting article on secular orders: https://angelusnews.com/local/la-catholics/for-lay-religious-orders-covid-has-made-the-old-new-again/
Praying for Clergy: https://carmelitequotes.wordpress.com/2018/08/16/a-carmelite-response-to-the-sexual-abuse-crisis-oh-how-necessary-it-is-to-pray-for-priests/
Las Posadas: Pray the Christmas Novena: https://carmelitesistersocd.com/2014/las-posadas/
Humanae Vitae: Given at St. Peter's, Rome, on the 25th day of July, the feast of St. James the Apostle, in the year 1968, the sixth of Our pontificate by St. Pope Paul VI: https://w2.vatican.va/content/paul-vi/en/encyclicals/documents/hf_p-vi_enc_25071968_humanae-vitae.html
History of the Carmelites: https://www.helpfellowship.org/carmelites.htm
St. Teresa of Ávila: http://www.ncregister.com/daily-news/the-holiness-and-work-of-st.-teresa-of-avila-mystic-and-church-reformer
New Orleans Carmelites: http://www.storyvilledistrictnola.com/convents.html
St. Joseph’s Carmelite Monastery, Kilmacud: http://www.kilmacudcarmel.ie/edith.html
STATUTES
OF THE KRAKÓW PROVINCE
OF THE SECULAR ORDER
OF DISCALCED CARMELITES
TABLE OF CONTENTS
CHAPTER I – GENERAL RESOLUTIONS ……………………………3
CHAPTER II – GOAL …………………………………………………….3
CHAPTER III – SECULAR DISCALCED CARMELITES …………..4
CHAPTER IV – FORMATION …………………………………………..7
CHAPTER V – SPIRITUAL LIFE ………………………………………11
CHAPTER VI – COMMUNITY LIFE …………………………………..13
CHAPTER VII – APOSTOLIC LIFE ……………………………………17
CHAPTER VIII – LOCAL COMMUNITY ……………………………..17
CHAPTER IX – ELECTIONS IN THE COMMUNITY ………………20
CHAPTER X – COMMUNITY COUNCIL …………………………….23
CHAPTER XI – ADMINISTRATION OF GOODS …………………..26
CHAPTER XII – RECORDS AND BOOKKEEPING ………………..27
CHAPTER XIII – PROVINCIAL STRUCTURES …………………….27
CHAPTER XIV – NATIONWIDE COOPERATION ………………….32
CHAPTER XV – CONCLUDING RESOLUTIONS ………………….33
Chapter I
GENERAL RESOLUTIONS
1. The Secular Order of Discalced Carmelites, hereafter referred to as the Secular Order, is the successor and continuator of the Third Order of Carmel established in 1452 by Pope Nicholas V.
2. The Secular Order, also called the Secular Order of Our Lady of Mount Carmel, is an ecclesiastical association. It possesses juridical personality and acts on the basis of the provisions of the Code of Canon Law, the Constitutions of the Secular Order of Discalced Carmelites, the present statutes, and other provisions regarding the Secular Order.
3. The Secular Order is an integral part of the Order of Discalced Carmelites and is legally subject to the Provincial Superior of the Kraków province of the Order of Discalced Carmelites, who may act through his Delegate.
4. The domain of activity of the Secular Order is the area encompassing the Kraków Province of the Order of Discalced Carmelites.
5. The Secular Order may use the abbreviated form Secular Carmel or the abbreviation OCDS, derived from the Latin name of the Order – Ordo Carmelitarum Discalceatorum Saecularis.
6. The Secular Order uses its own seal and membership identification.
7. The basic unit in the Secular Order is the local community, which may acquire juridical personality on the basis of the provisions of civil law after obtaining the consent of the Provincial Superior. The statutes of the local community should be in accord with the statutes contained herein.
8. These statutes, as envisioned by the Constitutions of the OCDS of 2003 (C 58), along with the Constitutions themselves constitute the specific legislation of the secular Discalced Carmelites of the Kraków Province, who carry out their vocation both in canonically erected communities as well as those not canonically erected, which each member has the duty of observing in virtue of belonging to the Secular Order of Discalced Carmelites.
Chapter II
GOAL
9. The goal of the Secular Order is for its members to strive for complete union with God in love, based on the spirituality of the Teresian Carmel, under the care of Our Lady of Mount Carmel, for the sake of fulfilling the mission of the Catholic Church, the Carmelite Order, and the needs of the world.
10. The following means are to ensure that the Secular Discalced Carmelites achieve this goal:
a) the deep Christian and spiritual life of its members, faithful to the commitments they take up, and at the same time the appropriate fulfillment of their duties according to the state of life proper to laypeople.
b) involvement in the life of the community, the parish, and the Province
c) the undertaking of apostolic activities by the Secular Carmelites in the spirit of the Teresian Carmel – individually, as a community, and on the level of the Province.
CHAPTER III
SECULAR DISCALCED CARMELITES
11. A person who wishes to be a Secular Carmelite should be a practicing Catholic, fortified in the Christian life, who is convinced of his or her vocation from God, consciously accepts the spiritual program of the Order of Our Lady of Mount Carmel, and in addition, fulfills the following criteria:
a) belongs to the Catholic Church and is able to fully partake of the holy sacraments,
b) wishes to lead a deeper spiritual life and strive for contemplative prayer,
c) is committed to taking part in the life of the community on a continual, regular basis and is open to accepting tasks and functions within the community,
d) is between 18 and 55 years of age (cf. C 58 f),
e) possesses human maturity and is psychologically stable,
f) does not belong to an association in which promises, vows or other permanent commitments are undertaken,
g) his or her family duties and other commitments will not collide with the obligations of a Secular Carmelite,
h) does not belong to any group, whose activity and purposes are in contradiction with the teaching of the Catholic Church.
The director of formation is to supply the introductory explanations on the subject of the Secular Order and the above criteria during their first conversation.
12. The Council of the community decides on the admission of a candidate to the introductory stage after consideration of his or her resolution submitted at the hands of the formation director. The Council makes a decision regarding admission to initial formation after carrying out a conversation with the candidate on the subject of his or her religious life and civil status up to that moment. The Council may request from the candidate certificates attesting to the reception of the Holy Sacraments, the approval of the pastor of his or her parish, and the written consent of his or her spouse. The Council also has the right to request information about the state of health of the candidate, specifying his or her psycho-physical capacities, indispensable for entering into the life of the community and taking up the duties resulting from this fact.
13. The Council of the Community may accept into the Secular Order a person who is older than 55 years old, if after examination, it is established that such a person has a vocation. The Council of the Community, after consultation with the Provincial Delegate, may issue a dispensation for a candidate up to 60 years of age, and the Provincial or his Delegate for a candidate up to 65 years of age, upon the written request of the candidate and after evaluation by the Council of the community (cf. C 58 f).
14. Communal life is a characteristic trait of Carmel (cf. C 24 a – 24 e). The admission to the Secular Carmel of persons who will not participate on a regular basis in the life of the community because of traveling distance, is possible only conditionally. In such instances, it is necessary to direct the person in question to the nearest community (territorially, or by means of communication). These members are obliged to observe in their entirety the Constitutions and Statutes, with the exception of the acts of community life. They are subject to formation in their local community, in accord with the provisions of the Constitutions and these Statutes.
15. A person admitted into the OCDS community, through the profession of first promises, becomes a member of the Secular Order and attains an active right to vote, and after professing definitive promises, attains a passive right to vote as well.
16. Secular Discalced Carmelites have a right to:
a) make use of the spiritual goods of the Order of Discalced Carmelites and participate in the same vocation to holiness and to the same mission in the Church,
b) make use of spiritual direction by a priest of the Discalced Carmelite Order,
c) active and passive right to vote, in accord with the Constitutions and the Statutes,
d) participate in common meetings, assemblies, courses, and retreats,
e) submit resolutions in all matters regarding the Secular Order of Discalced Carmelites,
f) wear external signs of belonging to the Secular Order and use the abbreviation OCDS after their name,
g) to be buried in the “solemn” Scapular with a funeral Mass offered by a Discalced Carmelite priest.
Formula and use of external signs of belonging
To the Secular Carmel (cf. C 58 i)
17. The external sign of belonging to the Secular Order of Discalced Carmelites is the “solemn” scapular consisting of two rectangular pieces of brown fabric, measuring 25 x 18 centimeters, draped over the front and back, and connected by ribbons. The blessed “solemn” scapular is imposed on the candidate by the priest during the ceremony of admission to the period of formation as a “sign of the Carmelite habit” (Ritual 24) with the summons to wear it worthily and imitate Mary in serving Christ.
18. It is suggested that the “solemn” scapular be worn by the Secular Discalced Carmelites during the canonical erection of the community, the profession of promises and vows as well as their renewal, and also at other celebrations and at such times as the community wishes to be externally acknowledged. The Council of the Community makes the decision in this matter.
19. Secular Carmelites are obliged to wear the small cloth scapular daily, for which the scapular medal may serve as a substitute.
20. Decisions in the matter of other externals signs of the community are made by the Council of the community after consulting with the Delegate.
Associate members
21. Supporting and honorary members may also belong to the Secular Order.
22. A supporting member may be a practicing Catholic who:
a) is enrolled in the Scapular and lives by the Carmelite spirituality,
b) is spiritually affiliated with a concrete community of the Secular Carmel, with whom he or she remains in contact and enjoys its confidence
c) wishes to support the community by prayer, material and financial assistance, and submits in writing such a declaration to the Council of the Community
23. An honorary member may be a practicing Catholic who has merited this place in the Secular Order in carrying out its goals.
24. Supporting and honorary members make use of the spiritual benefits of the Secular Order, taking part, among others, in the Holy Masses, in the personal and communal prayers as well as in other spiritual good works carried out in the local community of the Secular Order to which they are subject. They do not make promises or vows and do not have active or passive rights to vote in the community to which they belong. They receive the “solemn” scapular in the ordinary manner. They may take part in the retreats, meetings, and community life in the manner agreed upon by the Council, and by the offerings made to the community treasury, they take part in maintaining the community.
25. The Council of the Community bestows the status of supporting member while observing prudence and proper proportion, being guided by the good of the community. His or her membership ceases in case of:
a) voluntary withdrawal,
b) death,
c) dismissal by the Council of the Community for actions harmful to the Secular Order, failure to dedicate themselves to their declared support for the community, and for reasons defined in the Code of Canon Law (publicly leaving the Catholic faith, breaking ties with the community of the Church, or by reason of excommunication, imposed by the law itself latae sententiae or declared as such).
26. The Provincial Superior bestows the status of honorary member upon a motion submitted by the Council of the Community. His or her membership ceases as a result of:
a) voluntary resignation submitted in writing,
b) death,
c) a decree of the Provincial Superior upon a motion of the Community Council, based on a demonstrated action serving to the detriment of the Secular Order and for reasons designated in the Code of Canon Law (public rejection of the Catholic faith, breaking ties with the community of the Church, or by reason of excommunication imposed by the sentence itself latae sententiae or declared as such.
27. A supporting member who is dismissed is accorded the right to appeal the decision to the Provincial Superior or his Delegate.
28. An honorary member deprived of his status by decree of the Provincial Superior is accorded the right to appeal the decision to the appropriate church authorities.
Chapter IV
FORMATION
29. The main setting for initial and continued formation are the communities. Formation takes place in them in the context of community meetings, formational meetings, annual community retreats as well as prayer meetings and apostolic works carried out by the community. Accompanying and observing the progress of each of the candidates, recognizing problems and correcting errors by those in charge of formation is connected with carrying on regular and often personal conversations with each candidate in calmness and an atmosphere of mutual trust (cf. RI 34; VC 66).
30. The OCDS Provincial Council and those with authority in the Order, that is the Provincial or his Delegate, watch over the program of formation in the communities, and likewise organize courses, days of recollection, and formation meetings for members from different communities.
31. Formation takes place according to the norms contained in the document Principles and Program of Formation for the Secular Order of Discalced Carmelites, published and approved by the Definitor General, along with the Formation Materials drawn up by the Kraków Province.
32. Formation meetings should take place at least once a month, separately arranged for the individual groups in accord with their stages of formation. In the case of a small number of people, the meetings may be held together, according to the overall program of formation in harmony drawn up by the Council.
33. Three months before the conclusion of the preparatory stage and each stage of initial formation, the candidate should submit to the Community Council a written request, respectively, for admission into the community, admission to first promises, or admission to definitive promises. Not making such a request is equivalent to resigning from any further formation and brings about the expiration of any previously accepted commitments.
Preparatory stage (C 36 a)
34. The preparatory stage lasts from 6 to 12 months, but in special cases the Council may extend this period. In the preparatory period, the Council evaluates, among others, the capacity of the candidate for interpersonal relations in the community, and the candidate for his or her part, under the care of the formation director:
a) gets to know the community, becomes acquainted with the charism of the Teresian Carmel, with the specific traits of the vocation of the Secular Carmelites, their way of life, and service to the Church, taking into account in a particular way the meaning of the promises as well as the rights and duties flowing from the Constitutions and Statutes.
b) completes his or her human and Christian formation, strives for frequent participation at Holy Mass, meditates on the Word of God, and devotes himself or herself to interior prayer.
Initial formation (C 58 a)
35. The goal of initial formation is:
a) evaluating the vocations of candidates for Secular Order of Discalced Carmelites, their gifts, talents, and capacity for entering into community life,
b) the development of a life of prayer among the candidates and members,
c) preparation for life in the world animated by the charism and spirituality of Carmel,
d) integration with the community and the Order,
e) deepening of knowledge about the teaching of the Church and of the Carmelite saints,
f) the formation of apostolic involvement,
g) preparation for taking up and fulfilling the candidate’s commitments toward the community, the Order, and the Church, and especially at the place where the community meets.
36. The Community Council decides on admission to the period of initial formation and its components. The formation director, for whom the Community Council may place assistants at his or her disposal, guides the direct formation.
37. Admission into the period of formation is carried out in accord with the Ritual of the Secular Order through the imposition of the blessed, “solemn” cloth scapular (cf. point 17 of the Statutes).
38. Admission into the period of formation entitles the candidate to choose a “predicate” (invocation) to be added to his or her baptismal name.
39. The first promises are a formal incorporation into the Secular Order of Discalced Carmelites, with the acquisition of the rights and duties accruing to a member of the Secular order, and is carried out in a public manner in accord with the Ritual of the Secular Order.
40. A person who has been admitted to the community usually makes temporary promises after two years, and then definitive promises after three years. The Delegate or an assistant authorized by him receives the promises.
41. The Community Council has the right, for justifiable reasons and with the permission of the Provincial Superior or his Delegate, to shorten the period of formation before temporary promises for no more than 5 months or to extend the period of the different stages of formation for a year, provided that the total period of extended formation does not exceed three years. The Community Council is obliged to inform the person in question of its decision and the reasons for it.
42. Extending the period of formation does not cause a loss of membership in the Secular Order, as long as the candidate or member maintains contact with the Community Council. Before definitive promises, a renewal of promises for the time of extended formation is required.
43. In cases where the danger of death is imminent, the Council may admit to profession before the period of formation is complete, if the person in question expresses such a wish, even orally. In such a situation, he makes his or her promises at the hands of a priest, and if this is not possible at the hands of the president or member of the Council. If the danger of death were to pass, the promises have no legal force and the candidate should carry out the complete formation process in accord with the Program of Formation.
Circumstances and conditions for making vows (cf. C 58 e)
44. A member of the Secular Order of Discalced Carmelites who feels that he or she is called by God to greater involvement in fidelity to the evangelical life and a fuller bond with the Order, may make vows of chastity and obedience to God in the presence of the community, at least three years after making definitive promises.
45. The profession of vows should be preceded by a sufficient period of prayerful discernment and formation with the help of the assistant of the community or a spiritual director.
46. The Community Council looks over and evaluates the written request of the member, accepted by the assistant or spiritual director, and the provincial or his Delegate expresses his consent.
47. In making its decision, the Community Council should apply the following criteria:
a) the member must faithfully live by the promises,
b) the member should have an experience of God in his or her daily life,
which is manifested, among other, through love of neighbor.
The formation of members who live far away from the community (cf. C 58 b)
48. The formation of candidates and new members who are not able to participate regularly in the formation meetings because of long distance, extended illness or other life circumstances (e.g. family or work-related) may carry out their formation in a manner applicable to their particular life situation, in accord with the Formation Program as well as Formation Materials of the Secular Order of the Discalced Carmelites of the Kraków Province.
49. The president of the community, the formation director, or another person designated for this task maintains contact with such persons and watches over their program of formation. He or she does this at least once a month through personal contact or contemporary means of communication.
50. Those undergoing formation have the duty to maintain regular and frequent contact with the President of the community or the person designated by the Community Council and to inform them of how the formation is being carried out (the tasks already completed, progress as well as difficulties in formation). In addition, during the stage of initial formation they should:
a) once a year take part in community retreats or in retreats in which members of the Secular Carmel take part,
b) at least once a year take part in the community meeting,
c) meet with the Community Council or the formation director every three months,
d) once a month come in contact with the formation director.
Continual formation (cf. C 34)
51. Continual formation begins after the profession of definitive promises and lasts for the member’s entire life. It is carried out in the dimension of spiritual, community, apostolic, and social life. Its purpose is to form a new person, who in every situation of life experiences in his or her heart those same feelings as Christ did (cf. VC 69). The Community Council watches over the implementation of continual formation, which is carried out on the basis of the guidelines of the OCDS Provincial Council.
CHAPTER V
SPIRITUAL LIFE
52. Secular Discalced Carmelites devote themselves to the Order, and by this very fact take up a life imbued with the spirit of the Teresian Carmel as expressed in the Rule of St. Albert, in accord with the charism of St. Teresa of Jesus and St. John of the Cross, observing the provisions of the Constitutions and these very Statutes.
Ways of giving honor to the Blessed Virgin Mary, St. Joseph
and the Carmelite saints (cf. C 58 j)
53. Secular Carmelites should give honor to the Blessed Virgin Mary and nurture an authentic Marian devotion by:
a) receiving and wearing the Holy Scapular and offering daily a prayer to Mary connected with this devotion (e.g. Holy Rosary, We fly to Your protection, the Angelus, the Salve Regina on Saturday together with the entire Order of Discalced Carmelites),
b) deepening their knowledge of the Marian tradition of Carmel and the Church’s teaching about Mary,
c) getting to know and imitate the virtues of the Mother of God and her pattern of life, which for the Teresian Carmel constitutes the model for becoming like Jesus,
d) to the degree possible, taking active part in the traditional Marian devotions of the Church (Marian days and feasts, devotions, Novena preceding the Solemnity of Our Lady of Mt. Carmel) and pilgrimages.
54. Giving honor to St. Joseph and the saints of Carmel consists of getting to know and imitate these saints, reciting prayers to them as a community and individually, as well as participating in devotions on the occasion of their feasts.
Prayer life
55. Since prayer is the foundation and elementary task of the Teresian Carmel (cf. C 17), the Secular Discalced Carmelites therefore:
a) on a daily basis, in the measure possible, participate in the Eucharist;
b) nurture a personal participation in the liturgy of the Church, which is the source and summit of her activity;
c) on a daily basis recite Morning Prayer and Vespers, and to the degree possible, Night Prayer, and in doing so, use the Carmelite calendar to foster greater union with the entire Order,
d) they strive to make prayer permeate their whole life, in order to live in the presence and mystery of the Living God,
e) they set apart a half hour daily (cf. C 21) for interior prayer in an atmosphere of silence and solitude, as a personal encounter with God, who is hidden,
f) they constantly reflect on God’s Word, so that they might better know the person of Jesus Christ, listening to Him and imitating Him with Mary as their model,
g) they set apart time for spiritual reading, during which they become acquainted, apart from Holy Scriptures, with the documents of the Church and the writings of our Saints, especially St. Teresa of Jesus and St. John of the Cross. They may also make use of the spiritual works of other authors,
h) they make visits and adore the Blessed Sacrament.
56. In case of obstacles in fulfilling the above commitments, a Secular Discalced Carmelite tries to remain in a living relationship with God during his or her occupations, reflects on a mystery of the Holy Rosary of his or her choosing, offers prayers to the holy Patrons of our Order, and in case of protracted incapacity may receive a dispensation from the assistant. Prayer recommendations do not bind under penalty of sin, but are an effective means of growing in God’s love.
57. The life of prayer of a secular Discalced Carmelite, a life of union with God, requires the practice of continual conversion and purification of the heart by:
a) a daily examination of conscience
b) frequent reception, at least once a month, of the Sacrament of Penance and Reconciliation.
Forms of mortification (cf. C 58 j)
58. Secular Discalced Carmelites understand that the goal of asceticism is interior purification and liberation, in order to open oneself completely to God. They faithfully observe the general law of the Church regarding fasting and abstinence from meat. In accord with the teaching of St. Teresa of Jesus and St. John of the Cross, they undertake out of love for Christ the practice of penance and evangelical self-denial according to the tradition of the Teresian Carmel, above all in the season of Advent and Lent.
59. Secular Discalced Carmelites reduce their own bodily nourishment so that in this way they may come to the aid of their needy brothers and sisters. They observe to the degree possible abstinence from meat on Wednesdays and Saturdays together with the whole Order, as well as on the days preceding the following feasts of the Teresian Carmel:
a) the Solemnity of St. Joseph, i.e. March 18,
b) the Solemnity of Our Lady of Mt. Carmel, i.e. July 15,
c) the Solemnity of St. Teresa of Jesus, i.e. October 14,
d) the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception of the BVM, i.e. December 7,
e) the Solemnity of St. John of the Cross, i.e. December 13.
60. Besides this, they practice other forms of mortification:
a) they patiently endure misfortune and willingly undertake the toil of daily work,
b) they prudently deny themselves material comforts (e.g. television, internet),
c) they practice evangelical restraint in speaking
61. Secular Discalced Carmelites practice penance and evangelical forms of self-denial with moderation and in accord with their capacity regarding health, state of life, and age.
62. Secular Discalced Carmelites offer their whole live as a living sacrifice, pleasing to God, as an expression of their participation in the common priesthood of the faithful.
CHAPTER VI
COMMUNITY LIFE
63. The basic unit of the Secular Carmelite Order is the local community as a visible sign of the Church.
64. Once a month, on a date determined by the community, is designated as the day for the meeting of the entire local community. Attendance at this meeting is mandatory.
65. Persons interested in the spirituality of the Teresian Carmel but who are not members of the community may participate in a designated part of the meeting, at the invitation of the Council.
66. A Secular Discalced Carmelite places the good of the community and fraternal love above his or her own likings, and for this reason, when arranging his or her tasks, gives priority to community meetings. The desire to participate in the life of the community and the ability to reconcile this duty with other matters is the sign of an authentic vocation.
67. Those who for important and justifiable reasons are unable to participate in the monthly meeting explain the reason for their absence to the president.
68. The president promptly speaks with those persons with unexplained absences to clarify the reason for their absence.
69. Missing community meetings without justification or for frivolous motives may indicate, among others, a lack of vocation, to which the Community Council should draw attention already at the stage of initial formation, not admitting such a person to further formation.
70. A Secular Discalced Carmelite, who for understandable reasons cannot take part in the life of the community (e.g. a temporary business trip beyond the area encompassed by the community’s activities), may be exempted from taking part in community meetings for a period of up to two years by the Community Council. Granting leave for a longer period requires the consent of the Provincial Superior or his Delegate (cf. C 56).
71. A Secular Discalced Carmelite who lives outside the area encompassed by the community’s activity is obliged to maintain a spiritual bond with the community, to be in continuous contact with the president of the community, and to take part in the annual retreat.
72. A Secular Discalced Carmelite, who (for whatever reason) does not participate in the meetings and community life for a whole year is counted among inactive members, for whom active and passive vote are suspended. The Community Council decides on re-admission to active and passive vote, no earlier than a full year of renewed participation in the community meetings.
73. Unexplained absence at 5 meetings in a calendar year brings about a recognition of a person who has made definitive promises as inactive with a directive for removal from the community in the procedure defined in point 24-e, in connection with point 24 c of the Constitutions.
74. The unity of the community is built on prayer. For this reason, the Community Council is to organize the monthly meetings in such a way that members may participate at Holy Mass as a community, pray at least one of the Liturgical Hours of the breviary, and spend a period of mental prayer in common. The program for the meeting should also include a conference by the assistant or some other designated person, as well as time for a free exchange of ideas and sharing of the experience of prayer and daily life.
75. The bond with the community is likewise built up through the input of the individual members in its life. The Community Council should create for the members the possibility of becoming involved in decisions about important matters affecting the community.
76. In larger communities, the Council may create groups for special services (e.g. liturgical, helping the sick, apostolic works), prayer groups or groups comprising people at various stages of formation, which meet more frequently, for example, at a specific location or section of town, patterned after the circles which used to function in Poland during the period between the two world wars.
77. Fraternal communion is expressed though the common celebration of important events in the life of the community and its members, and community alive as well as brotherly-sisterly relations are strengthened by more frequent contact than merely once a month. Such occasions, organized by the Council at the initiative of the members, might be additional meetings of the whole community or some group of members or service ministries: prayer, recreation, days of recollection and retreats, especially involving excursions, as well as other spontaneous meetings “over tea.”
78. Effective functioning of the community requires the involvement of each of the members in its life and activities; for this reason, a secular Discalced Carmelite:
a) willingly accepts in a spirit of sacrifice the duties and tasks assigned him or her by the community;
b) according to his or her own capacity, takes part in the apostolate of the community,
c) does not shy away from accepting functions resulting from his or her election or nomination without sufficient reason,
d) willingly joins in the work of the groups and service ministries functioning in the community.
79.The work of the community is connected with taking up the expenses for the goals set out in the statutes (the organization of meetings, days of recollection, office and formational materials, help for sick and elderly members, the apostolate, participation in courses and congresses, collections for the Kraków Province of the Secular Order, etc.). Every secular Carmelite from the time of his or her admission into the community contributes to its upkeep by paying a monthly fee established by the Council, and if the good of the community so requires, also by its own work as well as financial and material offerings.
80. The spirit of familial charity in each community should be manifested by special spiritual care and material concern for the members of the community regarding every secular Discalced Carmelite who is sick or in need of help.
81. Persons who are seriously ill, advanced in years, by offering their prayers and sufferings play a special part in the mission of the Order. The Council and the entire community should take care of their sacramental life, and if possible, arrange for their participation in the life of the community.
82. Secular Discalced Carmelites should be sensitive to the needs of the poor, in the first place those of their own community. A particular expression of their care for the problems of the poor will be the organizing in communities or joining up with others in works of charity for the benefit of charitable institutions which draw their inspiration from the spirit of the Teresian Carmel. In a spirit of poverty, the community may likewise take up some specified acts of self-denial, for example, by organizing more modest agape meals, and allotting this money for helping the poor (with material help, medicine, and defraying the cost of retreats).
83. In order to maintain contact among local communities of the Secular Teresian Carmel in the Province, general provincial meetings are organized with the Provincial delegate or the assistant taking his place. Such meetings include, among others, a Carmelite day of recollection, courses for presidents and formation directors, and meetings of the provincial service ministries.
Prayers for deceased members of the community (cf. C 58 d)
84. One Holy Mass is to be offered for each deceased member of the Secular Order of Discalced Carmelites (with the mass intention offered by the local community). If any of the member cannot take part in this Holy Mass, he or she is to fully participate in another Holy Mass or recite 5 Mysteries of the Rosary. In addition, the members of the community pray the Liturgy of the Hours for the deceased. The Community Council prepares a death notice about the deceased for the provincial bulletin.
85. On the Carmelite All Souls’ Day (November 15), the members of the Secular Discalced Carmelite Order should remember in prayer all their deceased brothers and sisters. All members are encouraged, even if individually, to pray the Liturgy of the Hours for the deceased several times a year, and at least once a year offer a Mass intention for deceased members.
Chapter VII
APOSTOLIC LIFE (C 28)
86. The apostolate of the Secular Discalced Carmelites flows from prayer, meditation on God’ s Word, the imitation of Christ, and fidelity to their duties.
87. Friendship with God is such that the life of Secular Discalced Carmelites is not limited to acts of devotion, so that their prayer and the works they take up should be imbued with an apostolic spirit.
88. A secular Discalced Carmelite is joined to the evangelical mission of the Order in the Church by the apostolate on the level of the individual, the community, and the Province, as recognized in the community:
a) by involvement in the work of evangelization patterned after the life of Mary, in a manner corresponding to the secular state of life, that is, the witness of a life of friendship with God in the family and workplace,
b) by conversations with persons interested in the Teresian Carmel and prayer,
c) by spreading the devotion of the Holy Scapular,
d) by leading prayer groups and scapular fraternities in their home parishes,
e) by becoming involved in the work of the missions by organizing mission circles, sales for the benefit of the missions, and meetings with our missionaries,
f) by days of recollection and retreats in a Teresian spirit open to all interested persons.
g) by the organization of symposia, teaching conferences, courses, and presentations,
h) by publishing works whose purpose is to help communities in the formation of their members and disseminating reliable and authentic information about the Teresian Carmel.
CHAPTER VIII
THE LOCAL COMMUNITY
89. The basic structure of the Secular Order of Discalced Carmelite is the local community as a visible sign of the Church.
90. In the Kraków Province, there are three types of functioning communities: canonically established (erected) communities, non-erected communities, and groups being formed.
91. Groups being formed meet with the consent of the Delegate, who appoints a director of initial formation, supervises the formation program, and decides on other matters.
92. Non-erected communities act from the time of admission of members to the first stage of formation with consent of the Delegate, who appoints an assistant for the community as well as a president, formation director, and councilors. In case of necessity, he may at any moment carry out changes in the makeup of the Community Council. The Delegate likewise discerns when a community reaches a sufficient level of development as to carry out elections to the Council and the election of a delegate to the Congress.
93. The canonical establishment of a community is carried out by the Superior General of the Teresian Carmel (cf. C 49) through the mediation of the Provincial Superior or his Delegate. Necessary conditions for erecting a community are the following:
a) for communities formed outside of monasteries of the Discalced Carmelites, the written consent of the diocesan bishop is required,
b) the meetings of the non-erected community should take place for at least five years (before canonical erection),
c) at least one full term of the Council elected by the community must be completed,
d) at least 10 members should have made promises, among which two have made definitive promises,
e) the non-erected community must be distinguished by progress in formation, a growth in number of its members, and demonstrate determination and unity in striving for its goal.
A community which fulfills the above conditions is obliged to take up the steps aimed at erecting it canonically.
Dividing a community for the purpose of forming a new one
(cf. C 58 g)
94. In a community that is too large, it is not possible to build true and deep bonds of human and spiritual friendship, as well as mutual support in fraternal love and humility (cf. C 24 c).
95. The Council of a Community which consists of 30 members who have made promises, in seeking to preserve the Teresian charism, is obliged to consider dividing the group for the purpose of forming a new one. The initiative for a new community branching off may emerge likewise from at least two members who have made definitive promises and who possess the proper predisposition. The reason for a split cannot be internal conflicts within a community, attesting to a lack of maturity, but rather fidelity to the Teresian charism of life in communion with God as well our brothers and sisters, as well as the desire to establish new “foundations.”
96. The Community Council, with the support of the Provincial Council, prepares the design for the division with prudence, so as not to weaken the vitality of the existing community and at the same time to give a good, healthy start to the new community. Transferring to the new community should be matter of one’s free discretion.
97. The plan for dividing a community should be submitted by the Council to the Delegate for approval.
98. The decision to divide a community is made by the Provincial Superior or his Delegate and the OCDS Provincial Council, upon a motion of the Community. The new community should come into being within the course of two years.
99. At the justified motion of the Community Council, the Provincial Superior or his Delegate may allow for extending this period and for admitting new members to the community already existing.
100. The admission of candidates to a community which has reached the maximum number of members and has not undertaken any action connected with the branching off of a new community requires the consent of the Provincial Superior or his Delegate.
101. The newly formed community is not a canonically erected community. Its members are no longer members of their “old” community and their functions up to that point expire.
102. The canonical erection of a community that arises by breaking off from another community may take place within the prescribed period of 5 years, provided that the remaining conditions delineated in Point 93 of the Statutes are fulfilled, in keeping with Can. 122 of the Code of Canon Law.
Dissolving a community
103. The dissolving of a local community may result in virtue of a decree issued by the Provincial Superior.
104. The reason for dissolving a local community may be in particular the incapacity to elect an actively functioning Community Council or too small a number of active members, which would make a normal community life impossible.
105. Members of a community that has been dissolved who have made definitive promises may transfer to another OCDS community as members actively participating in its life or as members exempt from the duty of attending meetings because of travel distance, but observing all the commitments resulting from their definitive promises. Persons at the stage of initial formation continue their formation in the new community.
106. In the case of the dissolution of a local community, all material goods and records are handed over to the Provincial Council of the Secular Order, in keeping with the Code of Canon Law § 121 and § 123
107. In case the community is revived, in accord with canon law, the community eventually takes over once again administration of its remaining material goods and records.
Chapter IX
ELECTIONS IN THE COMMUNITY
(C 58 c)
108. The election of the president and remaining members of the Council in the local community take place in accord with the norms of canon law, of the Constitutions of the Secular Order, and the following provisions.
109. The date for the meeting for reports and elections should be set up at least one month earlier by the departing Council and with the consent of the Provincial Delegate.
110. Preceding the election meeting, the members should be informed of the meeting in a manner acceptable to all in the given community.
111. The Provincial Delegate presides over the election meeting, establishes the order of the proceedings, and confirms the election results, or, at his recommendation, a member of the OCDS Provincial Council, and in special cases the assistant of the community, authorized by the Provincial Delegate.
112. The order for the proceedings of the election meeting should contain at least the following:
a) the election of a secretary and two election judges
b) the submission of a report of the activities and financial report of the Secular Order
c) verifying the report of the outgoing Council
d) the election of the new Council
e) the undertaking of new resolutions
113. The right to actively vote is accorded to Secular Discalced Carmelites who have made their simple and solemn profession. The right to be elected as the president of the Secular Order is accorded to active members of the Community who have made their solemn profession. The remaining members of the Council are elected among those active members of the community who have made their solemn profession. In special circumstances a Secular Discalced Carmelite who has only made temporary promises may be elected to the Council, with the consent of the Delegate or the member of the OCDS Provincial Council present for the elections.
114. For the validity of the elections on the first date there is required the presence of at least half of those entitled to vote. A second time for the voting, in case a quorum is initially lacking, may take place a half hour later, for the purpose of filling up the quorum.
115. The elections should proceed according to the following principles:
a) one vote is allotted to each elector, which he or she should submit personally.
b) the two election judges and the election secretary should ensure that the election proceedings are carried out properly.
c) the act of voting is carried out on slips of paper, which after they are filled out, are collected by the election judges and counted in the presence of the secretary of the election meeting.
d) the one presiding at the election meeting presents to the members the principles for voting and the manner for carrying out the voting on slips of paper, along with the procedure for counting the votes.
e) the election of a person must be accepted by the person elected in the course of the election meeting.
f) three councilors are elected in three separate votings.
g) in a situation where among the three elected councilors, one of them is already the director of formation, then a further round of voting must be drawn up to elect a third councilor, in accord with the above procedure.
116. For the election of the president and the councilors, an absolute majority of votes is required. The ballot is secret. If, as a result of the first voting, a choice has not been reached, the two candidates who had the greater number of votes proceed to a run-off election. On this ballot, these two candidates, however, do not have an active vote.
117. In this second ballot, a simple majority of votes is sufficient to be elected.
In the case of an equal number of votes, the candidate who has been in the Secular Order of Discalced Carmelites for a longer period of time is elected.
118. The president and the councilors of the community may be elected for two terms in succession. In exceptional cases, they may be elected for a third term with a two-thirds majority of the votes, but with the consent of the Provincial Delegate. A change in the offices enables a greater sense of mutual responsibility and involvement in the community life of the individual members.
119. The one presiding at the election meeting confirms the results of the voting, if the persons chosen have accepted their election, and the newly elected Council makes an oath of fidelity.
120. The secretary of the election meeting sends to the OCDS Provincial Secretary the minutes from the meeting for reports and elections within the course of a month.
121. The departing members of the Community Council are required to pass on without delay to their successors an official record of all documents, information, and material goods of the Secular Order of Discalced Carmelites, which they have administered with confirmation in writing.
122. In case of a vacancy in the office of the President of the Community before 18 months of his or her term have passed, the Delegate is to arrange for special elections. After such time has elapsed, the first Councilor carries out the function of President until the end of the term, and the Council is to fill the vacancy left by that Councilor in accord with point 47, letter d) of the Constitutions. In case of a vacancy in the office of the Director of Formation, the provisions of Point 50 of the Constitutions are applied accordingly.
The election of delegates to the Congress
123. So that the communities might function better, a Provincial Council is convoked, which serves to assist the communities in the task of formation and in their apostolate.
124. Three months before the Congress opens, each canonically erected local community is obliged to carry out the election of delegates and their substitutes for the Congress, during which the Provincial Council is elected.
125. The delegates to the Congress are elected in a way comparable to the election of the President, in accord with the procedure described in Points 115-117 of the Statutes. The President of the community presides over the election meeting, to whom only one active vote is accorded in the election of the delegates.
126. In communities which are not canonically erected, the Delegate makes the decision in this matter (cf. Point 92 of the Statutes).
Chapter X
THE COMMUNITY COUNCIL
127. Authority in the Community is exercised by a Council consisting of a President, a formation director, and three Councilors. The sphere of competence exercised by the Council is defined in the Constitutions (cf. C 46-47).
128. The term of the Council lasts three years, counted from the day of the last valid elections. In special circumstances, the term of the Council may be shortened or lengthened by decision of the Provincial Council or his Delegate.
129. At the conclusion of the Council’s term, all remaining functions in the community (treasurer, secretary, chronicler, etc.) also cease.
130. The Community Council is responsible for the general format of the life of the community, its apostolate and the administration of its goods. A basic duty of the Council is the formation (initial and continued) as well as the shaping of the Christian and Carmelite development of the members of the Community. (cf. C 46).
131. The Constitutions (51) define the duties of the president. The president speaks in the name of the Council and communicates its decisions to the community.’
132. The Constitutions (53) likewise define the duties of the formation director. The Community Council may assign him to help directly in the formation of one or several assistants, thereby establishing a formation team (cf. RI 29, 33, 34).
133. The Community Council elects a secretary and a treasurer (cf. C 50, 54, 55). It also appoints a vocation director, a chronicler, a correspondent for Żyć Karmelem w Świecie, a librarian, a person in charge of service ministries and other tasks in the community.
134. Among the duties of three Councilors are (cf. C 58 c):
a) involvement in the work of the Council and participation in its meetings,
b) cooperation with the President in carrying out his tasks,
c) supporting the director of formation, (cf. C 52)
d) the fulfillment of tasks assigned by the Council, for example, being in charge or supervising service ministries of the community.
135. The president convokes the Council as often as the good of the Community and its growth so require (cf. C 47), but no less frequently than four times a year. He should also convoke the Council upon request by at least two members of the Council. In case of the President’s absence, the formation director convokes the Council.
136. The decisions of the Council are handed down by a simple majority of votes in the presence of the president and at least two members. In matters concerning members (acceptance, admission to promises and vows, release from promises, dismissal from the community), the voting is secret, and absolute majority is required, as well as the presence of all the members of the Council. If a matter concerns a member of the Council, he or she does not take part in the voting. The minutes of Council meetings are officially recorded, but discretion is binding on all who take part in the Council meeting.
137. Any one of the members of the Council for serious and justified reasons may submit his or her resignation from the office he or she has fulfilled. A member of the Council who is not able to take part in the work of the Council should submit his or her resignation from office in writing.
138. Acceptance or rejection of the resignation of the President belongs to the competence of the Provincial Superior or his Delegate, while acceptance or rejection of the resignation of a councilor or the formation director belongs to the competence of the Council. Filling the resulting vacancy follows in accord with Number 122 of the Statutes.
139. The Council takes up the attempt to resolve possible conflicts which in every community are unavoidable and provide for its growth. This should take place in an evangelical and Carmelite spirit, in fraternal dialogue, seeking what will unite and not divide. In more difficult matters, the Council may turn for help to the assistant of the Community, the Provincial Councilor, the Delegate, or the Provincial Superior, and also request a fraternal or pastoral visitation.
140. Any documents to be delivered outside the Community should be signed by the President and one of the Council members, and in financial matters, by the President and the Community treasurer.
141. The President and formation director are obliged to take part in annual courses or formational retreats organized by the Provincial Council.
Transferring
142. The transferring of members among communities of the Kraków Province of the OCDS, as well as from other Provinces to the Kraków Province is possible for reasons of transferring residence or some other serious reason, while observing the following principles:
a) the person wishing to transfer directs his or her request to the new community. The request should contain: the first name, last name, the invocation, phone number and e-mail address, the explanation for the request as well as status in the present community, including the date of admission, promises, vows and other functions in that community,
b) the new community sends, in accord with the above, a request to the present community, for the purpose of verification,
c) the Council of the present community confirms the accuracy of the information contained in the request,
d) the present community expresses its consent for the transferring of the member to the other community and submits the date for crossing his or her name off the list of members,
e) the original of the document along with the personal request of the person wishing to transfer is sent to the new community, while a copy remains in the records of the old one,
f) the Council of the new community confirms the transfer and date of admission as a member of the new community, while a copy of this document is sent to the Secretariat.
143. The above procedure is applied to the transfer of members to another Province, after consulting the Council of the new community with the previous one. In disputed cases, the Delegate is the one who decides.
Ceasing of membership
144. Membership in the Secular Order of Discalced Carmelites ceases as the result of departure, dismissal, or expiration of membership.
145. A Secular Discalced Carmelite may leave the Order by submitting a written request to be released from his or promises or vows. Release from promises after serious reflection and discernment is granted by the Community Council, which informs the Provincial Superior or his Delegate of this. Release from vows is granted by the provincial Superior or his delegate, after considering the written request of the member and the opinion of the Community Council.
146. The Community Council may dismiss a member from the community for the following reasons:
a) the reasons defined in the Code of Canon Law (cf. Code of Canon Law 24 e), that is, public departure from the Catholic faith, breaking formal ties with the community of the Church, or excommunication incurred by a deed in itself late sententiae or declared.
b) behavior in contradiction with the principles of the evangelical life, the Constitutions of the Secular Order, and these Statutes,
c) serious neglect of the duties of a Secular Discalced Carmelite.
147. Before making a decision to remove a member of the community, the Community Council, in accord with Point 24 e of the Constitutions, should:
a) verify the existence of the facts,
b) admonish the member in writing or in the presence of two witnesses,
c) allow an appropriate period of time for correction.
If after all this no change of conduct follows, the procedure for removal may be initiated, after previous consultation with the Provincial Delegate.
148. The member has the right to appeal the decision to remove him or her to the Provincial Superior.
149. Membership in the Secular Order of Discalced Carmelites expires as a result of the death of the member and also, when by the date as defined in the Constitutions and in these Statutes, the member does not make his temporary promises or definitive promises.
Chapter XI
ADMINISTRATION OF GOODS
150. Means for the fulfillment of the goals set out in these Statutes of the Secular Order are drawn from:
a) regular contributions of the members,
b) bequests from wills and grants,
c) monetary donations,
d) return on short or long term investments,
e) economic activity.
151. The Secular Order of the Discalced Carmelites may carry out economic activity exclusively in such areas that serve to fulfill the goals set out in these Statutes, if the Provincial Superior expresses his consent.
152. The Community Council determines the amount of member contributions and the purpose for which they are to be allotted. In establishing the amount of the monthly fee, the Community Council should be guided by the financial capacities of the community members.
153. In special justified cases, the Community Council may lower the amount of the contribution or exempt a member from the member contributions for a specified time.
154. The Community Council as a whole is in charge of the purse and all material goods of the community, regardless of the various offices.
155. Spending of financial resources requires the signature of the president of the Community.
Chapter XII
RECORDS AND BOOKKEEPING
156. The local community is obliged to keep the following records:
a) a register of the members of the community
b) a register of the minutes at Community Council meetings
c) a record of community meetings
d) a record of formational meetings
e) a record of finances
f) a chronicle.
The principles for keeping these records are set out separately in the Instructions for keeping records in the community.
157. The local community should draw up each year a report of its activity as well as a financial report with its current status as of December 31 of the given year. The Provincial Council each year draws up the printed forms for the reports. These reports should be handed on to the Provincial Council by the end of February of the year following the period covered in the report.
Chapter XIII
PROVINCIAL STRUCTURES
158. The auxiliary structures of the Secular Order of Discalced Carmelites in the Kraków Province are: the Provincial Congress, the Provincial Council of the Secular Order and the Provincial Secretariat of the OCDS.
Provincial Council of the Secular Order
159. The Secular Discalced Carmelites of the Kraków Province elect the Provincial Council, which cooperates with the Provincial Superior and his Delegate. Its main task is to assist the communities in spiritual formation and the apostolate.
160. In particular, the tasks of the Provincial Council include:
a) representing the Province of the Secular Order of Discalced Carmelites,
b) showing concern for its unique identity and fidelity to the charism of the Teresian Carmel,
c) caring for the unity of the local communities with the Order and among themselves,
d) coordinating and animating the activity of the communities of the Kraków province,
e) working together with the Provincial Delegate in carrying out his tasks,
f) calling upon individuals and advisory organs, entrusting concrete tasks to them along with the corresponding authority to implement them,
g) organizing the Provincial Congress,
h) submitting to the Congress a report from the past term,
i) organizing courses, retreats and workshops to enhance the spiritual formation of the Secular Order of Discalced Carmelites,
j) watching over the functioning and spiritual life of individual communities, as well as initial and continued formation,
k) helping and working together with the structures of the Kraków Province of Secular Discalced Carmelites as well as cooperation with lay assemblies of the Teresian Carmel,
l) designating the amount of the contribution for the needs of the provincial structures of the Secular Order of Discalced Carmelites.
161. The OCDS Provincial Council is composed of five people: a president and four councilors.
162. After completing an assessment of the situation in the Kraków Province of the Secular Order of Discalced Carmelites, if the good of the communities so requires, at the initiative or with the consent of the Provincial Superior or his Delegate, the Congress may, by a secret ballot, and with a two-thirds majority vote, enact a resolution to increase the number of councilors, in such a way, however, as to ensure that the entire Council together with the President forms an uneven number of persons.
163. The President of the Provincial Council, as a sign of unity for all the communities, represents the Kraków Province of the OCDS, cooperates with the Provincial Delegate, and shows concern for the development of the communities. In particular, he determines the dates for meetings of the Council, coordinates the work of its members, participates in visitations of the communities, and presents his resolutions and observations.
164. The members of the Council in particular are responsible for: continued formation, initial formation, as well as community life and apostolate (cf. C 58 h). The function of secretary is entrusted to one of the councilors, while the function of treasurer may be carried out by a member from the Council itself or outside it. These and other tasks flowing from the needs of the Province of the Secular Teresian Carmel are determined by the Delegate in dialogue with the OCDS Council. To ensure better communication with the communities located outside Poland, the Council may call upon cooperators from particular language groups, who at the invitation of the Council may take part in its proceedings and activities.
165. The Delegate or the President of the Council presides over the proceedings.
166. The secretary is responsible for the documentation of the Provincial Council in its entirety, and in particular records the minutes of the meeting of the Provincial Council, is in charge of the Council’s documentation, and cooperates with the secretariat.
167. The treasurer takes care of the financial matters of the Province and in particular keeps the accounting records of the Province and cooperates with the treasurers of the local communities.
168. The Provincial Council of the OCDS carries out its duties for three years, up until the election of a new Council. The president and the councilors cannot hold their offices any longer than two consecutive terms. They may be elected to a third term by a two-thirds majority vote and with the consent of the Provincial Superior or his delegate.
169. The president of the Provincial Council cannot at the same time fulfill the function of President of the local community. On the other hand, a provincial councilor may willingly submit his or her resignation from the office of president or formation director of the local community held up to that point.
170. Each of the members of the Provincial Council may resign from fulfilling his or her function for serious and justified reasons. Accepting or rejecting the resignation is in the competence of the Provincial Council. Should a vacancy in the office of President arise, the First Councilor takes over his office, while the vacancy among the councilors is filled by the Provincial Council with the consent of the Provincial Superior or his Delegate, taking into account the results of the voting at the Congress.
171. The Provincial Superior or his Delegate takes part in the meetings of the Council, with the right to intervene in the decisions of the Council in case any impropriety is established.
172. The provincial Council meets at least four times a year.
173. The resolutions of the Provincial Council of the OCDS are ratified by a simple majority of votes. For the validity of the Council resolutions, at the very least, the presence of the President and two members of the Council is required. By way of exception, resolutions may be taken up by way of correspondence, including by means of the internet. In this case as well, they should be noted down in the records.
174. The Provincial Superior or his Delegate along with the President of the Provincial Council confirms the will of the Provincial Council, and in financial matters, the Provincial Superior or his Delegate along with the Treasurer.
175. The Provincial Council carries out its statutory tasks with the help of the Provincial Secretariat.
176. The financial resources of the Provincial Council come from the contributions of the local communities, endowments, grants, donations, etc.
The Provincial Congress
177. Every three years, in the year following the Provincial Chapter of the Discalced Carmelites and the appointment of a Provincial Delegate, the Provincial Superior or his Delegate convokes the Provincial Congress. This is to be carried out in writing at least five months before the beginning of the Congress.
178. The Provincial Council, in consultation with the provincial Superior or his Delegate, designates the number of delegates to the Congress from the individual communities.
179. The delegate of the community should be a person who has made definitive promises, is readily available and is well acquainted with the spirituality of the Secular Order of the Teresian Carmel. It is recommended that he or she possess experience in some service either as president, formation director, or councilor of the community.
180. In cases where it is not possible to delegate a person who has made definitive promises, the person who has made simple promises representing the community has neither active nor passive vote at the Congress.
181. Participants in the Provincial Congress include:
a) the Provincial Superior and his Delegate,
b) the presidents of all the communities,
c) the delegates elected by the communities in accord with Points 123-125 of these Statutes,
d) the office-holding members of both the departing and the newly elected Provincial Council.
182. Active vote at the Congress is accorded to the Secular Carmelites mentioned in Point 181, letters b, c, d and of the Statutes. Assistants and members of communities who are neither presidents or delegates but have made at least temporary promises may take part in the Congress with neither active nor passive vote.
183. The tasks of the Provincial Congress include:
a) receiving the report of the departing Provincial Council of the OCDS and voting to accept it,
b) electing the new Provincial Council of the OCDS,
c) evaluating the current state of the Secular Order of Discalced Carmelites in the Province,
d) discussion of essential matters concerning the Kraków Province of the OCDS
e) enacting resolutions regarding the life, formation, and activity of the Secular Order of Discalced Carmelites in the Province.
184. The Provincial Superior, his Delegate, or the President of the Provincial Council of the Secular Order presides over the Provincial Congress.
185. The electors choose from among themselves by open voting those who will serve as recorders of minutes, election judges as well as a committee for drawing up resolutions.
186. Candidates for the Provincial Council include Secular Discalced Carmelites of the Kraków Province who fulfill the criteria set out in Point 179 of these Statutes and who express at least verbal assent to their candidacy. The right to announce their candidacy, for the term of office designated by the Provincial Delegate, is accorded to individual communities among their own members, the Delegate, and the Provincial Council. During the Congress, participants who have an active vote can also propose candidates.
187. In particular situations – especially in the case where formation of the Provincial Council is not possible – the initial consent of the proposed candidates is not required, and in such a case Secular Discalced Carmelites not present at the Congress may also be candidates for the Provincial Council.
188. The participants in the Congress who possess an active vote elect the president of the Provincial Council from among the persons on the list of candidates by an absolute majority of votes. The voting is secret. If no one is elected as a result of the ballot, a second ballot takes place between the two candidates who received the highest number of votes. However, in this voting, the two candidates themselves do not possess an active vote. On this second ballot, a simple majority is sufficient. In case each receives an equal number of votes, the candidate who has been in the Secular Order of Discalced Carmelites for the longer period is elected.
189. Four councilors are chosen by secret ballot, in separate elections, in a manner analogous to the procedure for electing the president.
190. Resolutions of the Congress are enacted by an absolute majority of votes in an open ballot, unless the Congress determines otherwise.
191. From the proceedings of the Congress, a record of the minutes is drawn up, which after being read and approved by the Congress, is signed by those presiding over the proceedings, the president of the Provincial Council, and the record keeper.
192. Directly after the Congress, within the period not to exceed one month, the Council which served in the previous term is to formally hand over all pertinent documentation to the newly elected Provincial Council, with a detailed statement of matters demanding continued attention as well as other commitments still pending in the management of that same Council.
The Provincial Secretariat of the Secular Order of Discalced Carmelites
193. The Secretariat is a team of people assisting in the work of the Provincial Delegate and the Provincial Council of the Secular order in serving the local communities of the entire Province. Members of the Secular Order carry out this service in the Secretariat.
194. The basic task of the Secretariat is that of handing on to the communities correspondence from the Delegate and Provincial Council, picking up current information and reports from the communities, as well as collating and bringing up to date the documentation of the Kraków province of the OCDS.
195. The particular area of competence and activity of the Secretariat is drawn up jointly by the Provincial Delegate and the Provincial Council of the OCDS.
196. The central location for the Secretariat is in Kraków. The Provincial Superior may bring about a change in the central location, after consultation with the Provincial Council of the Secular Order.
Chapter XIV
NATIONWIDE COOPERATION
197. The Provincial Council of the Kraków Province of the OCDS, after consulting with the Provincial Council of the Warsaw Province of the OCDS, may convoke a general Polish forum of cooperation with the goal of coordinating activities, cooperation, and unity of purpose at a level that embraces Poland as a whole, in accord with Point 60 of the Constitutions of the Secular Order.
198. The sphere of activity and manner for electing representatives to the forum is established by the Provincial Council of the Secular Order of the Kraków province in consultation with the Provincial Council of the Secular Order of the Warsaw Province. The details of mutual settlements are set out in a separate agreement between the Provinces, approved by the Definitor General of the OCD. It will ensure mutual cooperation and representation of the Secular Order of the Teresian Carmel in relation to the structures of the Church in Poland.
Chapter XV
CONCLUDING RESOLUTIONS
199. These Statutes, on the basis of the decree issued by the Definitor General of Order of Discalced Carmelites, is a supplement to the Constitutions of the Secular Order of Discalced Carmelites and is binding upon all members of the Kraków province of the OCDS.
200. Preparing amendments to the Statutes of the Secular order of Discalced Carmelites falls within the competence of the Provincial Council. Drawing up amendments should be carried out with the consent of the Provincial Delegate.
201. Approving amendments to the Statutes is reserved to the Definitor General of the Order of Discalced Carmelites in Rome.
202. Matters not regulated by these Statutes are subject to settlement by the Definitor General.
203. The provisions of the Statutes of the Secular Order of Discalced Carmelites of May 5, 2006 lose their binding authority from the moment the present Statutes are approved by the Definitor General in Rome.
Table of abbreviations:
C – Constitutions of the Secular Order of Discalced Carmelites
RI – Ratio Institutionis
VC – Vita Consecrata
NOVENA
TO OUR LADY OF MOUNT CARMEL
AND THE CARMELITE SAINTS FOR VOCATIONS TO CARMEL
(This novena should be accompanied by some fasting, great or small, and possible abstention from smoking or drinking alcohol and/or limitation of media usage. It may be prayed at any time, but August 7 – 15 is suggested.)
“A priest is not a priest for himself. He is a priest for you.” – St. John Vianney
Opening Prayer for each day:
Dear Queen of Carmel and saints of Carmel, we humbly beg you to intercede with Our Lord so that new vocations to the Carmelite priesthood may flourish worldwide as soon as possible, if it be in accord with Your Divine Will.
DAY 1: OUR LADY OF MOUNT CARMEL
With special focus on saying “yes” to God
Prayer: Our Lady of Carmel, Queen of the Clergy, we ask your intercession today for an increase in vocations to the Discalced Carmelite Order throughout the world. Dearest Blessed Mother, you are the Immaculate Conception, the Ark of the New Covenant, and the fairest of our race. You taught us how to entrust our lives completely to the Divine Will. You lived a life of charity and service to Jesus and St. Joseph.
In this same spirit of devotion and sacrifice, please intercede with our heavenly Father to fill His Carmelite monasteries with more Fathers and Brothers. May our present Fathers serve humbly, devoutly, and lovingly as ministers of God’s sacred Altar. Amen.
Our Lady, Queen of Carmel, pray for us!
Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory Be. DAY 2: ST. JOSEPH
With special focus on the virtue of obedience
Prayer: Holy St. Joseph, Spouse of the Blessed Virgin, Guardian of Our Savior, humble Carpenter of Nazareth, and Patron Saint of the Universal Church, you were a holy and righteous man. You were completely obedient to whatever God asked of you.
O St. Joseph, we implore to intercede with those whom God is calling to Carmel. Please pray that they follow your example of devoted obedience to the call of Our Father in Heaven to be holy. Please keep families holy so that they can freely offer their children to a life of serving God. Amen.
St. Joseph, pray for us!
Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory Be. DAY 3: ST. SIMON STOCK
With special focus on brotherhood
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Prayer: St. Simon Stock, you served in the brotherhood of Our Lady of Mount Carmel by being
an early Superior General of the Carmelite Order in 1237 in England. Oral tradition tells us that
her favor and you prayed with great emotion to Our Lady of Mt. Carmel during a time of great
difficulty for the Order. Our Lady answered your prayer.
you were blessed with an apparition of Our Lady who gave you the Holy Scapular as as a sign of
Queen of Carmel, please hear our prayer to increase vocations to the Carmelite Fathers
throughout the world. We petition you through the prayer of St. Simon Stock: Flos Carmeli.
O Most Beautiful Flower of Carmel,
Fruitful Vine, Splendor of Heaven,
holy and singular,
who brought forth the Son of God,
still ever remaining a Pure Virgin,
assist us with making vocations flourish in Carmel.
O Star of the Sea, help and protect us!
Show us that thou art Our Mother.
St. Simon Stock, pray for us!
Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory Be.
DAY 4: ST. TERESA OF JESUS
With a special focus on vocations to Carmel
St. Teresa, Daughter of the Church, you initiated the great reform in convents throughout Spain, and eventually, the world. Dear saint, you brought in St. John of the Cross to reform the monasteries, helped create the classic contemplative life in prayer for Discalced Carmelites, founded convents, wrote many books, inspired countless others, and lived the holy life of a saint, always with obedience and love.
In this same spirit of Carmel, please intercede with us to Our Lord to send many vocations to the Discalced Carmelite Order. We will never cease praying to you and will always need you and love you. As you wrote:
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Lord, grant that I may always allow myself to be guided by You,
always follow Your plans,
and perfectly accomplish Your Holy Will.
Grant that in all things, great and small,
today and all the days of my life,
I may do whatever You require of me.
Help me respond to the slightest prompting of Your Grace,
so that I may be Your trustworthy instrument for Your honor.
May Your Will be done in time and in eternity by me,
in me, and through me. Amen.
St. Teresa of Jesus, pray for us!
Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory Be.
DAY 5: ST. THERESE OF THE CHILD JESUS
With a special focus on the virtue of charity
Prayer: Beloved St. Thérèse of great faith and charity, you wanted to become a missionary, but instead accepted God’s will by remaining in your small convent in Lisieux. There you practiced your Little Way and wrote the autobiography that would influence people throughout the ages, spreading the message of mercy and love. As a Carmelite Sister, one of your principal duties was to pray for the Church, and you did this with great fervor.
Dearest St. Thérèse, we ask your blessed intercession today for more vocations to the priesthood and brotherhood of the Discalced Carmelite Order. Please ask our Lord to form young people in the way of love, as He guides them to be instruments for Our Lord and servants of His Church.
“We must forget ourselves, and put aside our tastes and ideas, and guide souls not by our own way, but along the path which Our Lord points out.” -St. Thérèse of Lisieux
St. Thérèse, pray for us!
Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory Be. DAY 6: ST. RAPHAEL KALINOWSKI
With special focus on the virtue of trust in God through adversity
Prayer: Saint Raphael, you showed strength in adversity by serving in the military and, as a prisoner, as as a slave laborer in Siberia. Eventually, you became a Discalced Carmelite Friar, spiritual director, and Father Prior. Dearest saint, please help us to accept the difficulties of life and to live gladly for the glory of God. Pray that we grow strong in our faith and in love for one another.
O beloved saint
St. Raphael Kalinowski, pray for us!
Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory Be.
DAY 7: THE 16 CARMELITE SISTERS OF COMPIEGNE
With special focus on martyrdom
Prayer: Beloved Sisters of Compiègne, as martyrs on the guillotine during the Reign of Terror, many credit you with stopping the French Revolution. With your Canoness, St. Teresa of St. Augustine, you inspired others throughout the ages to be courageous in defense of your faith and your God.
Carmelite Sisters and Martyrs of the French Revolution, pray for us!
Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory Be.
DAY 8: ST. JOHN OF THE CROSS
With special focus on spirituality
Prayer: St. John, you reformed the Carmelite Order, and along with St. Teresa, founded the Discalced Carmelite Order. You were persecuted by your own fellow friars. You wrote about
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, you moved the hearts of your companions with your example of perseverance
and love for the Immaculate Virgin. We are begging you to obtain from Our Heavenly Father
vocations for priests and brothers to your beloved Carmelite Order.
Lord our God, you called the 16 Carmelite Sisters of Compiégne to show witness to love by their
martyrdom to restore peace to France. Through their intercession, please fill the monasteries of
Discalced Carmel with new vocations. Through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
the dark night of the soul, which would result in detachment from earthly things and transformational union with God. O beloved saint, we beseech you to intercede for us to the Lord God Almighty to send more vocations to the Discalced Carmelite priesthood and brotherhood.
As you wrote:
“Cast your care upon God for you are His and He will not forget you, do not think that He is leaving you alone, for that would be wrong to Him.”
St. John of the Cross, pray for us!
Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory Be.
DAY 9: ST. TERESA BENEDICTA OF THE CROSS
With special focus on surrender to the Divine Will
St. Teresa, you were a Discalced Carmelite Sister, teacher, writer, and philosopher. You entered Carmel with a distinct calling from Our Heavenly Father. Dear saint, you believed that if anyone came to you, you wanted to lead them to Him, so you became a martyr for Jesus, His Church, and your Jewish people. Please heed our prayer and intercede for us to have more vocations to the Discalced Carmelite priesthood and brotherhood, through Christ Our Lord.
As you wrote:
“O my God, fill my soul with holy joy, courage and strength to serve You. Enkindle Your love in me and then walk with me along the next stretch of road before me. I do not see very far ahead, but when I have arrived where the horizon now closes down, a new prospect will open before me and I shall meet with peace.”
St. Teresa Benedicta of the Cross, pray for us!
Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory Be.
Secular Order of Discalced Carmelites, Munster, Indiana Carmel
(Sources: Aleteia, Britannica; Carmelite Sisters of the Most Sacred Heart of Los Angeles, Carmelites of Boston; Catholic Doors; Catholic Online; Catholic Strength; Catholic Tradition; Diocese of Wheeling-Charleston, West Virginia, Office of Vocations; EWTN; Lifesite Ministries; The Spiritual Life; the USCCB; Vatican News Services )
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