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Spiritual perfection is not only the task or duty of religious priests and nuns but is also offered to the Christian faithful: “You must be perfect just as your Father in Heaven is perfect” (Mt 5: 48). Vatican II in its document “Light of the Nations” teaches that all the Christian believers according to their vocation and their state of life have the duty to tend to the perfection of love for God and neighbour and to make their contribution in the respective fields of their profession to the advancement of Humanity.
For many centuries the great religious Orders-Franciscans, Augustinians, Dominicans, and Carmelites- offered opportunities to the Christian families and associations in the neighborhood of their convent and monasteries of partaking and sharing in the spirituality and charism of their own respective Order. These lay persons who while remaining seculars and following secular professions share in the charism of religious Orders were known as Tertiaries.
The Foundation of the Carmelite Tertiaries, which was also called “Third Order,” is attributed to Blessed John Soreth, the Superior General of the Carmelites in 1455. Today the Third or “Secular” Order of Carmel has spread in many countries all over the world. The Secular Carmel has nearly 12,000 members worldwide and 800 being Indians.
A stable personality, common sense, emotional maturity, ability to trust and be open, Readiness to cooperate, Realism, tolerance and flexibility, A certain self-knowledge, and fidelity to upright moral principles.
A willingness to cooperate with God in a spirit of faith, Dedication to prayer, Love of the Scriptures, Commitment to the Church and involvement in the local parish community, A compassionate and active love.
OCDS, Kihonda
A taste for prayer and a desire to establish a personal and friendly relationship with God, a contemplative and active spirit, A love for the Church and a desire to familiarize oneself with Carmelite spirituality.
Applicants above 18 years of age are expected to undergo an initial one-year period known as the aspirancy. The aspirancy is for the careful discernment by the community council and the aspirant of the vocation to Carmel, before acceptance as a candidate in formation. At the end of the aspirancy, the candidate undergoes the first two years of formation before making their First Promise. The candidate continues for another three years of formation and upon successful completion, and diligent discernment of the vocation by the candidate and the community council throughout the formation years, they may be admitted to the Definitive Profession of the three Evangelical Counsels in accordance with their state of life.
