Preparation For The Temporary Promise
Once a candidate has completed the Aspirancy period, he or she is admitted to the first period of formation as a secular Carmelite, known as
Formation I. Formation I is a two-year period of preparation for the candidate's Temporary Promise. It includes a minimum of twenty-four classes, as the candidate delves deeper into the writings of our Carmelite saints, sacred scripture, and other spiritual reading. A special focus of Formation I is on the importance of the Beatitudes in the life of a secular Carmelite. As this period draws to a close, the candidate writes a letter of intent explaining his or her desire and readiness to promise faithfully to live the life of a Secular Carmelite for a period of three years. Finally, the candidate is interviewed by the members of the Community Council to discuss the candidate's degree of readiness for the Temporary Promise.