← [[session-10-asp|Discalced Carmelite Understanding of Devotion to Mary and of the Scapular]] | [[aspirancy-handbook|Table of Contents]] | [[session-12-asp|OCDS Rites and Preparation for Admission to Formation]] → # Ecclesial Charism of Our Vocation Additional Reading: Apostolic Exhortation – Gaudete Et Exsultate, of the Holy Father Francis: On the Call to Holiness in Today’s World. Your Mission in Christ: Chapter 1, Para: 19-24 (Appendix I); Christifideles Laici: His Holiness John Paul II: The Vocation and the Mission of the lay faithful in the Church and the World (Appendix J) Explanatory Note: It is important to understand the term “prayer” in our Carmelite tradition. Prayer itself is a dynamic force and is indeed the source of all fruitfulness. Carmelite prayer life is an all-embracing law of love uniting “Mary and Martha,” the contemplative with the active. Essential Points to discuss: • “The spirituality of Carmel will awaken in Secular Carmelites a desire for greater apostolic commitment” (Const. art. 25). • “They will respond to the invitation of the Church... committing them to human society by means of active participation in the apostolic goal of the Church’s mission” (Const. art. 25). • “Carmelite Seculars will share a renewed taste for prayer, contemplation, and the liturgical and sacramental life” (Const. art. 26). • “Thus, they will achieve a union of contemplation and action in history, integrating faith and life, prayer and action, contemplation and Christian commitment” (Const. art 20, discussed previously in session seven). • Community Apostolate • Personal Apostolate 16 --- **Source:** Secular Order of Discalced Carmelites, *Aspirancy Handbook: A Journey in Carmel* (US National Formation Program, 2024).