← [[appendix-j-f1b|A Touch of OCDS History (Full Article)]] | [[formation-I-b-handbook|Table of Contents]] | [[appendix-l-f1b|Pastoral Care of the Secular Order]] → # Message of John Paul II to the Carmelite Family 14 December 2006 Spiritual Assistants1 Art. 14 1\. The spiritual assistant is the person designated by the competent major superior to carry out this service for a specific community of the OCDS. 2\. In order to be a witness of Discalced Carmelite spirituality and of the fraternal affection of the religious towards the secular Discalced Carmelites, and to be a bond of communion between his Order and the OCDS, the spiritual assistant should preferably be a Discalced Carmelite Friar. Art. 15 1\. The principal task of the assistant is to foster a deeper insight into Discalced Carmelite spirituality and to co-operate in the initial and continuing formation of the Secular Discalced Carmelites. 2\. In the Council of the community and at the time of community elections the assistant will be respectful of the responsibilities and role of the Secular Discalced Carmelites, giving them priority with regard to the guidance, co-ordination, and animation of the community. 3\. The assistant, when invited by the Council, participates actively in the discussions and decisions taken by the Council or by the Chapter. 4\. The assistant is specifically responsible for the animation of liturgical celebrations and spiritual reflections during the meetings of the council or of the community. Art. 16 1\. The Assistant is appointed by the competent major Superior, after consultation with the council of the community concerned. 2\. The appointment of the Assistant is made in writing and for a specified time. 3\. When it is not possible to give the community a spiritual Assistant who is a member of the Order, the competent major Superior can entrust the service of spiritual assistance to: -- religious of other Carmelite institutes; -- clergy who are Secular Discalced Carmelites, specially prepared for such service; -- other diocesan clerics or non-Discalced Carmelite religious, specially prepared for such service. Art. 17 The local assistant fosters communion within the community and between the community and the Province. In harmony with Provincial or Provincial Delegate, the assistant sees to it that 1 Constitutions OCDS, 44 79 between the religious and the secular communities a real life-giving union with each other exists. He fosters the active presence of the community in the Church and in society. Art. 18 1\. The local Assistant has the very important responsibility to support the Council of the community, especially the director of formation, in the formation of the candidates. The council may invite the local assistant to express his assessment of each of the candidates at different stages of formation. 2\. The Council may ask the assistant to discuss with brothers or sisters who have difficulties, who want to retire from the community or who act in serious opposition to the Constitutions. --- **Source:** Secular Order of Discalced Carmelites, *Formation I Year B: I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life* (US National Formation Program, 2024).