← [[the-community-fh|The Community]] | [[formation-handbook-toc|Table of Contents]] | [[leadership-fh|Leadership]] → # Service in OCDS Communities One of the signs of a genuine vocation is the gradual transition from coming to Carmel to be “fed” to feeling a desire to serve. Adopting the spirit of Carmel — chastity, obedience, poverty, and the Beatitudes, along with humility, charity, and detachment — candidates experience the life of Carmel in a community setting. Healthy communities teach by example how members serve one another, the community, the Order, and the Church. “[St. Teresa’s] evangelical self-denial, disposition to service and perseverance in the practice of the virtues are a daily guide to living the spiritual life” (Const. 7, emphasis added). “Mary is also an ideal and inspiration for the Secular Carmelite. … She, Mother and Sister, who goes before us in the pilgrimage of faith and in following the Lord Jesus, keeps us company so that we may imitate her in her life hidden in Christ and committed to the service of others” (Const. 30, emphasis added). “Both initial and ongoing formation in the teachings of Teresa and John of the Cross, help to develop in the Secular Carmelite a human, Christian and spiritual maturity for service to the Church. Human formation develops the ability for interpersonal dialogue, mutual respect, tolerance, the possibility of being corrected and correcting with serenity, and the capacity to persevere in our commitments” (Const. 34, emphasis added). “An important aspect of this commitment [to the Order] is a commitment to the community. A person who wishes to be a member of the OCDS must be able to form community, be part of a group that is dedicated to a common goal, show interest in the other members, be supportive in the pursuit of a life of prayer and be able to receive the support of others… In the formation of the community, this social characteristic is one that should develop” (Ratio 85). 22 We will have stronger communities by instilling in all the candidates the desire to serve, and to help the communities they become a part of. Academic qualifications or longer years of experience are not required to serve in a community. Advanced age is not an impediment to serving. As part of the community, candidates are expected to take on a role of service. This might include liturgy, retreat work, hospitality, visiting the sick, library, etc. This immediate involvement not only deepens their sense of belonging, but helps each member understand how the community operates. Further, serving on a committee is an opportunity to learn how to work with others in a spirit of cooperation and detachment. Being called on to serve can help candidates discern whether this is the life they want to live. When formation is done well, the candidates themselves usually recognize whether or not Carmel feels like “home” to them. Another benefit is that giving candidates community jobs helps the Council to gauge their attitude toward self-giving, ability to cooperate with others, and follow-through on commitments. In addition, it is good practice for Councils to delegate to the members anything that does not need to be done by the Council itself. This makes serving on the Council less burdensome and helps the members to develop leadership skills. --- **Source:** [[maps/bibliography#^biblio-ocds-fh|OCDS Formation Handbook]]