Servite Secular Order
The Order of Secular Servants of Mary is made up of laymen and women from all walks of life. This is not a club or parish organization. It is a religious vocation. As a branch of a religious order, a Secular Servant of Mary has:
1. A rule of life
2. A postulancy (a period of probation for prospective members)
3. A habit (religious garb, the black scapular of our Sorrowful Mother)
4. A novitiate (first year of membership during which a member’s vocation is tested)
5. A profession (A formal promise of lifelong membership received in the name of the Church by a properly delegated priest)
6. A daily prayer obligation
7. Properly authorized superiors
8. A common life by means of holy hours, retreats in common, outreach acts of mercy, charity, and social gatherings
To become a Secular Servant of Mary, interested individuals begin by visiting a Secular Order community. After a period of inquiry of the three to six months, individuals can request admission into the initial formation program, generally of one year. This will prepare them to make the promise as a Secular Servant of Mary. This process introduces candidates to the Secular Order’s rules of life, the history of the Order and the principal’s of lay spirituality. Making the promise, the Secular Servants of Mary promise to live their baptismal consecration using the Order’s spirituality as their guide. To be considered for candidacy in the Order of Secular Servants of Mary, one must be at least eighteen years of age, a participating Catholic in good standing, and willing to commit to the “Rule of Life” for life.
Those interested are invited to Mass at Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church each first Saturday of the month at 8:00 AM. A social and business meeting of the Mount Carmel community follows the Mass and Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament. You may also contact Father Mark Franceschini at 303-455-0447 x19.