WAYS OF LIFE
Daughters of Carmel and CSE opted for an open contemplative way of life according to the spirit of Carmel, but with a special emphasis on the life of prayer and contemplation. They form an open contemplative community. They spend a lot of time in prayer and contemplation and live in solitary places, although the possibility of forming a praying community in the heart of the city is also envisaged later on. They live this form of life, however, in a spirit of flexibility, as is characteristic of the Asian monastic traditions in general. From there flow the different possibilities of the forms of life envisaged by the community.
I. The Basic Community
Contemplating on the Scripture
The basic community is basically an open contemplative form of life. Their life is marked by an intense life of prayer. The nuns and brothers spend a lot of times in prayer. The primacy is clearly emphasized on prayer and contemplation. They are, however, also open to different kind of ministries which are in accordance with the spirit of the congregation. Every Daughters of Carmel nuns and CSE brothers must pass through this community before she or he can choose one of the other forms of community life.
 A DOC nun was professing her perpetual vow |
 The brothers of CSE professing their solemn vows |
II The Contemplative Active Life
The CSE priests celebrating a Christmas Mass
For those who are called to active apostolate or ministries, can do so in different ways and forms, serving the people of God according to the needs. However, these forms of apostolate may never be a detriment to the more fundamental vocation, which is prayer and contemplation. This is why those who are engaged in these kinds of activities must regularly return into solitude to foster the spirit of prayer and contemplation. For this reason also the community will not engage in works that are contrary to their spirit, such as running schools and hospitals. It is not because they do not see the necessity or do not esteem them, but because they feel that their vocation is elsewhere.
For the same reasons the CSE brothers will not engage in parish works, that is, in having a responsibility to run a parish, not because they do not see the dire needs of priests for parishes, but because they are deeply aware of their own limitations and that they cannot do everything. Consequently they have to make a choice according to their own call, gifts and charisma which they receive from the Lord. Currently CSE has 50 brothers and 10 ordained priests.
For the same reasons the CSE brothers will not engage in parish works, that is, in having a responsibility to run a parish, not because they do not see the dire needs of priests for parishes, but because they are deeply aware of their own limitations and that they cannot do everything. Consequently they have to make a choice according to their own call, gifts and charisma which they receive from the Lord. Currently CSE has 50 brothers and 10 ordained priests.
III. The Desert Community
The desert community hermitage in Indonesia
Those who are called to a fuller contemplative life can join the desert community. It is a wholly contemplative community, oriented towards contemplation, without any active apostolate. This community takes the form of a semi eremitical way of life, characterized by great silence and solitude, penance and prayer. A Daughters of Carmel nun and a CSE brother can join this desert community either for life or temporary, according to the call of the Spirit for each individual, confirmed by the discernment of the superiors.
As a principle, one can change from one form of life to another one, according to the needs and vocation of each individual and the discernment of the superiors, so that one does not need to stay in one form of life for his/her whole life.
As a principle, one can change from one form of life to another one, according to the needs and vocation of each individual and the discernment of the superiors, so that one does not need to stay in one form of life for his/her whole life.