lcg discernment process
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Following the receipt of an application for
LCG membership, an assessment will be made by one of our
state/regional coordinators of the suitability for an individual to
begin a two-year period of discernment and initial formation. A
candidate for LCG membership will begin a process of discerning a
call to live a contemplative life as a layperson according to the
Cistercian charism and of initial formation to become a Lay
Cistercian of Gethsemani Abbey. At the completion of the "candidacy"
period acceptance into the LCG community will be determined.
The central question for a candidate for LCG
membership is to discern if he or she is invited by the Holy Spirit
to live a lay Cistercian life. In other words is the individual
receptive to restructuring ones life according to Cistercian values
and practices that can be lived authentically as a layperson. One
will be challenged during the discernment period to determine what
commitments are needed to live a Cistercian lay contemplative life.
During the discernment period the individual is expected to make a
reasonable effort to begin integrating the spiritual practices of
the LCG PLAN OF LIFE into their
daily/weekly routine. The Plan is the guide or rule for Lay
Cistercians of Gethsemani Abbey.
We desire our association to be a community of
persons who take their personal commitment to live the Plan of Life
seriously and to deepen their spiritual life as laypersons according
to the Cistercian tradition. Individuals are free to disassociate
themselves from LCG at any time during the candidacy period or after
making a commitment to LCG membership. There are not any canonical
or legal obligations of any kind.
As the candidate begins the discernment
process, an attempt will be made to assign a mentor to the
candidate. The mentor is a LCG member who has been a member of the
LCG community for at least one year and is experienced with living
the Plan of Life. The mentor will follow established guidelines for
providing guidance and support for the candidate during the
discernment process. A formation curriculum for beginners will be
utilized that provides specific topics for study and reflection. The
mentor and candidate will together develop an individual plan of
initial formation for the candidate based on the specific needs and
previous experiences of the candidate. The candidate will also be
introduced to a local LCG group, if one is available in his or her
location, for additional support and mentoring. Others will be
contacted regularly via e-mail, telephone, or regular mail by a LCG
member for similar support and mentoring.
The primary responsibility for initial and
ongoing formation in Cistercian spirituality and tradition is with
the individual candidate. What is required? Personal commitment to
adapting the elements of the Plan of Life, seeking spiritual
direction and/or spiritual companioning, and spiritual reading. One
is expected to reflect especially on Fr. Michael's paper,
"Toward the Formation of LCG
Members" (August 2001, revised April 2005). This document
supplements the Plan of Life and provides specific suggestions for
ongoing formation as Lay Cistercians.
Prior to the completion of the two-year period
of discernment and formation, the candidate and mentor will mutually
evaluate the candidate's suitability for membership in the community
of Lay Cistercian of Gethsemani Abbey. If accepted for membership,
the new LCG member will be expected to affirm their commitment to
the Lay Cistercian way of life during the annual LCG retreat at
Gethsemani. If unable to attend the retreat, alternate arrangements
will be made by the mentor and/or state regional coordinator.
The
commitment that the new LCG member makes is:
Contact information:
E-mail: info@laycisterciansofgethsemani.org
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