What is OCDS?

SEARCH

        In recent years we have witnessed a deep desire and longing among lay people to search for God in prayer and contemplation.  They are searching for an authentic community for guidance, support and communication.  As a result, many men and women are joining the Secular Order of Discalced Carmelites to meet this need and live a life-long commitment to prayer and contemplation.  The Discalced Carmelite Secular Order is experiencing over 100% growth during these recent years.

CARMELITES

        The Carmelites developed from a single community of hermits, whom we first hear of living after the example of that holy man and solitary prophet Elijah on Mount Carmel, in Palestine.  By the year 1210 they were given a Rule of Life by St. Albert, Patriarch of Jerusalem.  From about 1238, hermits from Mount Carmel began establishing communities in various parts of Europe.  In 1652, however, a Spanish Carmelite nun known to us as St. Therese of Avila, assisted by another great Carmelite, St. John of the Cross, established what was to become a completely new branch of the Carmelite Order: The Discalced Carmelites.  "Discalced" literally means "without shoes."  The term was commonly used in St. Teresa's time to indicate an Order which had reformed itself and adapted a more dedicated form of contemplative living. 

All is grace - St. Therese of Lisieux

WHO ARE THESE SECULAR CARMELITES?

        The Secular Order of Discalced Carmelites as it's Norms state, "welcomes those of the faithful who, by special vocation, undertake to live, in the world, an evangelical life of fraternal communion imbued with the spirit of contemplative prayer and apostolic zeal according to the example and teaching of the Carmelite saints."

        Secular Carmelites come from all walks of life.  They are business owner, professionals, homemakers, retirees, students, men and women, young and old, married and single.  Each one tries to respond to God's call to "meditate on the Lord's law, day and night" (Rule of St. Albert) while working, raising families, etc.

VOCATION

        The Discalced Carmelite Secular Order is a canonically approved branch of the entire Discalced Carmelite family and has its own guidelines of life, called Norms, different from that of the nuns or friars.  Some people mistake it for a prayer group; others for a Carmelite or Teresian spirituality study group; others even mistake it for a pious society of people who cannot be Religious (nuns and friars) because, for example, they are married. 

        But, understood correctly, CARMEL IS A WAY OF LIFE" - a very definite way and form of life, and therefore it is lived as a vocation.  A vocation is a call.  The Secular Carmelite is one who has a special call from God.  It is a gift given by God to an individual.

THE DAILY LIFE OF A SECULAR CARMELITE

         A member of the Secular Order of Discalced Carmelites undertakes:

        1.  when possible, to attend daily Mass

        2.  to recite daily Morning and Evening Prayer of the Liturgy of the Hours (the official prayer of the Church), and if possible Night Prayer before retiring.

        3.  to devote at least half an hour daily to mental prayer or meditation

        Members are encouraged to read the Holy Scriptures daily - to "meditate on the Lord's law, day and night" (Rule of St. Albert) while working, raising families, etc.

MEMBERSHIP

        Those who are interested in becoming a Secular Carmelite first undergo a period as an Aspirant. An Aspirant will meet with a Secular Carmelite Community for a period of six months.  After an initial period of introduction to the Carmelite Secular way of life, one can ask to be admitted as a Candidate for formation and will receive Ceremonial Brown Scapular.

        The initial formation period begins when an individual is clothed with the Brown Scapular of the Order.  A candidate will spend the next two years in "formation" (Formation may be extended according to the needs of the individual).  During formation, candidates will study the life and writings of Carmelite saints.  Gradually, candidates in initial formation will integrate the Rule of St. Albert and the Norms into their life as they develop the habit of prayer and acts of virtue.

         After initial formation, the candidate may then be permitted to make a Temporary Promise for three years.  After these three years the Secular Carmelite may make the Final Promise using the formula "for all my life."

         One year after having made the final Promise, the Secular Carmelite who so requests it may be permitted to take the Vows of chastity and obedience.

         The Promise and Vow do not affect the rights and duties of married people, nor do they prevent single people from marrying.  The Promise, in fact, are intended, in the words of the Norms, to "provide the secular Carmelites with the grace to become interiorly more responsive to the will of God."  And the Vows are intended to "constitute a more complete oblation of self to God..."

  ADVANTAGES OF THE SECULAR ORDER

          The advantage of joining a secular order is that it keeps the members in contact with the entire Order as well as supplies them with valuable spiritual aid.  The Order also provides its members with the opportunity to meet and share their common interests in prayer.  The Rule of St. Albert and the Norms of the Secular Order give the necessary disciplines to live a Carmelite vocation.  It is canonically approved and binds the community together.  It guides the members to live a committed life in Christ.