Secular Order of Discalced Carmelites
Encyclopedia
The Secular Order of Discalced Carmelites (OCDS), officially Ordo Carmelitarum Discalceatorum Saecularis, and formerly known as the Third Secular Order of the Blessed Virgin Mary of Mount Carmel and of the Holy Mother Saint Teresa of Jesus, is an association in the Roman Catholic Church
, with lay persons as its primary members but can also accept members of the secular clergy, with promises to strive to live evangelical perfection in the spirit of the evangelical counsels of chastity, poverty and obedience and through the beatitudes . They have a "fidelity to contemplative prayer with the spirit of detachment it entails…."
Commonly known as Carmelite Seculars, it is an integral part of the Discalced Carmelite Order, juridically dependent upon the Discalced Carmelite Friars (OCD), and in "fraternal communion" with them and the cloistered nuns of the Order
. "As a result, they share the same charism with the religious, each according to their particular state of life. It is one family with the same spiritual possession, calling to holiness and Apostolic mission."
There are two Carmelite orders in the Church: the Ancient Observance (O. Carm.) and the Discalced (OCD). The Discalced became a separate order under its foundress, Saint Teresa of Jesus (of Ávila), in order to return to the more austere and contemplative life lived by the first Carmelites. "Discalced", meaning "shoeless", signifies this greater austerity. Most Secular Carmelites do not consider foregoing shoes an actual necessity for living this internal austerity and poverty.
They are apostles of contemplative prayer, but also live intense lives of charity in their common occupations.
Carmelite Seculars make a promise to the Order patterned on the monastic vows, which guides their life. The promise is to live according to its New Constitution and to live the evangelical counsels of chastity, poverty, and obedience, adapted according to their lay state.
Spiritually mature members, with the recommendation of the local council and approval of the provincial superior, are permitted to make vows of chastity and obedience to the community, which are strictly personal and do not create a separate category of membership.
(the Divine Office), and to attend daily Mass whenever possible. Although the Rule of Life was replaced by the New OCDS Constitution of 2003, their way of life remains the same.
The Seculars will "gladly mortify themselves in union with the Sacrifice of Christ," and their "interior life must be permeated by an intense devotion to Our Lady." They must wear the small Brown Scapular of Our Lady of Mount Carmel
(the habit
of the Carmelite Secular Order), and attend monthly meetings of their communities.
Carmelite Seculars are not members of the Scapular Confraternity, a much newer development that is merely a pious association of Catholics who wear the Scapular and may or may not actually follow certain principles of Carmelite spirituality. Any Catholic can be invested with the Scapular by a Catholic priest, and indeed it is the most popular and well known of Catholic scapulars because of the promises made to its wearers by the Blessed Virgin Mary. But the garment is properly the habit of the Carmelite Order, including the Secular Carmelites. Candidates for admission to the Order are clothed in the Scapular at the beginning of formal formation, usually during a Mass.
Carmelite Seculars, after the tradition of the Friars and Nuns, take a religious name or title of devotion. The custom is increasing of retaining the person's surname and/or given name depending on suitability. The name taken is generally only used in Carmelite contexts, and members use the acronym "OCDS" after their legal names if appropriate.
There has been tremendous growth in the United States in recent years, but membership may be decreasing in numbers in Europe.
A large number are found in the Philippines.
(of Ávila), John of the Cross
, Thérèse of the Child Jesus and of the Holy Face (of Lisieux), and Teresia Benedicta of the Cross (commonly known as Edith Stein). Among the beatified is Blessed Elisabeth of the Trinity.
Blessed Pope John Paul II was also an honorary member of the Secular Order of Discalced Carmelites.
Roman Catholic Church
The Catholic Church, also known as the Roman Catholic Church, is the world's largest Christian church, with over a billion members. Led by the Pope, it defines its mission as spreading the gospel of Jesus Christ, administering the sacraments and exercising charity...
, with lay persons as its primary members but can also accept members of the secular clergy, with promises to strive to live evangelical perfection in the spirit of the evangelical counsels of chastity, poverty and obedience and through the beatitudes . They have a "fidelity to contemplative prayer with the spirit of detachment it entails…."
Commonly known as Carmelite Seculars, it is an integral part of the Discalced Carmelite Order, juridically dependent upon the Discalced Carmelite Friars (OCD), and in "fraternal communion" with them and the cloistered nuns of the Order
Religious order
A religious order is a lineage of communities and organizations of people who live in some way set apart from society in accordance with their specific religious devotion, usually characterized by the principles of its founder's religious practice. The order is composed of initiates and, in some...
. "As a result, they share the same charism with the religious, each according to their particular state of life. It is one family with the same spiritual possession, calling to holiness and Apostolic mission."
There are two Carmelite orders in the Church: the Ancient Observance (O. Carm.) and the Discalced (OCD). The Discalced became a separate order under its foundress, Saint Teresa of Jesus (of Ávila), in order to return to the more austere and contemplative life lived by the first Carmelites. "Discalced", meaning "shoeless", signifies this greater austerity. Most Secular Carmelites do not consider foregoing shoes an actual necessity for living this internal austerity and poverty.
Vocation and Promise
Their vocation is to live the Carmelite spirituality as Seculars and not as mere imitators of Carmelite monastic life . With the friars and nuns, they assist the Order in drawing the Church into an intimate relationship with Jesus Christ and His Mother, Mary, Mother and Queen of Carmel.They are apostles of contemplative prayer, but also live intense lives of charity in their common occupations.
Carmelite Seculars make a promise to the Order patterned on the monastic vows, which guides their life. The promise is to live according to its New Constitution and to live the evangelical counsels of chastity, poverty, and obedience, adapted according to their lay state.
Spiritually mature members, with the recommendation of the local council and approval of the provincial superior, are permitted to make vows of chastity and obedience to the community, which are strictly personal and do not create a separate category of membership.
Way of Life
The old Rule of Life (Regula vitæ) of 1979 requires Secular Carmelites to pray for at least a half an hour each day "in an atmosphere of interior silence and solitude," to recite Morning and Evening Prayer of the Liturgy of the HoursLiturgy of the hours
The Liturgy of the Hours or Divine Office is the official set of daily prayers prescribed by the Catholic Church to be recited at the canonical hours by the clergy, religious orders, and laity. The Liturgy of the Hours consists primarily of psalms supplemented by hymns and readings...
(the Divine Office), and to attend daily Mass whenever possible. Although the Rule of Life was replaced by the New OCDS Constitution of 2003, their way of life remains the same.
The Seculars will "gladly mortify themselves in union with the Sacrifice of Christ," and their "interior life must be permeated by an intense devotion to Our Lady." They must wear the small Brown Scapular of Our Lady of Mount Carmel
Our Lady of Mount Carmel
Our Lady of Mount Carmel is the title given to the Blessed Virgin Mary in her role as patroness of the Carmelite Order. The first Carmelites were Christian hermits living on Mount Carmel in the Holy Land during the late 12th and early to mid 13th centuries...
(the habit
Religious habit
A religious habit is a distinctive set of garments worn by members of a religious order. Traditionally some plain garb recognisable as a religious habit has also been worn by those leading the religious eremitic and anachoritic life, although in their case without conformity to a particular uniform...
of the Carmelite Secular Order), and attend monthly meetings of their communities.
Membership
Depending on the existing OCDS Provincial Statutes of each province and with the approval of the Local Community Council, the OCDS accepts Catholics in good standing in the Church, who are at least 18 years old, for entry into formation. Admission into formation is dependent on a clear indication of a Carmelite vocation and maturity in faith, and permission to profess the promise of the Secular Carmelites requires a number of years spent in spiritual formation and the study of contemplative prayer. Catholics called to this vocation by God begin by discovering a community of Seculars whom they visit for a monthly meeting and may eventually join. Communities can be found by one of the on-line provincial directories.Carmelite Seculars are not members of the Scapular Confraternity, a much newer development that is merely a pious association of Catholics who wear the Scapular and may or may not actually follow certain principles of Carmelite spirituality. Any Catholic can be invested with the Scapular by a Catholic priest, and indeed it is the most popular and well known of Catholic scapulars because of the promises made to its wearers by the Blessed Virgin Mary. But the garment is properly the habit of the Carmelite Order, including the Secular Carmelites. Candidates for admission to the Order are clothed in the Scapular at the beginning of formal formation, usually during a Mass.
Carmelite Seculars, after the tradition of the Friars and Nuns, take a religious name or title of devotion. The custom is increasing of retaining the person's surname and/or given name depending on suitability. The name taken is generally only used in Carmelite contexts, and members use the acronym "OCDS" after their legal names if appropriate.
The OCDS Around the World
Carmelite Seculars are spread throughout the world in various communities, with each community canonically erected and under the direction of the provincial superiors of each province and the leadership of the general superior of the Order in Rome .There has been tremendous growth in the United States in recent years, but membership may be decreasing in numbers in Europe.
A large number are found in the Philippines.
Famous Saints
Principal among the saints of the Discalced Carmelite Order are Teresa of JesusTeresa of Ávila
Saint Teresa of Ávila, also called Saint Teresa of Jesus, baptized as Teresa Sánchez de Cepeda y Ahumada, was a prominent Spanish mystic, Roman Catholic saint, Carmelite nun, and writer of the Counter Reformation, and theologian of contemplative life through mental prayer...
(of Ávila), John of the Cross
John of the Cross
John of the Cross , born Juan de Yepes Álvarez, was a major figure of the Counter-Reformation, a Spanish mystic, Catholic saint, Carmelite friar and priest, born at Fontiveros, Old Castile....
, Thérèse of the Child Jesus and of the Holy Face (of Lisieux), and Teresia Benedicta of the Cross (commonly known as Edith Stein). Among the beatified is Blessed Elisabeth of the Trinity.
Blessed Pope John Paul II was also an honorary member of the Secular Order of Discalced Carmelites.
External links
- The Rule of St. Albert and the Constitution of the OCDS
- Discalced Carmelite Order (including the OCDS)
- USA National Council of the OCDS
- Washington Province of the OCDS (Eastern USA)
- California-Arizona Province of the OCDS (Western USA)
- Meditations from Carmel
- Secular Order of Discalced Carmelites in San Diego, California
- http://www.scribd.com/share/upload/14132985/186lepak5by0o5ztxslt A commentary on the traditional rule of the Discalced Carmelite Third Order.