Home > Secular Carmelites (OCDS)

Secular (Lay) Carmelites

Our Secular Order has communities in Brisbane, Sydney (Dulwich Hill and Varroville) Melbourne, Hobart, Perth, plus Lismore (NSW), Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch (NZ) and Apia, Samoa.

DO YOU WANT
to live a more prayerful life ???

but find it difficult because of a lack of:

inspiration
spiritual guidance
a Rule of Life
a community that shares your values?

Then the Secular Discalced Carmelites may be FOR YOU.
We are called to be witnesses to the world

of the transcendent value of the Gospel
and especially of prayer as it was taught by Jesus.

WHO ARE THE CARMELITES?

The Carmelite Order developed in the thirteenth century from a single community of hermits on Mt. Carmel in Israel. Their life was centred on God, meditating on the word of the Lord and watching in prayer. They honoured the prophet Elijah as their spiritual father.

Their simple chapel was dedicated to Mary. From this lay community of hermits developed the ancient Order of Carmelites. In the sixteenth century, the Order of Discalced Carmelites was founded by St.Teresa of Jesus. She was given the grace to develop her own special vocation to live the life of contemplative prayer for the greater honour and glory of God, for the salvation of souls, and for the good of the Church. She strove above all to imitate the praying Christ of the Gospels St. John of the Cross, a master of the ways of faith, was introduced by St. Teresa to her distinctive lifestyle.

WHY BECOME A CARMELITE?

Many people are looking for some kind of identity with a community that embodies spiritual values and follows a definite path towards realised union with God. People are hungry for these values because they are absent or threatened in today's society which is marked by economic affluence and is driven by a pervasive consumerism that challenges the gospel. Individuals can find support by becoming part of a community which shares the same spiritual values.

IS THE CARMELITE SECULAR ORDER FOR EVERYONE?

No, there are many gifts of the Holy Spirit. Secular Carmel is a particular call of the Spirit to place prayer at the heart of life. Prayer is at the heart of the Carmelite vocation. If you want to belong to Carmel, you cannot simply add this dimension to your life, it takes time. Carmel is demanding enough to require you to make some sacrifices and reorder your priorities.

PERSONAL RULE OF LIFE

Each day should include:

Morning and Evening Prayer from the Divine Office Night Prayer, if possible
Half an hour of silent prayer
Spiritual reading
Daily Eucharist, if possible

The Carmelite's overall lifestyle includes:

a simplicity of life according to the spirit of the Gospel Beatitudes
a spirit of recollection and prayer
devotion to Mary, Mother of Carmel
a spirit of detachment and self denial
a spirit of celebration especially on Sundays and special feast days
attendance at the monthly community meeting
time out for silence and solitude, an annual retreat if possible

WHAT DOES CARMELITE FORMATION INVOLVE?

Formation is primarily about transformation and spiritual growth, rather than information. The writings of Sts. Teresa and John of the Cross are the foundation of our distinctive spiritual identity.

The Teresian charism is to be

lived

understood

internalised

Formation demands the ability to change and grow and to make a commitment to a way of life. Those in formation are called to a profound dialogue with God in prayer. Time is given to discern if this is God's call before making a final commitment.

If you experience a call to a life of prayer in community, to a life that points beyond itself to the mystery and love of God, you are invited to contact: ocdsas@versa.com.au

Here you may enquire about times and places of meetings nearest to your locality (in Australia, New Zealand or Samoa), and the contact person with whom to discuss your interest.

More Information:
>>>Rule & Constitutions of the Secular Order NEW!
>>> Discerning a vocation to the Secular Order
>>> Discerning a vocation in Acrobat PDF format (48k)