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Carmelites (OCDS)
Testing and Discerning a Vocation to the Secular Carmelite
Order (OCDS)
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5. Seeking the Face of God
The fifth element of the description is "to seek the face of God".
This element expresses the content of the Promises. I could rephrase
this element in various ways, "to pray", "to meditate", "to live the spiritual
life". I have chosen this one because it is Scriptural and expresses the
nature of contemplation-a wondering observation of God's word and work
in order to know, love and serve Him. The contemplative aspect of Carmelite
life focuses on God, recognising always that contemplation is a gift of
God, not an acquisition as a result of putting in sufficient time. This
is the commitment to personal holiness. The OCDS wants to see God, wants
to know God and recognises that prayer and meditation now take on a greater
importance. The Promises are a commitment to a new way of life in which
"allegiance to Jesus Christ" marks the person and the way this person
lives.
The personal life of the Secular Carmelite becomes contemplative. The
style of life changes with the growth in the virtues that accompany the
growth in the spirit. It is impossible to live a life of prayer, meditation,
and study without changing. This new style of life enhances all the rest
of life. The majority of Secular Order members who are married, and those
with families, experience that the commitment to the OCDS life enriches
their marital and familial commitment. Men and women OCD Seculars who
work, experience a new moral commitment to justice in the work place.
Those who are single, widowed or separated find in this commitment to
holiness a source of grace and strength to live their lives with dedication
and purpose. This is the direct result of seeking the face of God.
Holiness is always ecclesial
Is the essence of Carmel prayer? Many times I heard or read that affirmation.
I am never sure just how to answer that. Not because I do not know what
prayer is or because prayer is not of great importance for any Carmelite,
but because I never know what the speaker or writer wishes to justify
by the statement. If the person means by prayer personal holiness and
the pursuit of a genuine spirituality that recognises the supremacy of
God and of God's will for the human family, then yes, I agree. If the
person means that I as a Carmelite fulfil my entire obligation as a Carmelite
by being faithful to my prayer and that there is nothing else that I need
do, then no, we do not agree. Personal holiness is not the same as personal
pursuit of holiness. For a baptised member of the Church holiness is always
ecclesial, never self-centred or self-content. I am never the judge of
my own holiness. (Nemo judex in causo suo.)
I am sanctified by the practice of the virtues, which is the direct result
of a life of prayerful searching for God's will in my life. This is the
Carmelite secret-prayer does not make us holy. Prayer is the essential
element in Christian (Carmelite) holiness because it is the frequent contact
necessary to remain faithful to God. This contact allows God to do His
will in my life which then announces to the whole world God's presence
and goodness. Without the contact of prayer I cannot know God, and God
cannot be known to others.
The Discipline of Discipleship
To seek the face of God requires an unbelievable amount of discipline
in the classic and original sense of the word-disciple, one who learns.
I must recognise that I am forever a student. Never do I become a master.
I am always surprised by what God does in the world. God is forever a
mystery. The clues to God's existence always interest me. I find them
in the events of life, single, widowed, married, family, work, and retirement.
But they only become recognisable and clear through prayer, observing
from the heart. The call to holiness is a burning desire in the heart
and mind of the one called to the Secular Order. It is a commitment that
the Secular must make. The Secular is drawn to prayer, finding in prayer
a home and an identity.
This prayer, this pursuit of holiness, this encounter with the Lord makes
the Secular more part of the Church. And, as a more committed member of
the Church, the Secular's life is more ecclesial. As the life of prayer
grows it produces more fruit in the person's personal life (the growth
of virtue) and in the person's ecclesial life (apostolate.)
OCDS (Secular Carmelites) - home
Constitutions of the Secular Order NEW!
Six Elements of discernment:
1. "Practising member of the Catholic Church."
2. "Under the protection of Our Lady of Mount Carmel."
3. Inspired by St Teresa of Jesus
4. Commitment to Carmel as an Ecclesial event
5. Seeking the Face of God
6. "for the sake of the Church and the world."
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