STL OCDS

Secular Order of Discalced Carmelites

Discalced Carmelites Seculars are members of the Carmelite family of the 16th-century reform of St. Teresa of Jesus. Discalced means shoeless. St. Teresa’s followers wore sandals rather than shoes, a practice which distinguished them from Carmelites of the Ancient Observance. These followers are present in the modern world as friars, enclosed nuns and Seculars.

What is the foundation of Carmelite life?

The following principles of the Rule of Saint Albert, written for the hermits on Mount Carmel in the 13th century, guide Carmelite life today:

  • Living in allegiance to Jesus Christ
  • Being diligent in meditating on the law of the Lord
  • Giving time to spiritual reading
  • Participating in the liturgy of the church, both the Eucharist and the Liturgy of the Hours
  • Arming themselves with the practice of the virtues
  • Seeking interior silence and solitude
  • Using prudent discretion in all that they do.

(from “Constitutions of the Secular Order of the Teresian Carmel,” 2003)

What are the obligations of Carmelite life?

  • Mental Prayer. A suggestion is 30 minutes each day.
  • Morning Prayer, Evening Prayer and, if possible, Night Prayer from the Liturgy of the Hours.
  • Mass. Daily, if possible.
  • Mary. Every day, Seculars express devotion to Mary. Their primary devotion is to imitate Mary in “reflecting on [all these things] in her heart” (Luke 2:19).
  • Meetings. Monthly – Seculars are called to communities whose members have made a commitment to one another. Meetings consist of formation, information and fellowship.
  • Mission. Seculars share in the Carmelite mission of knowing God so God can be known.

Secular Vocations

Discerning your vocation is a prayerful process; it culminates in discovering God’s specific call for your life, seeking to align your will with His. Because discerning God’s will takes time and unfolds gradually, be patient and cultivate a profound trust in His loving providence, knowing He desires your holiness and ultimate fulfillment.

Vocation Prayer for Oklahoma Semi-Province of St. Therese

Saint Therese, the Heavenly Father’s Little Flower, your heart was so consumed with the desire to win souls for Your Lover that you willingly offered yourself as His “victim of love.”

As the patron saint of our Province, we beg you to not turn your back on us but through your intercession of the Blessed Mother Mary, Our Lady of Mt. Carmel, I pray that the Lord may touch the hearts of men and women and fill them with the same desire that moved you, Little Flower, to give yourself to Him as His spouse.

Protect your Province, the Oklahoma Semi-Province of St. Therese, and ask our Heavenly Father to fill its coffers full of good and holy friars, nuns, and seculars.

May God bless our friars, nuns, and seculars to be holy men and women full of love and zeal for the work of our Lord with the spirit of St. Elijah.

May your life lived in obedience, chastity, and poverty as a Carmelite, inspire those who are called by the Lord to the consecrated life to courageously say “Yes” and encourage them to live out this divine calling in their lives.

Amen

How do I become a Discalced Carmelite Secular?

The entire period of formation commonly requires about six years.

Aspirancy

Attendance at 12 monthly meetings of the community is required so the Aspirant may be supported by its members as he or she learns more about Secular life and discerns whether he or she has a vocation to the order.

First Period of Formation

A minimum of two years is required for study and growth in prayer, the apostolate, and community life. At the end of this time, the council of the community may invite the candidate to make a Temporary Promise of poverty, chastity, and obedience to the order.

Second Period of Formation

At least three years precede the Definitive Promise. Either period of formation may be extended if the council and the individual in formation agree that doing so is in the best interest of the candidate.

Vocation Inquiry

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