Serendipity,
I don’t know if I know enough about the Franciscans to answer adequately, or even enough about the Discalced Carmelites for that matter, as I have only been participating for a year now, but I will try my humble best.
Each Order inherits their spirituality from their founder. Obviously for the Franciscans, that would be St. Francis and Peace is a very big component of his spirituality, so it would be seen in the Order. Simplicity and Love would also be major factors, along with Poverty, major themes with St. Francis.
The Discalced Carmelites recognize St. Therese of Avila as our Foundress. As such, an emphasis on Contemplative Prayer is fundamental for the Order. With OCDS, we are the only seculars, or so I’ve been told, who are members in full standing within the Order. At the same time we continue to be Laity, and are expected to bring our spirituality into the world.
It has been said that because of our need to continue with regular life of the world, being a spouse, a parent, an employee or employer and all the other roles we might be called to play in our lives, we have the most difficult role to play within the order.
The Charism of Carmel is Prayer, I’m still trying to get a better handle on the Apostolate, if there is a succinct definition of the apostolate, or if it varies based on the community to which you are attached.
There has been a history of allowing OCDS members to live in isolation from a community of other secular members, but this has recently been changing throughout the US, and perhaps world-wide. It has been recognized that maintaining your ties to the community of Carmel is a necessary part of the calling, so Isolate members are being asked to attach to a local community, study group or travel on a periodic basis to the closest community.
As for the specifics of what we are asked to do as members of the Order, I can’t speak to what Franciscans do, but I’d be interested if anyone else could share. I’d also be interested in knowing about Dominicans. I can’t even answer for O’Carm, Third Order.
OCDS - RequiredMorning Prayer (from the Liturgy of the Hours) approx 20 min
Evening Prayer ( ") approx 20
Daily Meditation 30 minutes minimum (for Western Province)
Monthly Meeting with Community - approx 3 hrs (+ travel time)
Monthly Study - Lives and Writings of various Sts and Rule of Life
Annual Community Retreat - 2 1/2 days
Strongly recommended (if your life allows for it)Daily Mass - 30 minutes (+ travel time)
Help at Mass - little if any extra time
Scripture Study - based on availability
I feel like I’m forgetting something, hopefully it means it’s so incorporated into my life, I don’t even see it any more. Perhaps it’s that we have a strong devotion to The Holy Trinity, Our Lady and her Rosary, St. Joseph, St. Teresa of Avila, St. John of the Cross, St. Terese of Liseux, and all our Camelite Saints. We try to remember to surround ourselves with sacred items and to keep our affilitation somewhat hidden.
Many members still wear sandels, and living poor in spirit and striving for humility are core. Because I have such a desire to communicate, I must admit there are times when, while I know God desires that I participate in a Third Order, I fear that I may not have the quietness, the peace of spirit necessary for Carmel.
I hope this answers your question. If anyone out there sees errors in my understanding, please, I’m just getting started. I welcome correction.
CARose