Any secular carmelites here?

[Ocarm]

Is it possible to be an isolated member of the Carmelite community of sisters? There is no order near me at all and I would just love to be part of the Secular community.

It may be possible to be an isolated (that is, geographically distant) member of some lay organisations, yes; I know that here in the UK there are isolated members of the TOC (Third Order Carmelites).

The best thing to do is to contact the nearest branch of the religious family that attracts you most (TOC, OCDS, whoever) and make enquiries. Addresses of groups will be available via a net search.

Prayers and best wishes.

 

[Shoshana]

Just got through my first interview…phew! four more months left become being invested!

 

[Diann_Davis]

Hello. When I lived Michigan, I was in the process of becoming a 3rd Order Carmelite. My husband and I now live in NYC (Manhattan) and I am looking for a local order. Would anyone be able to help me?

 

[Tampa_Dave]

I saw this contact information at the OCDS Washington Province website. I don’t know whether the information is updated or not. Its a start!

NEW YORK - Manhattan
FLORINA RIVERA
147-34 VILLAGE RD APT B
JAMAICA, NY
11435-1311
florina_tyj@yahoo.com
718-969-1410

 

[Diann_Davis]

Thank you so much; I will follow up.

 

[Tampa_Dave]

You are more than welcome!

I recently e-mailed the contact person for an OCDS community in the Washington Province. They regularly meet at the Discalced Carmelite Monastery in Washington, DC, which houses the Institute for Carmelite Studies. Their Spiritual Minister is Fr. Kieran Kavanaugh, O.C.D. In 2007, ten Institute colleagues released the book “A Better Wine: Essays Celebrating Kieran Kavanaugh O.C.D.” in honor his 50 years as a Catholic priest and scholar. Very impressive! My OCDS contact was responsive, kind and very gracious. I will attend their next meeting on July 15th.

 

[HonoraDominum]

You are more than welcome!

I recently e-mailed the contact person for an OCDS community in the Washington Province. They regularly meet at the Discalced Carmelite Monastery in Washington, DC, which houses the Institute for Carmelite Studies. Their Spiritual Minister is Fr. Kieran Kavanaugh, O.C.D. In 2007, ten Institute colleagues released the book “A Better Wine: Essays Celebrating Kieran Kavanaugh O.C.D.” in honor his 50 years as a Catholic priest and scholar. Very impressive! My OCDS contact was responsive, kind and very gracious. I will attend their next meeting on July 15th.

WHOA! Talk about lucky! Kavanaugh has translated many Discalced Carmelite works into English - I’m actually reading his translation of “Way of Perfection” right now! How blessed you are to be able to study and pray with him!

I actually went to an aspirancy meet-up before the first official aspirancy meeting in August for a group here in Texas. I’m excited, and terrified. But I trust the good God to give me the graces needed to live with Him, and if my path is to be a secular Carmelite in this group, then I’m sure He will continue to lead me that way.

 

[Shoshana]

Having been invested in Feb. I am now a novice and am studying the ‘Way of Perfection’…much homework and we are almost finished the book. We are finished for the year. We have a recollection day in July, on the 21st, with another OCDS group. I have asked permission to miss the Sept. meeting as my sister and I are taking our mom, who is suffering from demntia, to Cuba. The trip fell right smack into our meeting. Just asking permission, I was told, was following a spirit of obedience…Mom is failing in her mind fast enough, and must do this before it is too late for her to enjoy! Please pray for her!

 

[Contra_Mundum_1]

OP here.

Just thought I’d give a little update since my thread was brought back to life after a year.

Nothing has come of my plans so far. My family and I moved to Malaysia a few months ago. There is one community in the country but I won’t be able to do anything about it for a while because of my family obligations and general circumstances. I will keep discerning if Carmel is where I should be and if it is God’s will for me to become a secular carmelite I am confident that will happen at the right moment. Please keep me in your prayers.

 

[Tampa_Dave]

WHOA! Talk about lucky! Kavanaugh has translated many Discalced Carmelite works into English - I’m actually reading his translation of “Way of Perfection” right now! How blessed you are to be able to study and pray with him!

I actually went to an aspirancy meet-up before the first official aspirancy meeting in August for a group here in Texas. I’m excited, and terrified. But I trust the good God to give me the graces needed to live with Him, and if my path is to be a secular Carmelite in this group, then I’m sure He will continue to lead me that way.

Yes, I am very lucky to visit with Our Lady of Carmel Community under the spiritual ministry of Fr. Kieran Kavanaugh, OCD, at the Carmelite Monastery in Washington, DC.

Like you, HonoraDominum, I am nervous about my first meeting. I fell like a minor league ballplayer being called up to Major League Baseball to play for the Yankees.

 

[Tampa_Dave]

Having been invested in Feb. I am now a novice and am studying the ‘Way of Perfection’…much homework and we are almost finished the book. We are finished for the year. We have a recollection day in July, on the 21st, with another OCDS group. I have asked permission to miss the Sept. meeting as my sister and I are taking our mom, who is suffering from dementia, to Cuba. The trip fell right smack into our meeting. Just asking permission, I was told, was following a spirit of obedience…Mom is failing in her mind fast enough, and must do this before it is too late for her to enjoy! Please pray for her!

Shoshana, I’ve followed your posts. You’ve made me very conscious of the intensity of Carmelite studies, the Order’s selective scrutiny of candidates, and the lengthy monthly time commitment. Yet I feel inexorably drawn to the Discalced Carmelites. Because I feel so drawn to the OCDS, I’ll have to step back, take a deep breath, and evaluate each Order objectively. I’m considering four possibilities: Our Lady of Mount Carmel Discalced Carmelites, Holy Family Franciscan Fraternity, Opus Dei, and the St. Leo Abbey Benedictine Oblates. I’ll meet with Opus Dei by their invitation on July 5th (tonight) and Our Lady of Mount Carmel Community on July 15th. I’ll meet with the Holy Family Franciscans when they resume in September, though I have yet to firm up plans with the St. Leo Oblates. I must keep an open mind due to the nature of the lifetime commitment. It will be difficult.

 

[Tampa_Dave]

Are there any Discalced Carmelites out there who can give me any tips or suggestions for my first OCDS community visit on July 15th, or commentary on my posts? I don’t mean to be a pain in the neck, but this will be a significant visit for me. Thank you!

David

 

[FCEGM]

Are there any Discalced Carmelites out there who can give me any tips or suggestions for my first OCDS community visit on July 15th, or commentary on my posts? I don’t mean to be a pain in the neck, but this will be a significant visit for me. Thank you!

David, my only comment on your posts regards what you said above:

Yet I feel inexorably drawn to the Discalced Carmelites. Because I feel so drawn to the OCDS, I’ll have to step back, take a deep breath, and evaluate each Order objectively.

I have to ask why? Isn’t that rather like finding the perfect girl of your dreams and then looking around to see if there might be someone better? If all you have read of Carmel and its Saints (particularly the writings of St. Teresa and St. John of the Cross) and all you will experience at the first and subsequent meetings confirm what you already acknowledge as such a strong draw, why would you seek further?

 

[Tampa_Dave]

The basis of my attraction to the Discalced Carmelites is founded upon limited reading (books and internet websites) and e-mail exchanges with an OCDS member of Our Lady of Carmel Community. I will have my first visit on July 15th: theory meets reality at this juncture. If my actual experience truly reflects the wisdom and beauty of my studies, I will be hard-pressed to deny a possible vocation with the Discalced Carmelites. Among other things, I’m specifically attracted to the Order’s Marian devotion and intense study of the Carmelite saints. The Blessed Virgin holds a special place in my heart, so that aspect of Carmelite devotion inspires me greatly. Carmelite mysticism is quite unique among the monastic orders. By their complexity and volume alone, the works of Teresa of Avila and John of the Cross demand rigorous study, a very welcome challenge to someone with an academic background in European history and philosophy. Unlike many Orders that meet once a month for two to three hours, the Discalced Carmelites meet for approximately six hours. Their typical agenda includes the Rosary, Divine Office, Holy Mass, a period of silent meditative prayer, formation classes and a lecture. Written homework based on extensive reading is the rule of the OCDS. Additionally, Our Lady of Mount Carmel meets at the Carmelite Monastery housing the Institute of Carmelite Studies and is led by a renowned Carmelite scholar, Fr. Kieran Kavanaugh, OCD. Can one select a more appropriate place for study and reflection, or a scholar of greater repute to teach one the wisdom and spirituality of the Discalced Carmelites? I feel a tremendous emotional and intellectual draw to the OCDS and, quite frankly, it makes me nervous. To be purposefully objective, I’m exploring other Orders to affirm my thoughts on the Discalced Carmelites.

 

[FCEGM]

The basis of my attraction to the Discalced Carmelites is founded upon limited reading (books and internet websites) and e-mail exchanges with an OCDS member of Our Lady of Carmel Community. I will have my first visit on July 15th: theory meets reality at this juncture. If my actual experience truly reflects the wisdom and beauty of my studies, I will be hard-pressed to deny a possible vocation with the Discalced Carmelites. Among other things, I’m specifically attracted to the Order’s Marian devotion and intense study of the Carmelite saints. The Blessed Virgin holds a special place in my heart, so that aspect of Carmelite devotion inspires me greatly. Carmelite mysticism is quite unique in comparison to other monastic orders. By their complexity and volume alone, the works of Teresa of Avila and John of the Cross demand rigorous study, a very welcome challenge to someone with an academic background in European history and philosophy. Unlike many Orders that meet once a month for two to three hours, the Discalced Carmelites meet for approximately six hours. Their typical agenda includes the Rosary, Divine Office, Holy Mass, a period of silent meditative prayer, formation classes and a lecture. Written homework based on extensive reading is the rule of the OCDS. Additionally, Our Lady of Mount Carmel meets at the Carmelite Monastery housing the Institute of Carmelite Studies and is led by a renowned Carmelite scholar, Fr. Kieran Kavanaugh, OCD. Can one select a more appropriate place for study or a scholar of greater repute to study the wisdom and spirituality of the Discalced Carmelites?

What a blessing to begin your studies and discernment under the tutelage of Fr. Kavanaugh. It sounds like you are beginning with a very good sense of what is entailed and a blossoming love for Carmel’s spiritual heritage.

Frances (OCDS, Charlotte, NC)

 

[Tampa_Dave]

Thank you, Frances! I sincerely believe I will know my vocation once I experience life within the Order. That which appeals to my heart and intellect will be made known through the intercession of the Blessed Virgin, of that I am certain. I’m exploring other options simply to be sure before I commit to a lifetime vocation. Last night I met with Opus Dei and I will attend an OD evening of recollection at my local parish next Tuesday. A week from Sunday I will meet with the Discalced Carmelites. I may visit with Benedictine oblates and secular Franciscans. At least that’s the theory. As stated earlier, I feel incredibly drawn to the message of Carmel, so my journey may not last long. Please keep me in your prayers, Frances.

 

[FCEGM]

Thank you, Frances! I sincerely believe I will know my vocation once I experience life within the Order. That which appeals to my heart and intellect will be made known through the intercession of the Blessed Virgin, of that I am certain. I’m exploring other options simply to be sure before I commit to a lifetime vocation. Last night I met with Opus Dei and I will attend an OD evening of recollection at my local parish next Tuesday. A week from Sunday I will meet with the Discalced Carmelites. I may visit with Benedictine oblates and secular Franciscans. At least that’s the theory. As stated earlier, I feel incredibly drawn to the message of Carmel, so my journey may not last long. Please keep me in your prayers, Frances.

I will, David; and you do likewise, please.

 

[Tampa_Dave]

I will keep you in my prayers as well, Frances. Wish me luck - I am very nervous about meeting with the Discalced Carmelites. I will feel like a solitary piece of coal among diamonds. I’ve never performed the Divine Office, nor witnessed it. But I assume they are patient with New Comers.

 

[FCEGM]

I will keep you in my prayers as well, Frances. Wish me luck - I am very nervous about meeting with the Discalced Carmelites. I will feel like a solitary piece of coal among diamonds. I’ve never performed the Divine Office, nor witnessed it. But I assume they are patient with New Comers.

Very much so, since all us “oldies” remember what the beginning was like. The Liturgy of the Hours can be very intimidating at first; it takes at least a year or even more to be at ease with it. But, you will get good guidance; praying it in Community is a beautiful experience.

 

[Tampa_Dave]

Thanks for the encouragement, Frances. I’m glad to hear that expectations are low for a New Comer! I believe my decision will come down to Opus Dei or the Discalced Carmelites, so I’m looking forward to the Opus Dei evening of recollection Tuesday and the OCDS meeting next Sunday.

On Wednesday, July 25th, our parish is holding an Exposition of Sacred Relics. Included: relics of St. Maria Goretti, St. Therese of Lisieux, St. Francis of Assisi, St. Anthony of Padua, St. Thomas Aquinas, and St. Faustina Kowalska. Also featured: a piece of a veil believed to have belonged to Our Lady and one of the largest remaining pieces of the True Cross in existence. St. Andrew’s scheduled the event through treasuresofthechurch.com.