Ocds Calling But Disabled...need Advice

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ANYone seriously discerning religious life needs two things:
  1. access to a computer with fast internet access. This is available at the library, if nowhere else.
  2. A copy of:** A Guide to Religious Ministries for Catholic Men and Women**
fro only $10.00/copy, which can be ordered online at

www.religiousministries.com

or from (914) 632-1220

Catholic News Publishing Co, 210 North Ave, New Rochelle, NY, 10801

the website has a pretty good search engine, but the book is fairly complete and less cumbersome. You can look under “men”, “(name of state)”, for example.

The book includes mailing addresses, email, websites, and often, the name of the contact person (s), which are broken up by provinces. This guide is updated every year.

Also: make NO assumptions about upper age limits, even at the website. Contemplative orders especially seem to be in trouble right now, tho’ it varies from order to order and house to house.
 
BarbaraTherese said:
I’d love to comment on the above and am 'biting my tongue:D ’ not to do so and drag perhaps this thread off its subject. And I have had quite a lot to say about this in other threads that are more connected to the subject of religious life and mental illness sufferers.
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I am no expert, either directly or indirectly. This is just an impression.
 
pureDzire said:
I feel truly, and deeply called to be an OCDS Carmelite, and have for quite some time. Being disabled, I never knew that it could still be possible until now. It has been brought to my attention that there is a Statute or Clause that makes provision for Isolate Membership Exceptions in certain cases that each Province deternines based on each person and the situation.

If ANYONE can help me find the proper contacts for me to pursue, wow, I would really appreciate it! I live in the BRONX, NEW YORK
so the OCDS community nearest to me is probably the one I need to contact…but, who is the one nearest to me?! And, what do I do?

THANKS…THERESA
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Sorry, but what is an OCDS Carmelite? And OCD Carmelite (order of Carmelites Discalced–approx translation).

There are many OCD monasteries in the northeast and in NY state. . I believe that the Bronx DC monastery closed and they moved to Brooklyn, but I may be wrong.

If you are a member of www.phatmass.com you can go to the subforum Vocation Station and search under "Discalced Carmelite’ and find about 1000 posts on them from a few experts on the women DC’s–you could PM or email these members for more info as they appear to know as much as can be known outside of the cloister…😉
 
1234 said:
I am no expert, either directly or indirectly. This is just an impression.
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Hello 1234…Yes, I realized that you were not stating your own opinion, merely an impression gleaned about religious orders accepting applicants who suffer mental illness and your impression is probably very correct…based (the opinion of religious houses) I think on inaccurate information re sufferers of MI in some cases anyway. But another subject!

Blessings…Barb:)
 
Sorry, but what is an OCDS Carmelite? And OCD Carmelite (order of Carmelites Discalced–approx translation).
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OCDS is the secular arm of the Order of Carmelites, Discalced. The ‘S’ stands for secular. The Secular Carmelites are the lay members of the order, sometimes called the Third Order, though this term doesn’t sit too well with OCDS members since it implies a sort of second (or third) class citizenship, so to speak, when in fact Secular Carmelites are full members of the Order, along with the friars and nuns. They are, in fact, the largest branch of the Order which is made up of both single and married people as well as some diocesan priests who are also eligible for membership since they don’t belong to any other order. The late great John Paul II was an OCDS. He almost became a Carmelite priest twice, but God had other plans for him. He also wrote his doctoral dissertation on St John of the Cross, the Carmelite “Mystical Doctor of the Church” who helped St Teresa of Avila found the men’s branch of the OCD.

Anyone who feels called to the contemplative life but for whatever reason cannot enter a monastery can always become a secular Carmelite, regardless of age or state in life. Perhaps this could be an alternative to the monastic life for Patrick, and Theresa too if it is at all possible for her to get out now and then–community meetings are typically once a month.
Code: 
You will not take from me, my God, what you once gave me in your only Son, Jesus Christ, in whom you gave me all I desire. Hence I rejoice that if I wait for you, you will not delay. With what procrastinations do you wait, since from this very moment you can love God in your heart?
Mine are the heavens and mine is the earth. Mine are the nations, the just are mine, and mine the sinners. The angels are mine, and the Mother of God, and all things are mine; and God himself is mine and for me, because Christ is mine and all for me. What do you ask, then, and seek, my soul? Yours is all of this, and all is for you. Do not engage yourself in something less or pay heed to the crumbs that fall from your Father's table. Go forth and exult in your Glory! Hide yourself in it and rejoice, and you will obtain the supplications of your heart. 

   St John of the Cross, "Prayer of a Soul Taken with Love"
 
GABRIELIS…Today, at physical therapy, my therapist found that I had Arthritis in one hip. This is actually a Good Thing! Now, he can Address this area separately, then add on exercises to help eventually. Which Means, I might be enabled to get behind the wheel of a car again for short distances, at least!! And, possibly get to Meetings in my area! Thank you!

And, thanks for your Post on OCDS and the significance of the “S”

I am Praying for PATRICK, now, that he finds what it is God is calling him to. Keep Going, Patrick! theresa
 
GABRIELIS…Today, at physical therapy, my therapist found that I had Arthritis in one hip. This is actually a Good Thing! Now, he can Address this area separately, then add on exercises to help eventually. Which Means, I might be enabled to get behind the wheel of a car again for short distances, at least!! And, possibly get to Meetings in my area! Thank you!
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And, thanks for your Post on OCDS and the significance of the “S”
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I am Praying for PATRICK, now, that he finds what it is God is calling him to. Keep Going, Patrick! theresa
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I’m happy for you, Theresa. I hope things work out and that you will find an OCDS community in your area soon. You’re not the first person I’ve come across on these forums who has shown interest in the Discalced Carmelites. If you do a search elsewhere in the Vocations forum you’ll find other kindred spirits. Also there are quite a few Carmelite threads in the Spirituality forum.

Keep us posted, and that goes for Patrick too, as you continue your journey. And remember, as St Teresa of Jesus (Avila) said, there are three things necessary in the spiritual life: humility, humility and humility.
Code: 
"The center of every man's existence is a dream. Death, disease, insanity, are merely material accidents, like a toothache or a twisted ankle. That these brutal forces always besiege and often capture the citadel does not prove that they are the citadel." 

-- G. K. Chesterton
 
Augustine said:
See vocation-network.org

:blessyou:
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The robotic-sounding nun (sounds like my dad’s GPS!) is a little scary… :eek: 😛 Why couldn’t they use a real person? 🤷

I’ve been curious myself about Convent life. I also have a disability (hearing impairment). I never really felt a call to be a nun myself, but I do like to pray. For me, it’s more of a passing curiousity - plus, I would feel a bit guilty about leaving the place where I work (I’m one of only two programmers, and we’ve been having trouble the past few years hiring a few more).

If I were to become a nun, I would choose one that still wears habits (The Cistercian Nuns look interesting and I like the daily schedule - although 3:40am is REALLY early!).
 
Hi, Jen

The OCDS Carmelites wouldn’t be convent life, so you wouldn’t have to be concerned about it interfering with your job and such, should you find that you do in fact wish to pursue a more committed spiritual life as a Carmelite Secular Member. There are no habits involved, but the Brown Scapular is considered to be the Habit of the Blessed Virgin and THAT you Would wear daily.

Pray about it, Jen. Who knows?!
 
Jennifer_G said:
The robotic-sounding nun (sounds like my dad’s GPS!) is a little scary… :eek: 😛 Why couldn’t they use a real person? 🤷

I’ve been curious myself about Convent life. I also have a disability (hearing impairment). I never really felt a call to be a nun myself, but I do like to pray. For me, it’s more of a passing curiousity - plus, I would feel a bit guilty about leaving the place where I work (I’m one of only two programmers, and we’ve been having trouble the past few years hiring a few more).

If I were to become a nun, I would choose one that still wears habits (The Cistercian Nuns look interesting and I like the daily schedule - although 3:40am is REALLY early!).
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Great strides have been made recently in addressing the severest hearing impairments: cochlear implants, state-of-the-art hearing aids like the new Lyric (unfortunately not covered by insurance) ; and a sort of new surgery for the worst hearing loss.

Many but not all cloistered habited communities have age limits, except some of the Visitation, also the Redemptoristines in Esopus NY. Once again, you need to do the research yourself. From what I am reading over and over again on this forum, vocation directors may not be of much use whenit comes to so-called ‘difficult cases’.

I agree with the essay and real (snail) letter approach. But I also think that if you can afford to actually visit places, there is nothing like a face-to-face assessment, you fo them and visa versa.
 
Patrick60 said:
I would like to try that, but could you recommend a list of communities with mailing addresses? I would prefer to send the inquiries via regular U.S. Postal Service, being that it seems like a more “formal” approach than an email. If there is a website that has a list of communities(in particular those which are willing to admit a 48 year old man), I would greatly appreciate a link. I will begin looking immediately, but in the offchance that someone has any information, feel free to post it.
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What would you say if I told you I know of a Catholic religious community that accepts people from all walks of life and allows them to become sisters, seminarians, priests or brothers, but all of them are hermits? You would probably think I’m crazy, huh? “there’s no such thing!” right? LOL. I’m not kidding you. It’s a community called “Intercessors of the Lamb” in Omaha, NE. I found a sister that was accepted when she was 60 years old! Here’s their website: bellwetheromaha.org/. I would definitely think about contacting them and forming a relationship with them through the Lord. You might be surprised and be accepted! My prayers are with you, Patrick! Bless you!
 
Though I haven’t written in a while now, I wanted to update you on my situation, and also to offer my gratitude for your concern and kindness in taking time to comment as you all did.

My Therapist was WRONG…I do NOT have Arthiritis in the Hips.
My Orthopedic Doctor found that Scoliosis is responsible for this problem with the Hip and has recommended that I STOP exercising. Since I have stopped, I am actually in FAR LESS Pain than I have been in quite a long time. I even got to attend two Meetings for OCDS thus far! And, if I can keep up this new good health streak, I will continue to attend!!

Isn’t God just so good?! I thank Our Lady for her Blessed Intercession with this change in my health. She is the one I hear that brings one to Carmel. So, again, thank you ALL for your help and prayers.

God Bless You ALL,
 
pureDzire said:
Though I haven’t written in a while now, I wanted to update you on my situation, and also to offer my gratitude for your concern and kindness in taking time to comment as you all did.

My Therapist was WRONG…I do NOT have Arthiritis in the Hips.
My Orthopedic Doctor found that Scoliosis is responsible for this problem with the Hip and has recommended that I STOP exercising. Since I have stopped, I am actually in FAR LESS Pain than I have been in quite a long time. I even got to attend two Meetings for OCDS thus far! And, if I can keep up this new good health streak, I will continue to attend!!

Isn’t God just so good?! I thank Our Lady for her Blessed Intercession with this change in my health. She is the one I hear that brings one to Carmel. So, again, thank you ALL for your help and prayers.

God Bless You ALL,
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Praised be Jesus Christ that you are doing so well! Our Lady of Mt. Carmel’s intercessions are truly a blessing. I love her so much! I love Jesus so much too! Ah, God is great…
 
CarmeliteGirl25 said:
What would you say if I told you I know of a Catholic religious community that accepts people from all walks of life and allows them to become sisters, seminarians, priests or brothers, but all of them are hermits? You would probably think I’m crazy, huh? “there’s no such thing!” right? LOL. I’m not kidding you. It’s a community called “Intercessors of the Lamb” in Omaha, NE. I found a sister that was accepted when she was 60 years old! Here’s their website: bellwetheromaha.org/. I would definitely think about contacting them and forming a relationship with them through the Lord. You might be surprised and be accepted! My prayers are with you, Patrick! Bless you!
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Thank you very much, CG25…I have made a note to investigate the site. I live alone under private vows (evangelical counsels) and a specific lifestyle. I am 63yrs. almost. Not too sure if I have their actual qualifications … but it will be most interesting to investigate the site.

Thank you very much…Barb:)
 
BarbaraTherese said:
Thank you very much, CG25…I have made a note to investigate the site. I live alone under private vows (evangelical counsels) and a specific lifestyle. I am 63yrs. almost. Not too sure if I have their actual qualifications … but it will be most interesting to investigate the site.

Thank you very much…Barb:)
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You are very welcome 🙂 I hope Patrick60 sees it as well. God be with you!
 
pureDzire said:
Though I haven’t written in a while now, I wanted to update you on my situation, and also to offer my gratitude for your concern and kindness in taking time to comment as you all did.

My Therapist was WRONG…I do NOT have Arthiritis in the Hips.
My Orthopedic Doctor found that Scoliosis is responsible for this problem with the Hip and has recommended that I STOP exercising. Since I have stopped, I am actually in FAR LESS Pain than I have been in quite a long time. I even got to attend two Meetings for OCDS thus far! And, if I can keep up this new good health streak, I will continue to attend!!

Isn’t God just so good?! I thank Our Lady for her Blessed Intercession with this change in my health. She is the one I hear that brings one to Carmel. So, again, thank you ALL for your help and prayers.

God Bless You ALL,
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This is such good news! I join with you in thanking Our Lord and our Blessed Mother.
 
FCEGM said:
This is such good news! I join with you in thanking Our Lord and our Blessed Mother.
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I join with you FCEGM in giving thanks and praise to The Lord and His mother for the good news shared by pureDzire…very good news indeed!👍
 
I think Intercession of the Lamb is a heretical organization, but I could be wrong.
 
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