1
1_Maria
Guest
I’m concerned about posting personal information concerning anyone without their permission.
See previous post.
Maria
See previous post.
Maria
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J
Joysong
Guest
Hello, Mary,
You:
ocdswashprov.org/StatesServed.htm
Warm regards,
Carole
I wish you had felt comfortable in asking me about this, for I have done nothing irregular in posting the president’s address. It would have been easier, perhaps, to give Jen the entire list of contacts in the Washington Province of OCDS, but since she lives near Cleveland, Ohio, this seemed to be the only active chapter near enough for her to travel. See the website to put your mind at ease.
ocdswashprov.org/StatesServed.htm
Warm regards,
Carole
J
Joysong
Guest
Hi Jen,
If you do some browsing with the links in the above-referenced website, you may find just about every question of yours answered.
See how much God loves you? Although the contacts you made have not returned your call, the information is right here in full detail for you to examine at your leisure!
Here is an actual profile of a Secular Carmelite:
ocdswashprov.org/NewsRome/ProfileOCDS.htm
The site also has the complete Constitutions, Statutes, and all the details of the inner workings of the Order. I also noticed in one of these sections that if enough persons in a location have a desire to become Carmelites, they may make petition and begin formation and study, under certain conditions. Ultimately, if you and a few others really feel called to this vocation, but find it impossible to locate a Community nearby, it may be the Lord inspiring you to walk this path and form a new Chapter in your area. Who knows?
In His holy love,
Carole
If you do some browsing with the links in the above-referenced website, you may find just about every question of yours answered.
See how much God loves you? Although the contacts you made have not returned your call, the information is right here in full detail for you to examine at your leisure!
Here is an actual profile of a Secular Carmelite:
ocdswashprov.org/NewsRome/ProfileOCDS.htm
The site also has the complete Constitutions, Statutes, and all the details of the inner workings of the Order. I also noticed in one of these sections that if enough persons in a location have a desire to become Carmelites, they may make petition and begin formation and study, under certain conditions. Ultimately, if you and a few others really feel called to this vocation, but find it impossible to locate a Community nearby, it may be the Lord inspiring you to walk this path and form a new Chapter in your area. Who knows?
In His holy love,
Carole
J
Joysong
Guest
Excuse my oversight. Some readers might have difficulty finding the Constitutions and Statutes that I mentioned, so I will post the additional link:
ocdswashprov.org/legislation.htm
ocdswashprov.org/legislation.htm
L
Leo44
Guest
What you have refered to is called a study group and I am sure if you had a number of people that wanted to start one you would have to contact the provincial delegate for the area you are in. See the above referenced web site to find that information.
Your brother in Carmel Leo
A
Augustine
Guest
Somehow I thought that communities would form around monasteries or by having at least a Carmelite monk or brother or sister.
Do you mean that the community would be formed by people unexperienced in the Carmelite spirituality, wihout any guidance? If so, are Carmelite monasteries open to seculard aspirants?
TIA
J
Joysong
Guest
Dear Augustine,
This is an excerpt from the National Statutes which may help answer your questions.
As you have seen in the statutes, the study group is supervised. Many Carmelite materials are available for beginning formation. They can be purchased for the aspirants. It would be nice if someone with final profession could lead such a group. I was sent by my community to begin a new chapter in another city, along with another professed member - of course, with the Provincial’s permission. I believe Leo’s wife has done this, also.
Please feel free to ask questions as they arise, Augustine. I will be leaving Sunday evening until 12/21, so I won’t be able to post next week. But I’m sure Leo will be happy to assist you very knowledgably.
God’s peace and joy,
Carole
This is an excerpt from the National Statutes which may help answer your questions.
It is not a necessity to form a community around a monastery, but it does sometimes happen that way, especially if a Prioress gives permission for one of the nuns to start one, which is what happened in my case. After many members had made their final profession, the nun was ordered back into cloister, and our community moved to another location. We had obtained canonical erection and were capable of functioning on our own. Until then, the aspirants (secular people) met in the community room of the monastery and were given formation talks monthly by this nun. We were blessed to be with her for about seven years.
As you have seen in the statutes, the study group is supervised. Many Carmelite materials are available for beginning formation. They can be purchased for the aspirants. It would be nice if someone with final profession could lead such a group. I was sent by my community to begin a new chapter in another city, along with another professed member - of course, with the Provincial’s permission. I believe Leo’s wife has done this, also.
Please feel free to ask questions as they arise, Augustine. I will be leaving Sunday evening until 12/21, so I won’t be able to post next week. But I’m sure Leo will be happy to assist you very knowledgably.
God’s peace and joy,
Carole
J
Joysong
Guest
Dear Augustine,
I just noticed a question you asked previously. “How about experiences of married people joining the OCDS? I wonder if there are many cases of people whose spouses who are not much into living the Faith or even non-Catholics.”
This can be a problem for some. My spouse was not a practicing Catholic, but he knew my deep devotion and respected it, and did not mind my duties to Carmel. It did present a problem at times since a few family members all had birthdays around the same date that our Carmel meetings fell - third Sunday of the month. Naturally, I was required to attend, especially since I held office and had to give formation talks. It required my entire day, getting home after 7 p.m. due to the miles of travel. After many years, he seemed to resent the time it caused me to be away from some of these family functions, although he never insisted that I quit.
There is no real obstacle for married persons, and the Rule embraces chastity “according to our state in life.”
Being short on time today, I cannot say much more. So for now, I entrust you to the Lord and ask His blessing upon you.
Carole
I just noticed a question you asked previously. “How about experiences of married people joining the OCDS? I wonder if there are many cases of people whose spouses who are not much into living the Faith or even non-Catholics.”
This can be a problem for some. My spouse was not a practicing Catholic, but he knew my deep devotion and respected it, and did not mind my duties to Carmel. It did present a problem at times since a few family members all had birthdays around the same date that our Carmel meetings fell - third Sunday of the month. Naturally, I was required to attend, especially since I held office and had to give formation talks. It required my entire day, getting home after 7 p.m. due to the miles of travel. After many years, he seemed to resent the time it caused me to be away from some of these family functions, although he never insisted that I quit.
There is no real obstacle for married persons, and the Rule embraces chastity “according to our state in life.”
Being short on time today, I cannot say much more. So for now, I entrust you to the Lord and ask His blessing upon you.
Carole
A
Augustine
Guest
Dear Carole,
I thank you very much for your kind answers. They were quite reasuring.
For a strange reason, I lean towards joining a community in a monastery. What I’m afraid of is that it might be for vanity…
I hunger a lot to be a “spiritual athlete” in the company of others aiming for the same ultimate goal: meeting Jesus Christ in Heaven. The idea of joining a 3rd order is thus very appealing.
For about a couple of years, I was priviledged to have an Opus Dei priest as spiritual director, which allowed me to get aquainted with their charisms. Now that I know a bit more about 3rd orders, the Opus Dei proposes pretty much the same to its members. However, the charism of contemplation of the Carmelites attract me better.
But before that I need to come into full communion with the Church, which cannot happen at the moment because I maried a divorced woman. I pray daily for this to happen.
So, until then, without sacramental graces, all that’s left to me is to strive to not let my prayer life to die and carry my crosses, hopefully in the direction that Jesus calls me.
God bless you.
I thank you very much for your kind answers. They were quite reasuring.
For a strange reason, I lean towards joining a community in a monastery. What I’m afraid of is that it might be for vanity…
I hunger a lot to be a “spiritual athlete” in the company of others aiming for the same ultimate goal: meeting Jesus Christ in Heaven. The idea of joining a 3rd order is thus very appealing.
For about a couple of years, I was priviledged to have an Opus Dei priest as spiritual director, which allowed me to get aquainted with their charisms. Now that I know a bit more about 3rd orders, the Opus Dei proposes pretty much the same to its members. However, the charism of contemplation of the Carmelites attract me better.
But before that I need to come into full communion with the Church, which cannot happen at the moment because I maried a divorced woman. I pray daily for this to happen.
So, until then, without sacramental graces, all that’s left to me is to strive to not let my prayer life to die and carry my crosses, hopefully in the direction that Jesus calls me.
God bless you.
J
Joysong
Guest
Hi Augustine,
Re your marriage, I sensed this was a commitment you entered into prior to your turning so solidly to God. If you have not already done so, it would be a good idea to speak with a trusted priest and see if something can be done for your situation. Many years ago, I was aware of a “pastoral approach” to these marriages, which allowed the spouse to participate in the sacraments. It is not widely known among the laity, and may not even be a practice in the Church today. It can’t hurt to ask.
I will join you in prayer that God will open some doors and draw you into closer communion with Christ.
In His love,
Carole
Your deep desires reveal the strength of God’s call to you, and no matter what, you are on sure footing if you keep close to Him in prayer.
Re your marriage, I sensed this was a commitment you entered into prior to your turning so solidly to God. If you have not already done so, it would be a good idea to speak with a trusted priest and see if something can be done for your situation. Many years ago, I was aware of a “pastoral approach” to these marriages, which allowed the spouse to participate in the sacraments. It is not widely known among the laity, and may not even be a practice in the Church today. It can’t hurt to ask.
I will join you in prayer that God will open some doors and draw you into closer communion with Christ.
In His love,
Carole
A
Augustine
Guest
I appreciate everybody in this theread who prayed for me.
Last week my wife gathered courage and made an appointment with our pastor about filing for annullment of her previous marriage.
It was just the beginning, but it was the best Christmas gift I got in years!
God bless y’all.
Last week my wife gathered courage and made an appointment with our pastor about filing for annullment of her previous marriage.
It was just the beginning, but it was the best Christmas gift I got in years!
God bless y’all.
A
Augustine
Guest
Are OCDS communities gender exclusive? I sure hope so…
J
Jenlyn
Guest
I am so happy for you! :bounce:
L
Leo44
Guest
Sorry to disappoint you but no-infact I would say women out number men 10 to 1.
Your Brother in Carmel Leo
D
DBT
Guest
That’s how it is here. Maybe 50 or so OCDS . . . about 8 are men.
Augustine, I’m very glad to hear your good news.
A
Augustine
Guest
I guess it is how it is then.
I’m afraid that this question is related to my previous one about OCDS communities being attached to a monastery. Somehow, being all men, in my case, would have an appearance of a religious community.
Well, although there is a community here in town, who I think a fellow female parishioner belongs to, I might also consider one day propecting the monastery in San Christobal, TX, 5 hours away.
I’d like to understand this attraction to being like a religious. Perhaps it’s got to do with the thought of becoming a priest having crossed my mind way back.
The interesting thing about spiritual growth is that I see it in quite a long term. Hopefully, before my last breath.
L
Leo44
Guest
The Friars as they are called are active in the Church, some even have responsibilites for mass etc. much like any priest would have, they don’t all live in monistarys as such. Being a secular we are called to live out our spirituality in the world, that is our charism along with our Carmelite spirituality. We are not mini religious. I’m not suggesting that you think that, I just want to make sure there is no confusion on any one’s part about what we are about.
Leo
J
Jenlyn
Guest
Happy New Year!
I have just started “Fire Within.” It is great so far. Thanks for the recommendation! I feel like I will learn a lot and many questions will be answered.
Peace to you in this New Year.
Jen
I have just started “Fire Within.” It is great so far. Thanks for the recommendation! I feel like I will learn a lot and many questions will be answered.
Peace to you in this New Year.
Jen
A
Augustine
Guest
On the topic of community, if one joins a community, but later, for reason of work or whatever, has to move out of town or even out of state, what would one do then, try to join another community?
TIA
PS: hoping that this wonderful thread isn’t dead…
R
Roses
Guest
Dear friend
It is more important to live in the charisms of the Carmelite Order than to keep the meetings…hmmm if that makes sense. It is more important daily for you to live in the charisms of the order as a Third order Carmelite than for you to be able to keep regular meetings. You should discuss this with whoever is in charge of your formation and ask if they can direct you to a community near to where you are living…
BUT if there is no order near to you do not be down hearted or dispairing, you may be able to keep in touch by letter with you old communtiy and like I say, it is far more important to keep your charisms of the Carmelite order in your daily life and live them daily.
Keep daily Mass, keep devotion to Our Blessed Mother, Keep life as a prayer and keep yourself in the constant Presence of God, keep the Divine office and I will keep you in my prayers always .
God Bless you and much love and peace to you
Teresa
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