third order carmelites

[dashso40]

I just recently learned that there is a 3rd order that is for laity…I thought Carmelites were just religious…Since I am married, I just would like to know from other third order Carmelites, is it possible to do this and be married with little kids and I work?, I just feel this need to be closer to God…I have to do more research but I would like to hear from others and their experiences…

 

[scottywolf777]

I just recently learned that there is a 3rd order that is for laity…I thought Carmelites were just religious…Since I am married, I just would like to know from other third order Carmelites, is it possible to do this and be married with little kids and I work?, I just feel this need to be closer to God…I have to do more research but I would like to hear from others and their experiences…

actually I’m a thrid order franciscan now called secular franciscans even though I have some carmelite leanings. I jokingly say that St Therese the Little Flower is one of my girl friends since she sends me roses when she doesn’t hear from me in awhile. There is a group here on catholic answers started by sr helena called climbing mount carmel you might be interested in. As with all third orders there will be some paperwork to start filling out an application which I beleive you can do online now and proof of baptism and such. This will be followed by at least a year of formation after which time you’ll recieve profession. I have rather simplified the process because different communities have different rules. If you simply google secular carmelite it’ll give you a website that will give you more info and who to contact for your province.

 

[dashso40]

Thank you

 

[barb_finnegan]

I was in the Discalced Carmelite Seculars [OCDS] from 1994 to 2000.

I was clothed in the Scapular after six months in February 1995 and made temporary promises in February 1997. I ended up not being able to make final promises in 2000. The priest/spiritual director and the formation director put me through a very grueling [and emotionally draining] evaluation-verbal and written-before they and the community council determined that I didn’t have a vocation.

When I went in, I was still technically a member of the Secular Franciscans. I had to get a letter from the lay head of the-then Province that my former fraternity was located in, releasing me from the profession I made in 1980.

As far as I know, I didn’t have to submit any other paperwork or show that I was validly baptized and confirmed.

Right now, I’m not in any ‘group’ other than Perpetual Adoration and a Latin Mass chapel. I tend now to ‘shy away’ from formal groups. I’ve been ‘burned’ too often, and disappointed to boot!

But I’m not embittered towards my former Carmelite group. When my mother died in 2004, I went to the home of the formation director [her hour follows mine in Adoration] after I left the hospital and bawled on her shoulder. She helped to comfort and calm me down, then let me use her phone to call relatives and friends. Some of the members came to the wake and funeral Mass. And if I see any of them while out and about, I’ll say ‘hi’ and talk with them. So there’s no hard feelings…

I loved being part of the Carmelites when I was with them. When I went to Avila and Segovia, Spain, and to Aylesford, England, I brought back souvenirs to distribute to the community, and let them know I remembered everyone in those holy places. I loved telling the members the things I knew about Carmelite history and its Saints and Blesseds. And I met other Carmelite Seculars when I went on the annual retreats, and to the one Congress I attended in 1997! Those memories will always stay with me! And I still have the large Scapular and other items that were given to me at my reception and temporary profession, as well as all my Carmelite books!

 

[drforjc]

I’m a Lay Carmelite (O.Carm)
Trying to live out my Carmelite charism is challenging but I find the support of the local Lay Carmelite community invaluable. It becomes almost like family… well, in a sense it is a family. I’d encourage you to check it out. Our foci are prayer, community, and service.
Remember, it is a vocation, not a club or another faith-sharing group that you can join and leave whenever… that’s why there is a lengthy discernment period and extensive formation for new candidates.

 

[TeresaJG]

I was in the Discalced Carmelite Seculars [OCDS] from 1994 to 2000.

I was clothed in the Scapular after six months in February 1995 and made temporary promises in February 1997. I ended up not being able to make final promises in 2000. The priest/spiritual director and the formation director put me through a very grueling [and emotionally draining] evaluation-verbal and written-before they and the community council determined that I didn’t have a vocation.

When I went in, I was still technically a member of the Secular Franciscans. I had to get a letter from the lay head of the-then Province that my former fraternity was located in, releasing me from the profession I made in 1980.

As far as I know, I didn’t have to submit any other paperwork or show that I was validly baptized and confirmed.

Right now, I’m not in any ‘group’ other than Perpetual Adoration and a Latin Mass chapel. I tend now to ‘shy away’ from formal groups. I’ve been ‘burned’ too often, and disappointed to boot!

But I’m not embittered towards my former Carmelite group. When my mother died in 2004, I went to the home of the formation director [her hour follows mine in Adoration] after I left the hospital and bawled on her shoulder. She helped to comfort and calm me down, then let me use her phone to call relatives and friends. Some of the members came to the wake and funeral Mass. And if I see any of them while out and about, I’ll say ‘hi’ and talk with them. So there’s no hard feelings…

I loved being part of the Carmelites when I was with them. When I went to Avila and Segovia, Spain, and to Aylesford, England, I brought back souvenirs to distribute to the community, and let them know I remembered everyone in those holy places. I loved telling the members the things I knew about Carmelite history and its Saints and Blesseds. And I met other Carmelite Seculars when I went on the annual retreats, and to the one Congress I attended in 1997! Those memories will always stay with me! And I still have the large Scapular and other items that were given to me at my reception and temporary profession, as well as all my Carmelite books!

I am very sorry to hear that the community didn’t allow you to make final promises. I didn’t think they turned anyone away. Perhaps you should try a different community if it is possible. I am going to begin the formation process soon and am very excited.

Blessings,
Teresa

 

[ThomasEugene]

i am an aspirant in a local OCDS community. It’s more of a family. But me, and my twin brothe are the only males in the community, and the only teenager. All of them are in their 40s to 70s. But we’re so overwhelmed with their motherly welcome. Still discerning if I would join since I am involved with the Lay Community of the Intercessors of the Lamb.