The life of the Secular Order frequently avail of the Sacrament of Carmelite is a calling from God, a true Reconciliation. We keep the fasting vocation in and for the Church. Prayer laws of the Church, and we fast on and the apostolate, when they are vigils of and major genuine, are inseparable. St. Teresa Carmelite feasts. writes, “The purpose of prayer is good works.” The graces we receive in prayer ought to have an effect on us and on the whole world.

Carmel is all Mary’s.

The brown of Our Lady of St. is our habit. It symbolizes that we are under the loving History protection of Our Lady and that we The Carmelite Order takes its name pledge ourselves to her service. She is from Mount Carmel in the Holy Land, our Queen and Mother. St. Teresa of Jesus where in the twelfth century a band of Obligations of Membership What is the timetable for Western lived a life of prayer becoming a Secular Order and penance for God. Their first chapel was dedicated to Our Lady. The Prophet Secular Order Discalced Discalced Carmelite? belong to a local group or to a larger was their father-figure. His powerful words, “I have been most canonically-established community. We After some initial visits, attendance at zealous for the Lord God of hosts,” (1 meet monthly, and this is an important meetings for one year is required so that Kings 19:14) are the motto of our Order. obligation. Meetings provide for initial the aspirant may learn more about the About 1208, these hermits were given a and on-going formation in the writings OCDS life and discern with the Rule of Life by St. Albert, of of our great Carmelite tradition, a community if this is his/her calling. The Jerusalem. This is the same Rule which deepening in awareness of how to live candidate may then be approved to Carmelite , , and seculars out our vocation, and fellowship and receive the scapular and begin formal follow today. mutual support. formation. After two years, he/she may be approved to make a Temporary Each day, members of the Secular Order The Order spread throughout Europe. In Promise of chastity, poverty and the 16th century, it was renewed by St. of Discalced Carmelites commit to pray obedience for three years. Then one Morning Prayer, Evening Prayer, and— Teresa of Avila, who called her first may make the Definitive Promise for of nuns “discalced,” from the when possible—Night Prayer, from the life. . We spend at least Spanish word “descalzo,” meaning “,” or “reformed.” Together half an hour in personal prayer. We do This entire period of formation requires with St. John of the Cross, she founded our best to attend daily Mass. Members about six years. numerous communities of nuns and every type of work. Ordained diocesan friars in committed to building up and priests may also be Secular Order the Church through love, prayer and members of the OCDS. service. There are more than 45,000 Secular Discalced The Discalced Carmelite life thrives Order Discalced Carmelites throughout throughout the world. We count many the world, and more than 6,000 in the carmelites and Blessed among our numbers. United States. In the Western United Our rich spiritual tradition continues to States, we are organized into 38 draw countless men and women to God. canonically established communities St. Teresa, St. John of the Cross, and St. and 26 beginning study groups. We are Thérèse have each been declared a under the jurisdiction of the Discalced . Other outstanding Carmelite friars. Carmelites are Bl. Elizabeth of the , St. Teresa of Los Andes and St. For more information, contact: (St. Teresa Benedicta). Email: [email protected] There have always been laypeople who have desired to share in the spiritual life of Carmel. Before Vatican II, these communities were called “.” Now they are referred to as “Secular Order Discalced Carmelites,” abbreviated as “OCDS.” Purpose

Secular Order Discalced Carmelites are men and women in the Church who are called to a deeper spiritual life. Under the protection of and inspired by St. Teresa of Avila, St. John of the Cross, and St. Thérèse of Lisieux, we make a commitment to the Discalced Carmelite St. Thérèse of the Child Jesus and of the Holy Face Order to seek God for the Church and the world. The Secular Order Carmelite Secular Order Discalced Carmelites are longs to seek God through prayer, to married or single, from all walks of life, find Him, and to share Him with others. from every level of education, and from