SPIRIT and TRUTH Secular Order of at St. Philip’s 2nd Sunday of Lent - March 20, 2011 Dear Parishioners of St. Philip the Apostle, we of the Most Holy OCDS Community are pleased to have this opportunity to introduce ourselves to you. The Most Holy Trinity community of the Secular Order of (OCDS) is one of several OCDS communities within the Houston metropolitan area. We were canonically erected June 5, 1998. Our certificate was issued in by our General at that time, Fr. Camilo Macisse, OCD.

Secular Carmelites, together with the and , are sons and daughters of the Order of Our Lady of and St. Teresa of Jesus. As a result, we share the same charism with the religious, each according to his or her particular state of life. We are one family with the same spiritual possessions, the same call to holiness and the same apostolic mission. Secular mem- bers contribute to the Order the benefits proper to their secular state of life.

Our lay-religious membership in the Order goes back to the . Gradually these relationships took on an char- acter, forming part of the and permitting us to take part in its charism and spirituality. In light of the Church’s new theology of the , Seculars live this membership with a clear secular identity.

The origin of the Discalced (“”) Carmelites is to be found in St. Teresa of Jesus. She lived with profound faith in God’s mercy which strengthened her to persevere in , humility and love for her brothers and sisters. God’s mercy inflamed her love for the Church, leading her to the grace of spiritual matrimony.

St. Teresa’s evangelical self-denial, disposition to service and perseverance in the practice of the virtues form a daily guide to living the spiritual life. Her teachings on prayer and the spiritual life are essential to the formation and life of the Secular Order. St. was the companion of Teresa in the formation of the Discalced Carmelite Order which dates back to the 16th century. He inspires the Secular Carmelite to be vigilant in the practice of faith, hope and . He guides the Secu- lar Carmelite through the dark night to union with God. In this union with God, the Secular Carmelite finds the true freedom of the children of God.

The members of the Secular Order of Discalced Carmelites are faithful members of the Church called to live “in allegiance to Jesus Christ’ through “friendship with the One we know loves us” (St. Teresa of Avila) and in service to the Church. Under the protection of , in the biblical tradition of the prophet and inspired by the teachings of St. Teresa of Jesus and St. John of the Cross, they seek to deepen their Christian commitment received in .

The Mary is present in a special way, most of all as a model of faithfulness in listening to the Lord and in service to Him and to others. Mary is the one who preserved in her heart the life and actions of her Son and meditated on them, providing for us an example of .

At Cana she counseled the stewards to do what the Lord commanded. Mary is an example of apostolic service. On another occasion, she waited, persevering in prayer with the apostles, for the coming of the Holy Spirit. Hence, she gave witness to in- tercessory prayer. She is Mother of the Order. Secular Carmel enjoys her special protection and cultivates a sincere Marian de- votion.

Elijah represents the prophetical tradition of Carmel, inspiring us to live in the presence of God, seeking Him in solitude and silence with zeal for God’s glory. The Secular Carmelite lives the prophetic dimension of Christian life and Carmelite spiritual- ity by promoting God’s law of charity and truth in the world—above all by making themselves the voice for those who cannot on their own express this love and this truth.

The Secular Order’s profession of the vows of obedience and chastity according to one’s state in life is a unique factor which distinguishes its member from all secular groups affili- ated with Monastic orders.

We express our joy and gratitude in now calling St. Philip our home where we meet once a month. We invite you to visit with members of our community after Mass. We will be available to answer questions or provide you with more information.

“We can only learn to know ourselves and do what we can - namely, surrender our will and fulfill God’s will in us.” Saint Teresa of Avila