Secular Order of Discalced Carmelites

HISTORY

SAINTS

RETREATS

BOOKS

MOUNT CARMEL

LINKS

SECULAR ORDER OF DISCALCED CARMELITES

(ENGLAND & WALES)

'The great Teresian Carmelite family is present in the world in many forms. The nucleus of this family is the Order of Discalced Carmelites - the friars, the enclosed nuns and the seculars. It is the one Order with the same charism. The Order is nourished by the long tradition of Carmel, expressed in the Rule of St. Albert and the doctrine of the Carmelite Doctors of the Church, [St. Teresa of Avila, St. John of the Cross, St. Therese of Lisieux] and the Order's other saints.' (Preface of the Constitutions of the Secular Order. 2003)

Each one strives to recognise the "particular importance of prayer which, nourished by listening to the Word of God and by the liturgy, is conducive to relating with God as a friend, not just in prayer but in daily living. To be committed to this life of prayer demands being nourished by faith, hope and above all, charity, in order to live in the presence and the mystery of the living God." (Art. 9c. Constitutions.)

Secular Carmelites are members of the Roman Catholic Church, either married, single, lay or clerical, who go about their daily life, hoping to be witnesses to the love and God and the value of prayer and contemplation.

Daily Life: Secular Carmelites strive to develop their spiritual life by fostering a life of prayer; they practise solitary prayer for half an hour each day. They also value the sacramental and liturgical life of the Church by praying Morning, Evening and if possible, Night Prayer of the Church. Whenever possible they participate in the daily celebration of the Eucharist. They wear the brown scapular of Our Lady of Mount Carmel, who is present in a special way in the life of every Carmelite.

Formation and preparation for the taking of the Definitive Promise, at the end of at least 5 years, is undertaken by the Community or group to which the person belongs. This formation enables the Secular Carmelite to develop in human, Christian and spiritual maturity for the service of the Church.

Regional Delegate for the Secular Order:

For details of your nearest group or to obtain more information about the Order you are invited to contact either: Fr. Matt Blake OCD, Regional Delegate or Jane Nicholson OCDS, National President.

Following the National Council Meeting in December 2007 - the following dates were agreed.

Western and South West Region - 19 April 2008 - Boars Hill
Northern Region - 26 April 2008 - Leeds
Eastern Region - 28 June 2008 - Spalding
Northern Region - 12 October 2008 - Preston
London Region - 22 November 2008 - The Priory, Kensington

Further information will be sent at a later date by your Regional Representative

Same programme will take place on both days - Heather Ward will be organising the programme and will send further information at a later date. Both days will be open to Directors of Formation who are welcome to bring another member of their group.

28 July - 1 August 2008 at the Marist Sisters in Nympsfield, Glos. Fr Matt Blake will be giving the retreat

There are 32 places available in single and double rooms. Places are limited - please book early via Caroline Dawnay OCDS - Tel: 01749 850544
Email: caroline.dawnay@tesco.net

2008 is going to be a full year for Seculars and I encourage you to support the above meetings.

Communities/groups of Secular Carmelites meet at the following locations in England and Wales.
As you will see, some of the following groups/communities have given information about themselves and they hope this is of interest and use to enquirers.

Kensington 'O.L. of Mt. Carmel & St. Teresa' 2nd Saturday Details
Kensington 'O.L. of Mt. Carmel & Ven. Hermann Cohen' 2nd Wed.
London South 'O.L. of Mt. Carmel & St. Joseph' 2nd Sunday
Notting Hill 'Holy Trinity' 2nd Sunday
Ealing (t.b.a.)

Leeds 'Elizabeth of the Trinity' 1st Sunday
Lincs: (Boston) 'St.John of the Cross' 1st Sunday

'St. Therese' 2nd Monday
'St. Elijah' 2nd Monday
'St. Joseph' 2nd Tuesday Details

Birkenhead 'O.L. Help of Christians' 3rd Sunday
Rock Ferry 'Flower of Carmel' 3rd Sunday

Constitutions of the Secular Order
Secular Order Newsletter