Carmelite Secular | Carmelite Monastery of Jackson Mississippi

OCDS

"The Secular Order of Discalced Carmelites" - October 2019

Discalced Carmelite Seculars are practicing members of the Catholic Church who, under the protection of Our Lady of Mount Carmel and inspired by St Teresa of Jesus and St John of the Cross, make the commitment to the Discalced Carmelite Order to seek the face of God for the sake of the church and the world.

Discalced Carmelite Seculars come from all walks of life, from every level of education and from every type of work. They are Catholic laypersons over the age of 18 (married or unmarried) or ordained diocesan priests or deacons. There are more than 45,000 Discalced Carmelite Seculars worldwide and more than 6000 in the United States. They gather in canonically erected communities or recognized study groups under the guidance and leadership of the order.

St. Joseph and St. Therese of Lisieux
Secular Carmelite Community
(Jackson, MS)

2024
The Secular Order of Discalced Carmelites

What is required of Discalced Carmelite Seculars?

1. Meditation: A suggestion is 30 minutes each day.

2. Morning Prayer, Evening Prayer, and if possible, Night Prayer from the Liturgy of the Hours.

3. Mass: Daily if possible.

4. Mary: Every day, Seculars express devotion to Mary. Their primary devotion is to imitate Mary in "reflecting on all these things in her heart" (Luke 2:19).

5. Meetings: Seculars are called to communities whose members have made a commitment to one

another. Meetings consist of formation, information and fellowship.

6. Mission: Seculars share in the Carmelite mission of knowing God so God can be made known.

Timetable for becoming a Discalced Carmelite Secular

ASPIRANCY

Attendance at 12 monthly meetings of the Community is required so the Aspirant may be supported by its members as he or she learns more about Secular Life and discerns whether he or she has a vocation to the Order.

FORMATION TO FIRST PROMISE

A minimum of two years is required for study and growth in prayer, the apostolate and community life. At the end of this time, the Council of the Community may invite the candidate to make a Temporary (First) Promise of Poverty, Chastity and Obedience to the Order.

FORMATION TO DEFINITIVE PROMISE

At least three years precedes the Definitive Promise. Either period of formation may be extended if the Council and the individual in formation agree that doing so is in the best interest of the candidate.

*The entire period of formation commonly requires about six years.