St. Teresa of Jesus of the Andes
Secular Order of Discalced Carmelites (OCDS)

Peabody, Massachusetts - USA

The Secular Order of the Teresian Carmel

The members of the Secular Order of Discalced Carmelites are faithful members of the Church, called to live in allegiance to Christ “through a friendship with the one we know loves us” and in service to the Church.

Under the protection of Our Lady of Mount Carmel, in the biblical tradition of the prophet Elijah 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 baptism. (OCDS Constitutions, 3)

François_Gérard_-_St_Theresa_(detail).jpg — ST. TERESA OF AVILA
Doctor of the Church

The origin of the Discalced Carmel is to be found in St. Teresa of Jesus. She lived with profound faith in God’s mercy which strengthened her to persevere in prayer, humility, love for her brothers and sisters, and love for the Church, leading her to the grace of spiritual matrimony.
Her evangelical self-denial, disposition to service and perseverance in the practice of the virtues are 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. (OCDS Constitutions, 7)

Learn more about the Teresian Carmel

ST. JOHN OF THE CROSS
Doctor of the Church

Saint John of the Cross was the companion of Saint Teresa in the formulation of the Discalced Carmelite Order. He inspires the Secular Carmelite to be vigilant in the practice of faith, hope and charity. He guides the Secular 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. (Constitutions, 8)

The Living Flame of Love

26.Matka Boża Szkaplerzna.1.jpg — OUR LADY OF MOUNT CARMEL
Mother & Patroness of Carmel

In the interior dynamism of following Jesus, Carmel contemplates Mary as Mother and Sister, as “the perfect model of the disciple of the Lord” and, as such, a model for the life of the members of the Order. The Virgin of the Magnificat proclaims the break with the old order and announces the beginning of a new order in which God casts the mighty down from their thrones and exalts the poor. Mary places herself on the side of the poor and proclaims how God acts in history.

For Secular Carmelites, Mary is a model of total commitment to God’s Kingdom. She teaches us to listen to God’s Word in Scripture and in life, to believe in it in every circumstance in order to live its demands. All this she did, without understanding many things; pondering all in her heart until light dawned through contemplative prayer. (OCDS Constitutions, 29)

Queen & Beauty of Carmel, Pray for Us!

cropped si. joseph protector of carmel.jpg — ST. JOSEPH
Patron & Protector of Carmel

In the Teresian Carmel love of Mary, Mother and Queen, is united with love of her spouse Saint Joseph. The Father also gave him, “a just man”, guardianship of his Son Jesus Christ in the mystery of the Incarnation.
Following the example of St. Teresa, members can find in St. Joseph a role model for a life of humble adoration and prayerful communion with Jesus, as well as a master of prayer and silence. Patron of the interior life, he is an example of faith and of being “constantly attentive to God, open to the signs of God’s presence and receptive to God’s plans”.
Being a chaste and faithful spouse, he is the model of a father solicitous in care of the family, and of a responsible laborer who considers his work as an “expression of love”. In communion with the Church and the Order, who venerate him as their “provident Protector”, members of the Secular Order find in Saint Joseph an incomparable protector to whom they can entrust the hopes, the struggles and the work of every day.
(Constitutions 31a) | Litany of St. Joseph.

St. Joseph, Protector of Carmel, Pray for Us!

Elijah Jesus Moses with Carmelites.jpeg

THE HOLY PROPHET ELIJAH
Spiritual Father of all Carmelites

Elijah represents the prophetical tradition of Carmel and is an inspiration to live in the presence of God, seeking Him in solitude and silence with zeal for God’s glory. The Secular Carmelites live the prophetic dimension of Christian life and Carmelite spirituality 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. (OCDS Constitutions, 5)

“With zeal, have I been zealous for the Lord God of Hosts.”

— 1 Kings 19:10