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"Follow Me"
John 21:19

"I am yours.
I was born for you.
What do you want of me?"
​
St. Teresa of Avila

Discalced Carmelite Secular Order Canada OCDS

Discalced Carmelite Secular Order Canada OCDS

Discalced Carmelite Secular Order Canada OCDS

Discalced Carmelite Secular Order Canada OCDS

Discalced Carmelite Secular Order Canada OCDS

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ABOUT OCDS

Discover the rich history of the Secular Order of Discalced Carmelites (OCDS), rooted in St. Teresa of Ávila’s 16th-century reform and inspired by Prophet Elijah and the Blessed Virgin Mary. With over 45,000 members in 74 countries, OCDS transforms lives through contemplative prayer and Carmelite spirituality.

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OUR DAILY LIFE

Curious about the daily life of a Secular Order of Discalced Carmelite (OCDS) member? Balancing prayer, work, and family, OCDS members live out St. Teresa’s Carmelite charism through daily Mass, meditation, and devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary. Discover how they deepen their faith in the world.

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FORMATION

Intrigued by the journey to become a Secular Order of Discalced Carmelite (OCDS) member? Through a structured formation process, aspirants grow in prayer, study Carmelite spirituality, and embrace the charism of St. Teresa and St. John of the Cross. Learn how OCDS members are formed to live a life of deeper union with God.

Discalced Carmelite Secular Order Canada OCDS

Discalced Carmelite Secular Order Canada OCDS

Discalced Carmelite Secular Order Canada OCDS

Discalced Carmelite Secular Order Canada OCDS

Discalced Carmelite Secular Order Canada OCDS

OUR IDENTITY

Carmelite Seculars, together with Friars and Nuns, are sons and daughters of the Order of Our Lady of Mount Carmel and of St Teresa of Jesus. As a result, ​they share the same charism with the religious, each according to their particular way of life. It is one family with the same spiritual possessions, the same call to holiness (cf. Eph 1:4; 1 Pet 1:15) and the same apostolic mission. Secular members contribute to the Order the benefits proper to their secular state of life. (Const 1)

OUR VALUES

  1.  Live in allegiance to Jesus Christ

  2.  Be diligent in meditating on the law of the Lord

  3.  Give time to spiritual reading especially works of the Saints of the Order

  4.  Participate in the Church's Liturgy both the Eucharist and the Liturgy of the Hours

  5.  Be concerned for the needs and the good of others

  6.  Arm ourselves with the practice of the virtues, as we live an intense life of the faith, hope and charity

  7.  Seek interior silence and solitude in our life of prayer

  8.  Use prudent discretion in all that we do

OUR COMMITMENTS 

  1.  Daily Mass if possible

  2.  Daily recitation of Morning and Evening Prayer from the Liturgy of the Hours.

  3.  Recitation of Night Prayer each night, if possible.

  4.  Spend one half hour each day in the practice of mental prayer to strengthen our relationship with God, so that we can become true witnesses to His Presence in the world.

  5.  Members will always wear the little brown cloth Scapular. The scapular medal, properly blessed may be substituted for the cloth Scapular.

  6.  Attend monthly community meetings to receive the Initial Teresian Carmelite Formation leading to Profession and ongoing formation leading to Profession and ongoing formation of life.

  7.  Members are called in a special way to exercise fraternal charity and the apostolate.

  8.  Strive to deepen our prayer life which leads to service in God's Kingdom on earth

  9.  Participate in frequent and meaningful reception of the Sacrament of Reconciliation

  10.  In addition to the days of fasting and of abstinence proper to the Church in Canada, and in response to our Carmelite traditions, Secular Carmelites, unless excused by reason of age or illness, will fast on the vigils of specified feast days as stated in the Statues of the Secular Order

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DISCALCED CARMELITE SECULAR ORDER

CANADA

OCDS NATIONAL OFFICE

Fallowfield Drive

​Kitchener, ON

N2C 0B1

Canada​

 

​ocdsofficeofsecretariat@gmail.com​

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