About the Discalced Carmelite Network and OCDS

About the Discalced Carmelites Network

This site is the personal apostolate of a professed member of the Secular Order of Discalced Carmelites. I am an extended member of the Holy Spirit OCDS Community in Mobile, AL, USA. This site is not officially affiliated with the Secular Order of Discalced Carmelites or the Order of Discalced Carmelites.

Purpose of the Discalced Carmelites Network

That God shall be known to whole world, and being known to be loved, and being loved to be served. And that Carmel be known in the world. And for the encouragement of souls in vocations to the priesthood, consecrated religious life, and third orders; especially encouraging all vocations to the Order of Carmelites Discalced. And to assist souls that God is calling in locating and contacting nearby OCD and OCDS communities.

Who are the Secular Members of the Order of Carmelites Discalced?

"A member of the Secular Order of Our Lady of Mount Carmel and Saint Teresa of Jesus is a practicing member of the Catholic Church who, under the protection of Our Lady of Mount Carmel, and inspired by Saint Teresa of Jesus and Saint John of the Cross, makes the commitment to the Order to seek the face of God for the sake of the Church and the world." Fr. P. Aloysius Deeney, OCD

Daily Life of a Carmelite Discalced Secular

A member of the Order of Carmelites Discalced Secular (OCDS) undertakes:

  1. To attend daily Mass if possible;
  2. To pray daily Morning and Evening Prayer (Lauds and Vespers) of the Liturgy of the Hours - the official prayer of the Church - and, if possible, Night Prayer (Compline) before retiring;
  3. To devote at least half an hour daily to mental prayer in an atmosphere of interior silence and solitude;
  4. To wear, as a sign of one's devotion to Our Lady and one's membership in her Order, the brown Scapular of Our Lady of Mount Carmel.
  5. To participate and share in the fraternal life of the Carmelite community.
  6. To progress in life long formation.

For all OCD Monasteries and Convents, OCDS Communities, Study Groups and Groups in Discernment;
the Discalced Carmelites Network gladly offers FREE WEB SERVICE for those would like to have their own web site.

  • Single community dashboard in this site's common format and navigation.
  • Online, self-managed community calendar with controllable access (public and private settings).
  • Images and photos directory
  • Documents directory
  • Audio library (e.g., retreat talks)
  • Site directed email to your existing mailbox or to 1 POP mailbox (receive only), if desired.
  • Password protected 'members only' blog where you can also self-manage dynamic content like agendas, minutes, newsletters, etc.
  • Indefinite site maintenance.

What information are your visitors interested in?

  • Date your community was established.
  • Point of contact for site directed email. [Email addresses are encrypted to prevent spambots from harvesting your email address.]
  • Members who form your local council and community. [First names only for reasons of privacy.]
  • Meeting Location: address, photo of exterior, map and directions [Google Maps Link]
  • Community photograph.
  • Formation program.
  • Brochures for inquirers.
  • Community newsletter.
  • Calendar of meetings (with times) and retreats.
  • Documents you wish to share with others.
  • Retreat talks you wish to share with others.

Contact the Discalced Carmelites Network

Discuss [this offer] of humble service to your community with your council and community and [contact] the Discalced Carmelites Network when you're ready to light your candle on the web. Typically your community dashboard page will be online by the following weekend - the webmaster has a day job.