Lay Carmel in Britain
Lay Carmelite Communities
Since the earliest days of the Order, lay people have been integral members of the Carmelite Family. You can access information about each of the Third Order Chapters and Carmelite Spirituality Groups in Britain by visiting the Communities section of this website (via the menu on the left) and clicking on the relevant map pins and ensuing bubbles for further information.
What today is the Carmelite Order began not as a religious order but with a small number of mostly lay people who came together and formed community on the slopes of Mount Carmel at the beginning of the thirteenth century. It would be some years before they were given an official status by the Church authorities. Over the centuries many people have felt called to Carmel: some as friars, nuns or sisters; others within the context of married family life and others as single people either living alone or in small informal communities.
Carmel is bigger than any individual expression it may have and is not the private preserve of any particular group. In Britain there are many different people who seek to allow God to touch their lives with the Carmelite charism. Many of these are members of the Carmelite Third Order but there are many others.
Lay Carmelites celebrating at an international meeting of the Order in Rome in 2006
The small mountain range known as Carmel has become a symbol of the Carmelite way of life: grounded, solid, deep, yet reaching high. It was here in the Land made holy by the presence of the Saviour that Carmelite spirituality was given birth to at the beginning of the 13th century in the hearts of a small band of mostly lay people who desired to respond to an extraordinary love. Carmelites are united in a contemplative spirit of prayer, community and the desire to serve God and the people with whom we share the world.
Lay Carmelites are just what the name implies: lay men and women who form an integral part of the Carmelite family and who try to live the Carmelite way of life in the ordinary circumstances of our lives.
- We are ordinary people responding to an extraordinary Love
- We seek and serve Christ in the daily circumstances of our lives
- We embrace Mary - Our Lady - and the prophet Elijah as models
- We find support in an international spiritual family
- We follow an ancient path for today's pilgrim
Lay Carmelites from around the world at their International Congress in 2006
Could God be calling you to Lay Carmel? If you seek personal growth and spiritual formation in the spirit of Carmel... If you desire an opportunity to share your spiritual journey with others... if you would like to belong to the world-wide Carmelite family... you can make enquiries to:
*from: www.carmelite.org
Domus Commission 12-13 November 2010
The Curia’s Commission charged with the oversight of the Domus Carmelitana met in Rome on 12 November 2010. Present were Giovanni Grosso (Ita.), the “legal representative”, James Des Lauriers (Aus.), Manuel Bonilla (Cat.),John Lanahan (hotel financier), Janet Keeffe (UK tour operator), Jeffrey Cull (US marketing) and Kevin Alban (Curia). The commission conducted a thorough inspection of the site, inside and out, before meeting with the surveyor and architect to discuss future plans and developments. It was noted that great progress had been made with the filling of the hole in the back garden of the Domus. The commission also discussed the Domus’ finances and expressed its satisfaction with the good level of occupancy achieved so far in 2010.
www.domuscarmelitana.com
Domus Commission 12-13 November 2010
Carmelite NGO Celebrates "Freedom of Belief" on World Human Rights Day
The Carmelite NGO is inviting people around the world to celebrate World Human Rights Day on December 10, 2010, by focusing on "Freedom of Belief." People are asked to reflect on what is happening, to pray for all the people involved, and to make some concrete commitment that will help improve the situation.
A booklet, created by the Carmelite NGO for this celebration, offers a series of reflections based on specific articles of the United Nations Declaration on Human Rights and readings from Sacred Scripture.
These days of prayer and reflection have been very popular in recent years with Carmelite schools, Carmelite parish groups, as well as non Carmelite organizations around the world.
The booklet, designed specifically for this day, can be downloaded from the website of the Carmelite NGO at www.carmelitengo.org
Carmelite NGO Celebrates "Freedom of Belief" on World Human Rights Day
Inauguration of the new "Casa San Nuno" in Fátima
After changing its name immediately after the canonization and the important renovations that took place in the last two years, the new "Casa San Nuno" was inaugurated in Fátima, Portugal, on 14th November in memory of all of the saints of the Order. All of the accommodations were reorganized, creating new rooms and gathering spaces named after Carmelite saints. The furnishings were also modernized, and it is now equipped with modern computer technology and other equipment for conferences and meetings.
The ceremony began with the celebration of solemn vespers, presided by the bishop of Leiria Fátima, António Marto. Afterwards, a PowerPoint presentation was shown, illustrating the history of the house and the improvements made. Among the others who participated in this meeting were: the mayor of Ourém, the rector of the sanctuary of Fátima, the head of tourism for the Leiria Fátima region, the Provincial of the discalced Carmelites, Fr. Pedro Ferreira, OCD, the President of CIRP (Conference of Religious Institutes of Portugal) and the Commissary General of Portugal, Fr. Agostinho Castro, O. Carm. The celebration was concluded by the Prior General, Fr. Fernando Millán Romeral, O. Carm., who underlined the international dimension of the house whose cornerstone was blessed by Prior General Killian Lynch, O. Carm. in 1955. Fr. Fernando highlight ed the importance of the house for Lay Carmelites. It was here that CITOC was born, which at the beginning meant "Centre of Information for the Carmelite Third Order."
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Inauguration of the new "Casa San Nuno" in Fátima
Frequently Asked Questions about Lay Carmelite
1. What are the basic steps to become a Lay Carmelite?
2. What constitutes the formation period, and what does profession mean?
3. Does a Lay Carmelite profess vows? If so, what are they?
4. What exactly is a Lay Carmelite, and what is the Lay Carmelite Order?
5. Is the Lay Carmelite Order different from the Third Order of Carmel?
6. What are the daily obligations particular to the Lay Carmelite vocation?
7. What is the difference between “Lay Carmelites” and “Secular Carmelites”?
8. Why do individuals become members of the Third Order of Carmel?
9. Why would one become a Lay Carmelite as opposed to a Third Order member of one of the other major religious Orders?
10. If I live in a place where there is no Lay Carmelite Community can I still become a Lay Carmelite?
11. How do Lay Carmelites relate to each other “in community”?
1. What are the basic steps to become a Lay Carmelite?
2. What constitutes the formation period, and what does profession mean?
Formation is considered extremely important for those wishing to become members of the Carmelite Third Order. The basic points that are to be addressed during initial formation are discussed in the Rule for the Third Order. Precisely how this is done varies rather widely from region to region around the world, as does the time-line for its completion. Typically there is a period prior to one’s Reception (analogous to what is known as postulancy for those in the First and Second Orders of Carmel), also a period of time prior to when one may be allowed to make a Profession (analogous to the novitiate for those in the First and Second Orders). The initial Profession is that of promises to live the way of life of a Third Order member that is outlined in the Third Order Rule and whatever local Statutes may be in place for a given region.
3. Does a Lay Carmelite profess vows? If so, what are they?
Lay Carmelites typically profess only Promises. However, after a considerable time of prayer, discernment and competent spiritual direction, one may profess two vows: obedience, and chastity – in accordance with one’s state in life. These vows are private, vis-à-vis the public vows of religion (poverty, chastity and obedience) that a Religious makes. The taking of these vows is neither encouraged nor discouraged.
4. What exactly is a Lay Carmelite, and what is the Lay Carmelite Order?
The Lay Carmelite Order is a secular branch of the Carmelite Order which includes all the lay people who follow the Third Order Rule. The Lay Carmelite is a true member of the Order of the Brothers of the Blessed Virgin Mary of Mount Carmel. He/she shares in the unique spirit of the Carmelite family and, led by the Holy Spirit, has an influence on the life of the entire family.
5. Is the Lay Carmelite Order different from the Third Order of Carmel?
No. The Third Order of Carmel actually has several components – the Lay Carmelites being one of them, albeit the largest group of Third Order Carmelites. One will often see in writings the term “Lay Carmelite Order,” whose members are indeed, Third Order Carmelites. Some documentation – such as the Rule for the Third Order of Carmel, even uses the term The Carmelite Secular Third Order.
6. What are the daily obligations particular to the Lay Carmelite vocation?
According to the Rule for the Third Order of Carmel (art. 36-41) Lay Carmelites live a life of intense prayer based on daily meditation (use of Lectio Divina is a highly acceptable method), participation in the sacramental life of the Church centred on daily Mass and reception of Holy Communion as often as possible, praying at least Morning, Evening and Night Prayer from the Liturgy of the Hours, the wearing of the Brown Scapular of Carmel, and cultivating a love and devotion for our Blessed Mother nourished with practices such as the praying of the Rosary.
7. What is the difference between “Lay Carmelites” and “Secular Carmelites”?
Subsequent to the reform of St. Teresa of Avila, the family of Carmel became, as it were, two “traditions” of Carmel – each with their First, Second and Third Order components. Those who remained with the original component have become known as the “O.Carm.s” (Order of Carmelites – Calced), and those who became part of the Teresian reform became known as the O.C.D.s (Order of Discalced Carmelites). Lay people in the O.Carm.s. have become known as T.O.C.s or T.O.Carm.s. (Third Order Carmelites) – i.e. Lay Carmelites, and those with the O.C.D.s have become known as O.C.D.s members – i.e. Secular Carmelites. The actual time-line of formation for both has become quite similar. However, one major difference would be that early formation for O.C.D.s members in many places gives heavy emphasis on St. Teresa of Avila and St. John of the Cross, while T.O.Carm.s. may provide more broadly based information about Carmel and wait until after profession to delve deeper into St. Teresa of Avila and St. John of the Cross. Both are organized into local communities – or chapters, and (primarily for meetings) wear a similar 6” x 8” brown wool cloth scapular. Organizationally they are much the same. The daily prayer life of both T.O.C. and O.C.D.s Carmelites has become much the same, with heavy emphasis on the Liturgy of the Hours, daily meditation, participation in the Eucharistic celebration, etc. The reasons why one would choose the Lay Carmelites (TOC) or the Secular Carmelites (OCDs) is usually a matter of first exposure, whether or not there is a local community/chapter where they live, how they might relate to a local community, etc.
8. Why do individuals become members of the Third Order of Carmel?
There is no question that anyone can learn about and adapt his private spiritual life to that of the Third Order Carmelites. However, the huge benefits of officially belonging to the family of Carmel are non-trivial – especially as regards what one experiences in the support they receive from their local, provincial and even worldwide community of brothers and sister Carmelites – whether First, Second or Third Order members. Indeed, two entire chapters in the Rule for the Third Order of Carmel is devoted to The Family life of Carmel.
9. Why would one become a Lay Carmelite as opposed to a Third Order member of one of the other major religious Orders?
A wise friar once said quite simply that “it’s our story”. Perhaps familiarity of the various saints of the Order, is the attraction. The Lord in His wisdom draws some to the charism of the Franciscans, for example, some to the charism of the Dominicans, others to the Benedictines, etc. Often it’s simply the impression that a current Third Order member – or that of a First or Second Order member, that makes a positive impression on a person seeking the way of life offered by a given Third Order.
10. If I live in a place where there is no Lay Carmelite Community can I still become a Lay Carmelite?
The Rule for the Third Order of Carmel (art. 78) allows for one to be admitted to the Third Order without being enrolled in a particular community. However, experience has shown that providing for adequate formation and the lack of the benefits of community suggest that such membership be a rare exception. Once an individual has been professed, and may move to a location where no community exists, would be strongly encouraged to organize a community.
11. How do Lay Carmelites relate to each other “in community”?
Community is extremely significant to all Third Order groups and individual members. Indeed, community is one of the three elements of one’s “Call to Carmel” – i.e. a call to prayer, a call to community, and a call to service. Carmelites are not hermits; relationships on both the temporal as well as spiritual dimensions are important for the nourishment of one’s full Carmelite vocation. In part, art. 43 of the Rule states that “The communal life of Lay Carmelites must shine with simplicity and authenticity. Every group must be a family in which everyone feels at home, welcomed, known, appreciated, encouraged on the path they are following and possibly even corrected with charity and kindness.…”
