I feel called and have started praying the little office of the b.v.m. i didnt seek it, it found me, or rather Carmelite saints have graced me with signal graces leading me towards this lay apostolate. There are 4 of us in our parish but one has lasped and no longer able to keep up with all yhe daily prayer due to eyesight issues.
Research, read, learn, take time to figure things out. I’m taking the first tentative steps into becoming a Lay Carmelite and it’s taken me 2 years to get here. I have a husband and children and put my calling to become a nun out of my mind as a young teen. I went to Catholic school and really felt like joining the nuns would be amazing. Then as I grew up I completely left the church and partied hard. I ended up marying young and building a family. 2 years ago I was yanked hard back to Catholicism and it freaked me out completely. Good luck with your explorations.
@@ntmn8444 Each religious order has a secular (lay) order. Franciscan (there are several Franciscan orders). The OFM is the first Franciscan order. Other orders: Dominicans, Benedictines, etc. Most religious order have secular (lay) orders. Check them out and see which one is for you. The internet is a good place to check this out.
I often wish I had joined the Carmelites when I was young enough. My heart still yearns towards intimacy with Jesus and the Presence of God. Intercessory prayer is a way of life of course, whether in or out of a community - but I still regret not having joined a community.
It's not too late to become a Lay Carmelite...search this matter out as, I'm told that this order is prophesied to become the only religious order that survives into the Millenium!
@@zephyrlaycarmelitemission Lay Carmelite or Secular Carmelite (OCDS). They are both Carmelites. The OCDS is the order of St. Terese of Avila (Terese of Jesus), St. Theresse of Liseau. St. John of the Cross. St. Teresa Benedict of the Crosss (Edith Stein). etc.
@truthseekers5777 - There are two Carmelite orders: The O. Cam and the OCD (Ordo Carmelitarum Discalciatorum) which is the order founded by St. Teresa of Avila (Teresa of Jesus, OCD) and St John of the Cross, OCD. St. Teresa of Avila tried to reformed the O. Carm order in the middle 1500, when that didn't happen as the O. Carm were comfortable, she had to start her own order: the OCD (Discalced Carmelite Order). There are a lot of OCD Saints: St. Teresa Benedicta of the Cross (Edith Stein, OCD). St. Theresse of Liseau (Therese of the Child Jesus, OCD). and many others. Their secular order is called (O.C.D.S) Order of Discalced Carmelite Secular). Which Carmelite order are you joining too: The O. Carm or the OCDS (Discalced Carmelite). Today both orders are friendly to each other. The OCDS calls themself a Secular Carmelita Order, not a Lay Order. The O. Carms called their secular order: Lay Order. If you want more information about the two orders of Carmelites, check them out on the web: O. Carm and OCDS (Discalced Carmelites). God. bless you.
I have a slightly different perspective on prayer, sister. Some of the greatest Carmelite saints struggled with prayer. Saint Theresa, Jesus writes repeatedly on how she struggled with prayer. And she gives us many useful tools to help us in her writings such as the way of perfection. Saint Thérèse Also really struggled with prayer That was formal like the rosary. When I first became a third order carmelite I struggled with prayer but I went to them because I thought that it could help me strengthen the weakest part Of my life. I've always been known more of a teacher type or somebody Is talkative. Many people would say that I naturally fit More with the Dominicans. But I went to the carmelites because there everything that I was not. Now i'm just a Year away from final promises.
@famvids9627 - The Discalced Carmelites: Priest, brothers, sisters and seculars follow the advise of St. Teresa of Avila (OCD) who does not tell us how to pray. She talks about the different forms of prayer, but it is up to you to pray the way that is comfortable to you, there is no rules for prayer. Prayer is a conversation one has with our Lord, different people have different ways of communicating with Him. Congratulations on receiving your final promise in a year. God bless you.
@Winston-op5de I'm a discalced Carmelite, have been for many years, and I disagree with you. Read the way of perfection by Teresa of Jesus (Avila). She gives very specific instructions on how to pray in order to reach perfection. If you go through formation as a Carmelite, they actually teach you how to do mental prayer because there is technique to it.
Choose the lay or secular Carmelites. Do some research and see which one you want to join. You have two choices: Lay (O. Carm) Secular (OCD). Check them out and pick the one you want to follow. There is plenty of information on the web and you tube about the two orders.
I’ve been feeling a strong calling to the Carmelites for nearly a year now. I’m trying to find how to join a group of 3rd order lay Carmelites in the area of north central Illinois (Rockford area). I have been obedient to the brown scapular for a year now, and wish to learn more.
Hi Ali, please visit the website of the Lay Carmelites of the Most Pure Heart of Mary. They are based closer to your area. laycarmelitesfl.org/index.php/called/ Email: LayCarmelitesFL@runbox.com
Check both orders: The Discalced Carmelites (Reform made by St. Teresa of Avila -Teresa of Jesus, OCD) or the O. Carm. Do some research and pick one. The one you want to join. God bless.
I think our sister here is a lay carmelite fr. The Order of the Carmelite or OCarm, im also a Lay Carmelite, but fr. d order of Discalced Carmelite or OCD, We are the Carmelite missionary Secular or CMS, Where our Blessed founder Blessed Francisco Palau OCD
Prayer is essential, espeically mental prayer. Prayer comforts me and I seek the solitude of connecting with our Lord and the the church triumphant and the church suffering. Over the past few years dreams have revealed such a vocation formation.
I was aware that you must be 18 to be accepted as a Lay Carmelite but have never heard of an upper age limit of 69. I am 74 and just beginning my formation process. My husband is an Ordained Catholic priest. He was an Anglican priest for 25 years and then we both converted to Catholicism. He received special dispensation from Pope Francis to be ordained. One other question: Are Lay Carmelites and Secular Carmelites interchangeable terms?Blessings.
Yes, the local chapter in our diocese just informed me that there is no upper age restriction. I will be beginning my formation process in August. I feel so blessed to be part of this journey.
@@lesleyjoymcclure1772 I just replied to your comment on another video bc I saw the age limit lifted comment here….now I see that you found this video too! Congrats on your new journey…I’m discerning if this is for me as well… 🙏🙏
I am very much interested to find out more about this particular vocation of a lay Carmelite. Thank you for this series of videos that will help me discern. The pull is there and your brief discussion about the charism of the Carmelite order pretty much clinched it for me. What you have described about discovering the loving presence of God within our souls and living our daily existence anchored in that loving presence is what I have been thirsting for all along. Thank you!
I find this interesting as it has a special focus on Our Holy Mother as I should have. Many years ago I was driving and all of a sudden it seemed a certain Woman spoke directly into my mind and said, " Stop drinking Pepsi it is bad for your teeth.". I thought to myself, "Why would the Holy Mother of God be concerned about my teeth.". As I thought to myself that there must be more important concerns She has regarding souls that my teeth wouldn't be important on that list so I thought I must be imagining things. Then soon after I stopped at a store to get somethings and they had Pepsi two liters on sale and since I thought I must be imaging things I figured I get some Pepsi anyway. Now after many severe abseses I don't have any teeth so now I think maybe I wasn't imagining things.
