SECULAR ORDER OF DISCALCED CARMELITES
England, Wales and Scotland

In the News Section on the first page of our website three events are currently announced for this Summer in connection with the big anniversaries of St John of the Cross – 100 years since he was made a Doctor of the Church and 300 years since he was canonised . Two of these events are in the conventional conference style but the third is a concert with a John of the Cross theme: Within God Concert (11 July, 7:30 pm, online and in person) · Five original pieces inspired by

A message from our Provincial, Fr Jim Noonan, brings a reminder of the OCDS World Meeting in Avila, 23-26 July. The message contains a prayer for God’s blessing on the event: Oh God, in your infinite mercy, you have called us to follow you in the family of the Teresian Carmel in allegiance to Jesus Christ, through the intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary, St Joseph and all the Carmelite saints, we ask that the 2026 OCDS World Meeting in Avila may reaffirm our vocation and

So many saints have drawn inspiration from our St Teresa. Today I learn that the Irishman Blessed Ignatius Edmund Rice (1762-1844) was one of them. Born in County Kilkenny, h.e was a successful businessman until his wife was killed and his daughter disabled in an accident. He then devoted his life to the education of the poor and founded two Insititutes: the Congregation of Christian Brothers and the Presentation Brothers. Carmel is a quiet influence in so many works of g

The Friars of our Province are at the Provincial Chapter where important decisions are made. Individuals are assigned at the gathering to different posts like the Kensington parish or Beaconsfield or Oxford (Boars Hill) or Dublin at this Chapter meeting. It is one of the areas where their obedience is regularly tested. I do not mean that they may be tempted to refuse an assignment, simply that once you become a Friar you are liable to be sent where the Order decides rather

In recent days I have been made acutely aware of the damage that persons with personality disorders can cause around them. I use this term to designate a kind of mental issue that lies somewhere in between diagnosable mental illness and the general norm of mental stability (which may itself be accompanied by more or less harmless eccentricities). Those who have to experience personality disorders in their nearest and dearest carry a heavy load of suffering and anxiety. In

This week the Carmelite Sisters have been running an internet convention based on the theme of poverty. There have been talks by Fr Matt Blake OCD and by a Poor Clare Sister and today Professor Karen Kilby of the University of Durham will be addressing the theme. It is truly extraordinary to see all the faces on the screen and to hear voices speaking at question times from the US as well as from Europe. This kind of use of the internet was given a huge boost by the pandemi

“Build a cell inside your mind, from which you can never flee", advised St Catherine of Siena (1347-1380 – feast day today). I guess spiritually-minded persons are obliged to create this inner cell as a defence against an indifferent and sometimes hostile environment. I certainly resorted to it myself from a young age. On the other hand we must not make it a retreat from the wounds and the suffering of those around us. A cocoon that insulates us against the pains of our f

The roots of the spirituality of French priest Louis-Marie Grignion de Montfort (1673-1716 – saint of the day) were firmly embedded in the 17th century movement known as The French School of Spirituality. Its moving spirit, Cardinal de Bérulle, profoundly influenced by St Teresa, brought the reformed Carmelites from Spain into France. Historians credit the spirit of Teresa for having sparked a powerful revival of the spiritual life in that country after it had suffered terri

I spent much of the weekend at Boars Hill Carmelite Friary outside Oxford. On Saturday we had a meeting of Secular Group leaders in the Central Region – Northampton, four Oxford communities, and Romsey. The meeting was summoned by Armelle, the Region’s Representative to the National Council – her story is the first one in the ‘Stories’ section of this website. On Sunday morning there was a big outdoor mass to celebrate the recent ordination in Nigeria of two of the Friars.

When I think of St Mary Elizabeth Hesselblad (1870-1957 – feast day today) who restored the Bridgettine Order, I recall visiting Santa Brigida Convent when in Rome some years ago. This ancient building has strong connections with Sweden but came into the hands of a Polish branch of the Carmelite Order between 1889 and 1930, when it was taken over by the Bridgettine Order. During this period St Mary Elizabeth had actually visited the house at some point after her conversion

Yesterday I was having lunch in a pub with a friend who is to be received into the Church at Pentecost. The pub was festooned with St George banners and I remarked on this to the lady serving at the bar. She said that people had been complaining because so much fuss is made over St Patrick’s Day but little attention is paid to St George’s Day – which is of course today. I like to google the saint of the day with ‘Carmelites’ together and this sometimes produces interesting

Discussing the Ascent of Mount Carmel by John of the Cross with a group yesterday. I am a person who has never been in the habit of re-reading books. Once is generally enough for me. I can however read the writings of our great Carmelite saints again and again with delight. How challenging they are and yet how consoling! Always the challenge to trust more, to let go of our self-will, to let slip our tight control of our own lives, but always the accompanying reassurance

I have become aware recently of a problem that not a few Seculars have. They are serial volunteers who become involved in a whole multitude of parish activities and then their time is so squeezed that getting to our meetings becomes difficult for them. I know of no simple answer to this dilemma, but I guess it has to be taken to the Lord in prayer like other problems in daily life. One of my personal weaknesses is that in the past at least I have found it all too easy to e

Fascinated by the story of Agnes of Montepulciano (1268-1317), whose feast day is today. She was born into a noble family. After entering a Franciscan convent in Tuscany aged nine, she became superior of another convent – by special Papal dispensation – aged fifteen! ‘ On her consecration day, a shower of white crosses like flowers fluttered down on all those in the chapel and nearby, showing heaven’s favour. For twenty years, Agnes lived in Procena as a Franciscan nun an

Following on from reflections on St Bernadette yesterday, more thoughts on Carmel and Lourdes. Mother Theresa of Jesus arrived in Lourdes to found the community of the Carmel of Lourdes on July 16, 1876. It happens that 16 July (1858) was the day of the 18th and last apparition of Mary to Bernadette. And of course this same July 16 is the feast of Our Lady of Mount Carmel. Lourdes is special for me in all sorts of ways but one of the beauties of the shrine is that I find

My thoughts turn to the wonderful St Bernadette on this her feast day. She would have loved to become a Carmelite but her poor health would have made it impossible for her to cope with the austerity of the life. However, ‘there is a strong link between the Carmelites and Lourdes. The last apparition of Our Lady took place on the feast of Our Lady of Mt. Carmel, 16th July 1858. Bernadette recalled that Our Lady looked more radiant and beautiful than ever. Due to the crowds t

Working on a talk for the John of the Cross Summit at Boars Hill Friary in July. I have chosen the theme Spiritual Surgery with St John of the Cross. I love the way that this great saint probes into the human psyche as the surgeon probes into the body, diggng out and exhibiting the hidden kinks in our nature which hold us back on our spiritual journey. One of my favourites is his analysis of ‘spiritual gluttony’. John tells us that ‘ on account of the sweetness which t

I have just come across this story of how St Therese of Lisieux came into someone’s life. ‘I suffer from bipolar disorder. Thanks to professional medical attention and medication, it has been 20 years since I have had a manic episode. However, I remember that in 1990, after ten years of normalcy, I had a manic attack which was brief, however it was followed by a period of depression that was most debilitating. Although I had struggled through dark moods before, this was part

In my capacity as OCDS Outreach representative I am the gateway for inquirers who ask about the Seculars as a result of looking at the website. It is my job to route them to the Regional Representative of the area in which they live, and that person should be able to find them a group or community near enough to where they live to be accessible. The Seculars nationally are organised into Regions for purposes of administration and mutual encouragement through annual Regional

A couple of days ago I wrote about the amazing St Julie Billiart (1751-1816) and her connection with the Carmelites, and today we have another beautiful example of a saint with a strong Carmelite association from the same era – St Magdalene of Canossa (1774-1835). Born into a wealthy family in northern Italy, at age 15 she announced she wished to become a nun. After trying out her vocation with the cloistered Carmelites , she realized her desire was to serve the needy withou