SECULAR ORDER OF DISCALCED CARMELITES
England, Wales and Scotland

We held the first meeting of a new Manchester OCDS group last night.  We looked at a few paragraphs of The Story of a Soul.  It’s always...

I came across this quote by St Therese of Lisieux in a letter to her sister Celine: ‘In times of aridity when I am incapable of praying,...

I have been asked to give a talk as part of a Symposium being put on by the Carmelites in October in their monastery in Derry.  The talk...

This is a momentous month in various ways.  On Wednesday I go to Manchester for the launch of a new Secular Group at St Joseph’s church...

How can we not think with delight of St Mother Teresa of Calcutta, whose feast is today?  For those old enough to remember her when she...

There are lovely stories associated with one of the saints of today, St Rose of Viterbo (c1233-1251).  She entered the Third Order of St...

I was interested to discover while surfing online that the celebrated Protestant composer Handel wrote five pieces of music for the...

Today is the Feast of Blessed Frederick Ozanam (1813-1853), founder of the legendary SVP (Society of St Vincent de Paul).  His name is...

This first day of September signals the end of the Summer and the beginning of Autumn – for even though we know we may be blessed with an...

How do you know if you are called to be a lay (Secular) Carmelite?  As an OCDS Regional Representative I have had many conversations over...

On this feast day of the great St Augustine, I am struck by the excerpt from his writing in today’s Office of Readings, because it makes...

Today is the Feast of St Peter Julian Eymard (1811-1868), a French saint not as well known in this country as he deserves to be.  He...

A fascinating discussion in a recent meeting of a contemplative prayer group in which I am involved.  Our meetings have three parts:...

The poem below has been sent in by Kathy Twist of the Welshpool OCDS group. Such contributions are welcomed from OCDS members. The Dark...

An exciting new development for the Manchester area.  A small group of us met on zoom this week to discuss forming an OCDS group there,...

Ever wondered why the Psalms have such a prominent place in our worship?  As Seculars we encounter them every day in the Prayer of the...

Lovely passage from St Bernard (his feast day is today) in the Office of Readings.  First he says that of course the creature’s love for...

Today we celebrate the Feast of St John Eudes (1601-1680). ‘ After ten years of preaching missions with the Oratorians in France, Father...

I am still on a high from our Romsey meeting last Saturday.  One of our members made her First Promise and two others were received into...

The writings of St John of the Cross may not explicitly mention Our Lady frequently, but In the life of the Saint we find substantial...