SECULAR ORDER OF DISCALCED CARMELITES
England, Wales and Scotland

Today we remember the Spanish priest Francisco Palau y Quer OCD (in religion Francisco of Jesus, Mary and Joseph , 1811 – 1872).  To read an account of his life is to be confronted with the challenges and conflicts that engulfed the Church in his country in the nineteenth century.  Until recently I did not realise how much persecution Catholics endured in Spain in the nineteenth century from some of their governments.  At one point he was forced to take refuge in France, where he actually...

Yesterday we visited Buckden Towers, near Huntingdon, to evaluate its suitability for an OCDS Retreat.  The buildings are magnificent, I would call them baronial, the interiors are delightfully antique.  This is in many ways perfect for one of our retreats, it is close to the A1 and the A14 (which runs East to West and connects the Midlands with East Anglia), and rail connections with London are excellent.  Believe it or not, there are actually three chapels!  There are beautiful views out on...

Going to visit Buckden Towers today on behalf of the Seculars.  We are looking for a retreat venue for 2026 because plans for another OCDS Summer retreat at Douai Abbey have fallen through.  Buckden Towers is run by the Claretians, a religious Order named after St Anthony Mary Claret (1807-1870).  Their official title is the Congregation of the Missionary Sons of the Immaculate Heart of Mary.  The premises have a long and complicated history including a long spell in the possession of the...