from the website of The British Province of Carmelites

'Lay Carmel' is the largest branch of the Carmelite Family. The following additional information is offered to help place Lay Carmel within the broader picture of the Carmelite Family.

Carmel's roots in the Laity

The Carmelite Family originated with a group of hermits living on Mount Carmel. It is likely that these were largely lay men (i.e. unordained men who were not priests), who dedicated their lives to the service of God and neighbour. Since its foundations, therefore, Carmel's spirituality has struck a chord with lay people. Although Carmel is best known for its 'religious' (friars, nuns, sisters and hermits), in fact the most numerous and widespread branch of the Carmelite Family is 'Lay Carmel'.

What is meant by 'Lay Carmel'?

The term 'Lay Carmel' can refer to any lay person connected with the Carmelite Family, but more usually it refers to the Third Order Secular (usually known as the 'Third Order' or 'Secular Order').

In the Ancient Observance of the Carmelite Order (O.Carm.) the term 'Lay Carmelites' usually refers to the members of the Third Order Secular (also referred to as Secular Carmelites or Tertiaries) who have formally made profession of promises. However, 'Lay Carmel' is also used by the Ancient Observance as a catchall term that incorporates the laity of the wider Carmelite Family, such as the Brown Scapular Confraternity and members of Secular Institutes (described below). In the Teresian or Discalced Carmelite Order (O.C.D.) the term 'Lay Carmelite' is usually more restricted to mean only professed members of the 'Secular Order' (a term used by them in preference to 'Third Order'). The term 'Lay Carmel' is somewhat problematic when describing the Secular/Third Orders because there are a number of ordained ministers (deacons, priests and bishops) who are not lay people but who are professed members of the Secular/Third Orders.

The origins of Lay Carmel

In the Middle Ages the Carmelite hermits became a mendicant order of friars (religious brothers), but lay people continued to be inspired by 'Carmel' and wanted to be associated with the Order in some way. Confraternities (brotherhoods) of the laity became established alongside convents of friars that gave people a link to the religious brothers. Often members of these confraternities were distinguished by making promises to live the Carmelite way of life according to their own circumstances, and wearing a reduced version of the Carmelite habit.

The Carmelite Third Order (Secular)

In the Middle Ages there was no formal 'Third Order' as such within Carmel; instead most communities of Carmelite friars had lay people associated with them who shared something of their spirit and way of life, sometimes in a structured way, but there was no organised system for lay membership of the Order across Carmel as a whole.

The seventeenth century has been called the 'Golden Age' of the Carmelite Third Order, because it was in this period that it became organised for the first time.

In the 1600s the Reform of Touraine (a movement for renewal within the Carmelite Order) was such a successful and inspiring movement that many lay people were once again attracted to the Carmelite way of life. In the 1630s the Carmelite Prior General Fr. Theodore Straccio (sometimes written Strazio or Stratius) decided to organise groups of lay people who were inspired by Carmelite spirituality. Fr. Straccio followed the model of the Francisan Third Order and composed a separate Rule specifically for Carmelite tertiaries. His 1627 Rule of Life for the Carmelite Third Order Secular became extremely influential. In 1678 a later Carmelite Prior General, Emilio Giacomellli (sometimes spelt Jacomelli), produced a revised Rule of Life for the Third Order. A year later a set of Statutes to interpret the Third Order Rule was compiled by the Procurator (legal expert) of the Order, Ferdinand Tartaglia. This Rule/Statutes was adopted by the Discalced Secular Order (which did not exist in the early years of St. Teresa's reform). The first known English translation of the 1678/9 Rule/Statutes appeared in Ireland about 1845, and another Rule - that of John Baptist Bettini - became popular in Italy, Germany and Holland after its publication in 1849. Different Third Order Rules by different people appeared in different languages in different provinces in the nineteenth century, suggesting that in fact there were different Third Orders. The latest legislation of the Third Order (T.O.C.) issued in 2003 still speaks of Third Orders in the plural, recognising the diversity of Lay Carmelite life to this day.

Today most of the Third Order - like the rest of the Carmelite Family - looks to the Rule of Saint Albert as its primary 'Rule', and the Rule for the Third Order issued in 2003 is effectively regarded as a set of Constitutions that interpret Albert's Rule for contemporary life.

Today tens of thousands of lay men and women worldwide are professed members of the Carmelite Third Order Secular. They live in their own homes, often raising families and having their own occupations, but they receive formation in Carmelite spirituality and - when possible - participate in regular meetings of Lay Carmelite communities. They try to live the Carmelite charism of prayer, community-building and service in whatever circumstances they find themselves.

In the Ancient Observance the abbreviation 'T.O.C.' refers to 'Third Order Carmelite'. In the Discalced tradition the abbreviation 'O.C.D.S.' refers to the 'Secular Order of Discalced Carmelites'.

One of the branches of the Third Order is known as the Donum Dei Missionary Workers ('Travilleuses Missionnaire' in French). They have residential communities in various parts of the world, and had a presence in the British Province at Aylesford Priory until 2008.

Carmelite Spirituality Groups

Carmelite Spirituality Group (CSGs) have developed in the British Province of Carmelites since the late 1990s. Originally they were communities of Lay Carmelites in new locations who did not have enough members to constitute a formal 'Chapter' of the Third Order. However, from 2006 a new form of Spirituality Group has developed that seeks to offer an experience of 'Carmel' in a contemporary and inclusive way. For more information about Carmelite Spirituality Groups in Britain, click here.

Carmelite Secular Institutes

Secular Institutes offer a formal belonging to the Carmelite Order for laity that is distinct from, but similar to, the Third Order.

In Britain there is a Carmelite Secular Institute known as The Leaven (The Institute of Our Lady of Mount Carmel) for single people who wish to live a consecrated life in their own homes and workplaces. Founded in 1949 and formally affiliated to the Carmelite Order in 1965, it offers a deep experience of Carmelite spirituality to its members, who profess the evangelical counsels of poverty, chastity and obedience.

There is also a Secular Institute present in Britain known as 'Notre Dame de Vie' (Our Lady of Life) that is associated with the Discalced Carmelite Order. For further information click here.

A painting depicting friars and members of the Third Order
at the National Shrine of St. Thérèse at Darien, Illinois, U.S.A.

The Wider Lay Carmelite Family

Through profession - that is a public statement of Carmelite identity and belonging - members of the Third/Secular Orders and Secular Institutes are formally part of the Carmelite Order.

However, the 'Carmelite Family' also extends a sense of belonging to other lay individuals and groups, often associated with Carmelite-served parishes and chaplaincies, or inspired by a particular Carmelite devotion or saint. These are sometimes called the 'wider' or 'extended' Carmelite Family. Such people are not canonically (legally) part of the Carmelite Order, and make no public profession of promises or vows, but nevertheless receive from and contribute to our spirituality.

Carmelite Scapular Confraternity

Lay people and clergy who want less formal affiliation to the Order but who are attracted by devotion to Our Lady of Mount Carmel can join the Carmelite Scapular Confraternity. Millions of people around the world wear the small brown cloth around their shoulders known as the Carmelite Brown Scapular. This sacramental - one of the most popular across the Church - is a miniature version of the Carmelite habit. It is a symbol of belonging to the wider Carmelite Family, and of pledging oneself to the protection of Our Lady and the service of her son Jesus Christ.

Young People and Carmel

Many young people are associated with the Carmelite Order in a number of ways, often outside of formally constituted groups. As such these young people form part of the 'wider Carmelite Family'.

Our Lady of Mount Carmel is the title given to the Blessed Virgin Mary in her role as patroness of the Carmelite Order. The first Carmelites were Christian hermits living on Mount Carmel in the Holy Land during the late 12th and early to mid 13th centuries. They built a chapel in the midst of their hermitages which they dedicated to the Blessed Virgin, whom they conceived of in chivalric terms as the "Lady of the place."

Saint Simon Stock, an Englishman who lived in the 13th century, was an early prior general of the Carmelite religious order. Little is known about his life with any historical certainty. The Blessed Virgin Mary is traditionally said to have appeared to him and given him the Carmelite habit, the Brown Scapular, with a promise that those who die wearing it will be saved. Thus, popular devotion to Saint Simon Stock is usually associated with devotion to Our Lady of Mount Carmel.

The second Asia-Australia-Oceania Carmelite student friars gathering in this sexennium was held in Malang (Indonesia) from the 4th to 10th April , 2013.

Fr. Lucianus Simon Rande, O.Carm., Provincial Councillor of the Indonesian Province was the main celebrant of the opening Mass. On behalf of Fr. Ignatius Joko Purnomo, O.Carm., Indonesian Provincial, he gave an address of welcome and officially opened the gathering.  An address from Fr. Prior General was read by Fr. Albertus Herwanta, the General Councillor for Asia-Australia-Oceania.

Sixty-six Carmelite student friars and formators from India, Vietnam, Philippines, Indonesia and East Timor joined the gathering where they prayed and meditated together.  They also listened to Fr. Rico Ponce, O.Carm. (Phil) and Fr. Benny Phang, O.Carm. (Indo). Fr. Rico talked about three things: The mission of animating Carmelite life today within the sphere of formation; The Asian spiritual context and Carmelite spirituality - challenge and response; Following Christ in the context of globalization. Fr. Benny talked about theology of the body.

On April 7th the participants visited the following Carmelite communities: the house for the elderly, the provincial house, Saint Albert High School, the Carmelite Nuns and the novitiate house. On April 9th they visited the Safari Park of East Java. They also enjoyed creative performances, and Indian, Vietnamese, Philippine, Timorese and Indonesian food prepared by the participants.

Gratitude was also expressed to all who supported this gathering, especially to the Provincial of Indonesia for his willingness to fraternally host this gathering, and to Fr. Crispinus Ginting, O.Carm. and his team who worked hard to prepare and organize everything.

Carmelite Curia

The cover of this issue of CITOC-magazine shows a very beautiful photo of the first Carmelite Church in the entire American continent in Olinda, Brazil, founded by the Portuguese Carmelites in 1580 and rededicated again on August 5, 2012. The celebrations are an opportunity for the Carmelites to give thanks for the restoration and the return of this marvelous church that from 1877 was in the hands of the Brazilian state, and from today will be the office of the Prior Provincial.

The information on the reality of the Carmelite life in Latin America is rounded off with an article on the Third Congress of ALACAR (the Latin American Association of the Carmelites), an important initiative for the development and exchange among all members of the Carmelite Family in Latin America.

The article from the Prior General recalls the 70th anniversary of the martyrdoms of Blessed Titus Brandsma and Saint Teresa Benedicta of the Cross (Edith Stein). The life of Blessed Titus is an example of the close relationship between the mystical life and commitment to the world in favor of human dignity. Today, the Carmelite NGO has also adopted this plan. An article about the activities regarding these relevant issues of justice and peace is presented by Carmelite NGO.

Next, we present three events in the field of formation in the Order: the course on permanent formation in the Holy Land on the theme: “Returning to the Sources”; the beginning of the common novitiate in Salamanca, Spain; and the regional meeting of Asia-Australia-Oceania formators which took place in Thrissur, India.

A number of meetings in recent months, which express the internationality of the Order, such as the Fifth International Congress of Lay Carmelites, the triennial meeting of bursars in Sassone and the Congress of Fr. Lorenzo van den Eerenbeemt, O. Carm., the cofounder with the Blessed M. Crocifissa Curcio of the Congregation of the Carmelite Missionary Sisters of St. Teresa of the Child Jesus, will also be mentioned.

Another article in this magazine regards the founder of the Carmelite Sisters of the Aged and Infirm, the Servant of God, Mother Mary Angeline Teresa, O. Carm. (Bridget Teresa McCrory), whose decree on the heroic virtues was promulgated. The challenges arising from historic moments of change always demand new responses as shown in the presentations on the unification of the two provinces of Upper and Lower Germany and the canonical erection of the new General Commissariat of Paraná in Brazil.

In addition to these articles, as well as other information, there is a selection of news highlights, some of which were published in CITOC-online.

We wish you all happy reading of these pages of the new issue of CITOC-magazine.

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Fr. Fernando Millán Romeral, O.Carm. Prior General

Throughout the six years that the term of the General leadership lasts there are moments that are difficult, joyful, sad, emotional, moments in which one feels an extraordinary pride in our Carmelite family, and so on. At the end of last year, (from 29th November to 4th December 2010) we had one of those very intense, profound and joyful moments, in the meeting of the two General Councils, O.Carm and O.C.D., for a week at the Stella Maris de Monte Carmelo (Haifa, Israel). The meeting gave us a chance to think together, pray and meditate together, and to look at mission and the meaning and importance of Carmel for the Church and the society of today.

The first two days were devoted to a reflection on consecrated life in today’s world, led by Fr. Gabino Uribarri, S.J., the Dean of the Faculty of Theology of the Pontifical University of Comillas in Madrid. Fr. Uribarri has written a number of works on religious life, and his talks helped us to grow in our awareness of the ecclesial dimension of this life, as well as the responsibility it has in the area of evangelisation. Along with the talks, which were always very solid theologically and inspirational at the same time, we had some very interesting sharing of opinions in which we were able to see how we live out these dimensions in each branch of Carmel, as well as the difficulties we encounter in this area.

This first part ended with a visit to the ruins of the first Carmelite foundation. This was a particularly intense moment in which we went through the ruins of the first chapel, the prior’s cell close to the entrance (juxta introitum loci), the spring of Elijah and so on. We sang the Flos Carmeli together, and were very mindful of our sisters and brothers in both branches of Carmel throughout the world.

In the days that followed, the members of both councils visited places of Carmelite interest, and some of the other significant places in the Holy Land. As we went around we had Fr. Francisco Negral and Fr. Renato Rosso, both O.C.D. as our guides. Both were excellent guides who with genuine professional ability and spiritual insight, helped to get a real taste of the spirituality of the different places. Moreover, in each different place we had a Lectio divina, directed by Fr. Desiderio Garcia, O.Carm. who helped us to recapture and re-live the words of the Lord, right there in those places where they were pronounced for the first time. 

It was also a great pleasure to visit the four monasteries of Discalced Carmelite women in the Holy Land (Mount Carmel, Nazareth, Bethlehem and the Our Father) where we were able to spend time with the nuns and enjoy their hospitality.

The last day was devoted entirely to the writing of a message for the Order and to the study and evaluation of other joint activities and areas of common endeavour. We looked again at some of the topics that have been studied in the meetings of the two councils, which take place in Rome twice a year.

All that remains is for us to sincerely thank the Carmelite communities at Mount Carmel and throughout the Holy Land for the wonderful hospitality they gave us, and also the Carmelite Sisters in Stella Maris, who, as they always do, made us feel so much at home by the simplicity, pleasantness and fraternal spirit of their hospitality.

During the week that we were in Mount Carmel, we received some bad news. Fifteen kilometres from Stella Maris, on one of the hills that form part of the Mount Carmel chain, there was a fire that burned many acres of forest, and, even more sadly, caused the death of 43 people who were passengers in a coach. Even though neither Stella Maris, nor the Wadi es Siah nor the Muhraqa were affected by the fire, the flames could be seen from miles away. We could not help but recall the words of Amos in the Bible speaking about the destruction of this highly symbolic place: and the top of Carmel dries up … (Amos 1,2). Without getting into visionary interpretations or anything so strange, we might perhaps see a sign in this, something that alerts us, a even warning. Carmel, the biblical place of beauty, synonymous with all that is fertile and the generosity of nature, is on fire on account of human neglect. Perhaps we as Carmelites may have a word to say to this world of ours that is taking giant steps towards the destruction of our environment, our waters, and nature itself. Together, we commend all the victims of the forest fire to the one God whom Elijah adored in these same places.

The Prior General, Fr. Fernando Millán Romeral, O.Carm., together with the Councillor General for Europe, Fr. John Keating, O.Carm. met with the European friars who made solemn vows within the last ten years. This meeting took place at San Andres, the Carmelite University Residence and European Novitiate in Salamanca, Spain from the 4th to the 7th April 2013. This is also the place where St. John of the Cross was a student. Of the forty possible participants thirty-three friars were present for what was entitled "A Dialogue in Hope regarding the future of the Order in Europe." The Prior General spoke about three things with the group: "Hope for the future", "The situation of the Order in Europe" and "A vision for the future."  Together in groups and in assembly friars from Arago-Valentina, Betica, Britain, the French Delegation, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Malta, the Neapolitan Province, Netherlands and Poland addressed a wide range of issues among themselves and with the Prior General searching to find common paths for hope regarding the future of the Order in Europe. The final text of their common reflection (in English, Italian and Spanish) can be found on the Order's website at:
http://ocarm.org/en/content/ocarm/anchored-hope-heb-618-19

A very warm welcome was extended to all by the community at San Andres, and the gathering also included a guided tour of the city of Salamanca and Eucharist celebrated by the Prior General at the tomb of St. Teresa of Jesus at Alba de Tormes.

“If we want to build communities in which there is an abundance of life, then we must recognise who and what we are and what it means for us to be alive... Religious communities are like ecological systems. A rare frog will need its own ecosystem if it needs to flourish... If the frog is threatened with extinction, then one must build an environment, with its food and ponds and a climate in which it can grow up.  Carmelite life also requires its own ecosystem, if we are to live fully and preach a word of life, it is not enough to talk about it; we must actively plan and build such Carmelite ecosystems.  A Province will therefore have to develop a plan for the gradual renewal of communities in which the brethren may flourish.  Unless a Province plans the building of such communities, then it dies. A Province with three communities where the brethren flourish in their Carmelite life has a future, with the grace of God.  A Province with twenty communities where we are just surviving may well have none.” (Timothy Radcliffe, Sing a New Song: The Christian Vocation, Dublin 2000, 121-124) [Carmelite meeting of major superiors,Sassone, 2006].

1. Rethinking our sense of identity:

To be Carmelite: This is a providential moment for us in Europe; it is a time when we can rethink our Carmelite identity.  Teresa of Avila said it is important to ask “Who should we be?” (W.P., 4:1) The classic Latin saying, Operari sequitur esse, states “Our work follows from who we are.” Our identity will always condition what we do.  Who are we? What can we, as Carmelites, offer to others? In our Provinces, is there great diversity in our understanding of what it means to be Carmelite?  Creative fidelity to our charism encourages us to regenerate and renew the fraternal life of our communities.

2. Renewal of Fraternal Life:

The renewal of fraternal life requires evangelical courage (parresia).  We need to regenerate our communities so that they:

a)    are welcoming and open: It is important that our communities be places of welcome, to lay people, to members of the wider Carmelite family, and indeed to potential vocation candidates.
b)    have good leadership: It is vital that local community leaders seek to maintain a healthy balance between apostolic, prayer, and community life and facilitate a process of dialogue which is respectful of individuals and diversity and which is open to change.
c)    have a number which encourages good community life (5?)
d)    encourage growth: it is important that our community life allows and encourages ongoing formation, especially for those who have just made their Solemn profession.

This renewal of fraternal life requires a mature process of discernment.

3. Establishing Creative Processes of Discernment:

We realise that there are often difficulties which arise in our communities, due to the natural generation gaps.  From our vantage point, at this time in Europe, we have an opportunity to establish processes of discernment, on individual, local, Provincial and Order level.  We should open ourselves to the future, not with pessimism or perfectionism, but with a sense of hope.  In this process of discernment, there are four questions which it is important to consider: Who are we? What do we do? Why do we do it? Why do we do it this way?

4. Enhancing the Richness of our Internationality:

With a renewed sense of mission, we need to be open to international co-operation, reaching out, and breaking the boundaries and limitations of our geographical realities.  The formation of international or inter-provincial communities provides a very practical expression of our re-envisioning of Carmelites life; seeking to do little things in a big way.  Two key points are necessary to enable this:

a)    The availability of brothers for international projects and communities.
b)    The integration of language studies in initial formation.

Solemnly professed young European Carmelites (within last 10 years)
Community of  S. Andrés (Spain),
Salamanca 4th to 7th April 2013

Lectio Divina April 2013

Liturgy, Source of Life. That the public, prayerful celebration of faith may give life to the faithful.

Mission Churches. That mission churches may be signs and instruments of hope and resurrection.

• Monday, April 1, 2013  
  Lectio: Matthew 28,8-15
• Tuesday, April 2, 2013  
  Lectio: John 20,11-18
• Wednesday, April 3, 2013  
  Lectio: Luke 24,13-35
• Thursday, April 4, 2013  
  Lectio: Luke 24,35-48
• Friday, April 5, 2013  
  Lectio: John 21,1-14
• Saturday, April 6, 2013  
  Lectio: Mark 16,9-15
• Sunday, April 7, 2013  
  Lectio: 2nd Sunday of Easter (C)
• Monday, April 8, 2013  
  Lectio: John 3,1-8
• Tuesday, April 9, 2013  
  Lectio: John 3,7b-15
• Wednesday, April 10, 2013  
  Lectio: John 3,16-21
• Thursday, April 11, 2013  
  Lectio: John 3,31-36
• Friday, April 12, 2013  
  Lectio: John 6,1-15
• Saturday, April 13, 2013  
  Lectio: John 6,16-21
• Sunday, April 14, 2013  
  Lectio: 3rd Sunday of Easter (C)
• Monday, April 15, 2013  
  Lectio: John 6,22-29
• Tuesday, April 16, 2013  
  Lectio: John 6,30-35
• Wednesday, April 17, 2013  
  Lectio: John 6,35-40
• Thursday, April 18, 2013  
  Lectio: John 6,44-51
• Friday, April 19, 2013  
  Lectio: John 6,52-59
• Saturday, April 20, 2013  
  Lectio: John 6,60-69
• Sunday, April 21, 2013  
  Lectio: 4th Sunday of Easter (C)
• Monday, April 22, 2013  
  Lectio: John 10,1-10
• Tuesday, April 23, 2013  
  Lectio: John 10,22-30
• Wednesday, April 24, 2013  
  Lectio: John 12,44-50
• Thursday, April 25, 2013  
  Lectio: St. Mark, Evangelist - Mk 16,15-20
• Friday, April 26, 2013  
  Lectio: John 14,1-6
• Saturday, April 27, 2013  
  Lectio: John 14,7-14
• Sunday, April 28, 2013  
  Lectio: 5th Sunday of Easter (C)
• Monday, April 29, 2013  
  Lectio: John 14,21-26
• Tuesday, April 30, 2013  
  Lectio: John 14,27-31a