Bro. John Malvino Alfonso OCD –
Margao (Goa): Our Lady of Mount Carmel Community of Secular Carmel (Ordo Carmelitarum Discalceatorum Saecularis – OCDS), based at the Carmelite Monastery, Margao was canonically established.
The thanksgiving mass was celebrated on the occasion, which was presided over by Fr. George Santhumayor OCD, Provincial Superior of the Karnataka-Goa province of the Order of the Discalced Carmelites. This is the third OCDS community in the Karnataka-Goa Province to be granted this status after St. Teresa of Avila Community, Mangalore and St. Joseph’s Community, Mira Road. Karnataka-Goa province of the discalced Carmelites has nine such communities.
Speaking on the occasion after the mass, Fr. Santhumayor said that Vocation to Secular Carmel is a call to radical living of Christian discipleship. “Today’s canonical establishment is like a fire that is lit, which should spread everywhere,” said Fr George, who did the ground work to begin a Secular Carmel Unit in Margao, when he was Superior from 2002-2005. He sees a great potential in the Margao community to make the Carmelite spirituality known, through life witness of the members.
“The treasures of Carmel lived by many saintly people, should not be restricted to few. Members of Secular Carmel live these treasures through their own state of life and proclaim the same to others,” said Fr. Deep Fernandes, Provincial Councilor for Spirituality and Delegate Provincial for OCDS.
Fr. Silvestre D’Souza, Superior of the Carmelite Monastery animated the rite of Canonical establishment. Savio Pereira, Councilor of the community welcomed the gathering. Elizabeth Santos, President of the OCDS community of Our Lady of Mount Carmel presented a report of the community while Rodo Pereira, Councilor of the community proposed a vote of thanks. Fr. Jeevan Tauro, Spiritual Assistant of Our Lady of Mount Carmel Community of OCDS, coordinated the event.
There are three branches of the Discalced Carmelite Order: Friars, Nuns (Cloistered Carmel) and Secular Carmel (mainly for lay people, but open also to Diocesan Clergy). The Secular Carmelites together with the Friars and Nuns (Cloistered Carmel) are all sons and daughters of the Order of Our Lady of Mount Carmel and St Teresa of Jesus. Seculars share primarily in the Carmelite mission of knowing God so God can be known. They also engage in other forms of apostolate, like helping the poor, visiting the sick and elderly/prisons, mission sales etc.
With the growing number, St. Therese of Child Jesus Community of Secular Carmel was formed in 2019, which is based at the Lar de Santa Terezinha, Margao.
Our Lady of Mount Carmel Community of Secular Carmel, which was formed in 2006, consists of 12 members with definitive promises, 1 with temporary promises, 2 aspirants and 7 members in formation.
Bl. John Soreth, Prior General of the Order, founded the Secular Carmel in 1452. The life of the Secular Order of Discalced Carmelite is a calling from God, a true vocation in and for the Church. The Secular Carmelite longs to seek God through prayer, to find Him, and to share Him with others. Blessed Josepha Naval Girbes is a Secular Carmelite who was beatified in 1988.
Fr. Silvestre D’Souza, Superior of the Carmelite Monastery, Margao and Spiritual Assistant of the St. Therese of Child Jesus Community of Secular Carmel at Margao, said that Canonical establishment is an official recognition by the Carmelite Order when a community has a sufficient number of members and is able to function as a stable unit of the Secular Carmel fulfilling all conditions.
“Being canonically established it is a very joyous occasion and milestone for our community,” said Elizabeth Santos, President of the Mount Carmel Community of the Secular Carmelites. “It’s by God’s grace and through the intercession of our Mother Mary we are able to carry on our spiritual journey and live in allegiance with Jesus Christ.” She added.