The Discalced Carmelite Family: A Vine with Three Branches

May 9, 2022

By Fra George, OCD

The Order of the Discalced Carmelites (OCD) is a Roman Catholic religious order which consists of three distinct, yet complementary forms of life: the nuns, the friars, and the seculars. All three branches live the same charism of life dedicated to continuous prayer and the search for union with God, with each branch expressing the charism in its own particular state of life. Founded by St Teresa of Jesus, in collaboration with St John of the Cross, the three branches of Carmel live out its charism in a life of fraternity and community, channelling the fruits of contemplation into apostolic works and service for the Church in its own distinguished and specific ways: the nuns in unceasing prayer and evangelical self-denial in the service of Christ and the Church, the friars in a mixed life of prayer and apostolate, and the laity in the commitment to family life, single blessedness, and work.

The fundamental key to the Carmelite life, both religious and secular, is the understanding that God is present within each human person, and that He desires a deep and abiding friendship with each and everyone of us. The Carmelite life is therefore a constant nurturing of this friendship with the Lord who is constantly present to us, and allowing His presence to be the source of transformation and inspiration in our lives.

For this, Carmelites can call upon its own “cloud of witnesses” who have sought this wonderful company of the Lord, and been transformed to be sources of renewal and spiritual growth in the Church. These include St Therese of the Child Jesus, St Raphael Kalinowski of St Joseph, St Teresa Benedicta of the Cross, St Elizabeth of the Trinity, and Blessed Josefa Naval Girbés, just to name a few.

VOCATION SHARING OF A CARMELITE NUN

Sr Bernadette of the Immaculate Conception, OCD (secular name: Mary Tapus ak Ping) from Kampung Kakai, Serian, was born in April 1960. She entered Carmel of Kuching in 1981. Making her simple profession on 14 December 1983, she currently celebrates her 39 years of religious profession in Carmel. Even though in her life she suffered many ailments and underwent many surgeries, she continues to practise unceasing prayer and evangelical self-denial in the service of Christ and the Church.

“When I am in pain and suffering, I can’t even focus and am distracted even to pray the Hail Mary! I just offer in silence my prayer (without words), suffering and pain to God for all the people. Thank you for all your prayers and I keep you in prayer too.” – Sr Bernadette, OCD

VOCATION SHARING OF A CARMELITE FRIAR

Fra George of the Sacred Heart of Jesus and the Immaculate Heart of Mary, OCD (secular name: George Ho) was born in Tawau in year 1986. He joined the Carmelite friars in Singapore in 2012 and subsequently had his formation done in Singapore Major Seminary, Taiwan, and Rome. Currently as a deacon, he is based in Casa Theresia, Seremban, living a mixed life of prayer and apostolate.

“You said, ‘We should be holy and faithful to our charism.’ Yes, however, I would like to add on something ‘radical’ … Let us live our charism to the full, not only by ‘imitating’ the lives of our forefathers, but also in a way that God wants us to be, and only then, we would bear abundant ‘fruits’ and enrich the ‘treasury’ of our Order and of the Church…”– Fra George, OCD

VOCATION SHARING OF A SECULAR MEMBER

Ms Catherine Sim is one of the four founding members of Christ the King OCDS Community in Kuching since 10 May 2000. A convert baptised on 27 October 1977. After 18 years of active charismatic (1977 to 1995), she decided to live a more contemplative life in 1995 after the sudden death of her beloved father. After much discernment, she continues to live a life of austerity, silence, and solitude after the untimely death of her beloved mother in 2000.

“Prayer is a relationship with God… taking time frequently to be alone with Him who we know loves us. My heart only yearns to be alone with God. In everything I do, I unite them in prayers with God. Solitude with Jesus comforts and strengthens me. Everyday, I strive to grow in holiness through detachment, humility, and love (DHL), persevering with determined determination.” – Ms Catherine, OCDS

Since the vine of the Discalced Carmelite Order consists of three main different branches, for those who are interested, you may make your enquiries at:

ORDER OF DISCALCED CARMELITE NUNS (OCD NUNS)

Prioress: Mother Margaret of St Joseph, OCD
Contact Details: 118 Jalan Tun Abang Haji Openg, 93000 Kuching, Sarawak
P O Box 940, 93718 Kuching, Sarawak
Email: carmelkuching118@gmail.com