Stained Glass Scapulars-Reflections on the Secular Carmelite Rule

Photo: R. Massaro St. Anthony Church Akron, Ohio

From the Constitutions Section 1, No. 3

The members of the Secular Order of Discalced Carmelites are faithful members of the Church, called to live in allegiance to Jesus Christ through a friendship with the one we know loves us...

This short excerpt taken from  paragraph 3 states the essence of our Secular Carmelite vocation. This excerpt is threefold in nature:

#1: Faithful members of the Church.

#2: Fidelity to Jesus Christ

#3: Friendship with Jesus Christ

The readers of this blog may say, "Ok, you are preaching to the choir."  Patience, dear reader, let us hear the message, and let it take deeper root in our hearts and minds. Let us examine our conscience in light of these three virtues.

We can ask ourselves if we are truly faithful members of the Roman Catholic Church. We know that when we came to Carmel we had to provide a baptismal certificate, we had to show that we are members of the church, in good standing, before we were clothed with the Scapular.  Now we can ask ourselves if we have gotten off-track along-the-way by not adhering to church teaching in certain matters, perhaps an illicit relationship, occult practices or new-age teachings.  This is not being a faithful member of the church.

We can examine ourselves further in light of #2-fidelity or allegiance to Jesus Christ. Do we let people and situations become an obstacle to our union with Christ.  The Carmelite Order is studying the Way of Perfection this year, and recently our community discussed the chapters in which St. Teresa speaks of the harm relatives can do to our spiritual lives if we are not careful. Are we more faithful to worldly pastimes and pleasures than performing works of charity? Are we afraid to speak the truth when necessary? Do we compromise our beliefs as Catholics, as Carmelites in order to please others? This is not fidelity to Jesus Christ.

Now we come to the heart of the Carmelite vocation: friendship with Jesus Christ.  Yes, this is the heart of our calling. We are called to spend time in intimate friendship with Our Lord and Savior. What a beautiful and awesome calling! We should be most grateful that he has called us to be his beloved by inspiring us to seek union with Him. Do we take our prayer time seriously? Is it hit or miss? Do we pray only when we feel like it?

When we answered the Lord's call to enter Carmel, we accepted the call to follow the Crucified and Risen Savior. We must learn to leave worldly pleasures behind, accept the joys and sorrows of the narrow road of prayer if we desire holiness.  Life is short. Let us ask the Holy Spirit to give us the gift of true contemplation, the gift of a pure heart, so that we may be faithful followers of Jesus Christ and His Church.

Let us pray for each other!

Peace be with you!
Rosemarie, ocds
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