In the front row, from left, are the three Hawaii Discalced Carmelite Group members who made their “first promise” June 5 in the Carmelite Monastery chapel on the grounds of St. Stephen Diocesan Center, Alda Mae Takabayashi, Elaine Gibson and Celia Ona and the officiating celebrant Father Victor Lanuevo. In back, from left, are group members Darlene Tvrdy (group leader), Janice Eala and Kathy Paishon (group formation director). (Photo courtesy of Darlene Tvrdy)
Hawaii’s Discalced Carmelite Secular Group celebrated a “first promise” ceremony for three of its members June 5 in the Carmelite Monastery chapel on the grounds of St. Stephen Diocesan Center.
Alda Mae Takabayashi, Elaine Gibson and Celia Ona made an initial three-year pledge to pursue personal holiness through Carmelite spirituality and to care for others with prayer and good works.
The Discalced Carmelite Seculars (OCDS), commonly known as secular Carmelites, is an integral branch of the Carmelite order. The seculars are lay Catholics, men and women, married or single, from all walks of life, who integrate the Carmelite spirituality into their daily lives in order to seek God and share him with others through prayer and apostolate.
The life of a Discalced Carmelite Secular includes:
- Daily prayer and meditation
- Frequent participation in the celebration of Mass
- Study and reflection of Scripture and the writings of Carmelite saints
- Devotion to and imitation of Mary
- Confraternity with the Discalced Carmelite Secular Community through monthly meetings
- Participation in individual and community apostolate through prayer and service for family, neighbors and society
Discalced Carmelite Seculars are spread throughout the world in various communities, each canonically established under the direction of the general superior of the Discalced Carmelite Order. The name of Hawaii’s Community of Discalced Carmelite Seculars is the Flos Carmeli and St. Joseph Group. The group meets monthly at the Carmel Monastery chapel.
For more information about the Discalced Carmelite Seculars, contact Darlene Tvrdy, OCDS, Hawaii Group leader, ocdshawaii@gmail.com or (808) 254-6677.
