From left, Hawaii Discalced Carmelite Seculars formation director Kathy Paishon; making first promise, Janice Eala; celebrant Father Francis Sanchez; new member Jennie Roller, Hawaii Secular Carmelites group leader Darlene Tvrdy, June 4 in the Carmelite Monastery chapel on the grounds of St. Stephen Diocesan Center. (Photo courtesy of Joseph Tvrdy)
The Discalced Carmelite Secular Group of Hawaii held a double ceremony on June 4 at the Carmelite Monastery chapel on the grounds of St. Stephen Diocesan Center. New member Jennie Roller was welcomed into the group in a rite of admission ceremony and Janice Eala made her first promise — her initial three-year pledge to pursue personal holiness through Carmelite spirituality and to care for others with prayer and good works.
The monastery, Carmel of the Holy Trinity, is where discalced Carmelite nuns live in a cloistered community.
The Discalced Carmelite Seculars (OCDS), commonly known as Secular Carmelites, is a branch and an integral part of the Carmelite order. The seculars are lay Catholics, men and women, married and 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, with each community 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 Carmelite monastery chapel at St. Stephen Diocesan Center in Kaneohe.
For more information about the Discalced Carmelite Seculars, contact Darlene Tvrdy, OCDS, Hawaii Discalced Carmelite Secular group leader, ocdshawaii@gmail.com or (808) 254-6677.
