From left, Hawaii Discalced Carmelite Seculars group leader, Darlene Tvrdy; new member, Francine Fiust; new member, Victoria Croce; Hawaii Discalced Carmelite formation director, Kathy Paishon; new member, Roxanne Viloria; celebrant, visiting Carmelite Father Thomas Reeves, June 3 in the Carmelite Monastery chapel on the grounds of St. Stephen Diocesan Center. (Photo courtesy of Joseph Tvrdy)
By Darlene Tvrdy
Special to the Herald
The Discalced Carmelite Secular Group of Hawaii welcomed three new members in a rite of admission ceremony June 3 in the Carmelite Monastery chapel on the grounds of St. Stephen Diocesan Center. They are Francine Fiust, Victoria Croce and Roxanne Viloria.
The monastery, Carmel of the Holy Trinity, is where Hawaii’s discalced Carmelite nuns live in a cloistered community. “Discalced” means without shoes.
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 Carmel 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.
