“…what must I do to gain eternal life?” (Mk 10:17) the question raised by the young man to Jesus must be one of the many questions that we keep asking God, others and ourselves. Sometimes thisquestion might have remained unansweredsome other times the answer may not have been palatable. Is my life limited only to catering to my daily needs…to this world alone?

Do we find enough spiritual nourishment in our Church – one hour a week – that too with million thoughts running helter-skelter? Is spiritual life and its growth reserved only to priest and nuns? What is the path for the ordinary people grow in spiritual life, their relationship with God? Secular Carmel comes to aid of these ordinary laity who want to do more than just remain nominal Christians.

Secular Carmel is an association of lay people who are interested to inherit the spiritual wealth of the Carmelite Order. They are also known as the Third Order (First order being that of the Carmelite priest and brothers, the second order is the Cloistered Carmel, the third order is of the lay people). They gather frequently (once in a fortnight) to pray together and discuss about the spiritual life, and the writings of the great saints of the Order as well of the Church. As a sign of their total dedication to God, they make Promises in imitation of evangelical counsels of chastity (marital chastity), poverty and obedience – which are renewed every year. After the completion of certain stage of formation, they are allowed to make Vows for life.

Thus, Secular Carmel provides opportunity for everyone to tread the path of eternal life here on earth itself.

Would you mind giving Jesus a chance?

God bless you

Fr. Ligoury Crasta, OCD
Spiritual Director of Secular Carmel, Mangalore
Phone : 7038562455
Email: ligu2@rediffmail.com