Carmelite Vocation

Carmelites of Dumaguete

O.Carm

I asked Fr. Sulistya (https://twitter.com/#!/fshpocarm) about difference between an O.C.D. and O.Carm. 

Me: What's difference between O.C.D. and O.Carm?

Actually between O.Carm and OCD there is no differences. Both OCD and O.Carm are Carmelite. We use the same Rule (Saint Albert Rule), but we are using difference constitution. OCD is a member of Familia Carmelitana. OCD means : Ordo Carmelitarum Discalcetorum or bare feet Carmelite. They (OCD) became independent group in 16th century. At that time the rligious life was really bad (all orders and congregations). No wonder at that time a lot of good religious wanted to reform their religious life, for example Saint Peter Alcantara with the Fransiscan and Saint Teresa of Avila and Saint John of the Cross with the Carmelite.

Actually Saint Teresa of Avila and Saint John of the Cross had no intention of founding a new Order. They just wanted to reform the life Carmelite life. Anyway, their followers especially Nicholas oria and Jerome Gratia misinterpreted the intention of both of the Saints. So in 1590's Nicholas Doria declared to separate their group (OCD) as an independent Order. Actually the declaration OCD as a independent group happened after Saint Teresa and Saint John of the Cross passed away. Saint Teresa and Saint John still remain as O.Carm.

Both of us OCD and O.Carm right now become separate Order, but both of us still have strong conection in many aspecs, for example the liturgy of the hour, saints, Rule, spirituality and so on. Hopefully it'll make you clear about OCD and O.Carm. 

Fr. Francis Sulistya, O.Carm