Secular Order of Discalced Carmelites

The Daily Life of a Secular Carmelite.
Eiljah


Our Holy Father, Elijah

According to the Secular Carmelite Rule of Life, a Secular Carmelite endeavors:

1. To devote a minimum of a half-hour each day to mental prayer or dedication. 5. Honor Mary by some particular act of devotion. The Rosary is highly recommended.
2. To recite Morning and Evening Prayers from the Liturgy of the Hours, and, if possible, Night Prayer before retiring. 6. Members should have an esteem for the Sacrament of Penance and receive the Sacrament frequently.
3. To wear the Brown Scapular of Our Lady of Mt. Carmel, as a sign of one's devotion to Mary and membership in her Order. 7. Members should have an active apostolate.
4. To attend daily Mass if possible. 8. Members will observe the feasts of the Order and fast on the Vigil of these feasts:

  • Our Lady of Mt. Carmel-July 16
  • The Prophet Elijah-July 20
  • St. Therese of Liseaux-October 1
  • Our Holy Mother Saint Teresa of Jesus-October 15
  • All Saints of the Carmelite Order-November 14
  • Our Holy Father Saint John of the Cross-December 14

Abstinence on these Vigils is not obligatory.
The fast follows the usual rules of the Church: one full meal, although two smaller additional meals (whose combined amount is less than the full meal) may be had. The order of the meals is not important. Thus, the full meal may be breakfast, lunch, or dinner, with the optional other two meals in the other locations. Note: if the fast day should fall on a Sunday (which is a solemnity and not appropriate for fasting), no fast is observed.