I didn’t know much about the third order, lay/secular consecrated life. I’ve only known about the third order when I read about the life of St.Catherine of Siena. She was a third order Dominican. The idea of becoming a third order came to me when I asked myself if it is possible to consecrate myself to God while I’m still in the secular world.

I’ve emailed some third order congregations, like the Franciscans, Dominicans and Carmelites. Only one answered and that is the Carmelites.

The Carmelites are close to my heart. When I was young, I made St.Therese of Lisieux my patron saint. I even dreamt of becoming a contemplative nun someday. Every congregation or religious community has its own charism. I was attracted to the charism of the Carmelites – prayer and contemplation. I’m also a devotee of Our Blessed Mother, her gift to us the brown scapular. I was an observer for quite a long time. I was accepted as an aspirant formally, June of last year. We meet once a month for our community meeting and we have another meeting for our formation. The Order of the Carmelites Discalced (OCDS) makes promises of poverty, chastity and obedience. Both men and women are welcome to join the order. Anyone who is single, married, widow or widower. One who is mature and feels that he or she may be called in the state of life.

Still, I longed for something more. I want a deeper commitment with Our Lord Jesus. That was when I came across the Cenacle Auxiliaries. It was just accidental. I was browsing the website of the Religious of the Cenacle when I read about this group of consecrated women who has a close link with the Religious of the Cenacle. What attracted me to the group is that they pronounce their vows annually. They have vows just like the priests and nuns.

 I have known the Religious of the Cenacle through the album that they have made together with the Jesuit Philippines. I was a fan of the Jesuit music ever since I was a young girl. I have a collection of their records and hymn books. The sisters have produced two albums, - Prayers from the Upper Room and Sing of Him which was launched last year. The Cenacle Retreat House is indeed a haven for those who want to go on a retreat or be in solitude. The sisters mission is to give retreats and they don’t wear a habit like the other religious communities. You can distinguish them by the cross that they wear. Now I’m once again an observer and I’m still discerning and praying that this is where I ought to be. Their founder is St.Therese Couderc and they dwell on the Ignatian spirituality. Requirements are as follows: single (never been married), annulled or divorced and a mature Catholic woman.    

I have also interviewed some of my fellow Auxiliaries and my former formator in
Carmel, why they have chosen this way of life. Below are their answers.

“For me to decide to live a consecrated life in a secular order is purely a grace from God. To remain faithful to my prayer life and to be generous in responding to follow the call of  the Lord to holiness as a lay person which led me to particularly go through the long formation process in the school of Carmel and allowing the grace of God to work in my life. To live my promise of poverty, chastity and obedience, and to live the beatitudes of the secular order of
Carmel”. – Vicenta Gumia, OCDS (former religious sister and my former formator at
Carmel)

“It is my response to God’s love for me. God led me to the Auxiliary of the Cenacle”. – Alma, Cenacle Auxiliary

“I felt called to this kind of life and also my response to God’s love”. – Tesa, Cenacle Auxiliary

Everyone of us has a vocation in life. It may be a call to single blessedness, married life or the religious state. Take time to ponder, reflect. God’s calling you, listen and harden not your hearts.

May we be unafraid to answer the call. To trod on the path that is less traveled. “Be not afraid!”. – Pope John Paul II

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For more information about the Order of the Discalced Carmelites and the Religious of the Cenacle, you may write or call:

Carmel House of Prayer

Cenacle Retreat House 59 Nicanor Reyes St.,Loyola
Heights, Katipunan,Q.C