Discalced Carmelite Friars: CA-AZ Province of St. Joseph
Information
Religious
Men
Monastic, Active
Pro-life, Living & Teaching Carmelite Charism of Prayer/Spirituality, Discalced Carmelite Nuns & OCDS Retreats, Missionary, Evangelization, Spiritual Direction, Pastoral Ministry
Get in Touch!
Fr. Matthias of the Immaculate Heart, O.C.D. (Vocation Director) (626) 282-2744 ext. 224
Location(s)
Our province covers the western U.S. with communities in San Jose CA, Alhambra CA, Redlands CA, Oakville CA, Tucson AZ, Mount Angel OR, Stanwood WA, and a mission in Uganda, Africa.
Patron Saints/Famous Saints of the Community
Our Lady of Mt. Carmel, St. Joseph, St. Elijah, St. Teresa of Jesus, St. John of the Cross, St. Therese of the Child Jesus and the Holy Face, St. Edith Stein, St. Raphael Kalinowski, St. Elizabeth of the Trinity, St. Teresa of the Andes, etc.
Charism/Apostolate
Prayer and devotion to Mother Mary. We seek union with the Holy Trinity and promote the spiritual life through the teachings of the Carmelite Saints, especially our Holy Parents, St. Teresa of Jesus and St. John of the Cross. Imbued with prayer, Marian Devotion, and the teachings of our saints, our apostolates are manifold, including our OCD Nuns and Seculars, retreats, Carmelite Institute of Spirituality, parishes (2 parish schools), and our Ugandan Mission. Flowing from contemplative union, some of our friars have also been involved in various ministries including youth & young adults, prisons, pro-life, classical education, and seminary teaching.
History
Zelo zelatus sum pro Domino Deo exercituum. Rooted in St. Elijah's contemplative and prophetic vocation, we are sons of St. Teresa of Avila and St. John of the Cross. In 16th C. Spain, St. Teresa reformed the Carmelites, brought St. John of the Cross into her expansion of the reform among the friars, and a new Order, the Discalced Carmelites, was formed and spread throughout the world.
Prayer Life
The signature of the Discalced Carmelites (nuns & friars) is our 2 hours of mental prayer each day - one in the morning, and one in the evening. Daily, we offer the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass, the Divine Office, and Marian Devotion. Monthly Day of Recollection and annual retreat.
Traditions
Brown Scapular & Our Lady of Mt. Carmel, Eucharistic Adoration, Flos Carmeli, Holy Rosary, Preaching of Novenas for Our Lady of Mt. Carmel and St. Therese of Lisieux, smaller monastic communities, etc.