The Third Order Carmelites in the Philippines recently promoted its members after having shown a certain level of commitment and maturity in embracing the Carmelite spirit.
Last September 5, the communities of the Lord of Divine Mercy of Sikatuna Village, Our Lady of Miraculous Medal of Project 4, the Lord of Divine Mercy of Sikatuna Village and the Immaculate Conception of Cubao recognized the commitment of their members in a Eucharistic Celebration of thanksgiving presided by Carmelite Prior Provincial Very Rev. Fr. Rico Ponce, O.Carm. at the Crispin Offermans Hall of Titus Brandsma Center in New Manila, Quezon City.
Those who professed their solemn vows were Zenaida Acuña, TOCarm and Antonina Budomo, TOCarm of the Lord of Divine Mercy Community, and Josefina Lising of Our Lady of Miraculous Medal Community. The new simple professed are Maria Teresa Encinas, TOCarm and Marilou Samaco TOCarm both from Lord of Divine Mercy Community.
Meanwhile, Nellie Corazon Fuerte, TOCarm of Immaculate Conception Community was accepted for the novitiate.
The Third Order Carmelite is an association of lay people and diocesan priests who find in the Carmelite charism help for their spiritual growth and in fulfilling their mission in the Church and the world.
They are part a wider Carmelite family composed of friars, nuns, religious sisters and brothers, and lay Carmelite groups.
Formation for Third Order Carmelites in the Philippines is a lifetime commitment and initial formation usually takes six years. During that time they would take courses that would enrichen and enliven their understanding of church teachings and at the same time deepen their Carmelite spirituality.
Over the centuries the Third Order Carmelites have produced models of holiness like St. George Preca (Malta), Liberata Ferrarons (Spain), Anita Zelickova (Czechia), and Carmen de Sojo (Spain). (By Ritche T. Salgado, O.Carm. Photos from OCarm PDO.)