The Secular Carmelites of Blessed Therese of St Augustine and Her Companions are a group of Loyal Traditionalists, trying to live the Carmelite Life in the world in unity with our Holy Father, in conformity with the motu proprio Ecclesia Dei and according to the Rule of the Third (Secular) Order of O.L. of Mount Carmel and St Teresa promulgated in 1921.
Pending our incorporation into one of the Branches of Carmel or our juridical establishment as an association of the laity, we claim membership in the Carmelite Family under the following, taken from The Carmelite Constitutions currently in force. They can be accessed in full at: http://www.carmelite.org/const1.htm and http://www.carmelite.org/const2.htm.
28. The many and various embodiments of the Carmelite charism are for us a source of joy; they confirm the rich and creative fruitfulness of our charism, lived under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit- a fruitfulness to be welcomed with gratitude and discernment. All individuals and groups, whether institutional or not, which draw their inspiration from the Rule of St. Albert, from its tradition and from the values expressed in Carmelite spirituality, constitute the Carmelite Family within the Church today. This Family includes ourselves and our brothers of the Teresian Reform; the women religious of both branches; affiliated religious congregations; the Third Orders Secular; secular institutes; individuals affiliated with the Order through the sacred scapular; and those who by whatever title or bond are affiliated with the Order; and those movements which, though juridically not part of the Order, seek inspiration and support from its spirituality; and any man or woman who is drawn to the values of Carmel.
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