So i have two questions, which could probably go into two different threads, but I dont want to hog the VS.


1. Carmelites. Can somebody tell me about any good carmelite communities to look into? Or any info about carmelites in general?



2. Silent retreats. How do i find one, and what do i need to know?

The Carmelites of Terre Haute, IN are really great. I discerned with them for a while.
I don't know about silent retreats, though. Maybe you should look into doing one at the Abbey of Gethsemine? I think it's in TN, but I'm not sure.

There are two Orders of Carmel in the Church currently - the Carmelites of the Ancient Observance (O.Carm.) & the Discalced Carmelite Order (OCD) founded by St. Teresa of Avila & St. John of the Cross, which many of the well known Carmelites saints were in - St. Therese, Bl. Elizabeth of the Trinity ..

O.Carm. shield - OCD shield, which has Mt. Carmel merging with the Cross - the only difference

A couple O.Carm. communities on the IRL site : Coopersburg & Wahpeton

Here's a photo page I've been putting together of a few great OCD Carmels (under many of the individual pictures, there are comments/links): http://picasaweb.google.com/ocdnuns

Then there's some more information on the OCD nuns in these threads:

Carmel in the United States

Discalced Carmelite Nuns - 1990 & 1991 Constitutions

OCD Constitutions - 1990 & 1991 Split Opinion

Support for Cloistered Carmelite Vocations

It's in the above threads, but I'll post it here too - the newly updated site of St. Joseph Association: http://carmelitenunsstjoseph.org/

Then there are the many active/contemplative Carmelite communities, like the DCJs (different providences page) & the Carmelites of the Most Sacred Heart of LA.


Here's a thread that might be helpful - Catholic Retreat Centers

I highly recommend the Sisters of Bethlehem in Livingston Manor, NY for a silent retreat, especially if you happen to be in that area. It is beautiful there! The link on them is in there. :j

Praised be Jesus Christ!

The information about silent retreats that was already given, is good.

The mention of the difference between O. Carm. and OCD Carmelites is likewise sound. If you want to find out more about the OCD, you can google "Discalced Carmelite Homepage". Once you get to the main page, from there you can find the addresses and websites of all the OCD Carmels.

God Bless!

Courtney

Here's one more for your list of Carmelites.
This is an active community
The Carmelite Sisters of the Divine Heart of Jesus

I recommend that ^^^ community that Sr. Rose Therese posted VERY highly if you're looking for active Carmelites, Chelsea

As for silent retreats, I believe the Carmelites of the Divine Heart of Jesus might actually offer one but I'm not sure. The Sister Servants have silent retreats on occasion I think. They are, of course, my favorite retreat house

Can anybody give specific differences between the O.Carm and OCD orders? Are there any O.Carm saints? Why are there so few O.Carm communities in the world?

Also, here is a link to the official O.Carm website that has all of the communities for sisters, brothers, priests, and nuns in the world: O. Carm Official Website

Here is the link to the official OCD site, which has all of the communities for sisters, brothers, priests, and nuns in the world It also has all the latest info in OCD land : OCD Official Website

On the left of www.ocd.pcn.net, if you click on blue link that says "addresses," you'll be able to select whichever country you're interested in, and find all the convents, friaries, or monasteries in that particular country.

From what I've heard, these are some of the best OCD monasteries in the U.S., but I'm sure I'm missing some:

The Buffalo, NY Carmel

The Valparaiso Carmel (in Indiana??---can't remember what state it's in)

Monastery of St. Teresa, Alhambra, CA

Carmelite Nuns of Georgetown, CA

Wow so much info thanks. I'm gonna start going through it all, then i'll post again.

As far as silent retreats, I'm in the MD/DC area... I know my old YM used to do a silent retreat every lent, but i have no clue where she went.

I think if you were discerning with a particular monastery they would be able to provide you with a silent retreat.

The Carmelites of the Sacred Heart in Alhambra,California are AWESOME AWESOME religious you should deffinetly talk to sister Skolastica She is the Vocation Directoress and is very easy to talk to. Their mother house is a retreat center so you could most likly set up a silent retreat there also.


God Bless
Marge

Do they have a website?

I might talk to the carmelites of Port Tobacco, cuz they're about an hour from me, and it would be easier for me to do a silent retreat there. Oh, the Lord is so interesting in where he is taking me. I cant wait to see where I end up

Yes, and they are active/contemplative. :j

http://carmelitegeneralate.homestead.com/

*smacks head* of course, it was already posted a few replies up. whoops! I should have looked before I asked.

Thank you.

These are the same as the Carmelites of the Divine Heart of Jesus which have been suggested on this thread. Obviously PMers are fond of them!!

I'm pretty sure there's a difference b/w the Carmelites in Alahambra and the Carmelites of the Divine Heart of Jesus.....but maybe I'm misunderstanding what you wrote.

The OCD Carmelites follow the tradition of St Teresa of Avila and St John of the Cross, the reformers of the Carmelite order. The O.Carm communities did not enter into the reform, and so they are sometimes known as the Carmelites of the Ancient Observance. As a general rule, Teresian Carmels (OCD) place a greater emphasis on enclosure and eremiticism.

There are O.Carm saints, yes. The only one I know well is Titus Brandsma.

I have been in contact with an O.Carm community (the Corpus Christi Carmelites). I haven't seem them mentioned on PM very often. They have a very interesting history and a few people might like to take a look at them.