Carmelites vs. Poor Clares

[DominicanHeart]

Now I'm not trying to start anything here over which Order is better. This is completely out of curiosity. I've been looking at the Carmelites and the Poor Clares a lot lately and I know there are obvious differences between them. But they still seem so similar. What are some huge differences in Spirituality between them? I'm sorry if this seems like a dumb question. Again I'm just curious.

[Sponsa-Christi]

To start things off..besides the obvious differences in their historical origins and foundations, I believe Carmelites have more of an eremitical spirituality and focus on solitude. Also, I think Poor Clares have more of an explicit focus on "joy" as an essential part of their spirituality, and that they are more interested in having an aesthetically beautiful (rather than a plain and simple) liturgical life. 

[nikita92]

I am attracted to the PC's praying in rows (like Mother Angelicas PC's)...verses Carmelites doing it in single line opposite each other. Some other communities also are opposite each other but have rows of stalls..

[John Paul]

We have a lot of old threads about this don't we?

[josephine]

Since visiting both communities might be hard/impossible, a suggestion to get more insight in their differences, is to read the rules of life? I have no idea about the carmelite rule of life, but St Clares is very beautiful and not that long. You can find it here. http://poorclarestmd.org/clare/formof/life.html

one particular difference that i know is regarding sleep: many carmels have a siesta (theresa of avila lived in spain after all) and that the poor clare colletines have kept the tradition of midnight rising of matins. 

 

[marigold]

I was thinking of this thread in particular which people have found helpful over the last couple of years http://www.phatmass.com/phorum/topic/114516-poor-clares-vs-carmelites/