By Catherine Sim, OCDS
SPAIN — The 1st OCDS World Meeting was held in Avila, Spain from 23-26 July, 2026. It was attended by more than 900 Secular Carmelites from 80 countries around the world. Malaysia was represented by Annie Yeo, Catherine Sim and Eta Ting from Christ the King OCDS Community, Kuching, and Theresa Chuah from Fraternity of St Teresa and St John of the Cross OCDS Community, Kuala Lumpur.
We were very much enriched with daily Eucharist, moment of guided prayer and Eucharistic adoration, and Talks presented by experienced Friars and Secular Carmelites based on the theme: “Witnesses to the Experience of God: Identity and Mission”. Everyone is to be a witness of God.
The Talks were presented in Spanish, Italian, English and French: “Identity of the Secular Carmelite”, “Sense of belonging and responsibility”, “Initial and Ongoing Formation”, “Pastoral Ministry to the OCDS”, “Forming together the Teresian Community”, “Prayer, Fraternity and Communion”, “Creative Fidelity: The Mission of the OCDS in the Church, the Order and the World” and finally “Walking together towards the Future”. It is time to walk together. Future begins now.
Besides that, we had interactions with Superior General of the Order of Discalced Carmelites, Fr Miguel Marquez Calle, OCDS General Delegate, Fr Ramiro Casale and immediate past OCDS General Delegate, Fr Alzinir Debastiani. There were Cultural Interactions with songs and dances, too. We had Flamenco Evening during the weekend. On Sunday, we took part in one of the five “Excursions-Pilgrimages” of our choice where we walked the footprints of Our Holy Parents, St Teresa of Jesus and St John of the Cross: Alba de Tormes, Salamanca and Duruelo, Medina del Campo and Fontiveros, Segovia, and Avila.
We are truly blessed to be called and given the opportunity to attend the 1st OCDS World Meeting in Avila despite the many challenges we faced at home and in the world.
We praise and thank our good Lord for these four days of joyful encounter within a single Carmelite family. During this time, we were given the opportunity to know many other Carmelites from different countries, and experienced HIM in our Carmelite spiritual journey together. This lived experience of learning and fellowship will nudge us to grow in deeper friendship with God, and be better Carmelites to serve our family, community and parish. May we embrace our Vocation as ‘coequal members of the Order of Discalced Carmelites’ faithfully daily, by building an intimate relationship with Christ rooted in Prayer. We are no longer called the 3rd Order but as Secular Carmelites, belonging to the Order of Discalced Carmelites world-wide.
*More information for 1st OCDS World Meeting via ewtnnews.com on Discalced Carmelites call Seculars to embrace vocation as ‘coequal members of the Order’
